It may sound weird, but it is pretty refreshing that games like these, so obviously most of the time, take risks and offer a refreshing experience. Instead, last-gen players get to play a revamped version of the Neighborhood but this time, the neighborhood is not on firm land but aboard a basketball-themed cruise ship and most of the gameplay takes place on the high seas. If you, instead, have the PS4 version, your experience will be vastly different, as the career mode is deeply intertwined with the City mode, which is absent from this version of the game. That is if you own the PS5/PC/Xbox Series X version. This transforms NBA 2K22 into an open-world sandbox that can only be described as a proper NBA simulator or NBA: the game if you will. The main story of the career mode takes place in its entirety within the limits of the City, and as your character progresses, so will your house and your mingling with the worlds of music and fashion. Now, the City has become the focal point of the career mode. In NBA 2K21 we got to take a first look at the City, a new model that fell flat the first time around. Now for the elephant in the room, the city mode vs the neighborhood mode. 2K Beats, as the soundtrack is called, consists of a very impressive musical selection, with an emphasis on independent artists, which is noteworthy as not only does it give a major platform to these emerging musicians, but it also adds freshness to the game’s ambient. On the other hand, music is still as good as always. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said by the public during matches, as they, as they often tend to be, are just copy-pasted models with slight changes in appearance. However, this change is not as obvious for the PS4 version as it is for the PS5 game, which is a true shame, as the game offers impressive renditions of famous NBA players. Visually the game is impressive, with a major cosmetic update from its predecessor. This is also true for dribbling, which requires concentration, skill, and a very hands-on approach. In this sense, the game is leaving behind the autopilot mode and rewarding skilled players. One stick is used for direction while the other is used to fill up a power bar. This is even more noticeable when we take a look at the overhaul to the offensive controls, like the much-criticized new shooting mechanic, in which the player may choose to do it pressing a button, with a lower chance of scoring, or by using both sticks. Visual Concepts aimed to develop a game more balanced towards defensive players. NBA 2K22 received a major update in terms of gameplay and IA, especially in terms of defense. Is NBA 2K22 for the PS4 a good NBA game? Yes, but it has suffered a big disservice along the way. And, with that, the version designed for last-gen consoles feels more like the little brother who only gets handouts and the leftovers of his current-gen counterpart. And whilst most of these changes tend to be somewhat cosmetic, aside from some tweaks now and then, NBA 2K22 is met with a new generation of consoles. In this life, we can be certain of three things: death, taxes, and the annual release of the most recent installments of sports franchises, like FIFA, Madden, and NBA.
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