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NBA 2K11
Publisher: 2K Sports
Developer: Visual Concepts / Kush Games
Genre: Sports
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Platforms: Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable, Xbox 360,
Wii, PC
ESRB: E - Everyone
Reviewer: Eric
I haven’t played a basketball game in years and when I saw Michael Jordan on
the case to NBA 2K11, plus all the customers where I work at reminding me about
Jordan, I decided to see if I was really missing anything. Turns out I have been
missing a lot when it comes to basketball games and NBA 2K11 is the wrong game
to jump back into the game.
Before you even get to set the difficulty or pick what mode you want to play,
NBA 2K11 throws you into Michael Jordan’s shows in the Chicago Bulls against
Magic Johnson and the L.A. Lakers. I’m sure most basketball fans would be
yelling and screaming for joy but I was yelling at screaming in pain. How the
hell do you do anything in the game? I am thrown right into the game and I am
expected to know what to do. The controls take a bit to get used to if your new
and the difficulty wasn’t set on rookie, just so I could get my feet wet. No,
NBA 2K11 sets you up for one hellish ride if you haven’t played one of their
games ever or in a long time. Must be pay back to those who left the series and
stuck with Live.
Trying to get used to the controls is more on the hard side of things. If you
don’t know basketball either then the difficulty curve will get much harder.
This year with 2K11 you can tell that the game was designed for the fans and the
hardcore basketball junkies. Starting off strong in any game is a plus, well
you’d thing. I don’t want to say “epic fail” here but maybe the Jordan and
Johnson game at the start of NBA 2K11 was too much, especially to us new
players.
The AI in the game is the real deal and that can be a pain in the ass. Both sets
of AI players, your set and the opposite team, know there on a basketball court
and they know when to jump for a ball and so on. If you wanted to let the AI do
everything, it is easier if you get too stressed out with the game. You have to
avoid using your NBA Jam tactics because you will lose the ball over and over
again. Is this the right time to steal the ball? Nope its not and now the other
team gets a free shot. Expect high scoring games against you if you’re like me,
playing a basketball game after a few years.
Hardcore fans though will jump right in and love the strong AI in 2K11. Even on
the rookie setting the game still is a slight challenge. NBA 2K11 is the only
game in town for basketball this year and honestly it might have been a good
thing NBA Elite got delayed. I could just tell by going online and trying out a
game that my opponent was enjoying the game so much. Even with his vulgar
language, I did get some solid comments from him, all of which were praising the
games gameplay.
Michael Jordan is making his appearance in NBA 2K11 in a big way with the Jordan
Challenges. Each of the challenges mirrors the real moment in Jordan’s career
that is being played. I’m sure loosing that bad in the opening match didn’t
really happen but hey why blame me, let’s blame the other guy.
Each challenge is challenging. The game starts with a series of objectives you
need to accomplish. So if you thought that all you had to do was win the match
you selected your dead wrong. Some challenges have to hitting a certain shot
percentage. That is hard and yet at the same time if you can do better I’m sure
all your buddies will be blazing it up and wanting to take you down.
As great as the Jordan Challenges might be they are a lot harder than playing
the real game. Again if you are new to the series or took some time off be
prepared to be frustrated. Some of these challenges will seem doable but then
it’s over and you have nothing to show. It really fucking sucks when that
happens and all Michael Jordan seems to do is wait for you to try again.
Seriously with this difficulty in the game I think Jordan should call you
personally after each lose and say a few words.
NBA 2K11 is Playstation MOVE ready. If you are lucky enough to have the move and
you want 2K11 then get ready to cry in frustration because the MOVE is bad news
with this game. It is so bad that you will think the game is broken!
To play the game you have your MOVE controller in one hand and in the other you
need your…Six-Axis controller? Are you fucking kidding me? How the hell are you
supposed to play this game with a Six-Axis controller in one hand and in the
other the MOVE? The Wii controllers are sounding pretty good right now for
motion gaming on 2K11, but Nintendo didn’t get this game (out at the end of
October) so if you want to playing with real motions then stick with it or hear
me complain some more so you don’t spend your money.
These controls are a real mess. With my left hand I was trying to move around
the court and making sure my passes weren’t complete ass. At the same time I had
to make sure to boost! When I had all of that right, which I never did, all I
had to do was lift the MOVE controller and shoot. Never worked right and most of
the time the other team stole the ball since I was too busy to make sure I was
doing it right.
One aspect of the game that really impressed me was how the game updates the
roosters and anything else important before the game starts. Anytime you are
playing 2K11 you then know that it is the most authentic experience out there.
NBA 2K11 also lets you make your own roosters, music play lists, players, and so
forth. Most of these can then be shared online and it is as simple as saving it
and then uploading it.
Online play runs rather smoothly without any lag at all. I wish I could say I
had fun but remember I am pretty much playing the game with no ability at all so
I kept loosing. I am putting that all aside so fanboys don’t need to start
sending me death threats. Things could change though when more people are online
but when I was on, no problems.
Final Verdict
NBA 2K11, to me, seems like the real deal when it comes to basketball games. The
competition this year is only NBA Jam on the Wii (as of now) and that game is
nothing like the real game. Fans of the 2K series will really enjoy how the game
starts and everything it has to offer. The Jordan Challenges are a nice touch
and add some real nice realism to this already well polished game. My only real
problem has to be the difficulty curve. New players to the series or anyone who
hasn’t touched a basketball game for awhile will get frustrated. NBA 2K11
assumes you know what to do and just runs with it.
Oh yeah the MOVE controls in the game are really disappointing. Don’t buy this
game based on the MOVE logo on the top of the case.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 5 out of 10
+ The game plays great once you get the hang of the controls
and everything else.
- I hate to say it but the game lost the points based off the
poor MOVE controls.
Story: N/A
Graphics: 9 out of 10
+ The most realistic basketball game on the market today.
- Some of the close-up animations look funny.
Audio: 9 out of 10
+ The commentary is top notch on the Jordan Challenges as is
the overall game itself.
- There were a few times when the commentary repeated itself.
Replay Value: 7 out of 10
+ Online play will have you coming back for more, same with
the Jordan Challenges.
- There is a lot to do, but I would rather not get frustrated
with those challenges.
Overall
7.50 out of 10
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