NBA 2K20

Pros

• Incredibly detailed characters and environments
• New badges add personality to every player
• Robust variety of game modes

Cons

• Few new additions to franchise modes
• MyCareer is heavy with pay to win mechanics

NBA 2K20 is one of the most visceral and energetic basketball games in history, but it fouls its capacity to build on some of the most compelling features and game modes it adopts from earlier iterations of the series. But the most compelling argument for NBA 2K20 might be how welcoming it is for newcomers.

The newest game mode is actually dedicated exclusively to new players - although it can be a great resource for anyone looking to sharpen their skills. The NBA 2K series has never been the easiest sports game to learn, but the new 2KU tutorial teaches the fundamentals in under an hour and is paced in a way that lets you focus your attention on the techniques that are giving you trouble and blow through the lessons that aren't.

This is also one of the most impressive looking sports games in memory. Characters look shockingly identical to their real life counterparts, and each of the courts is a lovingly recreated model of its equivalent in the real world. Players also feel unique thanks to the inclusion of a badge system. Rather than simply serve as a buff for in-game stats, they provide unique perks and skills to individual players. The results lend a distinct flavor that makes each player feel like more than a bunch of crunched numbers.

Changes to the core gameplay loop are a little lean, but the fundamentals here were already solid. The learning curve is significantly shallower, the use of speed a bit more strategic, and ball handling a bit tighter. The latter in particular makes each player's ball handling feel more distinct than ever before. Otherwise, this is very similar to the last few versions of NBA 2K.

For the first time in NBA 2K history, there's a whole mode included for the WNBA. It's a refreshing move that really feels distinct from the core NBA experience. New animations and a whole new commentary crew greatly expand the offerings for new players. And it does a strong job of differentiating the rules and strategies between NBA and WNBA play - resulting in an experience that necessitates smart and tactical space.

While the inclusion of the WNBA is a breath of fresh air, both franchise modes have yet to see much in the way of significant changes. Both MyLeague and MyGM are starting to show their age, and it's clearly been as part of a transition towards MyTeam. The mode continues to deliver an addictive collection game where you build up and develop your dream team. It's a grind that will continue to find rewards no matter how much you invest into it.

Rounding out the experience is MyCareer. The MyCareer game mode ranks among the best attempts by Electronics Arts to deliver a story-focused sports experience. The story itself is compelling, and players have a lot of flexibility to build a player that both looks and plays like them. All told, NBA 2K20 is a worthy successor to the franchise, although many of its more beloved features are withering on the vine as the series shifts towards loot boxes and microtransactions.

Pros

• Incredibly detailed characters and environments
• New badges add personality to every player
• Robust variety of game modes

Cons

• Few new additions to franchise modes
• MyCareer is heavy with pay to win mechanics