Also this year, the Visual Concepts team is offering different versions of its basketball game. Indeed, the experience isn’t the same on PS5 and Xbox Series X as it is on the other platforms, but on the latter, NBA 2K23 tries to get back on the top step of the podium. Have the problems of the last opus been solved? Has the title struck the right balance between a sports simulation and an RPG? The answer in this comprehensive test!
- Publication date : September 8, 2022
- Style : Simulation, Sport
- ESRB/PEGI Rating : E / PEGI 3
- Developer: Visual concepts
- Publisher: 2K games
- Operating language: French subtitles
- Available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
- Tested on Xbox Series X/S
- Price during the test: €79.99 / €69.99
- Official site
- Version sent by the editor
Career mode fixed
One of the great strengths of the franchise developed by Visual Concepts has always been the career mode. NBA 2K23 continues on this line with the return of the semi-open world and an all-new storyline. The latter is very classic, but I felt like the developers wanted to offer something different. Our character, always customizable from head to toe, has already completed his university education and we are drafted by the team of our choice. I also regretted not being able to be drafted by a random team, but this isn’t the first time in the series you’ve been able to choose your organization. Always referred to as MJ, however, the main character is not much liked by supporters who would rather have seen his biggest rival.
On paper, the story is believable, but in the dialogues it’s something completely different. The main reason why supporters of our news prefer our rival is that he is physically stronger. However, we can have the weight and size we want even before we start our career. The scenario argument then gets a little crazy when we find ourselves bigger and bigger than our rival. Otherwise, the other flaw I quickly noticed is that the cutscenes are ubiquitous, even after dozens and dozens of hours of play. You could say it’s nice to have a game with a story, but eventually we don’t want to really listen to the characters we meet.
A somewhat smaller town
I remember during the introduction of the famous city in the series that it was way too big. The developers of NBA 2K23 seem to be withholding press and player feedback. This new fictional city is smaller and much more fun to walk around. It is always through this gigantic hub that you can access various online game modes or just your career mode missions. Moreover, the latter are closer together and significantly shorten the travel time. The ability to use a skateboard to move around is back, as is the ability to maneuver on it. However, there is no change in playability at this level.
Still accurate gameplay
It’s another joy to play NBA 2K23 on the court. The developers continue their good work by improving the gameplay little by little. If it felt like the defense was a little too strong last year, I didn’t feel the same this time. The endurance meter has also been completely revised and it is no longer possible to constantly link spectacular points. The whole adds much more realism. A momentum system has also been added to give the team that stands out the most on the pitch some edge. For my part, I don’t feel that this feature has a real impact on my way of playing. For fans of 3-point shooting, know that you’re going to have to be more accurate this year. Indeed, the timing is harder to understand at first, even if you get used to it pretty quickly.
A tribute to Michael Jordan
While on the Special Edition cover, Michael Jordan made his comeback in NBA 2K23. The famous player is even entitled to a game mode entirely devoted to his career. Named Jordan Challenge (present on NBA 2K11), it is possible to relive Jordan’s greatest glory. It is therefore possible to complete the 15 most important games of this basketball icon’s career. I would have liked a little more, but overall I was very happy to relive some of those moments. Without forgetting that the developers of the Visual Concepts studio have also adapted the visual and sound design to the era of each of the encounters.
Nostalgia in my NBA
In sports competitions, I always take control of my favorite team and take it to the top. However, I was very surprised in NBA 2K23. The developers have pulled out all the stops to satisfy us while it is possible to start your career as a manager in one of the 4 eras that the game offers. We find the 80s with Magic Johnson, the 90s with Jordan, the 2000s with Kobe Bryant, or the modern era with Lebron James in particular. Each of its periods offers its own rules, sound effects and visual design. It’s even possible to continue your managerial career to recruit our favorite players through the draft and change the course of history. It’s clear that 2K Games has set the bar high with this franchise mode, adding many hours of gameplay.
Some changes in My Team mode
NBA 2K23’s Ultimate Team mode doesn’t offer any major changes, but we can now notice the ability to play with friends. It’s not a simple co-op as you have to play as one of the players whose card you have to compete against other players around the world. Also know that for your usual matches you can lock the position you want to play and only one member of your team can play. These are minor changes, but should please fans of online games and My Team mode.
The return of microtransactions
It’s no secret, and I feel like repeating myself every year, NBA 2K23 contains microtransactions. Only through the virtual currency of the game is it possible to improve your character. If we win a few coins during matches, we should be very patient to increase our player’s average rating as much as possible. I’ve always struggled with this system at 2K Games, as it affects all game modes. As long as the studio continues in this line, it will be difficult for the license to climb to the top step of the podium. It’s a shame, especially since the rest of the game is very high quality.
Conclusion
NBA 2K23 catches up with the problems we experienced for next-gen consoles last year. Visual bugs have been fixed, especially for lighting effects, and loading time has been optimized. Note that we haven’t had a chance to try the other platforms’ version and it’s important to point out that there seem to be several issues with the latter. The franchise mode is complete, the gameplay still fun while the career mode is still impressive. Obviously, the developers at the Visual Concepts studio don’t seem to rely solely on their performance and that bodes well for an annual license.
NBA 2K23 Test: A Successful Free Throw
An increasingly compelling career
A smaller city where it is pleasant to drive
Even more fun gameplay
The Return of Jordan’s Challenges
An XXL franchise mode
A finally optimized visual appearance
The presence of microtransactions
Cutscenes a bit too long
The WNBA present, but not enough
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