Sep 2022
If you've ever thought, 'I wish I could spend all my free time managing a team of very tall men who bounce balls like they've got a vendetta against the ground,' then have I got a game for you! NBA 2K23 takes the proven formula of basketball video games and spices it up with just enough microtransactions to make your wallet weep. Strap in as we take a look at everything that makes this game a slam dunk and a miss all at once.
When you jump into NBA 2K23, you're greeted with an avalanche of options. Want to relive Michael Jordan’s glory days? You can do that! Or perhaps you want to create your own player and guide them from rags to riches—equipped with the finest in sports gear, recommended by no less than 34 influencers? This game’s got you covered too. Hold on to your control sticks because the Jordan Challenge mode is back, which is essentially a love letter to the man who could dunk over a skyscraper. You'll play through iconic moments in Jordan’s career, which is perfect for anyone who has ever wondered what it’s like to be a middle schooler who lived through the 90s. The game gives you a handful of historic challenges that task you with replicating MJ's feats, and if you screw up, well, you might as well just uninstall the game and return to playing Candy Crush. Online play? Oh, you mean that chaotic experience where you end up matching up against players who put in more time into their MyCareer mode than you did in high school? Yeah, that’s here too! Best pack some patience and maybe a couple of snacks because you will likely find your skill level and their skill level are as far apart as TikTok is from 2010 memes. MyTeam mode also allows you to build your dream squad with some unique challenges that are way more engaging than your last two Zoom meetings.
The graphics in NBA 2K23 are as smooth as a freshly waxed court and shinier than a new pair of sneakers. Players are more lifelike than ever—if you squint, you might just mistake them for the real-life versions… from a distance of about a mile. The animations are silky smooth, which is great for actually feeling like you’re part of a real basketball game, not just some guy sitting in his mom's basement shoving snacks in his face. The attention to detail in the arenas is impressive—every seat filled with either enthusiastic fans or people low-key trying to figure out how a sport with no timers has actual timeouts.
NBA 2K23 is like that friend who buys you gifts but always reminds you of how much they cost. It's full of flashy graphics, legacy content, and gameplay that’s been fine-tuned over years of fan feedback. But for every upgrade, there's a microtransaction lurking in the shadows like a grizzly bear trying to swipe your sandwich. With all the nostalgia it brings, it’s still hard to ignore the feeling that without a credit card, you're better off with a classic console in your dorm. All things considered, if you’re a basketball junkie or even a casual fan, NBA 2K23 is worth a play. Just be prepared to embrace the grind, and maybe set up a GoFundMe for those VC (virtual currency) purchases. It’s a solid entry into the series that's sure to satisfy die-hard fans while ensuring that your bank account takes a hit. Not a grand slam but definitely not a fumbled layup—think of it as a three-pointer from way downtown that might just make it. Or, you know, clank off the backboard into the trash can.
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