Why Does NBA 2K21 Suck?

We take a look at why the latest NBA 2K game has been receiving such negative reviews, and whether there is any hope for the franchise.

Terrible Gameplay

One of the main issues with NBA 2K21 is the gameplay. It is just awful. The game is way too easy and it is not challenging at all. The A.I. is terrible and the shooting is just so bad. The game is just not fun to play.

Clunky controls

The controls in NBA 2K21 are extremely clunky and unresponsive. The shooting mechanics feel completely broken, and it’s nearly impossible to make a basic layup. The dribbling is also insanely difficult, and you’ll often find yourself losing the ball due to the wonky controls. There’s also a lack of basic gameplay options, such as the ability to call for a pick-and-roll. Overall, the controls are an absolute mess, and they make the game incredibly frustrating to play.

Unresponsive shooting

In NBA 2K21, shooting feels more unresponsive than ever. No matter how well you time your shot, or how open you are, the ball just doesn’t seem to go in as often as it should. The game also seems to have a problem with players constantly running out of bounds, or getting stuck on the backboard after trying to dunk. These problems make the game feel extremely frustratinand this is coming from someone who generally enjoys sports games.

Bad Graphics

NBA 2K21 is one of the most popular basketball games out there. However, the game has received a lot of criticism for its bad graphics. Many people have complained that the players look like cardboard cutouts and the court looks like a cheap knock-off of a real NBA court.

Outdated visuals

The main issue with the graphics is that they are outdated. The player models look like they are from a last-generation game, and the overall presentation is lackluster. The arenas are often boring and lack the detail and personality of other sports games. Even the new “next-generation” versions of NBA 2K21 don’t look that much better than the previous versions.

Poor character models

The characters in NBA 2K21 look like they were made in the early 2000s. The players look like they have been taken from an old game and given a new coat of paint. The lighting is terrible, and the player faces look like they have been photocopied.

Even the crowd looks bad. The court looks fine, but the people in the stands look like they’re made of cardboard. It’s hard to believe that this is a next-gen game when the graphics are so poor.

Lack of Innovation

NBA 2K21 was released on September 4, 2020, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game was developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. It is the 22nd installment in the NBA 2K franchise and the successor to NBA 2K20.

Same game as last year

It’s the same game as last year, with a few new player animations and some different defensive AI. The game modes are also exactly the same, with the exception of “The Park” being renamed to “The Neighborhood.” There is nothing new or innovative in this year’s game.

Rehashed content

We’re all well aware that NBA 2K21 is basically a rehash of NBA 2K20 with some new cosmetics and very little in the way of actual new content. This is why the game has been so heavily criticized by the community, with many calling it a “cash grab” by 2K Sports.

So why does NBA 2K21 suck? Well, there are a few reasons. Firstly, the game is plagued by microtransactions and an overall pay-to-win mentality. You basically need to spend extra money on top of the $60 you already paid for the game in order to have a chance at being competitive online.

Secondly, the game itself is just not that fun. It’s extremely repetitive and doesn’t do anything to shake up the formula. This is especially apparent in the MyCareer mode, which is pretty much identical to last year’s version.

Lastly, the visuals haven’t really been improved all that much from NBA 2K20. Sure, there have been some minor tweaks here and there, but overall it looks very similar to last year’s game. This is especially disappointing given that the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S are both out now.

So there you have it – those are some of the main reasons why NBA 2K21 sucks. Hopefully 2K Sports will learn from their mistakes and deliver a much better game next year.

Microtransactions

It’s no secret that 2K loves to milk their games for all they’re worth. NBA 2K21 is no different. The game is chock full of microtransactions that try to get you to spend real money on virtual goods. From VC to cosmetic items, 2K is always looking for ways to get players to spend more money. This business model has caused many players to lose interest in the game.

Pay-to-win model

The pay-to-win model is a type of microtransaction where players can use real money to buy in-game items that give them an advantage over other players. This model has been increasingly used in games, especially mobile games, and has been met with backlash from the gaming community for being unfair and exploitative.

NBA 2K21 is a prime example of a pay-to-win game. The game is designed so that players who spend money on microtransactions will have a significant advantage over those who don’t. This has led to many people feeling that the game is not worth playing, as they will never be able to compete against those who have invested more money into the game.

There are several reasons why the pay-to-win model is considered to be unfair and exploitative. Firstly, it creates an uneven playing field where those with more money can easily dominate those with less. Secondly, it encourages players to keep spending money on the game in order to maintain their advantage, which can quickly become expensive. Finally, it leads to a feeling of frustration and resentment among players who feel like they can never win because they haven’t spent as much money as others.

The pay-to-win model is both unfair and exploitative, and NBA 2K21 is a prime example of why this type of microtransaction should be avoided. If you’re looking for a fair and enjoyable basketball game, you would be better off playing something else.

Expensive DLC

Microtransactions are often seen as a way for developers to ‘ nickel and dime ‘ their player base, offering a full game for a higher price and then requiring payment for additional (and often necessary) content. NBA 2K21 is no different, with the game itself costing $60 and the ‘ Standard Edition ‘ of the game’s in-game currency, VC, costing an additional $100.

This business model has caused many gamers to simply avoid NBA 2K21 altogether, especially when compared to its competition. For example, EA’s NBA Live 21 was released at the same time as NBA 2K21 and features no microtransactions whatsoever. This has led many gamers to feel that they would rather spend their money on a full game up front than be constantly nickle-and-dimed by microtransactions.