NBA 2K19

Just as regular as real-life sports events, sports games get updates each year, and it makes sense. Situation changes, new stars are born, old ones become legends, leagues, and teams shuffle, and the moves should be digitally reflected. A basketball fan will certainly download NBA 2K19 to keep up with events, no matter if it’s a real or digital basketball fan.

Graphics — 5/5

2K games always do some work on graphical improvement. Still, this game is 3D with a camera flying all over the court, selecting the best POV for any moment. Players are recreated even better than their environment (though it’s excellent and living too), and the ball moves now more naturally and physically correctly. Faces of real basketball stars are the final stroke for the game realism.

There are some strange bugs (like players looking too similar below their necks, with mostly faces different), but overall graphics quality is nearly perfect. Being developed for PS4 and none of those throwaway old consoles, NBA 2K19 utilizes all of its performance. Well, the game is just as big as some of its stars are: it requires about 49 GB on your PlayStation 4 hard drive.

Gameplay — 3/5

There’s more to basketball than just a court. The game still has various modes to choose; the most interesting is MyTEAM (where you collect player cards and mix the players in online showdowns), MyCAREER (following a single player from some Chinese team up to NBA top), with interactive scenario full of real-life stars, and NEIGHBORHOOD with x3 games right on the street.

When it comes to playing, the 2K19 installment shows much improved AI playing versus human player. As usually, you control the player with a ball (when in single player mode, playing a team), and your own one (when in multiplayer or MyCAREER), and CPU controls the rest. Movements are much more natural now, including individual styles like Steph Curry step-back jumper or a Lebron James fadeaway.

The game supports up to 4 players with DUALSHOCKs in local multiplayer, and up to 10 in online matches.

The most controversial game element (and the reason why it has low ratings, and a random NBA 2K19 review is probably red) is about microtransactions. Well, we have already bought the game, why enter this element, rather meant for free-to-play ones? It’s possible to earn some in-game currency with your work, but it’s not essentially enough to make it big.

Controls — 5/5

Sports games are considered among the hardest in controlling. So is the story with NBA 2K15. The complete list of actions and commands is as long as 7 pages of the manual, and none is to miss. The list differs with default DUALSHOCK and with Pro Stick, and offensive moves with Pro Stick are more efficient. So if you’re in for a penny with all those microtransactions, then go in for a pound and purchase Pro Stick unless you already own one.

You can also play remotely with PS Vita if you’re connected well enough to your basic PS4.

Replay Value — 4/5

As it’s always been with sports (both in real and digital life), the game with good opponents is inexhaustible. The AI of NBA 2K19 is a terrible opponent; and if you find some humans to play against, you’ll get the most kicks out of it.

Though additional payments are not necessary, you’ll be tempted all the time. And once you submit, you’ll like (or maybe feel obliged) to play more with your upgrades. Anyway, there’s no better official basketball option.

Conclusion

Before you download NBA 2K19, you must know that the bundle price isn’t necessarily the final. You may be compelled to pay more if you ever want to succeed (though if you prefer online 3*3, it won’t matter that much). Otherwise, it’s a brilliant basketball game, with real celebrities, long, enticing stories, online matches, and long tournaments both for online or local multiplayer. If you definitely need it, you won’t hesitate. But if it’s doubtable for you whether to upgrade from your 2K18 or earlier – no, you shouldn’t.

• Graphics 5
• Gameplay 3
• Controls 5
• Replay Value 4

Pros

Good graphics
Great game mechanics
Recognizable players
Solo career mode

Cons

MICROTRANSACTIONS!!!
Pro Stick users benefit over DUALSHOCK players