By Dimitrios Kontogiannis, Sports Editor
NBA 2k has been, and will always continue to be the best sports game on the market. Games like NFL Madden and FIFA have tried to keep up, but in the end, 2k beats them all, and it continues with NBA 2k18.
The new “Neighborhood” mode is not only the beginning of a lot of new improvements and exciting new features, but may also be the start of some minor problems as well.
The “Neighborhood” has really got 2k fans excited, and for a good reason. In previous years, MyCourt and the MyPark were separated, while the MyCourt had eight courts to play on, all in the same area. NBA 2k17 also had three “parks” you could choose from: Sunset Beach, Rivet City, and Old Town.
In the newest installment of 2k, there is no need to choose a “park,” and going to your MyCourt is now realistic with the “Neighborhood.” While it’s cool to be able to walk from your team’s practice facility to your Court, the Foot Locker, the new “swag” store, and even Doc’s Barber Shop, it all might take a little too long. Loading times can be frustrating going in between places, and it’s even more frustrating when you want to change your hair and have to walk five minutes to the barbershop, when in previous 2k’s you could just go to the MyPlayer menus and change your hair, and for no cost. The new 2k also makes you pay every time you get a new haircut, which is more realistic, but still a downgrade in a lot of people’s eyes compared to other 2k’s.
The “Neighborhood” isn’t the only cool new feature. MyGM is now incorporated with MyCareer. In MyGM mode, instead of just interacting with the players and the owner, your GM now has a backstory, and now has full-fledged cutscenes in certain scenarios much like MyCareer. You have a lot more control and there is a lot more diversity in the mode.
I’m not going to give out any spoilers, but this year’s MyCareer story is pretty good, maybe the best yet. Each character has their own backstory and has a major impact on your career. Even though there are some things you can’t control like signing an agent or making the roster of your favorite team, for the most part you choose your own path, and that’s what the players want most.
Every time it seems like the best 2k has been accomplished, it gets even greater. Better graphics, better layout, and better overall gameplay have made this the best 2k ever (again). While it’s not perfect, it’s definitely good enough to feed the hunger of the 2k community, and even make them full.
