Sep 2022
NBA 2K23 is here, and it’s dribbling its way into the hearts of basketball fans worldwide. With Devin Booker on the cover, this game feels a bit like a celebratory birthday cake. You just hope that there are no hidden raisins inside to ruin your enjoyment. Spoiler alert: there are some raisins, and they are called microtransactions.
Gameplay-wise, NBA 2K23 brings back the maneuvering action you didn’t know you needed in your life—until you start playing and realize it robs you of another week because you forgot to eat and sleep. Taking it back to 1982, the game invites you to take part in the Jordan Challenge. That's right, you can pretend you’re a young Michael Jordan, but all you have to do is hit shots instead of making a mullet fashionable again. This special mode encompasses not just big shots but big memories of NBA history, and it's as nostalgic as your dad’s Polaroid photos. What’s great, though, is that besides reliving MJ’s illustrious beginnings, you’ll have the chance to create your very own basketball dynasty in the MyNBA mode. You can even time travel and pretend it’s 1991. Yes, I mean take those magical 90s hairstyles along with you. New features, like scrapping contracts in MyTeam, let players take the court with Chris Bosh without having to constantly recycle those pesky contracts like you would a paper dump. And thanks to the new Triple Threat Online mode, you can team up with your buddies, possibly proving that there’s enough talent among you all to at least beat your mom in a game. Just remember to not let too many threes get past you if her defense is as strong as her criticism of your gameplay. But it's not all sunshine and fast breaks—it feels like you need to pay for AI help in the game sometimes. Yet, the exhilarating feeling of sinking a buzzer-beater still makes up for it, unless you’re busy deciding between two different kinds of digital currency.
Visually, NBA 2K23 is cleaner than a whistle after your mom finally gets around to clean your dusty room. Players are more lifelike than ever; it’s practically a 'Jim Carey in The Truman Show' experience seeing those sweat beads glistening. The stadiums pop with energy, and the attention to the fine details makes you feel like you’re sitting courtside. But let’s be real—those microtransactions will eat into that fun. Get ready to drop some hard-earned cash if you want to look as fresh as those new sneakers you’ve had your eye on. It almost feels like upgrading your in-game aesthetics could rival getting a Gucci purse in real life. Remember that one time you wanted those shoes? Freestyle rapper J. Cole even has a cover edition; so yes, now you can feel like a superstar even while wearing your pajamas.
NBA 2K23 certainly brings some spice back to the basketball franchise with nostalgic callbacks, sweet graphics, and gameplay that’ll keep you entertained while possibly ruining your relationships and sleep schedule. However, with great (basketball) power comes great responsibility—and by that, I mean understanding that you might need to pay to play while avoiding the bummer of realizing how much real cash is hard to come by. Overall, it’s a slam dunk, but avoid those 'play-to-win' pitfalls unless you have extra cash to spare. Run, but don’t run away from this game; just make sure you’ve stocked up on snacks, because you won’t be leaving your couch anytime soon. This game deserves an 8.5 for the balance of gameplay and fun - just keep your wallet and expectations in check!
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