NBA 2K13

Game Info

Every time you have multiple varities of sport games that compete against each other, the harsh competition makes for better products on both ends. This is most awesome for us the gamer as we are delightlfully entertained in both spectrums. Now, it comes to a divide where one title keeps to its formula and the other completely goes on their own path trailblazing and trying new things. Thus, outdoing everyone and making an outstanding product. This is what you have here in the new NBA 2K13 title.

NBA 2k13 definitely does not dissapoint in terms of originality and energetic entertainment. They aren’t just putting out their latest annual basketball simulation title like the rest. There are some great new features and a new spin on the game that doesn’t take away from core gameplay, and while a couple features could be lived without, in the end 2K13 is at the top of basketball games and will keep people entertained.

 

Court Cajones

2K13 had the balls to mess with the basic control formula but definitely held their own. In terms of gameplay, the pacing, flow and feel is pretty much near perfection. Without looking at the controls I was able to catch on rather quickly. Now, in terms of the new controls, a big change was the addition of the right thumbstick-based Dribble stick, which ties into the Freestyle controls of last generation of NBA Live titles. Shooting is also now accomplished by pulling the LT/L2 in combination of the right stick. Let’s just say it takes some getting used to but works. I occasionally forgot to pull the trigger and failed at an open shot, so don’t feel bad if that happens to you at first. The only gripe about the controls I had was the lacking of tutorial. On game load a window is displayed saying these are the new controls; the user doesn’t get a quick tutorial on how to use them making it a little frustrating trying to pull off a shot and trying the new dribble stick. Once you get used to the controls though its smooth sailing. In terms of graphics, here’s a funny story. A friend that came into the office asked what game was on TV and then I showed him the controller and said it was a video game..I would say the graphics are excellent and quite believable.

Another feature is VC points, credits that are earned for anything you do within the game. You’ll be spending them to ball out your player. While we’re talking through things on the menu, one complaint is the menu system itself. Some of the menus are extremely confusing and convuluted, some can be backed out of and some menus cannot, which is frustrating. I request they adjust this in the future, the series has been around for a while and definitely deserves full finess. It doesn’t matter much if you are focused on playing so I stopped fiddling around with the options and went back to the enjoyable gameplay.

A new take on this title is that it was Executive produced by the Jigga man himself, Jay Z. Being a huge fan of his I found this an extremely enjoyable experience, with music that ties in perfectly to gameplay. Jay Z picked what tracks he wanted in the game as well as cutscenes with him and it all ties in perfectly. Now, if you aren’t a Jay Z fan, then you probably will hate all these things in the game, but who is not a fan of Jay Z? That’s what I thought. The other thing that Jay Z did, and this is no joke, is he put Justin Bieber in the game. Yep, you heard me. There is a 2K13 Celeberty team that includes Justin Bieber, Lil Bow Wow, and many others. It’s definitely funny and amusing and they’ve also got a 97 team rating which is crazy but whatever, its all for fun.

MyPlayer is a nice feature that’s taken more of a personable approach, its now MyCareer. Its just as engaging as last year, you get to create your baller, start in a rookie game, get drafted, and develop your skills and experience. But now you can even request sit-downs with your manager and either compliment them or request your coach be fired, which is hilarious and awesome all in one. Your verbiage and choice of words can be very funny, and depending on what you say and who you say it around, the team or media; your fans will react either positive or negatively from those interactions.

For the Xbox 360 version, NBA 2K13 even has some Kinect voice support. It’s pretty useful you can substitute players in and out. I’m glad to see that most games now are starting to use various Kinect support. It definitely gives a fresh feel to gameplay and adds a different dimension.

Overall, would I recommend this title? Absolutely. NBA 2K13 does what many basketball games have not done before; capitivate new audience while hugely entertaining their current following. Not only was I pulled in and enjoyed countless hours of this game but I was able to get friends who were non-basketball fans to enjoy this title which says a lot. 2K13 has to be one of the greatest NBA title’s that was ever created and will probably be the last best NBA title for this generation of consoles guaranteed. Maybe, even the best sports game I’ve personally played which says a lot.