NBA 2K13 Review, 9.0 out of 10 based on 1 rating

Part of me was hoping that NBA 2K13 would be terrible. Don’t mistake me– it’s not because I dislike the companies involved or even the sport it simulates. It’s just that Visual Concepts turned the executive producer reigns over to hip-hop mogul Jay-Z this year, and I really wanted a chance to say that his game has 99 problems.

Alas, this year’s only realistic basketball video game is a slick product with interesting opportunities for depth. It only takes a couple of hours to see why EA Sports turned and fled when it saw the competition. The real question is whether or not 2K13 raises the bar enough to bother upgrading from last year’s acclaimed entry in the franchise.

He’s heating up!

The action on the court is as solid as it always is. A series of comprehensive tutorials are available to ease you into the relatively complicated gameplay if you require such assistance, covering everything from different shot types to defensive positioning. In fact, of all the sports games I reviewed this year, I would say that NBA 2K13 has the most robust learning aids, although FIFA 13 went the extra mile and let you practice shots while the game loaded. What does 2K13 do with its loading screens? Jay-Z music videos.

I keep bringing up the influence of Shawn Carter, because his fingerprints are really all over the game in a very tangible way. The more obvious touches are readily apparent–the soundtrack is filled with his friends and collaborators–but it’s clear that his creative vision runs deeper. Jay-Z is an incredibly theatrical performer, so it makes sense that his basketball game would play up the pageantry of the sport. From pre-game infographics to color commentary, everything feels bigger and sharper than in your average EA Sports release, as if he wanted it to be as much a spectator experience as a game. The result is pretty impressive, although it’s possible that mechanical improvements have suffered as a result.

BOOMSHAKALAKA!

To be clear, nothing has been demonstrably worsened. It’s just that the new additions aren’t as dramatic as, say, Madden‘s new Infinity Engine or NHL‘s improved skating physics. The most highly touted newcomer is the “Control Stick,” a mechanic which maps dribbling, finesse moves, and shots to the right analog stick. In theory, this is a similar concept to ice hockey’s “Skill Stick,” but in execution it is far less appropriate. The intricacies and subtleties of body movement necessary in basketball aren’t captured very well by the unwieldy controller nub, while the old system of pushing buttons and holding triggers still works fine. I spent a great deal of time waiting for it all to click into place, but in the end it never did. This might just be a design dead-end for the series.

Enough about that issue though, on to the next one. A particularly strange omission is “NBA’s Greatest,” which was introduced only last year. Like NCAA 13′s “Heisman Challenge,” this option let players experience great moments in the sport’s history by putting you in the shoes of some of its best players. It’s unclear why it was excised for 2K13, but I have some theories. The first, and best, explanation is that VC just didn’t feel like it could improve on last year’s offering. How do you top Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson? The other possibility is that there just isn’t room for nostalgia in Jay-Z’s forward-looking grand vision. Just look at what he did to the Nets.

Razzle Dazzle!

These are all relatively minor complaints though. We can brush that dirt off of our shoulders and soldier on, knowing that the gameplay is really what matters. While it remains solid, the best thing you can say about it this year is that it is starting to resemble an RPG. From the moment you boot the software up you are compelled to create, customize, and tweak your avatar, who then goes on to a fully-featured “MyCareer Mode.” In addition to the more immersive camera angles and increased investment in your game counterpart, there is a whole system of economics and equipment.

Full disclosure: I lost quite a bit of my life playing as Austin York, star forward of the Chicago Bulls (“Yorski” is not something the commentators are programmed to say). Between trying on new kicks and telling reporter to bite me, I created quite an interesting alternate reality version of myself who actually manages to get a b-ball game together during the daytime. So, while I ball so hard motherf***ckers wanna fine, the ability to craft and cultivate my own player was actually more engaging than equivalent experiences in technically better games.

I’m out of NBA Jam quotes….

The only other minor thing to note is that there are still some bugs lurking around the game. 2K Sports is doing their best to patch issues as they arise, but a rather serious problem with MyCareer progression did mar the initial launch somewhat. Personally, I had a ball disappear and a scoreboard glitch out on my once apiece, neither of which were too bothersome considering how long I ended up playing it.

In the end, NBA 2K13 is a very good game that doesn’t quite make its predecessor obsolete. Diehard fans should definitely pick it up, but outside of MyCareer you can probably get much of the same effect by playing NBA 2K12 and blasting a Jay-Z mixtape. Actually… that sounds like fun. I think I’m going to go do that.

A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes and played for about 14 hours. The title was played on Xbox 360, but is also available for PS3, Wii, and PC.

Also, follow me on Twitter @austinyorski (please).

NBA 2K13 Review

By Austin Yorski

Sports games got 99 problems, but NBA 2K13 ain't one.