NBA 2K25: I'm blown away by the best basketball game on the market
Just keeping it 100? I didn’t feel a need to secure a copy of NBA 2K25 this year. I’ve had solid past outings and have own every 2K dating back to 2K17 but this year didn’t feel like a must… until all the hype, in-depth videos and community co-signs swayed me to going all-in requesting a review copy.
Holy. Smokes. I’m blown away. Hardly scratching the surface of what NBA 2K25 has to offer - I can honestly tell you this is a solid production and definitely puts a step forward in the right direction for gamers looking for the franchise to promise and deliver on some real developments.
Of course the VC conversation is always going to be there, but NBA 2K makes sure to provide multiple fun factor lanes for all the gamers out there. The ones completely invested in the 2K franchise for years and even those newbies finally down to give the brand a chance. I really want to focus on the newbie factor - an entire production called ‘Learn 2K’ is here for those ready to try 2K for the first time or even those coming back to 2K after a major hiatus. Peep the deets:
NBA 2K25 features a new Learn 2K mode that lets players learn everything from the basic mechanics of 2Kall the way through how to execute the most advanced moves. Whether players want to try out the newRhythm Shooting, learn the hundreds of moves, play mini-games, run drills, or work through practicescenarios, Learn 2K is an educational tool built to make NBA 2K25 more accessible for all. For morebeginner friendly features, check out MyTEAM and The City’s new beginner features and guides!
It’s not just for the iPhone 16 delivering AI awesomeness. How about the power of artificial intelligence making its presence felt in NBA 2K25? Oh yes.
To make AI play a more complementary role in NBA 2K25, we made improvements to Court Spacing, Offense, Defense, Coaching, and the AI Difficulty to elevate your overall experience. Take a look at some of the key changes below:
COURT SPACING
Our new spacing engine has over 20 adjustment locations from inside the 3-point line that feeds AI a constant stream of spacing information yielding life-like results.
Individual freelance has also been redesigned to account for this new spacing engine.
This extends to the tech that drives AI double team reactions to increase the priority of spacing during double teams.
OFFENSE
We revamped our cut to basket logic for the AI to lessen untimely cuts to the rim in freelance by your AI teammates, leading to better driving lanes and drive and kick opportunities.
DEFENSE
A redesign of our defensive help logic, allowing for better pursuit angles and rotations.
COACHING
Players now have the ability to save and share their playbooks with the NBA 2K community!
AI DIFFICULT
AI difficulty is now based on more than just shooting percentages. Lower difficulties will experience less aggressive offense and defense, and make fewer strategy changes or adjustments.
We scaled on-ball defensive delays per difficulty so attacking the basket on lower-level AI is easier, including increased body-up win resolutions for easier blow-bys.
Impressed? Need to just get back to the online features like The City? My goodness - I can’t even begin to tell you how much they went into making The City feel more intimate - not as big as in past versions and really putting more time and focus into the immediate surroundings - like a factory loaded with massive robots and courts to an actual pirate ship for balling. Yup. Pretty insane stuff.
NBA 2K25 features an all-new living, breathing City with basketball at its core. Centrally located in the heart of The City is the Boulevard of the Stars, an upscale street with easy access to all of the game modes, shops featuring iconic global brands, and—returning in NBA 2K25—your MyCOURT (more on that later). Everywhere you look in The City ties into basketball, even the light poles draw inspiration from perfect green releases; the surrounding buildings prominently display colorful murals featuring many of the league’s biggest stars, including cover athlete Jayson Tatum in front of your MyCOURT.
Once again, just having NBA 2K25 in my possession for a few days, I’m beyond blown away. So much exploration. So many gaming options. So many features - not to mention some futuristic optional paid DLC mode called Gravity Ball? Oh yes, NBA 2K25 is definitely delivering.
Today, 2K also announced Gravity Ball, the newest game from Visual Concepts South, the team behind Lego 2K Drive. Gravity Ball is a fast-paced online multiplayer game - accessible through NBA 2K25’s The City, as optional paid DLC - where players team up for a supercharged, futuristic experience with unconventional rules and a unique competitive thrill.***
Entering an arena-like dome, players will compete in 3v3 or 5v5 formats and try to outscore their opposing squad by taking aim at a series of numbered targets. Working with teammates to maintain possession, players will weave their way through the defense, and utilize Power-Ups to outscore the rival squad in this madcap game. Featuring a multitiered court and four different Power Ups, GravityBall is pure off-the-walls mayhem.
Players on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC can experience Gravity Ball within NBA 2K25 for $7.99 when it launches on Friday, October 18. Learn more about the experience directly from Visual Concepts President Greg Thomas in his blog here.
Mind-blowing. With the real NBA season here and NBA 2K25 locked and loaded for taking your love for The Culture even further? What better way to toast it up to tonight’s tip-off than gaming it up? Have fun, Attackers.
