2k13 is the highly polished and impressive version to the former NBA 2k predecessors. Instead of reinventing itself or shaking anything up that is too major, but in fact by fine tuning the gameplay and presentation which has made 2k series among the most critically acclaimed titles for the past two years, 2k13 is greatly improved this time around.
Several tweaks to the controls and mechanics still offer complexity for more skilled players while improving the accessibility. Dribbling and shooting swap places on the controller, so players perform crossovers, hesitation moves and other dribbling skills with simple gestures of the right thumb stick. Pull the left trigger down, and the ball now shoots the ball. The game also seems to better portray player attributes in one-on-one scenarios. The other important change is the execution of the pick and roll- by pulling the right bumper to call for screen, and holding the button down to control their teammate.
Influences from Jay Z, the prominent executive producer of the game, can certainly be seen and heard throughout the game with genres ranging from hip hop to Coldplay. There are also in-game sounds a with random chatter and appropriate sound effects that make it sounds like a real NBA arena if you are sitting court side. One of the coolest innovative techniques that is integrated into the game’s system is the capability of the commentators to commit and reflect on past, present or future games during the gameplay or when a timeout is called.
Players are checking their faces for blood after hard fouls and looking for foul calls with accurate half times reports and news on games that are currently being played in real time. There are a variety of game modes to choose from in the retail version. Players can request GM meetings to give their input on personnel moves and can also customize almost everything about the appearance and “swag.” In addition, players can even choose their pregame ritual with the capability of deciding the controversy if the 1992 Dream team is better or the 2012 TeamUSA.
The rest of the game remains the same with small changes. The game adopts a new currency system for buying in-game items, as well as for Mycareer mode, where players create their own budding star and guide them through life in the NBA. The game introduces Myteam, similar to what Madden has introduced on their line of games starting from Madden 12- a card base team management challenge where players collect cards and assemble the best squad.
Gameinformer quoted it as being “amazing on so many levels” and gave it a rating of 9/10. IGN gave it a rating of 9.1/10 and labeled it as “the pinnacle of basketball gaming on this generation of consoles”. So this game, in conclusion, is certainly a definite buy for the holidays!
