After the NBA 2K11 release, I use to ask myself what would 2Ksports do next. Well, after playing the demo for NBA 2K12, I finally have my answer.
To start off, the presentation in NBA 2K12 has gotten better. The player introductions, match-up comparisons, and pre-game rituals all look more amazing than before. All of this is great, but what really caught my eye was the pre-game highlights. Watching the snippets of the team’s star player; made me really feel like I was really watching ESPN. Also, I don’t know if its just me but the player tattoos really stood out. Coming from being a dried out gray, to a dark freshly done black.
The gameplay for NBA 2K12 is something to brag about. Everything feels so smooth, the player movements, and dribbling moves etc. The players no longer feel stiff and robotic. The defense is actually defense now, instead the just letting the offensive player run past you. I’ve seen defenders play their opponent to their weak side, actually make an effort into blocking a shot, and hitting the boards hard. With the passing you now have to be careful. Just throwing careless passes to get a quick shot, will increase the risk of a turnover. Star players now have a variety of signature shots along with moves.
The graphics have been touched upon. There isn’t a major difference but you can tell that something has been fiddled with to impress its audience. As for the sound in the game, its pretty good too.
My only pet peeve was that you couldn’t choose teams, you’re stuck playing with the Mavs. I know that they’re the NBA champs, but their team is just boring. I would have rather played with the Miami Heat.
Despite the NBA lockout, basketball fans will have something to keep them close to their favorite teams with NBA 2K12. 2KSports is doing an amazing job with this years installment, and from the direction that the demo is going I would say that NBA 2K12 will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. NBA 2K12 is set to release October 4th, 2011.
