NBA 2K22 Reviews
NBA 2K22 is the best-looking sports game of this generation, but flashy looks and incredibly deep game modes can't mask the on-court issues that plague this year's offering.
Visual Concepts and 2K renew the appointment with the franchise dedicated to basketball stars and stripes. NBA 2K22 is a very ambitious title, perhaps too much. Leaving aside the technical sector and the shooting system, further refined, the "next gen" edition suffers from some failures (and choices that are too ambitious and rather risky) that certainly do not make the gaming experience unforgettable.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A good vintage that this NBA 2K22, this is undeniable. On current-gen, the game does the job and follows in broad strokes what the next-gen version offers, the power and graphic quality less. The latter enjoys an arduous gameplay for novices but oh so much more balanced for purists, with the dose of challenge that goes well. In the end, there are only the VCs, untimely loading times (again) and a technical quality not always irreproachable in certain areas (facial expressions) to cast a little shadow on this new component, which can only end up elsewhere than at home if you like basketball... failing to revolutionize the genre and the license in the great widths.
Review in French | Read full review
NBA 2K22 once again demonstrates why it is the king of sports simulators. A graphic section of aupa, a perfect recreation of the NBA atmosphere in each game and a game system that evolves with each delivery. On this occasion, with a renewed shooting system, which returns to a more classic system in the franchise, and various improvements in defenses, such as contact physics or blocks, make its gameplay something very close to what is seen today in the NBA.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Aside from the unfortunate microtransactions and bloated hubs, the only fundamental low points are lackluster developments for MyLeague, MyGM, and The W. Each of these modes still plays well, but it's clear they aren't a prime focus. 2K22 doesn't offer much over last year's game for players who enjoy these modes aside from improved gameplay should they hit the court. Despite its flaws, NBA 2K22 still lands as a success for its on-court display, if nothing else. The game feels smoother, more intuitive, and really shines with the haptic feedback on PS5, which makes every move feel engaging. There may still be wrinkles to iron out, but the NBA 2K ship is heading full-steam ahead in the right direction with the release of NBA 2K22.
NBA 2K22 is another fine entry in the franchise that continues the developer's habit of delivering satisfyingly solid ports of their basketball sims on Nintendo Switch. Yes, most of the modes don't try anything massively new - beyond MyCareer's revamped Neighbourhood setting - and the loading screens will have you pulling your hair out from time to time, but refined core gameplay and enough content to keep you playing until the end times make this one an easy recommendation for b-ball fans.
NBA 2K22 features the best gameplay in the series to date, but also succumbs to the weight of its other feature sets. While a step in the right direction in terms of gameplay, its over-reliance on a player's time or money (and sometimes both) continues to be the hurdle keeping the series from achieving new heights.
As solid as it’s ever been on the court, NBA 2K22 is still an astonishingly good sports game, but its continued reliance on cynical microtransactions in MyCareer and MyTeam leave a sour taste.
NBA 2K22 is a sound step forward for the series. While it doesn't always hit the mark thanks to the grindy MyCAREER mode and microtransaction-heavy MyTEAM, the gameplay and presentation is still second to none.
NBA 2K22 is another good entry in the fantastic NBA 2K series. Its reworked shooting mechanics, impressive visuals on Switch, and loads of NBA content will keep any basketball fan's attention for hours on end. While many modes received no noticeable additions, and there's a heavy desire for spending money on microtransactions, NBA 2K22 is still a must-play for Switch basketball fans.
If the devs can stabilize the servers, give us back our cameras in MyNBA, and just make some general tweaks around the edges, I would suggest without hesitation that NBA 2K22 is worth scoping out.
The changes that were implemented for NBA 2K22 are for the better.
NBA 2K22 Switch simply doesn't cut it. It tries to pack too much into too little, and ends up with modes that don't work, difficult to embrace graphics, endless load times, poor shot meter dynamics, and impossible on-ball defense. An impossible start to a title not likely to get patched to playability.
Overall, "NBA 2K22" is a qualified basketball game, its core play is still outstanding, more smooth ball movement, but some of its innovations are hard to satisfy fans, and the presence of some old problems can affect the gaming experience. If you're a series player, NBA 2k22 may lack surprises.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
NBA 2K22 does what it takes to make fans fall in love with the franchise again.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA 2K22 makes some appreciated improvements to on-the-court gameplay and tries some refreshing, if not entirely successful innovations in MyCareer that make this year’s version feel like a bit more than just a roster update.
Despite all of its gains…and perhaps I'm being over-critical…but NBA 2K22 remains a gorgeous but ultimately non-fun experience unless for those who spend lot of money on VC. Yes, you can grind, but this alternative would take dozens of hours and hundreds of painful losses online/offline. Also, the solid improvements to the shot meter, off ball defense and overall AI cannot overcome the lack of on-ball spacing, right stick spamming requirements, and/or omnipresent sensation of being stuck to a defender indefinitely.
So at the end of the day, NBA 2K22 feels like it comes with two separate modes: offline for those who just want to have fun and aren’t necessarily NBA superstars and multiplayer for people willing to spend real money and get their high-rated players overnight.
NBA 2K22 is a surprisingly solid perennial release, refining and improving upon troublesome and dull mechanics with a generally more fun, accessible court experience. While its RPG ambitions are admirable, its quest system pales in comparison to the next-gen version. Overall, though, this current-gen version stands firmly on its own, offering a solid suite of modes and sweet basketball simulation.
NBA 2K22 is generally a beautiful representation of next-generation console hoops, but it's a little disturbing that many of the newest things I noticed didn't have a whole lot to do with basketball. The on-court product is good, but it's not perfect. Basketball is still my favorite sport to watch, and I love the game, so I'll keep playing, but I can probably put the music and fashion career on hold - and I don't need to spend any more money.