NBA 2k14 makes the leap to PS4, starting off the next generation with mixed results. As a long-time fan of the series, I was hoping that the transition to PS4 would elevate the game to a new level and provide the best NBA-quality experience possible. 2K14 succeeded in the most part, but flopped miserably like Manu Ginobili in other major aspects of the gameplay and simulation.
Graphically, this is a very impressive game. The PS4 version brings greatly enhanced visuals and many (though not all) of the players reasonably mimic their real-life counterparts. The arenas also feel vibrant and living, with a truly immersive atmosphere. The same can be said of the sound, as the announcing team of Clark Kellogg and Kevin Harlan do a fine job of keeping up with the action and tossing out the usual random tidbits of key players. Rather nicely, they will also point out if your My Player had a great outing lately.
For the most part, the gameplay is quite solid. Dribbling with the Right Stick (aka Dribble Stick) is usually great fun and makes playing a guard a lot more enjoyable than a post player. Tossing out hesitations and crossovers is very easy, especially if you control a player with “sick handles” like Kyrie Irving. However, a serious niggle is that the Right Stick also can trigger a shot if held in the wrong direction. A few times, my players have tossed up ultra-long range shots instead of dribbling. I could merely chalk that up to user error, but Youtube videos show that even seasoned vets can experience this problem. That aside, the number of moves and ways that your players flow offensively and defensively is quick, realistic and believable.
Most major issues with NBA 2K14 stem from the simulation side. The most popular aspect (according to 2K Sports) is the My Career function. On the release of the game, the My Career portion of the game had several parts of the experience locked off to offline players. As well, a number of bugs – some of them career ending – crept into the final product. 2K Sports has been working on the issue, but as of today (Jan 3rd, 2013) the My Career experience is still a very mixed bag. The horrible acted and scripted “cut-scenes” cannot be skipped or fast-forwarded. Furthermore, the GM/Coach/Teammate interactions do not even match with the on-court action. For example, after one decent game of 26 points (on 60% shooting), several rebounds and assists with a B+ teammate score, the coach made a point of telling me how disappointed he was with my effort in that game. I could have dismissed that, but a few games later, my player dropped 40 points (on 65% shooting), an A- teammate rating, and tons of steals and assists on the Spurs. This time, not only did the coach lament my failings, but the press did as well. There are other major issues with MyCareer; the Draft, the whole pointlessness of the Social Media, the “rival…” Overall, the My Career portion feels disjointed and unpolished.
I must admit that I am not a fan of the “VC” points as they are currently constructed. While it is easy enough to earn VC as a skilled My Career player, the My Team portion is a different animal. Odds are, an average NBA 2k14 player would have to pay extra cash for VC from the online shop in order to have a realistic chance of competing with the AI General Managers. This seems unreasonable, and unfair.
In conclusion, NBA 2K14 is a lot of fun to play, but drops the ball out of bounds on the simulation aspect. I recommend it solely from a gameplay perspective if you can look past the errors of MyCareer and the greed of MyTeam.