NBA 2K21 Reviews
It's hard to escape the feeling that the current-gen version of NBA 2K21 is merely a rushed appetizer before the next-gen main course. Yes, NBA 2K21 can still be a great time, but stagnant presentation, copy-and-pasted modes and features, and new mechanics that clearly weren't fully worked out combine to make the game feel like a half-hearted buzzer beater throwaway.
Even though the core gameplay is solid, most game modes are riddled with micro-transactions that prioritizes grinding and monetization over enjoyment.
The best basketball returns with NBA 2K21, a new release that comes with several new features in its most played modes and a totally renewed shooting system.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Longtime players won't find much to enjoy in this barely changed version of last year's entry.
NBA 2K21 gives us the same observation as that established a year earlier with NBA 2K20: that of stagnating within the saga, without any real major improvement. But this time, the few bets attempted by the development studio have the main consequence of serving the game, at least in its first approaches and making it even a little less accessible to the general public. A quality episode certainly, despite its flaws, but not up to expectations. We could expect better for a transition to the new generation of consoles ...
Review in French | Read full review
With a solid new story mode, a greatly improved MyTeam mode and the same high quality of presentation that 2K now brings to the series on Switch, NBA 2K21 is now the new definitive basketball game on the system. The unwanted microtransaction ogre continues to loom over most of the package, ever encouraging you to fork out more cash to accelerate your progress, but as long as you're capable of ignoring this and have the patience to slowly improve your player and team organically, the results will be infinitely more satisfying.
When you're shooting hoops and playing basketball, NBA 2K21 is rather fun to play. However, it suffers from obtrusive microtransactions and game modes that are made in such a way that they try to nudge you to buy more virtual currency. NBA 2K21's appeal dives even more when you realise very little has changed from NBA 2K20. Hopefully Visual Concepts will come back strong on next-generation consoles with something that feels more than just about making money.
NBA 2K21's current-gen version isn't necessarily the biggest step forward the series has taken, nor should it be expected to be. But what's there is still fun, even if it is more of the same. 2K's reliance on microtransactions still feels incredibly out of place, and the game still doesn't necessarily respect the player's time. If you're a fan of the series, chances are you're already playing the game. If you're on the fence, it may be worth waiting to see what the next-gen version offers.
But if you're like me, playing every year, then know this: NBA 2K21 is the best basketball game around, but it's also the only one. And as any high-level competitor will tell you, that's never a good thing for long.
Overall, one does not have to be a massive fan of basketball to appreciate this game. Being a fan of basketball only adds to the enjoyment. If you enjoy playing sports games and are looking for a good basketball game NBA 2K 21 is undoubtedly that game to add to your collection.
Had the 2K team decided to pull an eFootball PES move and patch NBA 2K20 to NBA 2K21, I think I'd have felt a little better about the product we currently have. Instead, we were given a slightly improved but underwhelming current-gen game. If you were on the fence about getting NBA 2K21 for current gen and are getting yourself a PS5 or Xbox Series X, wait it out for the extra month and a half and see what the game looks like then.
Providing a complete NBA experience, NBA2K21 accurately captures and then places you center stage of everything that makes NBA basketball great. The music, the sounds, the energy, the hype, and most importantly the gameplay, this sports sim provides fans of the game the complete experience. With detailed controls and dynamic gameplay which mimics the game's best players, you, the player, can play out your hoop dreams on the world's biggest stage. Just mind your step on the microtransactions on your path to glory.
NBA 2K20 was a fun and serious game of basketball to play.
While there are issues, which are worst in MyCareer, it still is enjoyable.
NBA 2K21 makes welcome improvements to its MyCareer and MyTeam modes, but the frustratingly inconsistent new shooting system and lack of changes elsewhere make it feel like it's lost its step over other sports games.
NBA 2K21 entertains with a strong gameplay, but the new shooting system lacks precision and may feel frustrating.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA 2K21 is a sports title that ticks all the boxes in simulation gameplay but falters tremendously in its plastic progression systems. Virtual Currency puts a stranglehold on your enjoyment, and it plays a big part in upgrading and purchasing in-game stuff. Sure, it might have a decent (albeit short and cliched) story mode, but the ball is in your court as to whether you want to fork out your hard-earned money on microscopic differences. Although, at the end of the day, it seemed like hoop dreams to think anything of substance would be changed. Stick with previous entries or wait for the next-generation version.
While NBA 2K21 is clearly different from its predecessor in several ways, I can't say it's significantly better than what we saw last season. The game still looks fantastic, the commentary is still top-notch, and many of the same battles you might have had with the previous edition are still there, like whether you want to spend so much virtual and real money. If you don't have any basketball games in your library and want to change that, then by all means, this is as good as it can possibly get.
Competitive mode, microtransactions and high price point are still among the things to criticize; but NBA 2K21 is still the only alternative if you want to play a basketball game. 2K is taking small steps when it comes to bringing new features, but it's still better than nothing.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Beyond the controversy, NBA 2K21 manages to save itself only because of the special attention that the development team puts on its playability since the game does not offer anything at the moment other than its already known modes, which are beginning to being flagged by the community as old and outdated, as well as an online component that got eaten up by microtransactions
Review in Spanish | Read full review