NBA 2K25 stands out in a year of great sports video games

of NBA 2K The series has become so many things to so many players that it's nearly impossible to do it all justice in one review. As the most feature- and mode-packed annual sports title, the game has spent the past few years focused on refining its formula rather than reinventing the wheel, but this year is a little different. Overhauls to dribble, pace and enhancements to the ProPlay system have resulted in a game that is unparalleled in its capture and translation of NBA basketball to your controller.

Broadly speaking, there are two basic ways people interact. NBA 2K Every year, that hasn't changed. Thousands of players flock to MyCareer to polish their created players, share their builds online, and strive to reach level 99. MyCareer's competitive format is completely different from the rest of the game and requires very specialized knowledge, so I won't focus on it here. There are plenty of media outlets, YouTubers, and content creators who focus on MyCareer, and they frankly know more about the tweaks that have been made to the formula that I don't.

Consider this an older review, but as someone who has played just about every version since Allen Iverson graced the cover of the Dreamcast in 1999, what I find enjoyable about this game is the simulation element of the series. NBA 2K Recreating the NBA itself, recreating the feel of a basketball game on the court, with differentiation between players? In one word, incredible. In two words, mind-blowing.

NBA 2K25 The company is in the second year of its ProPlay system and is teetering on the edge of the uncanny valley. NBA 2K24This new animation methodology moves away from motion capturing individuals in a studio and instead uses film analysis of players from actual NBA games and translates that into the game's animation system. Last year it focused primarily on shots and dunks, but has now expanded. 2K25 It's all about dribbling, off-ball animations, specific handling and so much more. The result is an incredibly realistic game – all the players act and look just like their real-world counterparts, and you're rewarded for playing just like they do in real life.

It may not be groundbreaking, but it's hard to quantify exactly how unique everyone feels about it. In past games, the idea has been sketched out in broad strokes. Sure, there was no Stephen Curry tearing through contested lanes or Kawhi Leonard smashing 3-pointers off the dribble, but it was a game that was easy to play. NBA 2K5 It's all broken down to the microscopic level: Joel Embiid can freeze defenders with his signature hang dribble and drop a high-release pull-up, while LaMelo Ball excels at hesitant dribbles to get into the lane at odd angles and launch high scoops and teardrops.

Extending the ProPlay concept to ball handling makes everything feel custom made. Of course, none of this would work without a smooth branching animation system. And while I played the game, I never saw the engine completely break down while transitioning from dribble to shot. That includes trying a number of off-balance passes and weird angles with Nikola Jokic that really put it to the test, and each time the game responded appropriately.

Small changes really make a difference NBA 2K25Players who play 42 minutes in the NBA will no longer be randomly substituted for long stretches in the second or third quarters. It's common for star players to play an entire game without being substituted, which makes game statistics more representative even over five-minute quarters.

This year's game also sees a change to the shot meter, replaced with a less obtrusive arrow system that appears next to the player during jump shots. The timing change takes some getting used to as it requires a bit of muscle memory to be relearned, but it's worth it. Similarly, contested shots now have a much higher percentage of going in depending on the player's skill. This means that confident shooters with good timing can now make spot-up 3-pointers even when someone is right in front of them, rather than constantly moving the ball to find the open guy.

There's also been a lot more time devoted to WNBA games this year, and don't get me wrong, there's still not enough. Some Though there's been an increased level of polish on the NBA side, including a much more condensed version of MyCareer, the WNBA no longer feels like an afterthought: the Caitlin Clark phenomenon is in full swing, with commentary frequently mentioning her impact on the WNBA and any star players you create being asked immediately in interviews what it was like to be in the same draft class as Clark.

Era mode is back, allowing you to play in the 80s, 90s, 00s and 2010s presentations. This time, the game is recreating the 2016 “Curry Era”. I mention this era mainly because it made me feel so old. These older eras of NBA play come complete with their own sliders that better replicate the evolution of basketball. For example, in the Bird/Magic and Jordan eras, the 3-point shot was a luxury and strong defense and physicality were the cornerstones of the game.

To briefly touch on the story element of NBA MyCareer, it's, well, entertaining. The gameplay itself is great, and creating player archetypes is a lot of fun. The way the story is written will make you want to put your hands over your face at times. Most notably, there's a scene in my point guard's backstory where my team's motivation to win the state championship in high school was because the biggest donor to our rival school closed down the garment factory where my grandfather worked for 37 years. I get that they're trying to weave messages about privilege and wealth into the NBA journey, but it feels like it was written in a Disney movie.

NBA 2K25 is a standout title in what has been a truly amazing year for sports games. With unparalleled presentation, graphics, animation and commentary, it truly stands out among professional sports games. This year's iteration is a basketball lover's dream, especially for veteran fans who want to play with their favorite team, and even more so for those who have been away from playing for a few years. With a title packed with features, modes and things to do, the ways to enjoy it are endless. NBA 2K25This is a must-play, must-experience game that all sports titles should aspire to be.