Over the past few years, developer Visual Concepts’ focus on updating online features and adding more microtransactions has left the meat of its annualized basketball series a forgettable merry-go-round of rehashed ideas and uninspired modes
But NBA 2K25 feels different, like a grizzled league veteran and the definition of a perennial starter. There are still gaps in its game, but solid fundamentals and a willingness to adapt help make it a reliable part of any rotation.
Or, in this case, a novel and innovative entry that can win new fans and bring back oldheads alike. If the action on the court weren’t excellent, no one would have any reason to tolerate the cruft that 2K insists on tacking on around it.
Make no mistake, you still can’t teach a long-running basketball sim a lot of radical new tricks, and 2K25 is still very recognizable. But that doesn’t mean you can’t polish it until it becomes as smooth as Steph Curry’s buttery jumper.
This is where the return of what Visual Concepts calls “ProPLAY technology” shines. Although it was initially brought on board as part of 2K24, this year’s iteration is much better at producing lifelike player animations and motions, so Paul George’s fluid jump shot and Jayson Tatum’s upper body heave look like the actual thing.
The old adage “a tale of two halves” really encapsulates the NBA 2K24 experience. On one hand, the hardcourt experience is as good as it ever has been (as we should demand from a game that iterates annually)
there are a handful of game modes that allow all of that to be enjoyed without interruption. On the other, much more nefarious hand, MyCareer is nearly unplayable unless you open your wallet or endure an absurd grind.
Even worse, mechanics like badge regression reinforce the worst parts of the microtransaction scheme. Beneath those issues, NBA 2K24 still offers a solid basketball experience, but it requires looking in the right places.