NBA 2K16

 PC
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Riot Pixels
    Jan 25, 2016
    87
    This NBA 2K is surely rife for nitpicking. Annoying update notifications, clunky menus, AI blunders, Spike Lee’s unnecessary meddling with the well-oiled machine of MyCareer, a rough Gauntlet mode, and traditional connectivity problems. But still, even with all that, NBA 2K16 is like a complex, mesmerizing painting.
  2. Ragequit.gr
    Oct 11, 2015
    87
    NBA 2k16 justifies the expectations that the series has built over recent years. The best basketball simulator can be even better.
  3. GameStar
    Oct 6, 2015
    85
    The PC version seems to have some technical problems on some machines, but if you don't mind that and the career mode full of cliché then this is a monster slam dunk.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 80
  3. Negative: 29 out of 80
  1. Llaerrick
    Sep 29, 2015
    6
    Much was made about the Spike Lee directed Career/Story Mode but I found it really lacking and hugely disappointing. The biggest problem IMuch was made about the Spike Lee directed Career/Story Mode but I found it really lacking and hugely disappointing. The biggest problem I have with this was the absolute heavy-ham-handed scripting which instead of adding to immersion actually kills it completely.

    Firstly, My Career has always been about creating a player that is you (or that you want) regardless of race. Spike Lee pigeon-holes and shoe-horns you into poor black kid growing up in the projects in Harlem. Cliched much?

    My Career tries to present two of the fundamental choices/problems that blue-chip college/young NBA players have: such as whether or not to go one-and-done; whether or not to stick with your homie who's had your back forever but is a bad influence or to ditch him for the good of your career.

    So much is made about these problems and how hard it is to choose. Your character literally agonizes over each choice. Then the game/story goes ahead and makes the choices for you. Well duh ... if you're going to belabour the point and make it such a big deal, and if it really is MY career, then I would like to have a say in it, wouldn't you? I honestly only started enjoying the game a bit more after the script ended.

    Also another pet peeve is the big deal they make of your created player: high school phenom, blue-chip prospect, once in a generation talent, etc, etc. And you come into the draft with a skill level of 55? This may not be a big deal (and actually fit with the last edition where your player went undrafted) but the disparity is so immersion-breaking. From having 'boosted' stats in High School/College where your 7 foot centre can literally hit 3-pointers from everywhere to missing 2 feet lay-ups in the NBA ... i should think that if I'm actually good enough to be drafted top-20 in the NBA draft i should be at least be able to make a jump-shot or two.

    Also, because of whatever reason, your rookie season is abridged into eight games so that Spike Lee can turn your rookie career into a blurb. Which means you only play 8 games (i.e. compared to the regular season 82 you would have played in previous editions - meaning you literally miss out one entire year of skill points and never have a chance to break into the starting line-up). It also means the whole Rookie of the Year target which most players set their sights on is pretty much impossible/redundent.

    Game-wise its generally more of the same with better animations. A more robust blocking/swatting system is much welcome. But generally the AI appears to be more tepid and less intelligent this edition. The point-guard hogs the ball way too much and makes really bad decisions/shots. The transition game appears better and fast breaks are a lot more viable but the PC-controlled teams appear to have a huge edge in the transition game (most of the time your team are not even back in their half-court set when the other team pushes the ball back up the court for an empty lane).

    tldr: Spike Lee's story kills the immersion and the real game/fun only starts when it ends. They should have made the story-mode a toggle on/off feature when starting a new career. I feel that 2k15 plays a little better and is more immersive.    … Full Review »
  2. Motoflou
    Oct 2, 2015
    4
    First off, I buy these games for the Career(story) mode. It's always been my favorite aspect, being able to make your own guy and take himFirst off, I buy these games for the Career(story) mode. It's always been my favorite aspect, being able to make your own guy and take him through his career. Well, in this game, you can make your own guy in the physical aspects, but that's about as far as it goes. Because it all has to follow Spike Lee's story mode. Which is...awful. It's nothing but played-out, racial stereotypes, embarrassing dialogue, and an extremely predictable story.

    Who thought this type of a Story Mode was a good idea? We play these games because we like to have control of a character, and we like to play actual basketball simulation. Well, you don't get much character control in this one, except for raising your attributes (which takes forever). And between each game, you are expected to watch lengthy, boring cutscenes. You can skip them, but I mean...if you give the slightest bit of a care about the storyline, you'll be lost.

    I also don't understand why-- you start out as a star high school player. Then you go on to be a star college player. You can barely miss a shot. It feels like the previous NBA games, you have decent attributes and it's all based on your timing. Then you advance to become an NBA rookie, and...all of your stats basically reset themselves. Every game becomes a struggle, even on "Rookie" mode. And if you play a great game, you still only get enough points to level up a couple meager stats.

    If you aren't playing story mode, it's fine. The actual gameplay is great, no complaints there. But this whole story mode, even the idea to involve Spike Lee...it's all just a massive fumble.    … Full Review »
  3. Todbar
    Dec 7, 2015
    4
    As someone who has played the past few NBA 2K games I can safely say this is my least favourite. I'm not much of an online gamer when it comesAs someone who has played the past few NBA 2K games I can safely say this is my least favourite. I'm not much of an online gamer when it comes to sports games so I mostly play offline myGM and myCareer. MyCareer is absolutely horrid. I appreciate that they tried to make a real story around it, but it completely takes you out of the game. You can't immerse yourself into the story when you have no say in what goes on. Also the fact that even after the first season is done and the set story "finishes" you have to keep your given nickname and that ridiculous dance move celebration is disappointing. The actual game play is decent. Feels a little more fluent to me. However the absolute garbage story that you're forced into for myCareer is too much for me to handle.… Full Review »
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