NBA 2K21

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of NBA 2K21 are quite varied. Some critics, such as Push Square and COGconnected, found the story to be engaging and enjoyable. They appreciated the new branch of narrative introduced in the game, allowing players to choose between going to college or playing in the G-League before making it to the NBA. App Trigger also praised the addition of college teams, considering it a nice touch. Comicbook.com and PSX Extreme were particularly impressed with the MyCareer story, with the former calling it a massive step up from recent iterations of the game and highlighting the strong performance from Michael K. Williams. PlayStation Country found the story in MyPlayer mode to be fairly light but well-acted. On the other hand, there were critics who expressed disappointment with the story of NBA 2K21. IGN, PC Invasion, GameCrate, Cubed3, GameCritics, Impulsegamer, and Xbox Tavern all had negative opinions about the story. IGN and PC Invasion both found the story to be limited and lacking compared to other sports game narratives. GameCrate criticized the story for its lackluster characters and straightforward plot that lacked impact. Cubed3 described the story as poor and clichéd, lacking surprises and originality. GameCritics found the story mode to be corny and repetitive, with little player agency or impact on the plot. Impulsegamer also criticized the story for its stereotypes and clichés, as well as the unengaging and cheesy cutscenes. Xbox Tavern specifically mentioned the love interest in the story as contributing nothing to the overall narrative. Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the story of NBA 2K21 are mixed. While some critics found the story to be engaging, enjoyable, and a step up from previous iterations, others were disappointed with its limited nature, lackluster characters, and clichéd plot. The inclusion of college teams and licensed college programs was generally seen as positive additions to the game. However, there were criticisms of repetitive and unengaging elements in the story, as well as the lack of impact and player agency. It is clear that the story of NBA 2K21 did not universally impress the critics, but there were still positive aspects that resonated with some reviewers.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of NBA 2K21 are generally positive, with several reviewers praising the improvements and enhancements made to the game. Critics like Hardcore Gamer and GameCritics highlight the smooth and fluid gameplay, with tight and responsive controls. They appreciate the realistic player animations and movements, which contribute to a more authentic basketball experience. The gameplay changes, such as the new Shot Stick and Accuracy Meter, are also positively received, as they offer more intuitive controls and allow for great combos. PlayStation Universe and New York Daily News commend the gameplay for its realism and improved visuals, further enhancing the overall experience. The gameplay options and modes, as mentioned by Pure Nintendo, also add to the positive aspects of NBA 2K21's gameplay. However, there are some criticisms regarding the gameplay of NBA 2K21. App Trigger and PlayStation Country express concerns about the shooting mechanics, with App Trigger describing the new shot stick mechanic as clunky and unforgiving. Shooting difficulty is highlighted as a problem, especially for casual players. GameCrate and Telegraph mention animation transitions that detract from the overall illusion of real basketball, suggesting that there may be some inconsistencies in the gameplay experience. Xbox Tavern and Cheat Code Central mention occasional glitches and strange player movements, particularly during timeouts, which can disrupt the immersion. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of NBA 2K21 has seen improvements and enhancements compared to its predecessor. The positive aspects, such as the smooth and dynamic gameplay, realistic player movements, and improved visuals, are highlighted by critics like Game Informer, GameSpew, and TheSixthAxis. The gameplay changes, including the new Shot Stick and Accuracy Meter, are generally well-received, as they offer more intuitive controls and a more authentic basketball experience. However, there are some concerns regarding the shooting mechanics, animation transitions, and occasional glitches. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is that NBA 2K21 delivers a solid and enjoyable gameplay experience for fans of the franchise.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple videogame reviewers regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of NBA 2K21, it is evident that there is a mix of positive and negative feedback. Many critics praised the game for its impressive visuals and attention to detail. IGN, for example, describes NBA 2K21 as a "technical marvel" with incredibly detailed player models and dynamic sidelines. Hardcore Gamer also commends the visuals, stating that the game features diverse and responsive crowds, phenomenal player faces and models, and realistic skin textures. The Games Machine mentions that NBA 2K21 aims for something more in terms of visuals on next-gen consoles. However, there are also critics who express some negative aspects of the graphics and visual design. GameCrate points out that the visuals in NBA 2K21 are starting to show their age, with stiff animations, lack of detail, and cringey character models. Cheat Code Central mentions that while the game has impressive lighting and effects, the character models can be off-putting with glassy eyes and plastic-y textures. XboxAddict also highlights the issue of created players looking cartoonish and not fitting well with the overall graphical experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that NBA 2K21 delivers impressive visuals and attention to detail, particularly in terms of player models and realistic arenas. The game is praised for its authenticity and visual fidelity by PlayStation Universe and Telegraph. The enhanced visuals are also mentioned to be visually impressive by Push Square. However, there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the graphics, such as stiff animations and inconsistent character models. Despite these criticisms, the majority of reviewers agree that NBA 2K21 is a visually stunning game that pushes the boundaries of realism and immerses players in the world of basketball.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of NBA 2K21 are generally positive. Critics such as Impulsegamer and Xbox Tavern praise the sound and music, stating that it adds to the overall NBA experience and creates an immersive atmosphere. Impulsegamer specifically mentions that the music makes the player feel like they are part of something special, while Xbox Tavern highlights the addition of 150 new tracks featuring popular artists. COGconnected also commends the game for its slick soundtrack and voice acting from Michael K. Williams. These positive reviews indicate that the sound design and music successfully enhance the gameplay and contribute to the overall enjoyment of NBA 2K21. However, there are a few criticisms raised by some critics. PlayStation Universe mentions that while the sound design is clear and crisp, there is not much benefit to the 3D audio. Push Square points out that the mechanics of the DualSense controller can be heard, which may be a drawback for some players. Xbox Tavern also criticizes the excessive censorship of the songs in the soundtrack, which they feel kills the mood. These negative aspects suggest that there are some areas in the sound design and music that could have been improved upon to provide a more seamless and immersive experience for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that NBA 2K21 has a strong sound design and music. Impulsegamer, XboxAddict, and TheXboxHub all highlight the positive aspects of the game's soundtrack, with XboxAddict specifically mentioning the stellar in-game soundtrack with over 350 songs. TheXboxHub also praises the audio effects on the court, such as the squeak of trainers and the bounce of the ball. Additionally, ZTGD commends the revamped commentary team and dynamic play-by-play, indicating an upgrade in the audio experience. While there are some minor criticisms mentioned by a few critics, the overall sentiment is that the Sound Design and Music of NBA 2K21 contribute positively to the overall gameplay and immersion.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in NBA 2K21 are generally positive. NintendoWorldReport mentions that the writing and performances in the story-based mode (MyCareer) are "sneaky good." App Trigger also praises the acting talent in the story mode, describing it as "incredible" and stating that it elevates the storyline. COGconnected highlights the inclusion of Michael K. Williams as one of the voice actors, which adds to the overall quality of the voice acting. Comicbook.com specifically praises Michael K. Williams' performance in NBA 2K21's MyCareer story, describing it as "strong." PSX Extreme also commends the performances of Jesse Williams and Michael K. Williams in the cutscenes, stating that they are "solid." The presence of big names like Michael K. Williams, Djimon Hounsou, and Jesse Williams is mentioned by Telegraph, further adding to the positive aspects of the voice acting. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by critics as well. PlayStation Country points out that while the voice acting is well-acted, the story is paced oddly, with a focus on a character's rise to the NBA along with flashback scenes and a love angle. Additionally, they mention that the halftime shows have lost their charm. TheSixthAxis, on the other hand, does not provide any further evaluation of the voice acting, which leaves their opinion on the quality of the performances unclear. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in NBA 2K21 is generally well-done. The inclusion of talented actors like Michael K. Williams, Djimon Hounsou, and Jesse Williams is seen as a positive aspect. The performances in the story mode, particularly in the MyCareer story, are praised for being strong, solid, and elevating the storyline. However, there are some criticisms regarding the pacing of the story and the halftime shows. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment towards the voice acting in NBA 2K21 is positive, with the performances being considered a standout aspect of the game.

In terms of technical performance, NBA 2K21 received positive feedback from critics across multiple gaming platforms. PlayStation Universe praised the decreased loading times and the performance feedback provided by the Haptic Feedback feature on the PS5. Similarly, Attack of the Fanboy and Game Informer praised the fast load times and utilization of the SSD in the Xbox Series X, with TheSixthAxis specifically mentioning the huge reduction in loading times and lack of input lag, making the game feel snappy in hand. Xbox Tavern also noted that after two weeks, the game became more stable, indicating that initial bugs and glitches were addressed. However, there were some negative aspects of the technical performance mentioned by critics on different platforms. PC Invasion highlighted serious server issues and the lack of anti-cheat measures, leading to cheating problems. GameCrate mentioned AI bugs that affected the overall experience on the PS4 version, while Cheat Code Central pointed out control-related issues on Xbox One, such as poor shot accuracy and erratic passing, as well as occasional problems with defense. Cubed3 criticized the sketchy online connection on Xbox One. Overall, the consensus among critics is that NBA 2K21 delivers fast load times and improved performance on the next-generation consoles, such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The utilization of SSDs and reduced input lag were praised, enhancing the gameplay experience. However, there were some technical issues on other platforms, such as server problems on PC and control-related issues on Xbox One. Despite these negatives, the game's technical performance seems to have improved over time, as mentioned by Xbox Tavern. It's worth noting that GameSpew did not mention any specific technical issues or stability problems, suggesting a generally smooth experience across platforms.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the replay value of NBA 2K21, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted by critics. Several reviewers, such as Hardcore Gamer and Push Square, emphasize the variety of modes and features available in the game, including MyTeam, The W, and franchise mode, which enhance the replay value. They also praise the fast loading times and streamlined features, which contribute to a more enjoyable experience. Additionally, the inclusion of new modes like The City and The W, as mentioned by Attack of the Fanboy, provides something different and adds replay value to the game. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about certain aspects that may limit the replay value of NBA 2K21. PlayStation Universe criticizes the lack of transferability for MyPlayer from PS4 to PS5, which may deter players from starting over. They also criticize the separation of modes and the prerequisites for accessing The City, which can be restrictive for some players. GameCrate mentions that the game modes are largely the same as the previous entry, with minor changes, and the heavy emphasis on microtransactions can make progression feel like a grind, potentially impacting replay value. PSX Extreme also highlights the lack of innovation and heavy reliance on microtransactions, which may further diminish replay value. Overall, the consensus among critics is that NBA 2K21 offers a wealth of modes and features that contribute to its replay value. Positive aspects such as the inclusion of new modes, improved gameplay, and customization options are highlighted by multiple reviewers, including Game Informer and New York Daily News. However, the negative aspects, such as the presence of microtransactions and limitations in certain modes, are also acknowledged by critics like Impulsegamer and Xbox Tavern. While some reviewers express concerns about specific elements, the overall sentiment suggests that NBA 2K21 provides enough content and variety to keep players engaged and coming back for more.