Upon leaving my apartment recently, I was greeted by a parcel on my doorstep. (You notice how FedEx never knocks anymore? They just leave it on your doorstep. How long would it take to just try the door once?) Happily, it was a review copy of a much-anticipated video game that released a couple of weeks ago.
The latest in the premier NBA video game franchise, 2K Sports’ NBA 2K12 looks to improve upon last year’s NBA 2K11, a near-perfect showing in the basketball game genre. And, well … they just may have.
In terms of the game’s highlights, they truly are nearly limitless. The general gameplay is really tight and crisp, with no lags and outstanding control. (I’m playing the Xbox 360 version. While it is 3D compatible, I’m not playing in 3D.) The players do what you tell them, where you tell them, and react on a dime (well, as fast as can be humanly expected). The list of player moves over which you have total control is daunting in its scope (5 different types of layup; 3 different styles of jumper), but the mode of execution (joystick + various buttons) is so much smoother and more natural than old school button-mashing.
The realism is tremendous, with painstaking attention paid to small details like customized shot releases that vary per player, unique styles of layup and even different guys having different jump stops.
Speaking of realism, the player ratings and attributes are a great fit too, with LeBron, D-Wade, Kobe and the like performing how you’d expect them to. So far I’ve not stumbled upon any Michael Dickerson-caliber player being absolutely unstoppable. (I’m looking at you, NBA Live 2000.)
And on the topic of players, one of NBA 2K12’s highlights is the impressive roster of legendary hoopers, including guys like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas and Jerry West. They’re all there for the playing, and it really adds another dimension to the game as well as another appealing game mode.
But the title of Best Game Mode (after four days of playing, anyway) belongs to My Player, the obligatory control-one-guy-from-rookie-to-retirement mode. Thanks to improved between-game options and more control over your player on and off the court, this mode elevates itself from a standard throw-in space filler to one of NBA 2K12’s highlights.
And what with this being NikeBlog, I have to mention the shoes. Thanks to a unique tie-in with Nike, NBA 2K12 had the LeBron 9’s the day they released, and that’s not all. Jordan Fly Wades, Air Jordan 2011’s and Air Jordan Alpha 1’s populate the game, just to name a few, adding a bit of realism as well as … well, it’s really cool.
Overall an excellent game, it may have actually improved upon last year’s version which seemed to set a new standard in the realm of basketball video games. Fans of games that simply play really well will be pleased. Fans of games that not only play well, but have plenty of background, storylines and dynasty features to really occupy your time will be elated.
Played it yet? Let me know what you think. If not, and you have Nintendo Wii, stay tuned; I’ll be giving away a copy in the coming days.