NBA 2K21 / NBA Live 21

Zero-Cool

Let us know how you find it. Apparently My Player can go invisible and they are working on an issue where people didn't get preorder bonus, in case you get either of those.



https://twitter.com/NBA2KonReddit/status/1301742498130395138?s=19

Zero-Cool

Some people just don't deserve to play 2k

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/comments/im1114/when_you_set_a_good_screen_but_your_guard_wont/

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Some people just don't deserve to play 2k

https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/comments/im1114/when_you_set_a_good_screen_but_your_guard_wont/

I think I'll just have to bite the bullet this year and make an effort to find new XBL friends through the group search.

Its just headwrecking to keep playing with randomers who play like that. You're standing under the basket and they still dont pass.

You wouldn't mind playing with someone shooting 1-6 provided they are doing the right thing as it will balance out over time.

I'm not too bothered if I have issues with the missing content as I mainly want the VC for November, I've always bought the standard edition so grinding is second nature

If the next gen has cross play as standard it might be easier to get a crew going. I'm not sure what the latest on that is but surely its going to be an option.

Zero-Cool

If they have different parks, then I'd say they won't have crossplay. The best laughs online have been with lads on here but unfortunately not popular enough to get a good consistent crowd.

GS said Mamba edition is for preorder only, won't be getting any more copies. Oh well. Still gonna keep an eye out on websites though as trading it in will get me at least 30 id hope so that justifies the price of the next gen copy.

Zero-Cool

Raging now I didn't get the the Mamba edition as I'd love to give this a go but no way would buy the standard edition and then the next gen edition for at least 75. I see CEX are offering the lowest they ever have for a NBA 2K game, usually holds it's trade value but looks like it will be dirt by the time next gen comes out.

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

Raging now I didn't get the the Mamba edition as I'd love to give this a go but no way would buy the standard edition and then the next gen edition for at least 75. I see CEX are offering the lowest they ever have for a NBA 2K game, usually holds it's trade value but looks like it will be dirt by the time next gen comes out.

I'm sure theres a PS equivalent of the Brazil store for e75 on PS?
That's fine considering theres no guarantee on a good resale price in Novemeber. It's less than the retail the next gen will be.

I got home and 7 and put the Xbox on, no game installed and it started from 0%. RDR2 was still installed and I'm sure I picked it to uninstall last night to free the space.
Had to sit and wait after leaving the Xbox on last night when going to bed.

Zero-Cool

Turkey is usually cheap but that's 90 euro, same as US and i can buy 100 irish psn credit online for 90 as well, seems to be there cheapest i can get it. Using a different region on PS might be dodgy in case PS5 tightens restrictions on other regions, could be taking a gamble on the next gen version.

I see most of reddit are complaining about shooting being too hard which sounds great to me, too many people in previous years chucking the ball up from anywhere and heavily contested with it going on. Although, one guy posted a vid of him missing a green layup which is a bit harsh

I've only finished my first game now and its after 10.

Massive sigh.. the first game is played on a funny camera and you cant change it. Every year in the early career games theres some section where you're stuck using a weird camera angle and it makes no sense why it had to like that.

I checked C.Smooves first video here to see did he talk about it but he didnt even mention it.

I air balled a FT with a PG so the new shooting is different. It's a zone within what 90 degree angle pressed.

You can see the story mode was cobbled together. Makes less sense than ever until game 2.

Edit. The camera angle stays the same so its prob for the entire college segment.. grrr

Zero-Cool

Chris Smoove got me to buy 2k on launch so many years but as he has his face scanned into the game now, he can never be too critical. I watched his first vid and look forward to the rest of his series.

Yup the camera angle stays the entire time through high school and the first game in college so this is going to be another 4 games out of college.

There is no way I would ever make a second player and take him through this. Its torture to play this long an intro to get to the NBA.

The story is unbelievably bad, even by 2k standards some of the older ones would be Oscar material compared to this.
It's like they divided 30 scenes out to multiple teams and gave them a pointer and said to do the rest.
It's so in cohesive and nothing makes sense, it's like Tommy Wissau directed it.

I started to skip them which is something I never did before.

In terms of gameplay it's no different than 2k20, I haven't noticed any difference. Even the player builder looks like it might be a direct cut and paste.
The only difference is the shooting which I can see being like that 2k where nobody used analogue and switched to the button.
I'm not seeing much benefir to using it so far.

Dont get me wrong it would tide you over for 2 months but to bye the standard version for €60 is a RIP off.
At least I have the main game coming for less than RRP.

Zero-Cool

I found the intro to nba last year was the most enjoyable in a long time but i can't picture anything worse than 18. Hopefully it just means all their creativity went into next gen.

Wow, ton of people not happy with the shooting and Ronnie rubbing it in their face :pac: This is actually tempting me to pick it up even more as i usually create a playmaking slasher, rarely shoot 3's/mids. The freethrows sound broken though.

https://twitter.com/Ronnie2K/status/1302089827999907840?s=19

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

I found the intro to nba last year was the most enjoyable in a long time but i can't picture anything worse than 18. Hopefully it just means all their creativity went into next gen.

Wow, ton of people not happy with the shooting and Ronnie rubbing it in their face :pac: This is actually tempting me to pick it up even more as i usually create a playmaking slasher, rarely shoot 3's/mids. The freethrows sound broken though.

https://twitter.com/Ronnie2K/status/1302089827999907840?s=19

I wont be using it anyway by the looks of things. I've airballed two FTs and at least one jumper.

I was still trying to readjust back to using the absolute right analogue for the past few months so my angles weren't great, and now if you're off on this it's a further penalty.

The stupid camera angle isn't helping as well but I know its better to just leave it from now.

I'll look into the theory behind it later as I didnt see it explained in game.

There was a 2k a few years back that did similar IIRC, everyone just abandoned the analogue and went back to the button.

I finally finished the torture that was the intro.

After 7 games playing with that stupid camera the game presented an option.
Continue or go to Draft. I thought great I can just skip to draft night.
Even after selecting it and watching a cut scene it brought me to "the last game of the season", and after that there was a workout which was on the sideline camera.
Zion tried to play me at street ball but thank God I was able to skip that game.

And after a few more scenes I'm finally onto the proper menu.

Thank God that's finally over. Even by skipping the cut scenes it took an age to complete.

Zero-Cool

What build/position you go with? What team you get drafted to?

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

What build/position you go with? What team you get drafted to?

I just picked a PG. And I didn't bother using one of the guides to max the badges as I'm not going to even finish a tier out in two months.

I picked to work out for the Bucks, it was a 2v2 game to 20.
I was then drafted there with the other story character. Not sure what number we both went but it might be fixed with ye both going to the same place.

That same aul chestnut for me again, same as with my PG last year(its literally a cut and paste of 2k20 anyway). I'm shooting "wide open" and slightly early or late and missing every single time(of 80 3s and extended range on bronze).

I think the new park is just a way for them to say the game is new as being honest apart from the shooting there is nothing else new in the gameplay.
The menus, badge system, points to unlock badges etc... its 2k20, same presentation etc etc.

Dont get me wrong you'll get two months out of it but its 100% not a purchase for XB1 alone.

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

I found the intro to nba last year was the most enjoyable in a long time but i can't picture anything worse than 18. Hopefully it just means all their creativity went into next gen.

Wow, ton of people not happy with the shooting and Ronnie rubbing it in their face :pac: This is actually tempting me to pick it up even more as i usually create a playmaking slasher, rarely shoot 3's/mids. The freethrows sound broken though.

https://twitter.com/Ronnie2K/status/1302089827999907840?s=19

I didnt look into the above, was it people complaining about the analogue or the button as well.

But its actually a joke tbh.

I have an 89 3 pointer and moved both badges onto flexible release as I've made about 1 of my last 25 three balls and that one was using the analogue and getting it close.

I keep shooting slightly early or late and being open or near enough and cant make any 3s despite having a high rating.

I have an 82 player now and hes still a lemon, going through these HoF games as a sub and barely coming out with C+ and any stats.
I can make a midrange but the auto offence is just putting me into the corner(same old story) and I'm never playing on ball.
I tried play with plays on manual but the AI was still running them and I didnt have my icons for the plays.

I went for a shooting/playmaker so I cant attack the rim.

The 3s will either work with all the badges boosts or else you're being forced to use the analogue to shoot 3s and risk hitting airballs etc with a far higher clip.

Zero-Cool

Shooting hotfix now live but it only helps with difficulties under HOF, doesn't help with park either

https://twitter.com/NBA2K/status/1302640784689127424?s=19

Zero-Cool

I'm usually glued to Chris Smoove's career videos but I haven't made it through a full one yet as I get bored. I was still tempted to get it from the Game store (if they ship to ireland) for 95 euro but reading the My Team isn't fun this year, no one can seem to win according to Reddit. That would be my secondary mode to play but not making progress in that would suck. Gonna hold out. Usually the legendary edition goes on sale in October and I know this is different as it includes a next gen version code, but might hold out all the same.

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

I'm usually glued to Chris Smoove's career videos but I haven't made it through a full one yet as I get bored. I was still tempted to get it from the Game store (if they ship to ireland) for 95 euro but reading the My Team isn't fun this year, no one can seem to win according to Reddit. That would be my secondary mode to play but not making progress in that would suck. Gonna hold out. Usually the legendary edition goes on sale in October and I know this is different as it includes a next gen version code, but might hold out all the same.

You're really not missing much to be honest.

I didn't think the changes would be this minuscule but it's really bad.
Vast swathes of the game are cut and pastes. The same menus, in game presentation, stores in the park, gameplay issues(engine quirks).. it's all just last years game.

I did check one of Smooves videos out and he shot 1-7 from 3 and hes always used the button.

The penalty for being red is too severe, i was testing it out there while shooting FTs in the training centre and I got some bad ones despite looking at the analogue as i pulled it straight down.
You don't have to seem to pull it much off line and you'll get a red which is always a miss.

Maybe that's the change that will happen, they'll lessen that rather than boost the button.
I won't ever be able to use it with layups anyway as I find even timing it is impossible, never mind worrying about the angle I pushed as well.

Potential-Monke

All this chat is making me think I'll hold off until it's a PS5 PS Now/+ game!

Zero-Cool

Potential-Monke wrote: »

All this chat is making me think I'll hold off until it's a PS5 PS Now/+ game!

I'm waiting for the Next Gen career trailer which will probably blow me away and that will do it but I'd settle for matchmaking in the park. The Park needs to be a social only hub while courts are in a separate area with matchmaking so no waiting around. I'm hoping they are cheeky enough to announce that and say they needed Next Gen to make it possible.

Also, Xbox next gen details leaked this morning and was mentioned 2K21 will be a launch title but it's not confirmed yet.

Look at the state of this map!

Park games are farcical at the minute. I've played about 4 and one went on for an age.

In the last game I checked the stats and both teams were in or around 10-21.

I tried 3 analogue shots in that game, got red for all three in terms of aim and missed the rim every time.

I could go and practice but tbh I've been using a controller my entire life, pulling it straight down shouldn't require training, my thoughts are still that the penalty for being MARGINALLY off is too severe, I couldn't have been pulling it that far off line.

Potential-Monke

Maybe I'm the only one, but I only use the analog stick when driving for a dunk!

That map looks money hungry...

I tried out the analogue in the 2KU with Curry and was using his jumper.
It wasnt too bad, but as you move around the window seems to adjust slightly meaning it needs a change.
That's fine when you're shooting multiple shots off but different shooting 10 over 20 mins.

Also if you try to readjust on jumping it's very easy to flick on release and get a wild pull.

Once I tried it in a game I was back shooting reds, it's harder to do when you dont know when the shot will come, also off a dribble its probably too difficult.
Also my player seems to miss further than Curry, when off-line.

I learned today the layup works pushing forward... the game explains none of this either.
In the menu it says "to shoot, pull down" which is not even accurate. The bar seems to slightly to the right so I dont think it's to be pulled down per se.
I always pull right so wish I made a left hand player(it might have helped).

I think I'll just abandon it at this point and switch back to dribble on the right analogue, as I started off with.

I might just drop the difficulty to the one that the hotfix affected and hope my jumper falls more.
Once I get the badges I can go back to HOF(in theory).

Theres no point investing time into it when it's likely to be defunct by the next gen console.
It's basically the only new addition so might have been a way to gloss a rehashed title rather than a new direction.

I really wish I made my inside centre for this build, I made one late in 2k20 to get around the online lag and that was the way to go again.

Zero-Cool

I never made a big before, hate post moves but they do dominate park. Shooting in park is impossible because of lag, might actually spin up 2k20 and make a big, see what it's like.

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

I never made a big before, hate post moves but they do dominate park. Shooting in park is impossible because of lag, might actually spin up 2k20 and make a big, see what it's like.

I was enjoying it as I dont seem to shoot a lot with my PG anyway so just thought it would be better all around.

This was definitely the game to make another, or maybe if I picked a left handed player it would help as I always miss left(the metre for a right hander is slightly off right centre).

Check out a badge guide as well, theres ways to set the points to maximise the badges.
My C was an Interior Force with most badges on Inside and Defence.
One for shooting and I think two or three on playmaking.

You can do a lot with a big online, it's not as fun against the AI though.

v3ttel

Still debating whether to pick this up or just to wait. I'm very tempted, but did find shooting difficult - even on the demo. I'm always playing with the idea of creating a big, but playing against the AI as one just doesn't seem fun. It does seem like great craic in the park though.

Also find that the instructions for moves in 2KU are rubbish or inaccurate. I feel like there is so much stuff that they don't explain.

Dropped down to Superstar to see how the hotfix was implemented and switched back to the button.

Played the Rising Stars game and I had 30 including a few 3 balls.
I didnt play anymore games since then but the difference was colossal.
I was barely getting 6 points unless it was lay ups on HoF.

I'll leave it on this until I unlock a few more shooting badges and then I'll go back to HoF difficulty.

I'm close to giving up putting VC into this player and the I'll start accumulating for Next Gen.

Zero-Cool

I read they broke Ankle Breaker and it's impossible to drop someone, said they are fixing it in next patch. Hope all this is ironed out for Next Gen but who knows.

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

I read they broke Ankle Breaker and it's impossible to drop someone, said they are fixing it in next patch. Hope all this is ironed out for Next Gen but who knows.

Funnily enough I put that onto Silver with barely 5 badges and it was something I always ignored in previous years.
I thought maybe outside of them falling over, it might also help to get space of the dribble, especially in a miss match.

I've the same old issues in regards to isolation against a big man with my PG, I just cant ever seem to shake anyone with dribble moves and by the time I change direction they're back in front of me.
Same engine, same issues I guess.

Hopefully they release gameplay footage of next gen soon as this is just like a game update for all intents and purposes.

v3ttel

Not sure what next gen consoles you are planning on picking up, but hopefully we can get enough interest together on one console for some park and/or pro am when the next gen version is out. The park is so much more fun in every way when you don't have to play with randomers.

Zero-Cool

v3ttel wrote: »

Not sure what next gen consoles you are planning on picking up, but hopefully we can get enough interest together on one console for some park and/or pro am when the next gen version is out. The park is so much more fun in every way when you don't have to play with randomers.

I'll be going with PS5 but yeah, had some great park games with lads on here over the years. I'm not holding my breath on huge improvements on Park, just hopeful they come out with something good. Would be a waste of next gen SSD minimum loading time only to wait 10-15 minutes for a game.

Potential-Monke

I'll join ye in 2022 when I've finally gotten my player up to a 90 OVR!

I've played every single season game in the first season in 2K20, all full minute games with me moving from 8-10 min/game to 35 min/game by half season. Played all the practices up to the playoffs. Played all the playoff games. Broke numerous records (I'm coming for your 100 Chamberlain! 83 is my highest), won all the awards. Player is 88 OVR...

v3ttel

Picked this up and decided to go with a big for the first time - made an interior force build. I said if I were to ever make a big, now is the time with shooting the way it is. I've always been notorious rubbish scoring in the post when playing as the entire time in the past. I always found the controls a bit clunky with multiple ways to shoots kind of interfering with faints or dribbling moves.

Enjoying it a lot so far - just about to finish up the college part.

Potential-Monke

I couldn't imagine not playing a big at this stage. SF is usually my go to, dunks are just far more impressive and enjoyable! With the added benefit of being pretty good at mids and get the odd open 3 too.

Zero-Cool

Next gen trailer with in depth blog about the new features coming soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ_bxl5DwkM

An eye-popping leap in graphical advancements: next-gen lighting, textures, physics, animations, and more that push NBA 2K21’s visual presentation to the bleeding edge;
Rebuilt player movement and player impact, driven by new on-court animation and collision engines that make for a smoother, tougher game;
The entire arena comes to life, with more than 150 unique AI-driven characters interacting seamlessly to create a groundbreaking Lower Bowl experience;
An expanded soundtrack with 202 songs at launch and more to come.

Today’s gameplay video is just the beginning with much more next-gen NBA 2K21 information coming soon. Beginning tomorrow, we’ll be breaking down all of the new next-gen gameplay-specific features across three Courtside Reports that cover core gameplay, new movement and the “Impact Engine,” as well as next-gen AI and major changes to the MyPLAYER Builder. Additionally, in the coming weeks, NBA 2K fans can look forward to learning about what’s new in MyCAREER, the WNBA, MyGM, and MyLEAGUE. And of course, fans will get an in-depth look into what will be the biggest expansion of NBA 2K’s online basketball community feature yet: the experience formerly known as the Neighborhood.

Potential-Monke

Have to say, it looks well!

Zero-Cool

Potential-Monke wrote: »

Have to say, it looks well!

It really does. I'm interested to read about the new impact engine and especially the "experience formally known as neighborhood".

Zero-Cool

First courtside report about next gen features. New gameplay mechanics. As a PG, i look e the sound of controlling the speed of the sizeups and choosing to keep it simple layups, no timing needed but also enable pro stick for layups for more risk/reward.

https://nba.2k.com/courtside-report/nba-2k21-next-gen-gameplay-courtside-report-1/

Zero-Cool

Next gen gameplay report 2 talks about v the new movement, dribbling and impact, all sounds great but will wait and see. Devs promise every year of awesome new features and they tend to be broken or a lie so will see.

https://nba.2k.com/courtside-report/nba-2k21-next-gen-gameplay-courtside-report-2

Really missing my 2K fix but I'm glad now I'll be going straight into the next gen version fresh from 2k fatigue, should enjoy it more.

How are ye finding current gen?

Zero-Cool

Next gen report 3.

New badges, new my player builder (no more pie charts thankfully), new ai for better teammates and my team challenges specifically for PS5.

https://nba.2k.com/courtside-report/nba-2k21-next-gen-gameplay-courtside-report-3/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TSiSsi9lmk

Zero-Cool

New gameplay vid for next gen 2k21 and also new wnbpa nice where you can create a female player and go through a career mode and also bring her online solely for female characters. Lot of dopes complaining about it already so it might actually be a good place to play online.

The new gameplay vid is showing off a new horizontal camera which is terrible, looks unplayable. The load screen though was 2 seconds compared to 40 on current gen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbOpRPp_vjs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_l13Cltpw4

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

New gameplay vid for next gen 2k21 and also new wnbpa nice where you can create a female player and go through a career mode and also bring her online solely for female characters. Lot of dopes complaining about it already so it might actually be a good place to play online.

The new gameplay vid is showing off a new horizontal camera which is terrible, looks unplayable. The load screen though was 2 seconds compared to 40 on current gen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbOpRPp_vjs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_l13Cltpw4

Hopefully this game irons out some of the legacy issues.

Also the shot aiming needs to be rectified to the current situation. I've had to play on All Star the the last while as you're going to brick nearly every shot on HoF unless its green.
Doesn't matter if you're open and have a high shot percentage or loads of badges.
Missing as many now than I did two months ago as I switched back earlier this week to try it again.

The aiming is just a mess despite how positive it sounds.

Running plays better be simplified as well. Having to hit 7 buttons is tedious especially when you're in the middle of trying to hold onto the ball.

Zero-Cool

They are getting way too complex with shooting. Next gen now has an arc system where you make a flat or high arc shot as well. So now you have release timing, aim and arc. Absolutely unnecessary. You can turn those off but they give a boost to shooting of you use them.

Next gen career mode and 'experience formally known as neighborhood' news should be coming in the next few days. That's what will tell me if i need this day 1 or not.

Speaking of, they announced next gen versions will release same day as the consoles they are on.

Zero-Cool

Zero-Cool wrote: »

They are getting way too complex with shooting. Next gen now has an arc system where you make a flat or high arc shot as well. So now you have release timing, aim and arc. Absolutely unnecessary. You can turn those off but they give a boost to shooting of you use them.

Next gen career mode and 'experience formally known as neighborhood' news should be coming in the next few days. That's what will tell me if i need this day 1 or not.

Speaking of, they announced next gen versions will release same day as the consoles they are on.

I read the article and it sounded like 95% of what the current gen is.
It just makes no sense, you dont need to time it but its difficult to adjust to the left or right off centre.
Theres no real logic to what side it will be so you can either risk shooting airballs or use X and at least always hit the rim.
They just penalised the buttons to levels that make it pointless online or on HoF.

Well the word was always that it would be available with the launch of the Xbox anyway, not sure if PS changed in that regard.

Zero-Cool

NBA 2K21 next gen will be 72.59 in Argos. It was 80 in Smyths but went down to 75. Checked again there and price came down again to 69.99. Not sure if that's just because current gen is on sale for 55 but as soon as career mode trailer goes up, I'll be preordering it from Smyths.

Zero-Cool

The city

Instead of 1 neighborhood, you now have 4 all in one city. Looks cool but their servers were laggy and empty with just one hood so interesting to see how this is handled.

Cool that affiliations are back but not the mind blowing park they were building it up to be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VC2zxm3IGQ

Zero-Cool

Blog about city

https://nba.2k.com/courtside-report/nba-2k21-next-gen-the-city-courtside-report/

Ffs lads, the only thing people wanted was matchmaking and they just give more of the same. There is a private court you can play on with friends, no waiting, no got next but you have to rent it. I mean seriously for **** sake, they find a way to give people what they want but charge vc for it, dirty *****.

Anyway, there are now mayors for each district (affiliation) who start as handpicked community YouTubers but only for a few weeks and will rotate to i guess give other ball suckers a go at flogging 2k propoganda. Probably keeps them for flaming the game after a few weeks of release.

Then there is getting around the city which sounds like a pain unless you have a bike or skateboard, yupp spending more vc although they said everyone gets a free skateboard and now you can do grinds and tricks. **** off 2k, i bought this to play basketball, not Tony hawk's.

The clothes shop is now split up into separate ships like puma store, converse store, new balance store etc to fill out the map because yeah that's exactly what people want, shake my ****ing head.

One promising part is everyone starts in Rookieville. Once you rep up to Pro 1, you get assigned an affiliation and get access to the city. You can go to the mayor's office (ffs) to file a transfer to another affiliation but your rep gets reset.

The worst part is it looks the same as park the last few years, just more players. Might as well have been watching the current gen reveal of it. Hopefully the career reveal is a bit more promising.

Potential-Monke

I hadn't scrolled down enough to see the second post, just the one with the video and I saw "Rental Courts" and thought, well done 2K, you've found another way to make people use money. Then I read your post. They seem to have somehow made it worse. And looks like unless the rep is based on the career mode, I'll be in Rookieville for the entirity. If I get the game.

Do you still have to go into the neighborhood to do training, or have they at least added an option to do it from the menu? Breaks my balls to have to run around the neighborhood in order to do something that affect my career progression! Or even buying the Gatorade boosts (if you feel like it), you should be able to do that from a menu.

It's not selling me at all tbh, so I reckon I'll wait until it's free on Now or +.

Zero-Cool

The Gatorade gym is still in the neighborhood. A menu would do but then you wouldn't have to run into a giant Gatorade sign and they would lose sponsor money.

Career mode info coming tomorrow apparently not doesn't sound anything special. You either play through college, g League, draft and nba. You can skip straight to nba as well. Whatever path you choose, there will be different storylines and looks like characters from every career mode so far will show up which just sounds stupid. I really wanted to buy this day 1 but I'm really on the fence.