S&S Review: NBA 2K15

Title: NBA 2K15
Format: PlayStation 4(reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Release Date: 10/7/2014
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Visual Concepts
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: E
The NBA 2K series is the king of basketball video games and NBA 2K15 is no different. It has a great presentation and the game plays well throughout. The game is is easy to learn for newcomers like myself and it has a great amount of depth in its My Career mode and the MyGM mode. Unfortunately the same cannot be said with the online modes, which too frequently would lag or would simply not work. Despite the poor online servers, NBA 2K15 is another great entry in the popular basketball series.
Presentation:
 I'm playing the PlayStation 4 version and the game is very pretty. Players look realistic, stadiums feel and sound lively. Sweat streams down the faces of fatigued players, you can see the excitement after a big shot or a tough play can cause players to look annoyed and distraught. The career unfortunately mode does not look as sharp; the lip syncing looks off and there have been reported issues with facial syncing. The broadcast is again enjoyable, yet also awkward because Steve Kerr is part of the broadcast, who is now the coach of the Golden State Warriors. Even though this is a minor issue, how could they not notice this when creating the broadcast? The commentary can become repetitive, but it didn't become painful to listen to. Hearing the analysts praise me in My Career as I hit a difficult shot felt pleasing.

As the pre-game show, host Ernie Johnson and big man Shaquille O'Neal discuss the upcoming game. This is enjoyable to see, especially because the load times are far too long, and players can change the starting lineups and set defensive schemes.
Gameplay: 

The gameplay is fluid and feels realistic. Players, like quick and agile point guards and huge, less mobile centers or power forwards can feel greatly different from one another. This makes sense in real life, but it feels relevant in the game, too. You have to be patient to score a basket, but making the defense work to get the ball allows for a strategic game plan and I would often run the game clock down looking to get that perfect shot. Dunking or hitting an open shot won't come easy; 2K added a meter to help players see where they should release their shot and why their shot missed. The meter will expand depending on who the shooter is and where they are shooting from. Backed up in the post? Adjust the shot so you'll have a better chance to score. Can't drive to the next? Step back and shoot. Smart players will take advantage of the defender in the best way possible to ensure scoring. The gameplay is smart. What Should I Play First?: NBA 2K15 has a number of different game modes, though only a select few are worth your time. MyGM offers a great amount of depth. You can control any team in the NBA and how you run the team is your choice. Being a Philadelphia 76ers fan, MyGM is great because of the team's future and young assets. I was able to make a few trades, with the help of virtual currency, which can make it significantly easier to acquire a good player to improve the team. It's a cheap way to acquire a rising star for a first round pick and a bench player.

My Career tells the story of your created player, who goes undrafted and has to work their way towards a starting position on a team that is willing to give you a tryout. Each NBA team had one player voice a teammate who takes you under their wing and mentors you. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between my player and the teammate grow, especially when I finally was promoted to the starting lineup. As you become more relevant in the lineup, you are asked to do more - whether it's having an impact on offense or defense. Aside from contributing points and getting rebounds as a center, I felt useful setting picks for my teammates and being asked to contribute defensively. My Career - like every career mode in sports games - has me hooked for hours. There are numerous online modes, such as Online Leagues, which allows players to control teams and compete against their friends. There's also My Team, essentially the Ultimate Team mode seen throughout other popular sports titles. There is also My Park, which is where you can take your My Player online and join a community where you can play against other My Players. Online Servers: 

The servers were very bad whenever I played online. Even when playing a private match with a friend, the servers wouldn't work. He and I never had prior issues with other games. When I could play online, the game lagged and this greatly impacted the timing of my shots and consequently caused me to miss many shots. Even if the servers become more reliable, I have little to no desire to play online for much longer. Final Thoughts: 
NBA 2K15 is another great entry in the popular basketball series. The presentation great, despite the fact that Steve Kerr is a commentator and coach. The game is smooth, can make players think tactically and feels realistic. The offline modes are where you can have the most fun, and hopefully when the servers are more stable, the online features can be as entertaining. If you're starting to enjoy basketball more, like myself, or you're currently a die hard fan, NBA 2K15 is worth owning.
+Strong presentation +Fluid gameplay +Deep offline modes -Poor servers S&S Rating: 8/10