I'm far more excited for this game to come out after seeing this trailer to day than I should be. But man, this might be the ultimate sports game. Anyone else in?
I just got my email that Gamefly has sent this my way, so I'll have it Monday/Tuesday. Looks good although I'm not really a basketball fan. I don't even remember putting this on my list, but whatever. I'll give 'er a go.
I played through the Spike Lee-directed stuff of MyCareer over the weekend. I'm not sure disappointment is the right word. *Hated* it, might be better. I mean the performances for it were fine. As a movie, there's probably something cool there and it had a few interesting beats along the way. But I don't play My Career to watch a movie and that's essentially what it forces you into -- about 90 minutes of it (skippable, but still).
During the set piece, which takes you from a couple of high school games, through a four game college career, to an 8-game slice of your first NBA season, you make exactly one decision -- where you go to school (which is limited to 10 schools, but I'm happy I at least got to take the court in Ann Arbor a couple times. That was a genuine thrill.) That's it, though. Everything else is just your family, friends, agent, etc. talking at you about stuff that you possess zero control over. And, other than your draft position, none of it is reflective of how you play on the court. I don't usually get mad at these things, but I'm so mad at this mode right now that even though the "movie" part is done, I'm not sure if I want to continue into the opened up game. (The whole VC system remaining intact for player development doesn't help, but I understood that going in.)
The basketball seems *really* good. I still feel a bit out of control trying to move players around, but I've always felt that way with this series. It also still feels to me like there are shots that will just not go in, period, because the game considers them bad shots, but I've never been sure if that's just me being a bad player or a fault of the game. There's been definite attention paid to team defense, though. Players really seem so know where to go on the floor, handle switches, and play for help. Really good stuff there.
I just with they hadn't destroyed the career mode. I feel like people play that to be in control of their player's career and this robs players of that, at least in the early career. Hopefully once the Spike Lee Joint is out of the way it gets to feel a bit better? (VC is still a terrible player dev model, regardless.)
I pretty much hate MyCareer mode in all sports games. They seem like such a great idea, but I find myself bored to death in no time. And no, I don't think forcing me to sit through a bunch of scripted cutscenes will make it better. But 2K basketball delivers a fantastic game on the court.
Plus, I absolutely love 2K's NBA today mode, where they keep rosters and stats updated all season so that your Play Now games feel like franchise games, with real stats providing the content for the commentary. I wish they were still making NFL, MLB and NHL games primarily for that mode.
It blows my mind that EA puts out a weekly roster update for Madden, but can't upload real life statistical data so that each week you can play the games with real life stats filling up the commentary, along with rosters and play styles.
I did just buy the game, although my Madden Ultimate Team addiction may keep me away for awhile. but one of my friends on XBL posted an clip of Shaq talking about Andrew Wiggins, along with highlights of him in action, and I impulsively bought the game. I forgot how much fun the pregame Shaq and Ernie stuff was. Now they have some post game stuff, too? I think 2K does an amazing job of making the sport fun.
I think I'm about the only stick-in-the-mud who doesn't like the constant additions to the TV presentation. Actually, it's not that I don't like it, I just don't need to see it every single game. I love it for the playoffs, but for generic mid-season game X, I just want to get to the court, play, and get back off again. While you can skip, it still insists on loading all the assets before you can, so I end up multiple times per game just sitting hitting the A button until I can get it to skip point. Could probably shave about 5 minutes off each game if I could just skip that stuff outright. But, again, a lesser complaint when the basketball is largely so good on the court.
I think the MyCareer stuff, aside from the VC system and continuing to get called "Freq," is a lot better once you get past the Spike Lee joint. It sucks that you essentially have to blow off your rookie season to get there, but once you are through it, you get to make fun decisions for your player in terms of how to spend your off days (practice with the team, hang out with other players, or do endorsement work). It's not particularly deep, but it makes The Life feel a bit more interesting.
At some point I'll spend some time in the MyGM mode as well, I'm sure, but it'll likely be after I take a month or more away from the game so I can build up VC for it via the silly iOS app. (This is one of the reasons why the VC system bugs me so much. You're better off not playing the actual game and accruing the VC via the app, so you can later dump it into a freshly started game. That's bonkers.) Ah well.
I'm fine with the Spike Lee stuff, it was a bad experiment but barely takes any time. I also haven't taken issue with the VC system, as it mostly felt like the same upgrade system in older career modes except you could earn the currency in other parts of the game.
However.
Today they are advertising 15% extra VC with a 35,000 VC purchase. Advertising it EVERYWHERE. On the main menu, once a quarter during games. This is a line too far.
I'll keep playing of course, but I'll Female Doggo about it while I do so.
I'm bummed to see this.
I loved the My Career mode from a few years ago but absolutely hated it when they went to the coin / microtransaction model and frankly adding more story isn't what I ever felt was missing.
I saw some clips posted by finds in my activity feed of them playing 2 on 2 using MyCourt, which looked kind of great. Of course the game required me to start my career in order to have MyCourt.
It was fun getting signed by Kansas, even though there was absolutely no challenge to become a prize recruit. That is just the story, and you pick one of several big time schools. But seriously, I hate it. I just want to play the game. And later, I don't want to plan what I do on my off days. Seriously, I just want to play the game.
On the court, I couldn't be happier with the game. It feels like a significant improvement over last year's game in terms of player control. It looks great, the commentary and presentation are great. I still gravitate to the classic teams of the 90's when I just want to fire the game up and play some basketball.
But man, the whole MyCareer thing is a slog. Lots of loading and saving. There doesn't seem to be a decent way to just streamline straight to gameplay. I'm messing once I get my guy up to speed I will just be able to play. But really, I'd rather have generic or real life players to choose from. I'm not really interested in playing against people that have so much more time to invest in their superstar than me. And I wouldn't want to play people thatI have completely overmatched either.
I thin EA got it right in this year's version of EASHL. Instead of everyone using their own characters that they have leveled up and applied boosts to, everyone chooses a type of player that has a set assortment of ratings. your team may suffer if everyone chooses snipers, but it won't be because you are taking your 78 rated guys versus 94 rated guys.
But really, the 2 on 2 looks fun. I'm going to keep plugging away until I figure the mode out. Feel free to hit me up for games once I do.
On the court, I couldn't be happier with the game. It feels like a significant improvement over last year's game in terms of player control. It looks great, the commentary and presentation are great. I still gravitate to the classic teams of the 90's when I just want to fire the game up and play some basketball.
But man, the whole MyCareer thing is a slog. Lots of loading and saving. There doesn't seem to be a decent way to just streamline straight to gameplay.
A whole lotta this ^^^ The waiting on loading/saving last night, even Post Spike, was boring me to tears, but the basketball (mostly) feels soooo good, when in a flow.
Played a bit more MyCareer last night (season 2, post Spike) and got a bit perplexed in the off-day practice modes.
After the drills you can stay on the court and just shoot, which I really like. I practiced on two separate off days and in one, my 3-point specialist PG was hitting almost everything I shot from 3pt distance. Was something like 15/20 just shooting 3s. I'm thinking, okay, I've got this timing thing figured out.
On the second off day practice I almost literally could not make a 3pt shot. I'm not sure how much I shot the ball because I just started chucking them after awhile, varying my timing to see if I'd suddenly gone into a too late/early habit. If I had to guess, it would be something like 4/50, which ought to be impossible. Felt like the game just decided my guy was going to be that cold on that day and nothing should be allowed to go in. (Bizarrely, if I took one step inside the 3pt arc, I could hit shots.)
This kind of thing doesn't instill faith in the game's shooting model.
How is the VC stuff allocated this time? Like in 15 you spent points on group skills, so in the end all players ended up being Lebron. This time, can you spend VC on individual skills rather than a whole group? I mean, I hated having to spend VC that I wanted to use to improve my free-throw but would improve my 3 pt shot too.
How is the VC stuff allocated this time? Like in 15 you spent points on group skills, so in the end all players ended up being Lebron. This time, can you spend VC on individual skills rather than a whole group? I mean, I hated having to spend VC that I wanted to use to improve my free-throw but would improve my 3 pt shot too.
That, I think, is the same. Much as I understand what you mean, in fairness, I think the grouping makes sense relative to player strengths. For example, statistically, players who are good free throw shooters, tend it be better three point shots as well. (It's one of the things Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy discussed when drafting Stanley Johnson this year, that the kid's 3pt game was under-sampled because of the system he was in; thought his 3-pt shot would translate well to the NBA based in part on his strength as a free throw shooter.)
Wow, a lot less discussion here than I thought. I expected this thread to be a lot more popular, considering how well the game sells.
Anyway, I got the game for free with PS+ and have put quite a bit of time into it. I created a character (6'10" power forward), and actually enjoyed the "story" aspect. It felt like they tried to show the different sides of sports fame, and how it isn't all fun and easy. I continued my character, and I'm into season 3 now, got signed to the team I wanted (Celtics - with Lebron??). My guy is up to a 95 ranking, so getting 30 points and 10 rebounds isn't too tough. I am looking forward to maxing him out and sim'ing to get him into the Hall of Fame. I really wish there was a way to skip games but still be eligible for practices.
That said, I do have some issues. 3-second violations are going to drive me nuts. I post up for a second, then switch to "run" to get outside the box, but my guy takes so long to respond, I get tagged at least twice every game. Also, the defensive breakdowns are way too loose. It switches my assignment and a second later he drains a jump shot because I haven't had time to get there, and there goes half a grade. The other thing bugging me is the minutes. I negotiated up to 42 minutes per game, but I play six-minute quarters and they generally bench me for 5-6 minutes in the first half - no matter how well I play. Maybe I'm just missing something about how that stuff works.
Overall I am impressed - I haven't played one of these for a few years, and didn't expect it to scratch that RPG itch as much as it does. I'm up for some multiplayer if anyone is still playing this...
Interesting, okay - thanks! So there's no way to ask the coach for more playing time? I know I can request a trade but I want to stay on the Celtics.
I thought of another question. When I sim a game from the "outside", my player does well (per his stats), but when I accidentally start a game that I don't want to play, and then choose to "sim to end of game", he does really poorly. Why do they punish you for that? What if I am playing and something comes up? I don't see why I should be penalized for that - or else have to restart that game completely.
I just got my email that Gamefly has sent this my way, so I'll have it Monday/Tuesday. Looks good although I'm not really a basketball fan. I don't even remember putting this on my list, but whatever. I'll give 'er a go.
I played through the Spike Lee-directed stuff of MyCareer over the weekend. I'm not sure disappointment is the right word. *Hated* it, might be better. I mean the performances for it were fine. As a movie, there's probably something cool there and it had a few interesting beats along the way. But I don't play My Career to watch a movie and that's essentially what it forces you into -- about 90 minutes of it (skippable, but still).
During the set piece, which takes you from a couple of high school games, through a four game college career, to an 8-game slice of your first NBA season, you make exactly one decision -- where you go to school (which is limited to 10 schools, but I'm happy I at least got to take the court in Ann Arbor a couple times. That was a genuine thrill.) That's it, though. Everything else is just your family, friends, agent, etc. talking at you about stuff that you possess zero control over. And, other than your draft position, none of it is reflective of how you play on the court. I don't usually get mad at these things, but I'm so mad at this mode right now that even though the "movie" part is done, I'm not sure if I want to continue into the opened up game. (The whole VC system remaining intact for player development doesn't help, but I understood that going in.)
The basketball seems *really* good. I still feel a bit out of control trying to move players around, but I've always felt that way with this series. It also still feels to me like there are shots that will just not go in, period, because the game considers them bad shots, but I've never been sure if that's just me being a bad player or a fault of the game. There's been definite attention paid to team defense, though. Players really seem so know where to go on the floor, handle switches, and play for help. Really good stuff there.
I just with they hadn't destroyed the career mode. I feel like people play that to be in control of their player's career and this robs players of that, at least in the early career. Hopefully once the Spike Lee Joint is out of the way it gets to feel a bit better? (VC is still a terrible player dev model, regardless.)
Hahaha, Bosh bomb.
Someone edited together the whole Spike Lee Joint. Spoilers, obviously.
What Stele said ^ -mortalgroove
Switch: 6273-9936-5107
I like 2K, I like MyCareer, I watched three minutes of that and I'm going to wait for 2K16 to hit the bargain bin.
I pretty much hate MyCareer mode in all sports games. They seem like such a great idea, but I find myself bored to death in no time. And no, I don't think forcing me to sit through a bunch of scripted cutscenes will make it better. But 2K basketball delivers a fantastic game on the court.
Plus, I absolutely love 2K's NBA today mode, where they keep rosters and stats updated all season so that your Play Now games feel like franchise games, with real stats providing the content for the commentary. I wish they were still making NFL, MLB and NHL games primarily for that mode.
It blows my mind that EA puts out a weekly roster update for Madden, but can't upload real life statistical data so that each week you can play the games with real life stats filling up the commentary, along with rosters and play styles.
I did just buy the game, although my Madden Ultimate Team addiction may keep me away for awhile. but one of my friends on XBL posted an clip of Shaq talking about Andrew Wiggins, along with highlights of him in action, and I impulsively bought the game. I forgot how much fun the pregame Shaq and Ernie stuff was. Now they have some post game stuff, too? I think 2K does an amazing job of making the sport fun.
I think I'm about the only stick-in-the-mud who doesn't like the constant additions to the TV presentation. Actually, it's not that I don't like it, I just don't need to see it every single game. I love it for the playoffs, but for generic mid-season game X, I just want to get to the court, play, and get back off again. While you can skip, it still insists on loading all the assets before you can, so I end up multiple times per game just sitting hitting the A button until I can get it to skip point. Could probably shave about 5 minutes off each game if I could just skip that stuff outright. But, again, a lesser complaint when the basketball is largely so good on the court.
I think the MyCareer stuff, aside from the VC system and continuing to get called "Freq," is a lot better once you get past the Spike Lee joint. It sucks that you essentially have to blow off your rookie season to get there, but once you are through it, you get to make fun decisions for your player in terms of how to spend your off days (practice with the team, hang out with other players, or do endorsement work). It's not particularly deep, but it makes The Life feel a bit more interesting.
At some point I'll spend some time in the MyGM mode as well, I'm sure, but it'll likely be after I take a month or more away from the game so I can build up VC for it via the silly iOS app. (This is one of the reasons why the VC system bugs me so much. You're better off not playing the actual game and accruing the VC via the app, so you can later dump it into a freshly started game. That's bonkers.) Ah well.
I'm fine with the Spike Lee stuff, it was a bad experiment but barely takes any time. I also haven't taken issue with the VC system, as it mostly felt like the same upgrade system in older career modes except you could earn the currency in other parts of the game.
However.
Today they are advertising 15% extra VC with a 35,000 VC purchase. Advertising it EVERYWHERE. On the main menu, once a quarter during games. This is a line too far.
I'll keep playing of course, but I'll Female Doggo about it while I do so.
I'm bummed to see this.
I loved the My Career mode from a few years ago but absolutely hated it when they went to the coin / microtransaction model and frankly adding more story isn't what I ever felt was missing.
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Steam id: Rahmen
I saw some clips posted by finds in my activity feed of them playing 2 on 2 using MyCourt, which looked kind of great. Of course the game required me to start my career in order to have MyCourt.
It was fun getting signed by Kansas, even though there was absolutely no challenge to become a prize recruit. That is just the story, and you pick one of several big time schools. But seriously, I hate it. I just want to play the game. And later, I don't want to plan what I do on my off days. Seriously, I just want to play the game.
On the court, I couldn't be happier with the game. It feels like a significant improvement over last year's game in terms of player control. It looks great, the commentary and presentation are great. I still gravitate to the classic teams of the 90's when I just want to fire the game up and play some basketball.
But man, the whole MyCareer thing is a slog. Lots of loading and saving. There doesn't seem to be a decent way to just streamline straight to gameplay. I'm messing once I get my guy up to speed I will just be able to play. But really, I'd rather have generic or real life players to choose from. I'm not really interested in playing against people that have so much more time to invest in their superstar than me. And I wouldn't want to play people thatI have completely overmatched either.
I thin EA got it right in this year's version of EASHL. Instead of everyone using their own characters that they have leveled up and applied boosts to, everyone chooses a type of player that has a set assortment of ratings. your team may suffer if everyone chooses snipers, but it won't be because you are taking your 78 rated guys versus 94 rated guys.
But really, the 2 on 2 looks fun. I'm going to keep plugging away until I figure the mode out. Feel free to hit me up for games once I do.
A whole lotta this ^^^ The waiting on loading/saving last night, even Post Spike, was boring me to tears, but the basketball (mostly) feels soooo good, when in a flow.
Played a bit more MyCareer last night (season 2, post Spike) and got a bit perplexed in the off-day practice modes.
After the drills you can stay on the court and just shoot, which I really like. I practiced on two separate off days and in one, my 3-point specialist PG was hitting almost everything I shot from 3pt distance. Was something like 15/20 just shooting 3s. I'm thinking, okay, I've got this timing thing figured out.
On the second off day practice I almost literally could not make a 3pt shot. I'm not sure how much I shot the ball because I just started chucking them after awhile, varying my timing to see if I'd suddenly gone into a too late/early habit. If I had to guess, it would be something like 4/50, which ought to be impossible. Felt like the game just decided my guy was going to be that cold on that day and nothing should be allowed to go in. (Bizarrely, if I took one step inside the 3pt arc, I could hit shots.)
This kind of thing doesn't instill faith in the game's shooting model.
How is the VC stuff allocated this time? Like in 15 you spent points on group skills, so in the end all players ended up being Lebron. This time, can you spend VC on individual skills rather than a whole group? I mean, I hated having to spend VC that I wanted to use to improve my free-throw but would improve my 3 pt shot too.
These things happen to other people.
Confessions of a Rice Farmer
That, I think, is the same. Much as I understand what you mean, in fairness, I think the grouping makes sense relative to player strengths. For example, statistically, players who are good free throw shooters, tend it be better three point shots as well. (It's one of the things Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy discussed when drafting Stanley Johnson this year, that the kid's 3pt game was under-sampled because of the system he was in; thought his 3-pt shot would translate well to the NBA based in part on his strength as a free throw shooter.)
Wow, a lot less discussion here than I thought. I expected this thread to be a lot more popular, considering how well the game sells.
Anyway, I got the game for free with PS+ and have put quite a bit of time into it. I created a character (6'10" power forward), and actually enjoyed the "story" aspect. It felt like they tried to show the different sides of sports fame, and how it isn't all fun and easy. I continued my character, and I'm into season 3 now, got signed to the team I wanted (Celtics - with Lebron??). My guy is up to a 95 ranking, so getting 30 points and 10 rebounds isn't too tough. I am looking forward to maxing him out and sim'ing to get him into the Hall of Fame. I really wish there was a way to skip games but still be eligible for practices.
That said, I do have some issues. 3-second violations are going to drive me nuts. I post up for a second, then switch to "run" to get outside the box, but my guy takes so long to respond, I get tagged at least twice every game. Also, the defensive breakdowns are way too loose. It switches my assignment and a second later he drains a jump shot because I haven't had time to get there, and there goes half a grade. The other thing bugging me is the minutes. I negotiated up to 42 minutes per game, but I play six-minute quarters and they generally bench me for 5-6 minutes in the first half - no matter how well I play. Maybe I'm just missing something about how that stuff works.
Overall I am impressed - I haven't played one of these for a few years, and didn't expect it to scratch that RPG itch as much as it does. I'm up for some multiplayer if anyone is still playing this...
PSN: Swordsman74
Steam: Swordsman74
Twitter: mmlmrx
My player has always had some issues with sim time vs real time compared to how much you play, and I've dabbled in almost every year since 2010.
What Stele said ^ -mortalgroove
Switch: 6273-9936-5107
Interesting, okay - thanks! So there's no way to ask the coach for more playing time? I know I can request a trade but I want to stay on the Celtics.
I thought of another question. When I sim a game from the "outside", my player does well (per his stats), but when I accidentally start a game that I don't want to play, and then choose to "sim to end of game", he does really poorly. Why do they punish you for that? What if I am playing and something comes up? I don't see why I should be penalized for that - or else have to restart that game completely.
PSN: Swordsman74
Steam: Swordsman74
Twitter: mmlmrx