Review :: NBA 2K11
Michael Jordan was, without doubt, the best player to grace a basketball court. Twelve years after his last NBA Championship win, Jordan remains basketball’s most recognizable face. With 2K claiming their latest effort is the best yet, it only seems right to have his airness on the cover. Now it could be the ‘Jordan Factor’, but I’m in full agreement with 2K on this one. Not only is this the best basketball game ever, it’s one of the best sports games.
The addition of Jordan is a big deal. Not only do fans get to play as the greatest player of all time and some of the best teams the NBA has ever seen, it switches the focus of the game unlike any other feature could do. The meat of a sports title is usually found in one of two modes; the ‘career’ mode or countless multiplayer matches with your friends. Whilst these are both present and correct, the addition of Mike and the ‘Jordan Challenge’ mode really made a difference to this game. Sure you might just be playing through a series of classic Bulls games, but the way it’s presented is fantastic. 2K have made it feel like a completely separate single player experience, but somehow it still feels cohesive. I’d go as far to say that, at times, this felt like the reason this game existed. Playing as Jordan through the different stages of his career and experiencing classic matches like, the legendary, ‘Flu Game’ and Michael’s last hurrah were fantastic. Going up against virtual versions of Magic, Bird and Drexler were fantastic too. Each team played as they should, with each player acting like they would. Anyone who loved the hardwood back in the day will be in love with this mode.
Even with a focus on Number 23, the 2K team hasn’t spent the past twelve months resting on their laurels. They’ve added additional gameplay tweaks to make their NBA experience even better. The big players in real life will be the big players on the virtual court, something that’s been missing from basketball videogames for a long time. These players, like those included in the Jordan Challenge, play just like their real life counterparts; complete with signature moves and dunks. This makes the association mode even better.
It might’ve taken a backseat this year, but The Association mode has been improved upon again. I don’t know the ins and outs of the basketball world, so there’ll definitely stuff I didn’t pick up on. It definitely seems tailored for the hardcore player, but remains accessible enough for a relative newcomer like myself. The presentation involved with this mode is really good. The little things that a lot of sports games get wrong (or won’t even attempt) are pulled off really well and pull you into the experience. Add in the fact that you can add Jordan to any current NBA roster and make him your own and it becomes an even more enticing prospect.
It’s got it’s minor flaws, but NBA 2K11 is definitely one of the best sports games this year. The team at 2K have really outdone themselves, so much so I don’t know what they’ll do in the future. Either way, I look forward to it. Even if you aren’t a basketball fan, or you’re just want to be like Mike, check this out. You won’t be disappointed.
9/10
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