I’m a huge basketball fan and I’m still going strong after my beloved Boston Celtics won the championship last season. Combine this with Jayson Tatum as NBA 2K25’s new cover star, and it probably shouldn’t surprise anyone that I was already on board and ready to catch what this year’s offering had to offer. Sho.
We reviewed NBA 2K24 last year, and while it’s generally a good basketball sim, it lacks any real progressive elements aside from the Mamba Moments mode, which lets you play through Kobe Bryant’s most iconic moments and games. I thought it was missing. But you could also argue that this has been done before in NBA 2K11 and NBA 2K23’s Jordan Challenge.
NBA 2K25 doesn’t necessarily erase the shortcomings of the past, but it’s a step in the right direction, from more nuanced gameplay and rhythm shooting to the variety the revamped MyCAREER mode brings. That being said, as far as MyTEAM is concerned, microtransactions are unfortunately still as bad as they have been in recent years.
play like a pro
NBA 2K25 features some small but significant adjustments in the gameplay department. First, the gameplay is similar enough to last year, at least overall. The weight and movement are great, and the supposedly improved dribbling engine feels incredibly familiar, while the new rhythm shot timing and new defensive cutoff system feel like welcome improvements.
Shooting has received a major overhaul with new shot and rhythm timing options that can be customized to your liking. Shot timing can be adjusted to benefit casual and hardcore players alike. For example, the timing of a shot can be determined based on ratings. In other words, a shooter will naturally take more shots if his statistical rating is at zero. It sounds very simple, but for most players this will definitely be the preferred setting. You can also choose to shoot based on the actual player percentage. This means shot chances change dynamically based on how good a player is on the spot. You can also choose low-risk or high-risk reward options. This means that your shot timing will be more forgiving or tighter depending on your timing accuracy.
Visual cues like a shot meter are also customizable, including a “green light” animation to indicate when your shot is perfectly timed. I’ve noticed that these visual cues change unnecessarily every year, as the old things we’ve just become accustomed to seem to fall by the wayside. It’s a minor detail at this point, but I wish they kept just one standard animation that die-hard fans can rely on in addition to the new cues. A new shot cancellation feature also allows players to cancel more complex animations to trick defenders into attacking them. This is great.
However, the new ProPLAY animations and Go-To moves feel like the cherry on top. This is perhaps even more important than that, as the ProPLAY system literally scans real game footage throughout the season and applies it to players in-game. Superstars and your favorite players behave just like they would in real life, right down to their shot form, habits, and general player movements.
It can be a little confusing when it comes to role players and bench players, but new go-to moves make playing with superstars a lot of fun. These signature style moves, if applied correctly, can essentially break down defenses and help you land more difficult shots. For example, Jayson Tatum’s step-back three is far more deadly than that of a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is an absolute threat in the post. It certainly looks the part, and basketball fans will appreciate how authentic it makes the whole experience feel.
A new defensive cutoff system allows players to use the right stick more efficiently to cut off dribble lanes and put pressure on opponents. The right stick has always been used to apply defensive pressure, but now it has new opportunities to cause fumbles and turnovers, feels more natural, and allows players to be more effective on the court. Now you can move it. Stealing the ball still results in a stupid foul, but the new defensive system gives players a greater chance of stealing before pressing the dedicated steal button.
the court beckons
NBA 2K25’s various modes feel a bit jumbled. Some modes are good, like the new focused MyCareer mode, while others like MyNBA Eras try their best, but ultimately feel like a collection of the greatest hits from the past few years. Masu.
MyCAREER mode may be the best option for both new and long-time fans. The premise is as simple as ever. Create your own custom baller and rise to superstardom through the draft and through the NBA ranks. However, the new Heart of a Dynasty storyline allows players to earn stars through four specific games ranging from high school to FIBA and start sessions with current NBA stars like Jalen Brunson.
They do a great job of weaving in a cool storyline where he faces off against rival Patrick Wells in his race to the NBA. It’s a short-lived but ultimately welcome addition to MyCareer mode, and it packs in a little more depth than I expected.
You can also roam around a new and improved version of The City, which combines both online and single-player elements. You can step into the small game proving ground or participate in our extensive affiliation feature, choosing to support either the Elite or Rise options. Each has access to their own court, as well as access to a more sophisticated streetball game. This is generally the most content-filled mode, and while it’s all familiar enough, a fresh coat of paint makes a big difference.
MyNBA Eras mode lets you experience games from the Magic vs. Bird Era, Jordan Era, Kobe Era, LeBron Era, and now the Steph Era. Basically, you can jump into that era and control everything about the league at the time, complete with accurate visual effects and courts. I didn’t really have any issues with this mode, but I thought the new Steph Era was good enough. Sure, it was a great NBA era, but it wasn’t enough to shake up the mode on a broader scale.
Other than that, it looks relatively untouched. W Mode still exists and can be played throughout the WNBA season, but modes like MyGM are also incredibly deep, but equally costly. It’s amazing how much you can manage in MyGM mode, but many conversations and interactions feel bland and completely lack the stakes and weight that these conversations would have in real life. I feel like it is.
MyTEAM mode will also be familiar to fans, but it now has a new list of weekly and seasonal challenges that can be completed in single-player or multiplayer mode. Play the game to earn reps, climb the ranks, and collect as many decent cards as possible to create your ultimate lineup. Auction houses can certainly help supply banks with additional VC, but they will never fully solve the tremendous amount of money needed to succeed quickly.
Unfortunately, microtransactions still feel like a slap in the face. Yes, there are many ways to earn VC (virtual currency) in the game, but thanks to the special editions that will be available at launch, everyone will have enough overall 85-90 players to take to the City. It seems that The main menu also displays incredibly annoying pop-up ads.
A menu will appear. The first option is MyCAREER mode. Click the “X” button on PlayStation or the “A” button on Xbox to proceed. Only if an ad for a card pack or season update covers the screen. And when you’re about to hit the confirm button, you’re essentially agreeing to purchase this new pack. I’ve had several instances where I pressed a button when an ad appeared on the screen, only to be immediately prompted to confirm purchasing a new card pack. To add insult to injury, NBA 2K25 essentially promotes simulated gambling, which is why it was given an “M” or mature rating here in Australia. Go figure.
look at the part
Thankfully, NBA 2K25 looks great and runs great. It feels normal for the course at this stage, but the players look incredibly accurate and it feels like far more players have had face scans this year than usual. It’s common for a few rookies and bench players to look a little shaky because their faces haven’t been specifically scanned for the game, but nothing out of the ordinary so far. Unfortunately, older players don’t seem to be that good on average. I’m a die-hard Boston Celtics fan, and I’m also a huge Larry Bird fan. It’s great to have the Magic vs. Bird era, but it still looks a little different.
That being said, most current-gen platforms will give you a 60 FPS experience, which also seems like a given at this point. I hope the menu is a little more fun this year. Again, not a huge problem, but it all looks a little bland. On the other hand, this year’s soundtrack is slapstick.
final thoughts
NBA 2K25 doesn’t necessarily reinvent the formula this year, but it does a lot of things right. From customizable shooting options to ProPLAY animations, it’s clearer and more accurate than ever before.
The new MyCAREER mode is great, but it’s a shame that the rest of the modes like MyNBA Eras and MyGM don’t get the same love. MyTEAM mode benefits from an auction house, but the overall experience can’t be shaken out of money-hungry hands.
That being said, this feels great in the hand and is certainly worth checking out for both hardcore and casual basketball fans.
4 stars (out of 5)
Highlight: Gameplay improvements. Impressive and accurate presentation. Mamba Moments mode is still interesting. MyNBA Eras Mode Rules
Important point: Punish MyCareer and MyTeam modes. Refresh is available in MyCareer mode
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K
Platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on PlayStation 5 using a code provided by the publisher.
