The rest of the NBA 2K22 MT mode is pretty good if you can ignore the dreadful microtransactions that infest its every corner. The Neighborhood, a free-roam region where you are able to play pick-up online matches and produce character alterations, is now set in Venice Beach. The change of setting is nice, especially because you spend so much time. The colours are brilliant, the courts look excellent, and there's something soothing about the cool blue backdrop. I had a whole lot of fun touring the area, purchasing new gear for my established player, and engaging in pick-up games. As nice as it is to explore the more romantic space The Neighborhood provides, it mostly contains the same elements from the past year's game. It seems different, but there isn't much new to do.
However, of course, ignoring the microtransactions is easier said than done, since NBA 2K22 will not let you look away from its monetization train wreck. Everything that you do in MyCareer entails Virtual Currency (VC), from character updates to attire purchases and haircuts. Being in a position to compete at a high level in The Area requires updated attributes, and while you can eventually earn the VC to purchase those for free, it might take a long moment. There are a handful of methods to acquire VC, such as playing games with your NBA team, meeting daily objectives, and in-game exemptions - however it is not enough. It is actually a shame the manner revolves around pre-tax money, because MyCareer has so much potential as a deep create-a-player mode... if only the grinding were somewhat less tedious.
MyTeam still compels you in deciding between grinding out mundane tasks or shelling out real cash for VC. Thankfully, MyTeam has ditched its dreadful casino aesthetic from this past year, but it still forces you in making a choice between grinding out mundane tasks or shelling out real cash for your VC, which can be used to advance players or purchase packs to unlock more. There does seem to be an emphasis on personalization for MyTeam this season: you can now select different skill paths for your evolution cards, such as focusing on athleticism or playmaking, which should help guide players to better match under my individual playing style. MyTeam has also added a"seasonal" component that will supposedly add new ways as they unfold. As it stands at launch, though, MyTeam desperately requires a few more enjoyable techniques to grind out team improvements and cards.
It does not look to be a coincidence that the modes left untouched by microtransactions, like MyLeague, have observed no substantive updates. Even though MyLeague has enough features to function as an excellent simulation, it lacks the life span of what makes the NBA so enjoyable to follow. Built into every NBA season are the stories which include it, whether it's LeBron's departure from Cleveland at 2010 or even Kawhi Leonard's storybook year as a Toronto Raptor in 2019. MyLeague should feel dynamic and living. Rather, even for a large fan of the manner for years, it is starting to feel like I've been doing exactly the exact same thing for many years without the expectation of moving ahead.
By way of example, MyLeague still doesn't feature an choice to utilize the WNBA for some reason. Considering that you're able to play a full season with any of those 12 WNBA teams, why can not we continue on with a franchise after the first season is finished? The WNBA even includes its very own set of announcers, which is good for an additional change of speed. Not having the ability to play with these groups in an internet capability or in MyLeague dampens the excitement within the WNBA's inclusion.
Online play stays hit or miss at NBA 2K22. In a world where online play was entirely stable, I don't think I would ever find myself playing with a CPU opponent again. The best way to play with NBA 2K22 is contrary to other people, and that's only emphasized by the gameplay tweaks for this year's iteration. However, as has come to be an annoying convention, online play remains hit or miss in NBA 2K22. I had several instances where my sport mysteriously disconnected just a couple of minutes in, even on a wired connection. Additionally, I had some crashing while roaming The Neighborhood, particularly when moving into areas that need a loading screen.
Additionally, it feels as though the ability gap continues to grow between players who are willing to put in the time to learn the mechanisms and those who don't, and it can be a good thing. Anyone seeking to force their way to victory by sprinting up and down the court without bothering to take part in a half-court crime is likely to have a poor time. When it is clicking, NBA 2K22 has some of the best gameplay in sports video game history.
But that's been true for several years now, although this year's iteration improves to a handful of things, most notably the aimed shooting mechanic, there hasn't been much movement. At the exact same time, it is a shame that 2K's focus is not on the fun you can have on the court, but rather the cash that can be extracted from your wallet from the court in the Buy 2K22 MT and MyTeam manners, which just aren't fun to grind without paying. Perhaps the new pair of consoles on the horizon may bring a fresh start for your NBA 2K franchise, but right now I feel more pessimistic about the series' potential than ever.
