Review by Steven Roberts
The Basics
The "NBA 2K" series has been the strongest best basketball gaming sim on the market for the last 4 years. EA Sports "NBA Live" series has been struggling to keep up with "2K" as critics and fans a like have adorned the series with well-deserved praise. The series has been able to combine innovative game play and controls – the shot stick and Iso-Motion – with an immersing game presentation and graphics – expansive on-line features, create-a-player customization. Plus there's commentary Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg and Cheryl Miller!
The Highs
Half-Court Offense
Like the Atlanta Hawks, most "2K" players are lost once you slow the ball down. The days of pressing the right trigger or R2, while Jason Kidd pushes the fast break after every defensive rebound are gone with "2K10." Players actually tire more, and gamers have to be more aware of their stamina. Thankfully there is a bar beneath their players, which indicates fatigue. This also means there is a great emphasis on play-calling and strategy, which will separate the men from the boys in the online world. Players are now able to call up to 24 plays, which is both a gift and a curse. While on-screen menus are convenient, Chris Paul isn't going to wait for me to find just the right play before robbing me blind. Players will most likely stick to a short list of plays that they are comfortable with.
D-Fence!
No, I'm not that boring player that just dumps the ball into the post, ultimately trying to slow things down and actually calls defensive plays. But I do believe in defense creating offense, so I'm a big fan of the Lockdown Defense in "2K10." The feature really is nothing new, but it's been improved upon. You can play your opponent tighter; shadowing their movements to hopefully deny their positioning. You can use the out of bounds as an extra defender or force your opponent into a double team or turnover.
Presentation
The graphics continue to improve each year, but the best part about the series' year-to-year progression is how in depth the game goes. Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellog's commentary never gets old. If you've played Madden, you know what I mean. They add to the overall experience of the game, instead of a “Boom!” or a Chris Collinsworth-reference loosely related to what just happened.
Your team's momentum affects the crowd. There's a real sense of home court advantage when you see people out of there seats, waving signs and boom sticks as you're on a run. At the same time, it sucks when you hear the moans and groans of the crowd, as you continue to miss shots you've forced up with Dwayne Wade. It's also great to hear the net swish, Wade hit the ground – in signature fashion - and see fans leave as he puts up 40 away points.
The Lows
Lay-Up Drills
Why the hell can't I make a lay-up! What's the use of me exploiting a mismatch and drawing a double team in the post with Carmelo Anthony and then dishing a pass to a cutting J.R Smith, so he can blow a wide open lay-up? I know what you're thinking. J.R. Smith stands around the perimeter and shoots ill-advised three-pointers. Yes, but my point is the Iso-Motion features – as well as the graphics, game presentation and new coaching features - are great, but it sucks when little things like this frustrate a player's gaming experience.
Frame-Rate Issues
Another downside I must mention is the slow frame-rate. Let's say it took advantage of that earlier mismatch in the post with Melo and got off a quicker shot. The game has a tendency to still slow things like this down considerably. Even if I dished the rock of to J.R. Smith, him cutting through a lane full of people would slow the game down or stutter and throw off your timing.
There have always been frame-rate issues in the game, but they are more noticeable in this incarnation. It's nothing that will ultimately deter gamers, long-time fans or newcomers. Plus I'm sure a patch will be out soon.
Special Edition Kobe?
The Kobe Bryant special edition figurine designed by McFarlane Toys is tiny. When you get the box you see an image of what looks like a larger than life, fully detailed statue of Bryant with his right arm extend about to slam it on some poor unsuspecting big man – probably Eric Dampier. The thing is you fail to read the fine print.
The figure is actually only 6 inches tall from the base of the stand to the top of the Spalding ball Bryant's palming. Like a baby could actually swallow this and die! Now while I personally wouldn't recommend buying the tenth anniversary edition of 2K10 (it's a recession, save that 40 bucks), the game locker and Shepard Fairey Bryant poster are pretty cool.
Final Word
As usual, 2K Sports managed to produce a strong, enjoyable pro basketball title. It's getting harder and harder to pick out the winner versus "Live," but "NBA 2K10" offers enough new features to make it a worthy competitor.
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