2K Sports is back with it’s NBA titles in the latest offering of NBA 2K22. Built with current generation consoles in mind the newest entry promises an expanded online community, every NBA team’s respective public address announcer, and so much more for both core console versions of the game. NBA 2K22 also includes exclusive features for the Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X & S.

NBA 2K22 is a 2021 basketball simulation game it is developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Games. It is currently available on PC and current as well as last gen consoles.

Editor’s Note: A Playstation review copy of NBA 2K22 was provided by 2K Games in support of this review. Minor spoilers for the game’s story mode may be present within this review.

Hit the court on next-gen with NBA 2K22.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this several times prior on the site, but I’m no sports fan not even a little. However, I always have a bit of a weird appreciation for the video games. I’m not sure if that’s simply due to the fact that it’s a virtual simulation of something I otherwise wouldn’t care much for. Or if it’s a delusional attempt at using the video games to feign any sort of real interest at all into sports. Whichever the case may be I do often find some joy playing the NBA 2K titles outside of any others as there’s some genuine effort seen throughout almost every entry. And although lately the title has suffered from very similar issues plaguing sports games I do sense way more passion with these 2K games than any other AAA sports sim.

Rise to the top of the NBA in the MyCareer mode.

THE GOOD: I’m just going to do a brief summary of NBA 2K22’s story mode MyCareer as there isn’t really a whole lot to go over and this should be a gameplay focused review. In MyCareer you play as a young basketball prospect working his way up the NCAA circuit before getting drafted into the NBA. There are ways to increase your appeal as a draft pick by doing practices and such before the big games. Eventually if you follow through with the optional though probably necessary tasks you’ll get top priority as a draft pick and also gain bonuses for your created character.

Continuing with MyCareer players can earn attribute points to continue to improve their player character’s abilities on the court. At the start of the mode you can choose your own play style in the vein of being a better guard or shot. You can also focus on a centered build or power forward or small forward build. Naturally, each build has a set of strengths and weaknesses that will be felt as you play. In addition to your attributes players also have to keep the actual body build of their player in mind as they also have their own strengths and weaknesses. For example, some body builds have far more or far less attribute stats open to them out of gate. And if you’re not careful it could really make or break your playthrough early.

The new shot meter returns with some small updates. Timing is everything, if you press square too early or too late you’ve basically given the ball to the other team for an easy score. Fatigue also plays a heavy role into gameplay. It gets to a point where you have to reserve stamina and choose when to run or dribble. etc. There’s a major learning curve with the I’d recommend practicing HARD before you play any major modes as it can be rather jarring otherwise.

The game gets a whole lot realer in NBA 2K22.

With the core gameplay out of the way I wanted to talk about the multitude of modes available. And when I say there’s a lot of modes I’m not joking. Seriously, there’s modes available on all versions of the game, modes & features exclusive to the current gen version of the game, modes exclusive to the last gen version of the game as well as features. If you’re playing both on PS4/PS5 or Xbox One/Series X/S there’s a lot to sit through and experience. It can be really overwhelming for newcomers or passerby players like myself. Two modes in particular that are exclusive in a way on last and current gen are The City& Neighborhood modes.

Both modes have been revamped on PS5 & Xbox Series X/S. Not sure why the need to split the modes between versions was necessary. Maybe the features they implemented for The City couldn’t run correctly last gen? Whatever the case, each mode offers a unique experience to the player depending on which console they’re playing on. In Neighborhood you tour a huge cruise ship and there’s a ton of activities that can be done on it. You can also port and explore areas off ship which is a really neat touch. The City almost acts like an RPG of sorts as you explore the titular mode on and off the court with quests and NPCs to interact with. There’s also a new go kart mechanic to make getting around easier which felt like a random but cool addition. It should be noted that Neighborhood will evolve and change locations every season making exploration a huge selling point for the mode.

Run your own team with MyNBA.

THE BAD: I mentioned the learning curve earlier and trust me when I tell you it’s huge. If you don’t play these games regularly or have been out of the hoop (I’m sorry) then you’re gonna be in for a rough time. And there’s a ton of modes and mechanics to wrestle with so you’ll probably spend more time playing around with the mechanics than actually getting into the game a good bit. Also something I mentioned earlier about NBA 2K22 suffering from issues of AAA sports titled? Yeah this game is pretty heavy on the microtransactions and it unfortunately can often kill the fun and immersion of it all. That packed on to the already overwhelming learning curve can admittedly be a bit of a turn off.

Take your skills to the streets with the City & Neighborhood modes.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: No game is perfect, and with the last several years that statement has never been truer with sports games. Bur, even with it’s issues I do think that there’s a very good game in NBA 2K22. If it could step a bit further back from the unfortunate norm of sports games with fewer microtransactions I think the franchise absolutely has a shot a getting back to it’s glory days. As it stands however, NBA 2K22 is 100% several steps in the right direction and very few back.