ESPN NBA 2K5

"Hate the coverboy. Love the game."

Yeah, that's right, I don't like Ben Wallace. But I digress. I bought this game after a sparse twenty dollars made its way into my wallet. I wandered around Best Buy, trying to decide if I wanted to hunt for a cheap video game or buy a new CD. I had just picked up a CD (Green Day, of all things), when I remembered that I could buy an ESPN game, because those were dirt cheap. I dropped the CD and went to the ESPN games, trying to figure out which one I wanted. I could get football, but I'd heard mixed things about NFL 2K5. I could get hockey, but I was still quite satisfied with my NHL 2005. And then I could get basketball, a sport gaming genre I hadn't entered since NCAA Basketball (for the SNES. Old school gaming, right there). With a moments hesitation, I picked up NBA 2K5, and I'm glad I did.

Graphics:

Possibly the best I've seen in a sporting game. For the players, that is. After some very careful examination, practically all of the players look like their real-life counter-parts. For crying out loud, even Steve Nash's hair moves around like it should in real life! I was quite impressed. The one complaint I have, however, are the coaches. While all the players are 3-D and realistic, the coaches look like 2-D cardboard cutouts. When the coach is talking to his players, the difference is noticeable. Also, with the exception of the front row, the entire crowd is 2-D as well. After all the effort put into the players, I don't think it would have been that much harder to make realistic looking crowds and coaches. This does not detract from the game too much, however, earning graphics a 13/15.

Gameplay:

It sure beats NCAA Basketball, I'll tell you what. The gameplay is realistic, and games play out as their real-life counterparts. Isomotion 2 the cool feature in this game, allowing players to pull out jukes, stepbacks, and crossovers with a flick of the stick. Driving into the lane, however, is ridiculously hard. No matter what you do, it always seems that someone gets in your way and steals the ball from you. I guess it really isn't that bad, though.

The different game modes are quite interesting to try, but thoroughly confused me. The Association, apparently, is the franchise mode of this game, and is very fun. 24/7 mode, the street hoops mode, was a disappointment to me though, if only because I didn't have a clue how it worked. On the whole, however, the gameplay is very fun in-game and out of game (if you know what you're doing), getting a 12/15.

Sound:

I think I should start this part of by saying I don't like rap music. I guess it just really isn't my thing, but I'd rather listen to Van Halen than 50 Cent. On that note, the soundtrack on this game is nothing but rap. Some people may like it, others may not. The in-game commentary, however, I've found to be quite excellent. Hearing all the familiar voices from ESPN is pretty cool, and their lines are, for the most part, spot on with what's happening in the game. Sound is a mixed bag, getting a solid 8/10.

Replayability:

This is a funny one. After getting this game, starting a franchise with the Suns, and getting through about five games, the novelty just sort of wore off. I got this game during the NBA Playoffs, and now on average I find myself playing through one or two games per week. The times I do play are fun, however, so replayability gets a nice 7/10.

Recap:

Graphics: 13/15
Gameplay: 12/15
Sound: 8/10
Replayability: 7/10
Final Score: 40/50 x2 = 80/100

For twenty dollars, this game is a steal. I would recommend it for any casual or hardcore basketball fan. It's very fun wile it lasts. It may be a little late though, so you may wish to wait until 2K6, if they make it.

Final Score: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/08/05