NBA 2K25: Small steps toward a huge victory

There is an inherent problem with digital sports games: When they reach a certain peak or even just a comfortable state for the development team, they tend not to change too much beyond roster updates. I’m happy to report that NBA 2K25, the NBA simulation game from 2K Sports, has made enough small but necessary changes this year, making it one of the best sports games in recent years.

At first glance, the game offers a more realistic and advanced basketball experience than ever, with many improvements to the animation system, stunning graphics, and varied game modes. Those already familiar with the series won’t be surprised when they see the opening screen and menu—it’s much like previous years. The graphics are also excellent as always, perhaps among the best ever seen in sports games.

The characters look realistic, the movements are smooth and natural, and the small details like sweat and facial expressions add to the authenticity of the game. Among the small but significant improvements I mentioned earlier is the new animation system, ProPLAY, which includes thousands of new and improved animations, making the gameplay smoother and more realistic. The animations are also reflected in the improved shooting system.

Beyond a cleaner and clearer shot meter that can be customized, a new unique shooting move was added this year. By flicking the analog stick, you activate a dribble move to get free before initiating the shooting animation. This, along with other minor improvements like an upgrade to the badge system (bonuses for player improvement), makes the experience of boosting your player in Career Mode much more enjoyable—but we’ll get to that later.

Most of you are familiar with the various game modes in NBA 2K25. The names and presentation remain similar, but there are notable additions. Let’s start with Career Mode—in this mode, the player creates a personal basketball player and leads them through a professional NBA career. This year, the story mode includes a new and captivating narrative, with a focus on building a personal legacy.

There are improvements in the player creation system, including more customization options and even the ability to make your player resemble a current or past NBA star that you like. The most significant change for me this year was the option to choose how you want to approach Career Mode. If in the past, we had to complete the high school and college storylines before reaching the NBA or playing street games, now it’s all in your hands.

The game allows you to choose from the start what you want to do, so you can win two championships, bring your player to a 99 overall rating, and only then compete against high school players or in the European finals. The storyline itself is excellent, short enough not to tire you out, and the atmosphere in the games is amazing. The world of street basketball and the open world of 2K25 has also expanded, with even a subway to help you move faster.

This year, a special adjustment was made so that in online street games, you’re matched with players at your level, so you can relax on the in-game VC purchases—a welcome improvement. The city and neighborhood received a redesign with new courts, shops, and events. Players can explore the city, participate in special events, and play on new street courts.

The Team—Your Wallet

Another classic mode returning this year is "MyTeam." In this mode, you collect player cards—both current and historical—and use them to play various games (one-on-one, three-on-three, five-on-five, and more). This mode includes online matchups with different events and local games against the AI. I usually don’t spend much time in this mode because it’s hard to get the players you want without paying.

This year, they allow you to start with a historic star of your choice, enhancing the enjoyment at the beginning. But to win, you still need their team, especially against online players, which means opening your wallet. Luckily, there are plenty of other things to do in the game that don’t require financial sacrifice.

A great example of this is MyNBA and MyGM, my favorite modes in the game. In these modes, the player takes on the role of general manager of an NBA team. This year, there are several major innovations. The ability to play in the "Steph Curry Era," starting in the 2016-2017 season, was added. Players can try to rewrite history and face one of the greatest teams in NBA history. The NBA Cup is more deeply integrated into MyNBA mode, with competitive group stages and intense knockout rounds.

Team management has been improved and made more intuitive, with new options for league management and expansion. This year, the new MyGM building allows free exploration, where you can manage all your important activities as a general manager. You can talk to team members, discuss strategies with the head coach, and manage the budget with the CFO.

Additionally, players can choose a background story for the character they create, which affects the character’s starting attributes. For example, a general manager who was a former player will have different traits from one who was a scout. You can upgrade traits like offensive coaching, defensive coaching, sports medicine, business, charisma, and analytics. Each trait affects different aspects of team management.

Of course, the game allows you to immediately step into the shoes of any player or team you can think of, from the current time or NBA history. There's also the WNBA mode, focused on women’s basketball, where players can lead the next stars of the WNBA to a successful career. This mode includes competitions and special events, with a focus on building a personal legacy. Additionally, a new and essential learning mode was added this year, where you'll learn all the moves.

In Conclusion, NBA 2K25 is one of the best sports games released in recent years. It offers a realistic and challenging gameplay experience, with stunning graphics and varied game modes. Despite a few drawbacks, like a steep learning curve and high costs in MyTEAM mode, the game still provides many hours of enjoyment for basketball fans.

A copy of the game was provided by Adli United, the official distributor of the game in Israel.