NBA 2K2

"NBA 2K2: a game that last ?"

Well, this is my first review, and why don't I start with one of my all time favorite game NBA 2K2.

Me as a basketball player, and a console addict, I always wanted to play a realistic basketball game, and so I purchased NBA 2K2 cause I heard people saying good things about it.

First of all, after playing this game 2 hours every day I'm glad to say that this game is without a doubt the best basketball game. Before NBA 2K2 I was a NBA Live series fan, but because I bought a Dreamcast, the only good basketball game was NBA 2K2, and what a ride !!!

Graphics 9/10: However I think the graphics aren't the most important issues of a basketball game, this game has amazing graphics, all the faces are detailed, all the arena's are beautiful, the audience are pretty good, but the bence players, referees and the coaches could use more detail though, but for me it's just good enough to keep me satisfied because the only thing that is very detailed are the things on the court, and that's what's it about ain't it? But what I do think is a shame is that Michael Jordan just isn't the same, but I hope it's straighted up in NBA 2K3.

Animation 9/10: Wow, the animations are perfect, all the dunks are spectacular, the moves, the shot, the dribble are just perfect. One big disappointment, the dunks aren't as spectacular as NBA Live 2002, cause the basket doesn't come down when they are dunking. The body parts are just one piece, and not just loose parts that are put together. Also for the realism, the referees do a good job being one, and the audience aren't bad, but it's for sure not the real thing, they celebrate when the home team is scoring, and when the out team is on the foul line, the audience are swinging those boards, but the crowd is just limited, and feels like a half full stadium. The bench players celebrate when there are some nice scores. But also for on the court 2 thumbs up.

Sound 8/10: Can't say nothing about the sound effects, you can hear the footsteps, players saying things against each other, so on the court, it's all excellent. But for the realism, I think the audience isn't as it should be. They just don't celebrate very convincing, and not always at the right moments, like in a fast break, they should shout much louder, and sometimes they don't shout at all in a fast break. The announcers are the best I ever heard in a basketball game, it's very comprehensively. But I've encountered times that a all star player was called by it's number, and not with his name. But all together, it's above average.

Gameplay 10/10: I can't believe I ever liked playing the NBA Live series on my PSX. This game is the most complete basketball game when it comes to gameplay, you can post, do a hookshot, do special dribbles and one of the most important thing in a basketball game is that the shot looks like the real thing, and it does, so no bad things about the movement. You also can play offence tactics and defense tactics, what makes it even more realistic. So far it's all perfect.

A.I. 6/10: But here it kinda ends. Let me tell you why. First of all, the opponent isn't playing realistic, actually they are playing far from realistic, I always play on Hard, and the offence is always the same, they don't shoot many 3 pointers, they play slow, and the offence is very easy to read so most of the time they shoot because of the 24 second call, it's also very easy to intercept balls, blocking is somehow almost impossible, and I guess it's because they want to keep the game alive, cause it wouldn't be fun blocking every post up player, but still then, this game is very easy, even on hard. At first Hard can be challenge, but after a week, you are able to win with big point differences. All because the defense and offence are to easy to read, and I can't tell you enough how important the realism is above graphics or sound, and this game is just too easy after a little while. Also many players don't play like they play in real life, like O'neal shoots from a pretty far distance, Michael Jordan doesn't make many fade always, and Iverson does not make a fast dribble, step back and shoot etc, I think this is a very important for the realism when your playing a basketball game, but I guess none of these games have made a special AI's for every player. Also one other thing, if you created a player, how big and good you are, if you're under the opponents basket, he won't dunk like the normal players, and that sucks too.

Replay 6/10: Well, I have this game about a half year, and I haven't played the game for 2 months now, and that's because the game is just gotten to easy for me, and I have to friends to play against me, because they are even worst and crying about that they only lose because I'm playing it 24/7. What kept me playing though was the create a player option, cause there are many choices. However it's pretty hard to update the team after the trades etc, but that's why your buying NBA 2K3 huh.

Rent or Buy: This game is really worth a buy, no matter the A.I. and the replay value, it's still a joyride every time I play this game, but I do expect a much better A.I in NBA 2K3 though.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/05/02, Updated 08/05/02