NBA 2K11 Demo Released: Impressions

Can you zoom up as near as how it was in NBA 2k9 (broadcast camera?) I hated how in 2k10 you couldnt zoom as much as in 2k9

When the game marketing has talked about the great play execution, then a demo without play calling (or with it hidden or hard to do as it is in this demo) is not a depiction of game play.

What's there is nice. The game play looks and feels good. But play calling is essential to the play in 2K11. I'd like to feel that before purchasing.

If you're still not sold, you might want to rent the full version when it comes out. I wasn't too impressed by the NBA 2K10 demo and like most people I felt the NBA 2K11 demo was lacking too, but liked the full version of NBA 2K10 much more and expect the same of NBA 2K11. There is a bit of arrogance in throwing out such a stripped down demo but as I longtime NBA Live fan I have to admit that 2K does deliver. I'm never going to be completely enamoured with Isomotion though.

Anyone else having trouble passing to the right guy? Several times I've attempted to start a fast break with most of the Celtics on the left, by passing to the wide open guy on the right, only to have the pass go left and get picked off.

What's with players automatically putting the ball on the floor? I had Kobe dribble from the top of the key, all the way around the three point line, to the corner, without me ever touching the left stick. I also had him decide to dribble just as I threw a pump fake. Allen bought it, but I couldn't go by him because I'd used my dribble already. I've also had Pau get an offensive rebound and dribble out of the key on his own.

Not sure if there's some sort of controllable lead passing in this game, but several times I've had Kobe wide open on the break only for the pass to lead him out to the corner. Anything to start a fast break also tends to loop up in the air a bit too much, giving the defense time to get back. Players also don't come to the ball enough, resulting in too many perimeter passes being deflected.

Liking that we can choose which direction to tip the ball this year (this may have been in last year; the last game I played was 2k9).

Having the same problem as a couple of other guys with people having a tendency to fly uncontrollably over the court due to momentum.

Anyone else having trouble passing to the right guy? Several times I've attempted to start a fast break with most of the Celtics on the left, by passing to the wide open guy on the right, only to have the pass go left and get picked off.

Are you using icon passing?

I also felt directional passing was a bit off, no issues with icon passing though.

Anyone else having trouble passing to the right guy? Several times I've attempted to start a fast break with most of the Celtics on the left, by passing to the wide open guy on the right, only to have the pass go left and get picked off.

Are you using icon passing?

Using the right stick.

havent experimented much with that but I havent had issues with the normal left stick passing

to lead pass you have to use icon passing I believe.

That is correct. Using icon passing and the left stick to lead the player. It will help cut down on reflections and probably stop them from auto dribbling when they receive the ball.

I went into this wanting to love it because I really really like 2K10 and every video and whatever I've seen of the 2K11 demo was amazing, so I was excited. Needless to say I was pretty let down. I'm assuming the demo is going to be vastly different, at least I'm hoping so, because there were so many things I didn't like.

1: The player movement is awful, it's like they have been standing in cement. They shouldn't be so glued to the court.

2: Animations seem to have taken a step backwards. Jumpshots look worse (possibly because of the pause in transitioning from standing still to taking the shot), block animations are crap and the passing animations are bad as well.

3: The ball looked terrible. I'm assuming they'll change this because they can't possibly release the game with it as it is.

4: When players go for rebounds or dunks it's like the game slows down and they glide in the air like they've been hooked up to a hot air balloon or something.

5: They've toned down the triple threat animations, I don't like that.

That being said, as disappointed as I was with this demo it blew the Elite 11 one out of the water. The game pacing is fine, aside from the clunky animation issues everything goes pretty smoothly and it feels more like real basketball. The AI is a tonne smarter as well because Ray Allen was tearing me apart every time I left him remotely open.

I deleted both from my 360. I prefer 2K10 to 2K11 (so far) and Elite was trash. I'm hoping the full version of 2K11 will be a step up though, apparently the 2K10 demo sucked and I really enjoy that game.

Jae, I wonder how much different the final game will play on Sim mode considering this is default.

As for me, I preferred 2k9 to 2k10, but think 2k11 will be better than 2k10

I hope they fix it up a bit. I mean it's not bad, unlike "Elite" 11, but they've made so many great improvements to Association mode I'll be pissed if I prefer the gameplay of 2K10 over the final version of 2K11.

Also like FIFA 10 more than FIFA 11. Today has been a bad gaming day.

I really liked the demo, the overall experience was really good, 'feather touches' are really important for a good feel of new isomotion yet the movement is a little bit heavy and could be tweaked a bit more, not for faster but for lighter tweakings i mean. LA players don't do justice to the new isomotion i believe, try fouling some of your players out with intentional fouls for different feel of players like S.Brown, Barnes, Odom.

I think after 2 years of dissapointment i can see myself going back to playing with what i see off of only a ripped demo such as great ai improvements ( they can find different solutions to get a better shot on offensive end), overall pace, defense (finally), better controls(isomotion), and lastly association(sounds sweet!), Mj will be just the cream of the crop.

off topic but a question i need answer to determine which copy i buy!
Does xbox require a gold membership for roster updates and nba today?

I hope they fix it up a bit. I mean it's not bad, unlike "Elite" 11, but they've made so many great improvements to Association mode I'll be pissed if I prefer the gameplay of 2K10 over the final version of 2K11.

Also like FIFA 10 more than FIFA 11. Today has been a bad gaming day.

Agree with both those points. I'm not even looking at FIFA 11 after playing demo. Will continue playing FIFA 10

If all else fails, I'll have Fallout: New Vegas. Doesn't really satisfy the need for a good new basketball game but if it's as addictive as Fallout 3, all other games may be irrelevant.

If you're doubting the ability of 2K and EA to pull something off, I'm not sure I'd throw my faith into Obsidian.

Well, I'm not really doubting 2K, I think I'll like the full version much much more than I did the stripped down demo. As far as New Vegas is concerned, hopefully Bethesda's hand in things will mean I like it just as much as Fallout 3. Pretty much the same engine, so I'm expecting I'll enjoy it as I did the spinoffs to GTA 3 in the last generation.

Well, I'm not really doubting 2K, I think I'll like the full version much much more than I did the stripped down demo.

Just to note: It wasn't a jab at any kind of 2K-phobia, but a joke regarding the regular inability of Obsidian to put out a game that works properly.

Yeah I figured that was the main gist of it. Surely they can't go wrong here, at least for anyone who liked Fallout 3. Of course, it seems the fanbase was pretty divided there.

KOTOR II.

Never played that, nor the original.

BioWare delivered on the original and mastered a highly regarded game, the sequel done by Oblivion was bug riddled and unfinished. Thus the relevance as a mention to New Vegas.

I figured as much, I just can't speak from experience there.

Here is my Demo Video+ Commentary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fO9l50GUP8