NBA 2K18
- September 15, 2017
NBA 2K18 is an amazing game with many new fun aspects to it
The highest rated annual sports title of this console generation returns with NBA 2K18, featuring unparalleled authenticity and improvements on the court.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Characterful retro inspired art and excellent puzzle design enhance the overall experience.
- Incredible visuals and high production value contribute to an immersive basketball experience.
- Fluid movement system and refined shot mechanics make for an intuitive and gratifying gameplay.
- Microtransactions are pervasive, making progression feel pay-to-win and intrusive.
- The MyCareer story mode is lackluster and the Neighborhood hub can become repetitive.
- Technical issues and uneven animations detract from the overall polish of the game.
- monetization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The monetization in NBA 2K18 is heavily criticized for its pervasive microtransactions, which many players feel create a pay-to-win environment, particularly in the MyCareer mode. Users express frustration that these microtransactions intrusively affect gameplay and progression, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending additional money. Despite these issues, some players still find enjoyment in the core basketball gameplay if they can overlook the monetization aspects.
“Invasive microtransactions get in the way; there's so much fluff to get through, making MyCareer more annoying than fun.”
“Microtransactions essentially make MyCareer a pay-to-win experience, dulling the story and performance that intrusively permeates the experience.”
“Microtransactions essentially make MyCareer a pay-to-win experience. The dull MyCareer story and performance intrusively permeate the experience, and the neighborhood feels like a microtransaction hub.”
“Microtransactions are everywhere, and trying to advance without them feels nearly impossible.”
“Invasive microtransactions get in the way, with so much fluff to get through, making MyCareer more annoying than fun.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its solid mechanics, extensive modes, and impressive graphics, delivering an engaging basketball experience. However, technical issues and bugs detract from its overall quality, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Despite these setbacks, the refined shot mechanics and detailed player animations enhance the overall enjoyment.
“Plays a damn good game of basketball, so many modes it’s almost ridiculous, presentation blows everything else away, refined shot mechanic works a treat.”
“Graphically impressive, smooth online play, tons of modes, unrivaled gameplay.”
“Exceptional on-field gameplay, many improvements in the gameplay front, a ton of modes, superb presentation and commentary.”
“2K delivers unrivaled gameplay, but a number of bugs and glitches hold it back from being something truly special.”
“Some technical issues plague many aspects of the game, and at this point, MyGM is the only saving grace aside from some visual and gameplay improvements.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of NBA 2K18 are generally praised for their impressive visuals and high production value, delivering a standout experience on the Nintendo Switch despite some compromises in portability. While the game features smooth online play and a variety of modes, some users noted inconsistencies in visuals and a need for improvements in character creation. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it visually engaging and addictive.
“Incredible visuals once more, mad production value.”
“Solid, yet familiar, gameplay, standout graphics.”
“Graphically impressive, smooth online play, tons of modes, unrivaled gameplay.”
“Teased as a prime title for the demographic aimed at in the Nintendo Switch reveal trailer, NBA 2K18 achieves that goal of serviceable console play in the portable space, but with notable compromises.”
“Ham-fisted writing, the neighborhood gets old fast, character creation needs a major overhaul, inconsistent visuals.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the MyCareer mode for its lackluster and repetitive narrative, compounded by intrusive microtransactions that create a pay-to-win environment. In contrast, the MyGM mode is praised for its depth and engaging text-based storytelling, appealing to hardcore fans despite some feeling it lacks polish. Overall, while there are elements of storytelling that resonate, the overarching experience is marred by monetization issues and a weak narrative in key modes.
“Hits that sweet spot between depth and accessibility, replicates real NBA broadcasts with impressive accuracy, story-driven MyGM mode is a treat for hardcore fans, a staggering amount of content.”
“A huge improvement on last year, let down only by its weak attempt at a story mode.”
“Hackneyed MyCareer storyline, MyGM: The Next Chapter is half-baked.”
“Dull MyCareer story and performance that intrusively permeates the experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is heavily criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, which many players feel creates a pay-to-win environment, particularly in the MyCareer mode. Additionally, the storytelling elements are described as dull and intrusive, detracting from the overall experience, while the neighborhood serves primarily as a hub for microtransactions rather than enhancing gameplay.
“Microtransactions essentially make MyCareer a pay-to-win experience.”
“The dull MyCareer story and performance intrusively permeate the experience.”
“The neighborhood is a microtransactions hub.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While 2K offers exceptional gameplay, it is hindered by various bugs and glitches that affect overall stability.
“2K delivers unrivaled gameplay, but a number of bugs and glitches hold it back from being something truly special.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it frustrating to enjoy the experience.”
“I encountered several stability issues that disrupted my gameplay and made it hard to stay immersed.”
Critic Reviews
NBA 2K18 Review
Teased as a prime title for the demographic aimed at in the Nintendo Switch reveal trailer, NBA 2K18 achieves that goal of serviceable console play in the portable space, but with notable compromises. Questionable micro-transaction placement and downloadable requirements aside, NBA 2K18 is the truly authentic basketball experience, and a strong sign of things to come.
70%NBA 2K18 Review – Strong Fundamentals Make Up For A Few Air Balls
NBA 2K18 has a few holes in its game -- the series needs to improve its writing, the ballyhooed MyCareer Neighborhood hub falls flat, and the tech powering the series is nearing retirement age. That said, boil the game down to its essentials and you have a rock-solid, well-balanced sports sim that provides an immensely entertaining shoulder-to-shoulder same-couch multiplayer experience. It’s that strong core that keeps NBA 2K18 and its vast array of modes and features from collapsing in on itself. NBA 2K18 isn’t a milestone entry in the series, but it’s a solid playoff contender well worth basketball fans’ time.
80%NBA 2K18 Review
To all the NBA fans out there: hold your horses! In no way is NBA 2K18 a bad game, but it's certainly not worth its current price-tag, as the few improvements it offers are simply not enough, and, secondly, its sub-par single-player portion relies too much on micro-transactions. That being said, it can certainly feel as if it's the perfect basketball title for some couch party fun.
60%
