Gameplay impressions
Gameplay ImpressionsNBA 2K10 achieves its goal of creating an authentic NBA on-court experience with all of the razzmatazz, created by cheerleaders jumping up and down and screaming crowds going mental when you turnover the other team or toss the ball into the hoop from the three point line, helping to create an exciting and immersive match-day atmosphere. Razer-sharp and dynamic commentary, that often mirrors what is happening in the real-world of NBA, adds further authenticity to the matches.
Graphical enhancements around the court are impressive and player models that drip with sweat look creepily real when the camera zooms in. Overall, 2K Sport's series has never looked so good and player animations, including signature moves and facial expressions, are extremely reaslitic as you jostle for the ball, turn sharply, and skid around the court at a blistering pace.
Controls are responsive and easy to pick-up and there's a clear and easy to use interface for tactical play, formation changing, calling time-outs or making substitutions. On-court it’s not all good news though. Though the games are enjoyably free-flowing and fast-paced, they don't always run that smoothly. Indeed, the enhancements to the graphics and player models this year may well have had a diverse effect during matches. In particular when the ball re-bounds from the hoop and you leap in the air there are some frame-rate issues, or even when there's a group of players clustered together it can kick in and interrupt the flow of the game. The lag issue offline isn't so bad that it affects the enjoyment of the game, but online during the 5 vs. 5 bouts - if you can actually manage to connect to a game - it's totally unforgiveable and ruins the major new addition this year. The good news is that 2K games is working frantically on a patch to fix the online issues, which could be available within the next week.
NBA 2K10 offers a lot of variety in terms of game modes. The in-depth My Player game mode is chocked full of things to do so it should appeal to those who enjoy a slower-paced game mode with plenty of options to get stuck into. Alternatively, you can just jump straight into a game and play with any one of the 30 NBA teams, or jump online for the much smoother 1 vs.1 battles.
Even with some frame-rate issues, NBA 2K10 is the best entry in the series thus far. With brilliant animation, a tight control system and an all-round exciting atmosphere on court, each game is fast-paced and exciting to play and the introduction of NBA Today integration does a good job of bringing the real-world of basketball and videogames closer together. If you like basketball, NBA 2K10 deserves to be in your collection.
Final Score - 8.5/10
