The Official NBA 2K13 Impressions Thread

[JaoSming]

the "stupid" solution to the rebounds issue is to make sure you actually box out this year. whether or not that is your issue, i have no clue.

[hova-]

Jao's right. I was wondering if I am the only one who has no probs with the rebounds. Guys like Love or Howard will hurt you, simply cuz they are monster on the offensive glass. But apart from that I don't have problems with getting the rebounds after decreasing off rebounding to 35. Really NO problem at all.

So I've had it for a couple of days, I've been going through all the teams in Exhibition mode and I've made it up to the Kings. Way too many offensive rebounds, too few defensive rebounds, annoying that they can score in the paint that easily & fast breaking happens much too much.

I've taken all the suggestions and decreased offensive rebounds & even done -6 or -7 in coaching playbooks for fast breaks. (Max being 70 for teams like OKC/Suns)

Overall the animations and a lot of stuff is plus...but it's going to take getting used to. Mind you I'm making the leap from 2K11 which imo is the best basketball game I've played.

-6 or -7 is not enough. I tried -10 to -20 for all teams and the fastbreaking was pretty realistic then.

[Jackal]

I've lowered the offensive rebounds a lot, it plays much better now.

I also decreased the fast breaking in coaches profiles more, took another 6-8 off each coach.

What I read on OS too is that the more you decrease the coaches run plays tendency, the more they will run plays. I have decreased a lot of teams to 0-25 and so far I've only played with the Spurs but they fast breaked enough for 25 points, but they usually do have an uptempo style...so I will report back after playing some more.

[CYZLAK]

Rebounding is tough this year, seems to have a lot to do with positioning, defensive awareness + def rebounding stats and even the weight of the player.

I find it incredibly hard to get a rebound in this game. Probably just takes getting used to.

Overall it's way better than 2K12, and almost as good as 2K11 which was amazing.

[buzzy]

Only thing that really gets me worked up is how shitty my teammates are.
They don't react to cuts and leave their assignment randomly. So many open shots for my opponent could be averted if my guys just STAYED WITH their man. Not even talking about lock down D, or even good D, just staying with your assignment if he literally just walks into the paint. It's ridiculous.

Also the stamina/substitution system doesn't make sense to me, yet.
I'm playing against the Lakers and their starting 5 stays in the game until like 1 minute left in the first quarter (11 min Q) without looking fatigued at all.
On my team though, I've seen Bynum lose one energy bar with 10:13 left in the quarter, so after 47 seconds. I don't really get how that works out for my opponents, leaving guys like Howard in the game until like 1 or 2 minutes left in quarter. Kobe played the whole first quarter and some minutes in the second. By that time I had already used 10 or 11 players on my team.

I'm gonna have a look at some rotatitons, sub methods and stamina sliders though.

[jjhill001]

Am I the only one that is having rebounds too easy to get. My rookie SG whos only 6'5" I get like 8-10 rebounds.

[volsey]

Kind of have to vent a little. Overall I do enjoy the game. The gameplay feels like it has more weight, AI seems somewhat improved, and those are the key things. But a few things really make me scratch my head. Apologies in advance for the diarhea spilling onto my screen that most of you will just skip.

I've only played a couple games controlling an entire team, and have focused mostly on MyCareer.

Do you guys remember the first time booting up 2k11? The amazing Jordan intro, how you walked into the stadium as Jordan, played a mini game against the Celtics with Bird (if memory serves) before even entering the main menu, the entire presentation was just amazing. Truly hype. HOW THE HELL DOES THE SAME DEV TEAM THAT MADE THAT MAKE THIS HIPHOP GARBAGE? haha it's honestly hard to fathom.

Anyways again this is strictly based on MyCareer:

Fastbreaks and CPU Offense in general

-Constantly pushing the ball up court, which is nice when you're playing a high tempo team, but even half-court minded offenses just are relentless. It is stoppable, but not all the time, and completely ruins the 4th quarter pace of the game. PG's rarely slow the ball down and allow the offense to set up properly. I honestly double checked several times thinking the game had switched to Arcade Mode by accident.

-To add the troubles with the pace, often times my teammates in transition literally let the player blast by them. Countless times Dirk has been back on D, ahead the of the player pushing, only to let him breeze by him, no contact, no animation, essentially Dirk wasn't even back. I can understand when your outnumbered, but he's not, he simply does nothing.

-I've gone into 3 games in a row now ~4 minutes into the 1st quarter, and the score being >20 for the CPU, and ~10 for my team (Mavs). How often do teams score 20 points in the first 4 to 5 minutes? Rhetorical question, apparently very often.

-While offensive rebounding is MUCH improved for both ends, sometimes it is frustrating watching a team get 4 or 5 offensive rebounds in a row with a crowd around the rim, I can live with this though.

Player Rotation and Minutes
-Small but Inexcusable at this point in the game mode, 3 years and they still don't understand 6'5'' SG's don't want to be matched up again Blake Griffin, and play >10 minutes at the PF.

-I've played some great ball, and been constantly switched between starting and coming off the bench in my second year. Sometimes for the most ridiculous things. Had been starting at the 2, and went 6-3 in 9 games (teams overall record to that point was something like 13-20). I called a time out late in the 4th to slow down a hot streak against the CPU. Apparently coach didn't like that, so he cut 10 minutes off my rotation, and I've been coming off the bench for the last 5 games where we're 1-4 in those games now. Awesome, immersion is now =0. I've had the interviewer say, "congrats for cracking the starting lineup" at least 3 times now. Really?

Player Development
- In my second season, and still just 72 overall. I seem to get 10 SP per game simmed, IF THAT. In other words, you have to play every game. I don't mind grinding, but even playing each game, I only get enough SP for 1 or 2 attribute boosts. Practice drills no longer result in boosts after receiving Gold, so it doesn't matter which drill you choose. Why take this out of the game? Good feature stripped.

-Player development has always been backwards, that is your attributes increase exponentially as you play. Once you hit 80 OVR you gain SP 10 times as fast as you used to. Meaning the jump from 80 to 99 is very little compared to 65 to 80. Where as in the NBA, a player usually improves the most in his first 4 seasons in the league. This was the same in 2k12 but I found it easier to grind in 2k12 than in 2k13, I just can't seem to get SP quickly enough. I don't want it to take 5 seasons in the NBA to order to become the great player we wanted to be initially. I don't know why I expected any improvement in this area, but I definitely didn't expect it to become worse (especially after 2k12 had improved on 2k11 in this area).

Little things
-Fans congratulating you on 7 boards, shut up. I scored 30 points for the first time in my career and that's what you have to say about my game? Useless poorly implemented feature.
-GM sitdowns are embarrassing. Your player's awkward closing statement with the "uhh.... okay... um.... kthxbi''. Useless poorly implemented feature.
-Loads more clipping compared to 2k12. Liveball physics have been nerfed. Passes, shots, players going through other players. "I thought I blocked that!", you did, but the ball became impenetrable. Again 2k12 was soooo good for this. Good feature stripped.
-I cannot get my team to run plays. I've played with play vision set to full, user plays only, lite etc, nothing. Good feature stripped.
-Rookie/Sophomore game had sophomores on each team. Essentially no rookies played in the game. Good feature stripped.
-Can only equip your endorsers shoes. Even when you don't have an endorser you can only wear 2k brand. Stupid.
-All the animations for pre game ritual, pre-tip-off, warmup, why split them up so much/ make them cost so much. Stupid.
-Watch my player miss an easy shot because of contact and not get a whistle, and take LITERALLY 15 seconds to get back up off the floor, throw his arms in disgust, and pout before you finally have control over him again. Stupid.

THE END

I am really looking forward to a good draft class because I've heard good things about Association this year (good as in bug fixes, zero actual improvements). And from the little I played, many of the issues in MyCareer gameplay don't plague the non-player locked experience.

The worst part is, this game received great reviews overall. Yes the gameplay is better, but most of the sites mention little of the things I find improved. I just hope this doesn't lead the development team to believe their progression path is headed down the right direction. The non-essential elements they added to the game were completely terrible. I love immersion-oriented small features that add to a game mode, of which there are plenty that have been though of and not implemented yet. Other than gameplay tweaks, and bug fixes, I have found NOTHING in this game (regardless of mode) to be improved upon. ZERO, no exaggeration, and this is disappointing.

[deluxxe]

Overall the game plays very well. However, the control change is a bit baffling to me. Seems this is the new thing in sports games. It's like devs run out of things to improve so they just change the control scheme to make it more of a challenge for players to get used to. I'm sure i'll get better at it, but I seem to go in to panic mode when i see an open lane and just hammer on all 4 trigger buttons, the X button, and the right stick. lol. I'm not sure why, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around the new shooting mechanics. I know it's my own fault, but every time it happens, i can't help but wonder why they ever changed it.
I'm also really starting to get tired of the CPU constantly attacking the rim. Doesn't matter which team you play against, they all play the same. Attack, attack, attack. The shot chart at the end of the game is laughable. It's just a massive hornets nest under the rim with the occasional made 3 pointer. Seems to be zero midrange game by the AI
I am not a fan of the new UI either. Only song on the soundtrack I like is that old school Nas track. Kinda wish the whole soundtrack was old school hiphop. I really don't need to see another video of Jay Z yelling before tip off.

Hope i'm not sounding to negative. overall i think it's a better game than 2k13.

[SigridService]

-While offensive rebounding is MUCH improved for both ends, sometimes it is frustrating watching a team get 4 or 5 offensive rebounds in a row with a crowd around the rim, I can live with this though.

-Small but Inexcusable at this point in the game mode, 3 years and they still don't understand 6'5'' SG's don't want to be matched up again Blake Griffin, and play >10 minutes at the PF.

- In my second season, and still just 72 overall. I seem to get 10 SP per game simmed, IF THAT. In other words, you have to play every game. I don't mind grinding, but even playing each game, I only get enough SP for 1 or 2 attribute boosts. Practice drills no longer result in boosts after receiving Gold, so it doesn't matter which drill you choose. Why take this out of the game? Good feature stripped.
- This was the same in 2k12 but I found it easier to grind in 2k12 than in 2k13, I just can't seem to get SP quickly enough.

-Fans congratulating you on 7 boards, shut up. I scored 30 points for the first time in my career and that's what you have to say about my game? Useless poorly implemented feature.
-I cannot get my team to run plays. I've played with play vision set to full, user plays only, lite etc, nothing. Good feature stripped.
-All the animations for pre game ritual, pre-tip-off, warmup, why split them up so much/ make them cost so much. Stupid.
-Watch my player miss an easy shot because of contact and not get a whistle, and take LITERALLY 15 seconds to get back up off the floor, throw his arms in disgust, and pout before you finally have control over him again. Stupid.

The worst part is, this game received great reviews overall. Yes the gameplay is better, but most of the sites mention little of the things I find improved. I just hope this doesn't lead the development team to believe their progression path is headed down the right direction. The non-essential elements they added to the game were completely terrible. I love immersion-oriented small features that add to a game mode, of which there are plenty that have been though of and not implemented yet. Other than gameplay tweaks, and bug fixes, I have found NOTHING in this game (regardless of mode) to be improved upon. ZERO, no exaggeration, and this is disappointing.

Agree with everything you said. although some of the points you made dont seem to annoy me as much. Anyhow, my 5 cents.

Grinding: Simple answer. Cause you can buy VC with your REAL MONEY now. Only Reason!!! They adjusted the mechanic to encourage people to take the easy route and buy it! It's like Cafe world or some other f2p title. WORST PART of the whole Game. Sidenote: Cause they are too dumb to make a real pc-version where its not super easy to cheat, they cutted the feature completely. Thats my honest opinion about that.

Played 60 Games MC now. 6min quarters. On PC!!! <--- i was really disappointed how many features got cut.

Offensive Rebounds: Feels like they happen much too often. Just from feelin. Didnt check the stats or anything.

Backdoor cuts: as u said. They leave the cutter alone like they never played a b-ball game before. really stupid and annoying. esp. when u behind and the opponent gets easy score after easy score...

Social media: i am not really a fan of it in real life. i find the twitterverse rather annoying. In game its as u said implemented half-heartedly. i get blasted for not getting rebounds every other game. As a 6'1 PG!!!!! Even worse, literally from the first game into the league (10th pick) they behave like i am the go-to guy of the team. "We lost cause of @myplayer" n stuff like that. I mean C'mon!! Can u at least make fake tweets on the basis of Role within the team and position??

Play Calling: I downloaded a tool which should fix the playvision buck and after that the ai called plays all the time. Seems like we are losing more after that, but i dont care. Better than freeflowing all the time.

Position: Totally agree. This can't be happening. Inexcusable. Period. ALso played Pf and sf as a 6'1 PG.

What annoys me as hell is when i drive into the lane, miss a lay-up, land and cant go up for the OFF.Reb cause my player is clued to the ground.

High Ratings: I don't know what to say besides: are these reviewers really playing this game over a longer period of time? Most are causual players who are blinded by the fancy flashing lights and don't look behind the curtain.

Jay-Z: I am a hip-hop fan and i like Jay-Z, but even i think its too much. I mean does executive producing mean u have to put your face everywhere and make a soundtrack that consists of half your songs and the rest from your "entourage/friends" I was expecting a much better result than that. Music is the worst in a long time i.m.o.

Online on PC: It is 2012 and 2k isn't able to let us play a quick match-up with a friend. Unless he is connected to us coincidently. I don't know wether its cause of laziness, incapability or something else anyhow it's absolutely inacceptable.

Controls: I kinda like'em this time around. You need some time to get used to, but i have the feeling i'm getting the hang of it more n more and it's more natural than before.

Late Game Situations: Still no inbound plays. Just passing 2 the pg and he's supposed to figure out the rest.

conclusion: A) 2k gives less than a s*** about PC Players. B) they found a "nice" way of squeezing the most bucks out of every player C) 2k is focusing way too much on the presentation aspects where they should put an emphasis on simulating real basketball. I don't think any of them is a die hard basketball fan. Sadly.
Style over substance

Besides that it's more fun to play than 2k12, because it fixed a lot of issues (which shouldnt be there in the first place) which caused me some gray hairs last year. (e.g.: Fastbreak, AI in Myplayer mode, Passing/deflecting passes)

It's like what 2k12 should've been with some gimmicks no one really needs.

[deluxxe]

is there a way to globaly change the "run plays" slider? Or do you have to set it individually for every coach?

[Jackal]

Every coach, I'm still not sure about that slider being reversed by the way, but I played the Knicks and Lakers & the Knicks actually ran quite a few plays.

[Lamrock]

Three weeks in, I still love the game. I love the gameplay - I don't tinker much with the sliders and play 9 minutes so I'm a bit of an arcade player in this one, but I can't remember how long it's been since the game has been this fun.

Haven't gotten further than a month into myCareer so I'm not sure if it has the same trading issues 2K12 had. My biggest gripe is that there aren't many key games, but I tend to get bored of the mode so maybe I'll support my player's career by playing Association for VC. Using a PG, it's pretty fun.

Association's solid. 2K's rosters are wonky but they work. Haven't touched the all-star content.

[volsey]

I actually cannot play MyCareer anymore. I don't think I've ever been this frustrated with an NBA sports game. The oblivious fastbreak defense, constant pushing of tempo, and ridiculous offensive rebounding is making it so that even though my team shoots 60% from the field, limits turnovers, causes turnovers on D, forces the defense to shoot average FG% we still end up losing the majority of games.

Time to stop playing a Player Lock mode, and go back into Association as apparently the majority of people are enjoying the game doing so (you bastards, why can't everyone be miserable with this game like me). Seriously though, glad others are getting some enjoyment out of the game, as even a 1000 word post doesn't describe the frustrations I'm having with what is supposed to be my relaxed kill-time activity.

[Andrew]

I haven't been experiencing those issues with MyCAREER, though the grading system still leaves a little to be desired at times.

[Jackal]

I really, really dislike all the gold sparkley swirlies, it takes away so much from the whole experience.

This is what I was talking about btw, the reversed slider;

Click.

[deluxxe]

Anyone else notice that the difficulty setting does not make the AI play any differently? it just makes them cheese more?
Seems when you turn up the difficulty, all it does is crank up the offensive rebounds the AI gets, and makes it harder for you to get steals, and easier for the AI to get steals. Kind of a cheap tactic to make the game harder.
I was hoping the AI would, you know, play better instead of cheating to win like previous versions. oh well

[Sixers85]

ohhhh....come on f****** 2k....

I see now that the PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS court.....is the same of 4 youar ago....

so, 2 seconds to update the lakers and phoenix court....1 year to remove two lines on OKC court...new clippers court?? why? clippers don't change his court from last year

come on 2k...are you kidding??

[Andrew]

Anyone else notice that the difficulty setting does not make the AI play any differently? it just makes them cheese more?
Seems when you turn up the difficulty, all it does is crank up the offensive rebounds the AI gets, and makes it harder for you to get steals, and easier for the AI to get steals. Kind of a cheap tactic to make the game harder.
I was hoping the AI would, you know, play better instead of cheating to win like previous versions. oh well

A long standing issue with difficulty settings in sports games in general. Definitely frustrating.

[Skysect]

Hi guys , why menu graphics are horrible ? I really liked in game graphics but team select screen etc . player graphics are really horrible . Did you notice this ? Or it happens only my computer ? :/

[Patr1ck]

Post a screen shot. Its out that you don't like then or that they look low quality?

[Andrew]

Managed to play online today, didn't take too long to set up a matchup and lag wasn't too bad. I'm not really one for playing online but it's nice to have the option, especially since I was never able to get online at all with NBA 2K12 PC, so another point to NBA 2K13.

[arimamba]

the "stupid" solution to the rebounds issue is to make sure you actually box out this year. whether or not that is your issue, i have no clue.

The thing is that when you are playing MyCareer, your teammates would do shit on offense/defense. they will do their occasional offensive rebounds but forget about defensive they just dont box out... sometimes they dont even need to but i guess is realistic that stephen curry can take a rebound from demarcus cousins... when he is behind him

[Nick]

I was really excited about MyCareer mode before, but i'm in my 2nd season now and starting to get bored because it takes so damn long to get SP. I'm on the edge of saying fuck it, and finding a way to cheat, just so i can improve my player. If i had the console version then there would be a variety of ways i can get "VC", but on PC getting points takes freaking forever. I want some pre-game rituals and sweet animations, but first i gotta improve my attributes to match his hype. This guy has commercials galore, that label him as "one of the best". He's getting shoe deals, he's a hit on a twitter. But why? He hasn't proven anything yet other than being an athletic PG shooting 40% off the bench.

[Andrew]

I know what you mean. Earning SP this year was definitely implemented with VC purchases in mind, which leaves us PC users out in the cold...again.

[alleb anehtam mendoza]

impressions
when i create my rookie i promise my self when my contract is up iwould join lakers
if not i would go there via trade

so im finish my first season
making the playoffs so this team has a lot of potential to win it all
first round losing a seven game series against the cavs home team always win ,sadly they have home court advantage
ansd for the first time in cavs history they win the finals

and after my first season
simmed the off season hoping for a great aquisition
and i look in homepage screen of my team

kaboom!!
dwight howard sign with us
this make me so excited to play my second and upcoming season

dwight and me will be the shaq and kobe lite combo!!


by the way sg 6'5 brad mason good luck to me oving this game!