NBA 2K has long been a staple for basketball and gaming enthusiasts, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. Each year, the franchise is highly anticipated for its top-notch basketball simulation, offering various game modes, realistic graphics, and innovations that enhance the gaming experience. But what exactly does NBA 2K25 bring to the table? Is it truly a new game with significant updates, or just a slight rework of its predecessor?

This time, I had the opportunity, courtesy of 2K Games, to review the PC version of NBA 2K25. After playing for about 10 hours, let's explore whether this game is genuinely worth buying or merely a "copy-paste" from the previous edition with a few added features. Let’s dive in!

Smoother Graphics and Animation, But No Major Changes

NBA 2K25 once again delivers stunning visuals. If you’ve played the previous versions, you’ll agree that NBA 2K’s graphics are consistently impressive. From the details in player faces, movements, to the court environments, everything looks incredibly realistic. For those playing on PC or next-gen consoles, this game will dazzle you with its graphical quality.

However, the game comes with a hefty file size—around 133GB—comparable to other large titles like Starfield and Baldur's Gate 3. So, make sure you have ample storage space before downloading NBA 2K25.

One of the key upgrades in NBA 2K25 is a new animation feature called ProPLAY. This feature is designed to make player movements smoother and more lifelike, especially during dribbling and shooting. Player movements now closely resemble real-life athletes.

There’s also a new dribble system that allows you to transition seamlessly from dribbling to shooting in one fluid motion. On defense, you can quickly cut off your opponent’s movement with a single analog stick adjustment.

While these enhancements make the gameplay smoother and more realistic, there isn’t a groundbreaking change that makes the game feel different from previous versions. These animation improvements feel more like refinements than revolutionary innovations.

If you enjoy detailed and realistic simulations, you’ll likely be satisfied with the enhanced animations. However, if you’re expecting major changes that make the game feel fresh, you might be a bit disappointed, as these updates are more minor improvements.

The City: Expansive Open World, But Microtransactions Are Still Intrusive

One standout feature that has become a hallmark of NBA 2K is The City. This open world allows you to explore various areas, take on challenges, and even race go-karts around the city. For those who enjoy off-court exploration, The City in NBA 2K25 offers a larger and more complex environment than in previous editions.

A new addition to The City this year is the Proving Grounds, an arena resembling a Roman colosseum with a massive mural of Michael Jordan. Here, you can participate in more competitive pickup basketball games. Although the design may seem a bit odd, this area adds a unique and exciting element to The City experience.

However, despite the fun of exploring The City, one major issue cannot be ignored: microtransactions. Virtual Currency (VC) is an essential part of NBA 2K25. You need VC for almost everything—from buying clothes, shoes, to upgrading your player’s attributes. The problem is, the cost of VC has become increasingly unreasonable. For instance, purchasing a basic Adidas t-shirt costs around 8,000 VC, leading many players to feel pressured to spend real money just to stay competitive.

These microtransactions not only make the game feel expensive but also frustrate many players who feel they must continuously spend extra money just to enjoy the game’s content. After paying a premium price for the game, you would expect to enjoy all features without constant additional costs.

Even with this drawback, The City remains an intriguing place to explore, especially if you enjoy the MyPlayer and MyCareer modes. There’s also a new faction feature, where you can choose between two sides: Elite and Rise. Both factions have unique headquarters, such as a pirate ship or a robot factory.

While The City in NBA 2K25 offers plenty of exciting and fun content, the overwhelming presence of microtransactions makes some players uncomfortable. If you’re not the type to spend extra money on microtransactions, this game might not be for you.

MyCareer and MyPlayer: Signature Modes, But Starting to Feel Stale

MyCareer mode remains one of the main attractions of NBA 2K25. In this mode, you create a player (MyPlayer) and begin your journey to become an NBA star. This mode provides a complete simulation experience, from high school to playing in the NBA.

This year, NBA 2K25 introduces a new story element called Heart of a Dynasty, which follows your character’s journey before entering the NBA. However, if you’re not too interested in a lengthy narrative, you can skip it and jump straight into NBA games.

One improvement in NBA 2K25 is a new build system for MyPlayer. This system allows you to customize player attributes and skills according to your preferred playstyle. For example, you can create a player with superior dribbling or more accurate shooting. While this system offers flexibility, the changes don’t feel significant at the start, and it takes some time to fully experience its benefits.

There’s also a new Squad Finder feature designed to help you find teammates in The City. Unfortunately, this feature is not yet fully functional and often fails to match players effectively.

While MyCareer and MyPlayer modes are still among the best in NBA 2K25, the innovations offered feel more like minor tweaks than major changes. For long-time players, these modes might start to feel repetitive as there are no significant overhauls.

MyTeam and MyNBA: More Modes, But Still Feels the Same

In NBA 2K25, MyTeam mode returns for players who enjoy collecting player cards and building their dream team. There are a few new modes, such as Breakout and Triple Threat Park, that add variety to the gameplay. These modes offer quicker and lighter gameplay for those who don’t want to be bogged down by lengthy games.

Meanwhile, MyNBA mode, which lets you manage an NBA team over several decades, remains one of the game’s best features. This mode is ideal for those who enjoy team management simulations and “what if” scenarios. However, the addition of the Steph Curry Era, which splits the 2010s into two periods, feels unnecessary. Moreover, some key players from this era, like John Wall, Blake Griffin, and Andre Iguodala, are missing from the game, which diminishes the overall experience.

MyTeam and MyNBA are still solid and enjoyable modes, but the lack of major innovation makes them feel stagnant, especially for long-time NBA 2K players.

The W: Great Potential, But Still Underutilized

The WNBA mode, known as The W, returns in NBA 2K25. You can play as a WNBA player and follow their career path. While the inclusion of the WNBA in the game is a positive step, unfortunately, this mode still feels underdeveloped. The W has its own MyPlayer mode, but it is far smaller in scale compared to the NBA, and this mode is not connected to The City.

If the WNBA were better integrated into The City, more players might be inclined to explore this mode. Given the steps taken, such as featuring A’ja Wilson on the game’s cover alongside Jayson Tatum, NBA 2K25 should take the WNBA mode more seriously.

Although the WNBA receives rightful recognition in NBA 2K25, The W mode still feels underdeveloped. There is a lot of potential that has yet to be realized, and the mode needs more attention to compete with other NBA modes.

Technical Aspects of NBA 2K25

To play NBA 2K25, I used a PC with the following specs: i5-9400F, GeForce RTX 3060, and 16GB RAM. These specifications were more than sufficient to run the game smoothly. Based on the recommended specs listed on Steam, the game doesn’t require the latest hardware to play. However, PC gamers should note that you must have DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable 2019 installed, a processor that supports AVX2, and a graphics card with DirectX 12.

Additionally, I recommend playing with a controller for a better experience.

Is It Worth Buying?

NBA 2K25 is a substantial game packed with content. For basketball enthusiasts or long-time players of the NBA 2K series, this game still offers a lot of exciting features to enjoy. From realistic graphics and a variety of game modes to engaging features that enhance the gaming experience, there's much to appreciate.

However, the persistent issue of microtransactions detracts from the overall enjoyment, especially for players who prefer not to spend additional money after already purchasing the game, which is quite pricey. Additionally, the innovations in NBA 2K25 feel more like minor tweaks rather than major changes.

Having previously reviewed NBA 2K24, the author notes that there doesn’t seem to be a significant difference in this latest installment. In conclusion, if you’re new to the NBA 2K series, NBA 2K25 is worth a try due to the wealth of content available. However, if you already own NBA 2K23 or 2K24, there may not be a strong reason to upgrade to NBA 2K25 immediately.

Overall, NBA 2K25 is a solid game but remains trapped in old patterns. There is plenty to enjoy, but unfortunately, some issues prevent it from feeling fresh.

The author rates NBA 2K25 a 6/10.