1. Huey_Freeman

   10

   NBA 2K. Where amazing happens. Even online this year. Yes, Ladies and Gentleman, the greatest sports game ever made has the best online netcode the series has ever had in this years game. Finally. Finding matches is a breeze, lag is virtually non existent, and the experience is grand. The remarkably fluid gameplay (grabbing a rebound and taking off with Lebron happens instantaneously and flows like water, no canned animations, so life-like and real), impeccable commentary, and insanely good soundtrack immerse you into the game in ways that cannot be explained. Jay-Z's involvement is felt the moment the game boots up when and incredibly video compiling performance footage (of one of the greatest and most iconic songs of all time 'Public Service Announcement) from Jay-Z's concert with in game 2K footage is so sick. I watch every single time I boot the game up. And I probably always will. I love that track. But the truly amazing thing in this year's game to me, is the inclusion of Signature Skills. Which I think is laying the foundation for another revolution by 2K in the sports video game genre. There are like 50 Sig Skills. Players can possess multiple and the skills have varying ways to effect gameplay. For instance, Kobe, DWade, Durant have a Sig Skill called The Closer. In the 4th quarter, they get a ratings boost across the board and you can literally feel there intensity level go up in the final minutes. Its incredible. Lebron's iconic Chase Down Blocker is one of his Sig Skills and you can see him speed up to reach a fast breaking opponent to get the block. It's uncanny. Others include, Hustle Man, which gives the entire team and energy boost which someone with the skill makes hustle plays. Skills that give percentage boosts or drops depending on situation that can effect gameplay in ways only the deepest players will respect and love equally. For anyone who is a die hard b-ball fan and gamer this is an incredibly deep gameplay mechanic that can only get better over the years once its expanded on. The guys over at 2K Sports are collective enclave of brilliant minds and have the utmost respect of this gamer. This game is the holy grail of Sports Gaming. It gets no better. This is my Game of the Year.… Expand

   • Helpful? 4 of 4 users said Yes.
2. IC3_C0LD_ZERO

   8

   With NBA 2K13, the people at 2k sports once more prove that they have not given up the hard work despite being the sole competitor in the Basketball genre for two years
   
   Presentation- 2K13 is as expected simply outstanding in this department. The pre-game intros, halftime show,in-game statistics all make the game feel so natural and close to real basketball. Graphics- The graphics engine has pretty much remained the same as last year. There have been some minor updates in player models and courts but nothing significant
   
   Sound- With Jay Z as executive producer you'd except to find a lot of Jay Z songs and rap music in here. Well, that's right but that isn't a bad thing since the OST perfectly fits the game and is one of the best ones the series ever had . Where the game steals the show for yet another year is the commentary by the trio of Clark Kellogg, Kevin Harlan and Steve Kerr which not only feels like the real thing but even surpasses it
   
   Gameplay- The game's most noteworthy addition from last year is the new control scheme which allows you to perform various moves like crossovers, spins etc with ease. The overall gameplay follows the rule "if it ain't broken don't fix it", it certainly features some updates from 2k12 like improving the shot releases and defensive controls. The AI is a major step-up from 2k12, especially in defense in which the opponent will really give you a challenge at times. The game also feels more natural and forgiving at higher difficulties unlike past entries where the it felt like the game was cheating you. Unfortunately game modes like Association and My Player have remained pretty stagnant and the new My Team mode (2k's version of FIFA's Ultimate Team) loses all it's interest the momen you realise that most other players have abused the new VC system (more on that layer) to build unbeatable teams consisting solely of current NBA Stars and Legends...The new VC system is the game's major turn-off for me. On one hand it's a good idea since you are able to level up you My Player by playing other modes but on the other hand it proves the fact that 2K belongs to the large group of companies that milk their customers for more money, since you can buy VC Packages for a price at the PS Store and practically create a 99-rated player or an unbeatable myteam instantly. The prices at the 2k Shop, where you buy clothes and accessories for you player are also ridiculous and just prove my above statement
   
   Online-Didn't try it a lot since I am a SP gamer, but it seems to work just like NBA 2K12
   
   Lasting Appeal- With a ton of game modes and it's signature excellent gameplay 2k13 certainly has a lot of lasting appeal
   
   The Verdict
   +Outstanding Presentation
   +Amazing Commentary
   +New Control Scheme makes things easier
   +Major update in AI
   -Association and My Player modes didn't receive a major update
   -Some bugs that render some game modes unplayable at times
   -The new VC System… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
3. zekehw

   6

   This is better than 2K12 but this has disappointed me almost as much.
   
   I have been a fan of 2K games since 2K7 and I have found that the games have improved every year up until 2K12 which was my least favorite in the series, I thought the gameplay was close to terrible and the removal of crew game and a few other modes ridiculous. I think of myself as a gamer, I also play amateur basketball and I'm a huge NBA fan, anyway let's get on with my review of 2K13.
   
   The things I like about the game are the additions of the Allstar Weekend which is suprisingly good and the dunk contest was miles better than I expected. I also like the VC points system which means every game you play including against friends allows you to earn points which are used for a mode called MyTeam which is simlar to Ultimate team in Fifa, It is not as good as Ultimate team but is a great addtion to the 2K series. I like the new shot stick and signature skills which make the in game experience a fluid and less generic.
   
   Things I don't like about the game, the first thing I don't like is the rebouding which a lot of people have complained about, basically players have a tendency to just gaze at the ball and watch it go out of bounds, also since when could 6'0 PG's beat Dwight Howard to a rebound. Anyway they are releasing an update for this which they always seem to do, I don't understand why don't they give the game to us when it's finished, personally I'd rather wait. Also the automatic game sliders are unrealistic as usual and after a roster update there are players they forgot to add to teams and players that are still still in the Free Agent pool that have retired or gone overseas.
   
   The last major thing I dislike is the soundtrack, the news that Jay Z was going to do the soundtrack seemed like great news at first. What we get is Kayne West - Amazing which I personally don't like and it was on NBA 2K10, about 3 or 4 tracks I like and then the rest bored me after listening to them once or twice, there isn't much tracks and I thought someone like Jay Z had better taste in Hip Hop.
   
   I would say get this game If you can't wait until next year as it will keep you entertained but being a huge basketball fan I feel let down, also the players ratings are terrible too. I think people who know about basketball should be hired and features like wingspan, leg length and more realistic customizaton.
   
   2K9 - 80/100
   2K10 - 84/100
   2K11 - 92/100
   2K12 - 67/100
   2K13 - 83/100… Expand

   • Helpful? 3 of 3 users said Yes.
4. Yellowshark3

   3

   Having played NBA 2K11 until I wore my disc out, I was really looking forward to the latest incarnation. I did try 2K12 and was sorely disappointed by the anemic game play. In that respect, 2K13 does not disappoint. Forget about skill points and VC. Your elite MyPlayer which you painstakingly took time to build/max out, will still fatigue by the third quarter (despite purchasing a useless "Gatorade Pack." Your ferocious dunks will look like anything you'll see at a pick-up game. If you have a 99 speed rating and run out on a fast-break, a center or power forward will chase you down. If you're up by 20 midway through the fourth quarter, your team will collectively have amnesia and forget how to pass, shoot and play defense. I'm assuming this is to balance the game or add drama? Graphics are awful, plain and simple. Don't believe me? Pop in a copy of 2K11 and be stunned by the difference. Not only does it look better, it plays smoother, feels more natural and is just plain better. 2K13 graphics are washed out, amateurish garbage. Look at a dunking player and please explain how the person who designed that animation, still has a job. There are some added features that I love (social media, better commentary) and some I didn't (The music selection. VC? Really? I see EA has taken over). Bugs from 2K11 are still in 2K13. How does that happen? The All-Star Voting bug is still there after two iterations. Laughable.
   
   I will look elsewhere for a solid NBA game next year.… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 2 users said Yes.

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