NBA 2K23 Reviews
NBA 2K23 is a fantastic package that is marred by a heavy reliance on microtransactions. Unless a player is going to spend hours and hours grinding out The City, the only way to find a modicum of success is to open your wallet and buy the virtual currency to boost your players and teams. The on-court gameplay is blast, and the tweaks to the AI have made playing against the computer more challenging and fun, the Jordan Challenge and the addition of the retro players and modes is a blast and I hope these features make the cut for next year. Speaking of next year, I can see it maybe being based on Kobe Bryant who we know wore the number 24 with the Lakers and tragically passed a few years ago. With it being the 2024 edition of the game, it would only make sense and be a nice honor for the ‘Black Mamba’, I just hope (I’m sure they won’t) that they stop the over reliance on this pay-to-win method that 2K has been doing the past few years, the game would be so much more enjoyable without them.
Overall, NBA 2K23 has some of the best gameplay in an NBA 2K game. While the MyPlayer mode is a bit of a shadow of its former self, the various additions and changes to MyTeam and MyNBA make up for it overall. Despite being on point in most areas, the Virtual Currency situation will definitely affect players’ enjoyment of the game. While the term “pay to win” does come to mind, NBA2K23’s gameplay and various modes are still very well done.
NBA 2K23 builds on last year’s rock-solid entry with some well-considered on-court changes, a deeper, more satisfying career mode, and an array of accessible nostalgia-tweaking content. Most refreshingly, almost none of these additions are designed to push extra spending. If Visual Concepts stays hungry, NBA 2K23 could be the beginning of a new dynasty that would do its cover star proud.
Visual Concepts and 2K’s clever enhancements to NBA 2K23 allow for the most authentic experience to date.
It may be easy to accuse sports games of offering the same experience year in and year out, but you simply can't say that about NBA 2K23. The game still has issues with its overemphasis on microtransactions in MyCareer and to a lesser extent MyTeam, but the new MyNBA Eras mode is a revelation – and the Jordan Challenge campaign is damn fun, too. On the court, 2K Sports has made some nice balancing tweaks and also improved the overall AI to make matches more dynamic and competitive, and when you pair all of that with all the new animations, you end up with a basketball sim that's the very definition of a slam dunk.
NBA 2K23 makes some worthy adjustments to gameplay, making this more entertaining without losing the game's fundamental presentation and feel. At the same time, even the map shrink in The City isn't enough of an addition to make 2K23 worth a must-buy status. Not enough of the game changes to merit a purchase this year, unless you maxed out everything in last year's release and want a fresh start. NBA 2K23 is more for die-hard fans than every before.
NBA 2K23 best honors the number it brings. The playful offer of the new 2K and Visual Concepts basketball iteration is sumptuous, both in terms of visual presentation and content offer.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Still, for those seeking an authentic simulation, NBA 2K23 delivers. For those who couldn’t be bothered to invest into either MyTeam or MyCareer, you will find plenty else to occupy your time. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you’re willing to check at the door. There will always be things players take or leave. On the whole, it very much feels like a big step in the right direction. Underneath, I continue to let myself imagine ‘What if…’ which is why personally, it’s difficult to look past the ever-present elephant in the room.
The newest entry of the NBA2K family pays homage to the embodiment of baskteball itself: Michale Jordan and it does it flawlessly with very tiny details to polish.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite its heavy focus on microtransactions, NBA 2K23 is the basketball game that sports fans have been waiting for for a long time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
When you buy NBA 2K, you know what you're getting. Except this year, NBA 2K23 sees Visual Concepts bringing its 'A' game, with an excellent MyCareer mode, the return of Jordan Challenges, and an addictive MyTeam offering. This is a straight-up slam dunk.
I can safely recommend NBA 2K23 to every sports games fan, even though the microtransactions are extremely aggressive. The gameplay is too good, and I hope future updates won’t break it.
Review in Polish | Read full review
If you do play 2K every year, you'll be treated to gameplay improvements in fluidity of motion, shooting physics, and defense. It's a prettier, better-handling game than last year with the awesome addition of MyNBA Eras. It feels like a major step up after some years of critical backsliding. Here's hoping they can maintain the momentum.
Refinements to core aspects of NBA 2K23's gameplay make for some of the most fluid and enjoyable action seen in some years, and it's all capped off with the excellent Jordan Challenge. It's not perfect by any means, but this year's NBA 2K is certainly a big step up from previous entries.
NBA 2K23 does a good job with introducing some cool ideas into its stubbornly lackluster larger format.
I think the best thing they've done this year is they've made the stickiness of players feel less oppressive.
I can truly say that if you're considering getting NBA 2K23 to play a great game of basketball, do so without hesitation. Just be wary of the fact that you'll have to shell out some extra money if you want to get into and keep up with the rest of the community when it comes to running in the Park, Rec, or Pro-Am.
NBA 2K23 has everything needed in order to make NBA's fans fall in love, but it still has more than an aspect that needs improvement, from the IA to the intrusive microtransactions.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Without a focus on MJ's career, 2K23 doesn't offer too much more than last year's iteration. It's a serviceable experience for newcomers and pros alike, it's just a damn shame it's becoming more and more a marketing tool than a game. What concerns me is, where do they go from here?
NBA2K23 is a product of many arguably long overdue, bold decisions, and they combine to produce the best 2K in seemingly forever. Yes, some outstanding quibbles persist, but massive upgrades to gameplay, AI, a legitimate emphasis on classic eras, and no contracts in MyTeam are all winners.