NBA 2K25

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,910 reviews
  • gameplay
  • optimization
  • graphics
NBA 2K25 Game Cover
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NBA 2K25's Hall of Fame Edition offers a comprehensive basketball gaming experience, including a 12-month NBA League Pass, abundant virtual currency, MyCAREER and MyTEAM content, and Season 1 Pro Pass rewards. Pre-purchasing provides 5,000 VC and early access to the Trendsetter Reward. Internet connection and NBA 2K Account required for redemption and use of bonus content.

Play Modes

Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,910 reviews
gameplay73 positive mentions
optimization51 negative mentions
  • Finally next-gen graphics on PC, making the game visually stunning and a significant upgrade from previous versions.
  • Gameplay feels smoother and more realistic, with improved dribbling mechanics and animations.
  • MyCareer mode offers a more engaging experience with new features and storylines, making it enjoyable for offline players.
  • The game is plagued with bugs and crashes, particularly in MyCareer mode, making it frustrating and unplayable for many users.
  • Microtransactions are heavily integrated, making it difficult to progress without spending additional money.
  • Performance issues, including long loading times and stuttering, are common, even on high-end PCs.
  • gameplay185 mentions

    The gameplay in NBA 2K25 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements in mechanics, fluidity, and realism compared to previous titles. While some appreciate the new shooting mechanics and overall smoother experience, others criticize the introduction of RNG elements and persistent bugs that detract from the enjoyment. Overall, the game is seen as a step forward for the franchise, particularly in offline modes, but still faces challenges with online play and microtransactions.

    • “Gameplay feels great!”
    • “The gameplay is the best it's been, maybe ever.”
    • “The gameplay feels smoother and more responsive than its predecessor, and the new-gen enhancements are definitely noticeable.”
    • “The shooting mechanics in this game are awful.”
    • “Gameplay is not fluid, don't even try on multiplayer.”
    • “The gameplay itself is disappointing.”
  • optimization127 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received significant criticism, particularly for PC users, with many reporting severe stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, even on high-end hardware. While some players have experienced decent performance, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, especially in certain areas like the go-kart zone and the city, leading to a frustrating experience for many. There is hope for future updates to improve performance, but as it stands, the optimization issues are a major drawback.

    • “Game performance is exceptional on the Steam Deck.”
    • “Great game, good performance recovery for NBA 2K24!”
    • “This game has an impressive amount of graphical range making it playable for something as performance limited as a Steam Deck to something that pushes the highest end systems with ray tracing features.”
    • “The go-kart area is, for some reason, optimized so poorly I got about 0.5 fps there, but that is the only area that had that issue thus far.”
    • “The performance on PC is a joke.”
    • “It's unbelievable this game has so much stuttering while I have a 3060; no way they optimized the game properly.”
  • graphics123 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players praising the next-gen visuals and significant improvements over previous iterations, while others report severe performance issues, including glitches, stuttering, and poor optimization across various systems. Many users noted that despite the graphical enhancements, the game often feels unplayable due to technical problems, leading to frustration among players. Overall, while some appreciate the visual fidelity and realism, the inconsistent performance and optimization issues detract from the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are simply breathtaking.”
    • “The next-gen visuals on Steam are a big upgrade—everything from the player models to the lighting and crowd reactions looks great.”
    • “Visually, this magnum opus of a game is phenomenal... no, phenomenal isn't even the word that could possibly describe this game's graphical fidelity.”
    • “90% of the time your game will be glitching, lagging, or freezing while moving throughout the world, even with reduced graphics settings.”
    • “The graphics have these jagged edges and terrible textures.”
    • “Awful game, the graphics just aren't optimized, so much so you have to downgrade them to a quality worse than the previous gen (and this is with a top-end system).”
  • story53 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that it lacks depth and meaningful choices, particularly in the MyCareer mode, which is described as linear and repetitive. While some appreciate the new features and quests, others criticize the story for being poorly crafted and not engaging, often feeling like a series of grindy tasks rather than a compelling narrative. Overall, the consensus suggests that the story is underwhelming compared to earlier installments, with many players longing for the more immersive storytelling of past versions.

    • “Love the new gen feature, and just love what they have done to the gameplay and the storyline compared to other 2Ks.”
    • “In 60 years you could be talking to your grandchildren about this game as a bedtime story.”
    • “Overall the story was decent.”
    • “The story feels very linear and almost like you have no choices at all.”
    • “MyCareer is still a curated story monetized trash; if you prefer the old 2K11-2K13 era MyCareer, stay far away from this one.”
    • “The storylines are half-baked.”
  • stability45 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes, particularly during online play and loading screens. While some players note improvements over previous versions, many still experience significant performance issues, including random freezes and connection problems. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and not recommended for purchase until these issues are addressed.

    • “So worth it this year with next-gen, and it runs great even on a lower-end PC with mid graphics.”
    • “Runs great, plays great, and looks great!”
    • “Looks great, runs great, and is 21:9 ultrawide supported.”
    • “The game is trash on Steam because the loading time is like 2 and a half minutes whenever you press something. When simulating to the next playtime in My Career, it glitches, the game is constantly freezing/crashing. I have a really good PC and it feels like I am playing on 10 FPS, no exaggeration. Street ball in the city gives me like 20 FPS and is really low quality.”
    • “I spent 15 hours troubleshooting why I couldn't play, while support kept recommending changing my ethernet cable.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess.”
  • monetization37 mentions

    The monetization strategy in NBA 2K25 has drawn significant criticism for its heavy reliance on microtransactions, which many players find intrusive and predatory, especially in a $70 game. Users express frustration over the grind required to progress without spending money, with some describing the game as a "cash grab" that detracts from the overall experience. While the core gameplay is generally well-received, the excessive focus on in-game purchases and the convoluted progression system have left many players feeling dissatisfied.

    • “Genuinely, if the game took a step back on microtransactions and actually had more of a 'grind' system in place, it'd be more fun.”
    • “The game's microtransactions remain a controversial topic, but they do not detract from the core gameplay experience.”
    • “Microtransactions are hard to avoid, but overall, NBA 2K25 feels like the best version in years.”
    • “You absolutely should not be spending money on microtransactions in a $70 game; I have genuinely played free-to-play games that are less predatory.”
    • “Still just a cash grabbing microtransactional bullshit game after years of failing sales and negative reviews.”
    • “The monetization strategy employed within this mode feels particularly intrusive, overshadowing the enjoyment of the core gameplay.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with players reporting that it can take around 176 hours to achieve a high overall rating without spending money. Many reviews highlight the frustrating nature of the progression system, which often feels designed to push players towards microtransactions, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the game without significant investment in time or money. While some players appreciate the longevity that grinding can provide, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a burdensome experience that detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “If you don't have experience playing 2K before, I could see this game being tedious and more of a hassle than a basketball game.”
    • “Converted into hours, it would take you on average approximately 176 hours of grinding for one 92+ overall from an NBA All-Star history pack.”
    • “Gameplay is much improved from the previous releases, the graphics are about the same, and the bugs are less plentiful, but the game is horribly riddled with microtransactions which are almost forced upon you; otherwise, you have to grind an unfathomably long time, with grinding akin to a mobile game, to get anywhere decent.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from its absurdities, such as the exaggerated physical attributes of players and the chaotic in-game environment filled with quirky elements. Players find amusement in the contrast between the WNBA's portrayal and its gameplay, as well as the entertaining interactions in voice chat, despite the overall frustration with technical issues and microtransactions. Overall, the humor is a mix of unintentional comedy from gameplay mechanics and the ridiculousness of certain game features.

    • “Your physical attributes matter too; I've seen a 5'9" guard with 70 strength body and a 6'5" guard that clearly had no strength while dribbling, and it was hilarious.”
    • “Let's be real, having the voice chat enabled in this game is funny as hell.”
    • “Everything is flashing and going 'ka-ching', and there are strip malls and funny-shaped cheerleaders everywhere.”
    • “I had a positive review for the game until I played a bit more. Don't buy this game; the servers are so awful it's not funny. If you like the thought of every single one of your jump shots having a different green window and dealing with the lag from the server, by all means, buy this $70 dumpster fire of a game.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat; it feels forced and unoriginal, making it more cringeworthy than funny.”
    • “I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and the comedic timing is off, leaving me more confused than entertained.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the latest NBA 2K installment has received mixed reviews, with some praising the good quality and updated halftime shows, while others express disappointment in the soundtrack choices, particularly the lack of nostalgic tracks from earlier versions and a preference for different genres over the current Latin-rap focus. Overall, the music adds a vibrant atmosphere, but opinions on its selection vary widely among players.

    • “Let the music tingle.”
    • “Good music, graphics.”
    • “Too many to list, but they finally changed the half-time shows and music.”
    • “A big song and dance was made around this being the first 'next gen' NBA 2K on PC, however not making it cross-play is extremely short-sighted. The PC player base is small, and online will die out in no time.”
    • “Then the music ... not going to get into that, but let's just say Latin-rap isn't my go-to.”
    • “(est 10-15 seconds at most which I did not expect, accompanied by the rapid flashing lights and colors and annoying music!)”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a lack of narrative depth, with no significant storylines or character development, leading to a more solitary experience focused solely on the player's career. However, this absence of external emotional elements allows for a personal connection to the gameplay, as players immerse themselves in their individual journeys.

    • “It made me feel personally involved.”
    • “There will be no rookie showcase, no extending the contracts for multiple years scenario/cutscene, there will be no heartwarming or heart-wrenching stories; it's basically just you and your NBA career.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is described as electric, particularly during intense moments, with the sounds of crowds and sneakers enhancing the experience. However, a significant drawback is the lack of crowd presence, as arenas often appear empty for most of the game, detracting from the overall immersion.

    • “The courtside atmosphere is electric, with roaring crowds and the familiar sounds of sneakers squeaking on the hardwood.”
    • “Coming from 22 is a massive leap in gameplay and atmosphere.”
    • “The overall atmosphere is immersive, but it would be even better if the arenas were filled with viewers during crucial moments.”
    • “All that said though, coming from 22 is a massive leap in gameplay and atmosphere.”
    • “A major thing that messes up the atmosphere is that for some reason all the arenas are pretty much empty for three quarters and not filled with viewers even in clutch situations; it's weird as heck. Hope we will get a fix for this...”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players note that while certain additions enhance the game's depth and replayability, there are concerns about the quality of generated draft classes, which are crucial for maintaining replay value in offline modes beyond the first season.

    • “These additions add depth and replayability to the game.”
    • “They really need to fix generated draft classes if half of the offline modes rely on them to have any replay value beyond season 1.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy NBA 2K25

Play time

6hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
3-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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