NBA2K24: PS5 Review

Developed by Visual Concepts
Published by 2K
Platform: PS5

The latest iteration of the basketball simulation arrives on the scene, promising much for the sport, but delivering its usual mix of solid gameplay, impressive graphics and annoying microtransactions.

While its gameplay on court is as strong as usual, there's been little in the way of tweaking under the hood for this year's outing and as a result, many will feel that it's more of the same, albeit well-presented.

With an improvement to the MyCareer mode focusing more on the actual basketball itself rather than the sport's accoutrements, NBA2K24 does feel a little like it's getting back on track. With an open world hub that's teeming with colour and life, the game zeroes in on the basketball more this time around and as a result feels fresh, vibrant and exciting - even if microtransactions rear their ugly and unwanted head.

The sandbox version of The City is a joy though, and much time can be spent simply hurtling about, looking around and meeting people - it's not just about progressing your own career, there's also a distinct feeling that this is a hub that will reward you for hanging out.

However, an over-reliance of microtransactions in that area to help push your player into the upper echelons of the sport feels beyond cruel and while virtual currency is the only way forward if you want to shine, the developers and publishers need to be called out for this continued annual tradition that really does blight the game.

On-court, the game's solid mix of impressive commentary, tactile AI and graphical improvements means it feels more like basketball than ever before - even at a rookie level, the game's still punishing and won't take it easy on you if you can't make your drop shots, or pass within a certain parameter.

To some extent, that means a lot of what happens in NBA2K24 still feels like it is aimed at a specific audience rather than all comers to the genre, which is a crying shame as this is the only way the franchise will develop.

Equally, 2K's insistence early on on collecting data and information continues to appall, with no real option to avoid passing on details with the sole purpose of the publisher using them for incessant marketing.

It's depressing fare at times, because as often as NBA2K24 takes steps forward, it proves too many reminders of where it missteps.

It's solid enough for players of the genre, but in terms of whether it's a slam dunk worthy of its Kobe Bryant cover star is an entirely different matter.