NBA 2K18

 PlayStation 4
User Score
1.8

Overwhelming dislike- based on 742 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 742
  2. Mixed: 48 out of 742
  3. Negative: 611 out of 742
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  1. BigKurtis
    Dec 2, 2017
    9
    First off, I'm more a NBA fan than a gamer and I love this game. I've played NBA games for 20 years and this is the best yet. I just felt compelled to write something to counter the negative feedback.

    The gameplay is great and is by far the best NBA gameplay of any NBA game. A lot of people complain about missing open shots etc but that is what makes the game more realistic. I like that    First off, I'm more a NBA fan than a gamer and I love this game. I've played NBA games for 20 years and this is the best yet. I just felt compelled to write something to counter the negative feedback.

    The gameplay is great and is by far the best NBA gameplay of any NBA game. A lot of people complain about missing open shots etc but that is what makes the game more realistic. I like that there are not as many people just playing stupid and making BS shots.

    I like the new in game substitution method and gameplay strategies, its easier to do on the fly while playing. The defensive system seems a lot better if you play engaged. Having a star player matters when it comes to making difficult shots/ plays.

    I like the GM/ manager mode as always. There are more realistic trade options etc. The MyTeam mode has a lot more different types of games to play and I like trying to find a combination of players that fit well in a coaches system.

    For those saying the game is trash - There are more modes than just Myplayer - it seems that eveyones gripe with the game is the VC required to make their Myplayer good, and while this is valid and the only reason i gave the game a 9 instead of 10 i still like that it is difficult to make your player better. I think there is a happy medium that hasnt been struck. I disliked in previous years that everyone was playing with insanely great myplayers. Though I feel they have gone to far and made it too difficult to build up your player up this year.

    Overall this is by far the best gameplay with the best variety of options and ways to play in an NBA game.    … Expand
  2. workingpixels
    Nov 17, 2017
    8
    beware! every single 0 score revier is pure **** like an amen in a prayer.
    ask me why. why? because there is no other more complex and stunning basketball simulation on the market thats why! and if you ask more why, **** you, thats why!
    i'm sick o this teenager ****
    put yourself together and sell the damn thing and go buy this EA crap if you can not appreciate at least 8/10 game.
  3. VagrantPeters
    Sep 17, 2017
    8
    I've spent some significant time in My Career mode and I will tell you my experience. I have played several previous iterations of the game and 2k18 is better than most but there are some issues.

    The new twist this time is the Neighborhood part of the game which is basically a hub to play online with a few buildings that sell stuff or can change your appearance. If you are going to be    I've spent some significant time in My Career mode and I will tell you my experience. I have played several previous iterations of the game and 2k18 is better than most but there are some issues.

    The new twist this time is the Neighborhood part of the game which is basically a hub to play online with a few buildings that sell stuff or can change your appearance. If you are going to be playing My Career exclusively then you probably won't spend much time in the Neighborhood.

    The game plays heavier this year, there is a little more mass to your player and it's hard to describe but it feels like an improvement to me. The shot mechanics have been changed and I think for the better. The meter now runs vertical and is placed by your shooters head instead of below him. However, you can still time shots by looking at your characters jump.

    Graphics are improved and take advantage of HDR effects, this is particularly noticeable during the arena shots. Frame rate is smooth in 4k and generally there are no issues. Music and sound are pretty much what you would expect with the timeout whistles and horns playing through the controller as well. It actually works better than you might think at first.

    Now for the bad. The loading times are downright nasty when going from the neighborhood to a game. If you are playing MyCareer, I recommend using triangle to go to the nav and pick the next game instead of hitting X to continue. When you continue it will take you back the neighborhood after an incredibly long load time only to have you do nothing there and go back to where you came from with another long load. You won't miss any story elements, if anything requires you to go to the Neighborhood you will know about it from your phone.

    Also the VC thing is back and stingier than ever. I say that because increased difficulty doesn't net you more VC and you can not extend the length of the quarters in MyCareer (at least not yet and I am in the December games). You can earn VC at a decent rate but your player is going to suck for a long, long time unless you shell out real cash for some VC. That will anger some players that don't have the time or patience to slog through an entire season to get their player halfway decent. We already spent $60 don't make haircuts cost VC.

    8/10 - Pros - Still the best basketball game out there -4k HDR looks great.
    Cons - Load times and a stingy VC system.    … Expand
  4. loganreid
    Nov 3, 2017
    8
    This is the first NBA game I've played since I was like 10 or really small in general (I'm 24 now for perspective) and wow have I liked it a lot. I think the stories need to be played out for longer than the first year of your careers (Player or GM) but I just found it cool that there was a story at all compared to other sports games I've played where it's like "Here's your menu. HitThis is the first NBA game I've played since I was like 10 or really small in general (I'm 24 now for perspective) and wow have I liked it a lot. I think the stories need to be played out for longer than the first year of your careers (Player or GM) but I just found it cool that there was a story at all compared to other sports games I've played where it's like "Here's your menu. Hit 'play' " I love the open world concept and the fact you have to "train up" your player. Feels like Destiny mixed with basketball.

    I have a feeling I might not have gotten far into it as I have zero idea what people are talking about with the extra $60. If it gets to a point where I can't upgrade my overall without paying money I will stop playing for sure though.    … Expand
  5. gvark
    Sep 17, 2017
    9
    I tried to read all the negative comments around here and they all seem to be focusing on one thing: MyPlayer - MyCarreer. Even there they have one gripe - It is a cash grab because it is not that easy to get VCs... Well boo-hoo... So you have to spend more time to build up your player.

    Somehow these people overlook the massive improvements made to the basketball game. Imagine that, for    I tried to read all the negative comments around here and they all seem to be focusing on one thing: MyPlayer - MyCarreer. Even there they have one gripe - It is a cash grab because it is not that easy to get VCs... Well boo-hoo... So you have to spend more time to build up your player.

    Somehow these people overlook the massive improvements made to the basketball game. Imagine that, for some the basketball element of an NBA game is secondary now...

    Anyhoo, the game has vastly improved as a sim, which also means that for arcade ball fans the 2k product may be off putting, but for them you now have live, so no need to dust off old copies of NBA Jam. The shooting is more realistic, the game speed no longer makes it possible to have 200 points in a 12 minute game, and player movements have improved greatly. The AI has also improved although it still has its flaws.

    To be frank there still are enough flaws that will need patching that I cannot give it a 10, but if what you are looking for is a basketball sim that has improved in every way then go get the game. If you want an arcade experience then you should probably consider getting Live instead...    … Expand
  6. JoePortes
    Sep 16, 2017
    9
    It's really quite simple: this is the best 2k ever made, just like every other year. It keeps getting better and I don't think that's arguable. HOWEVER, there is an argument to be made whether it's worth getting the new one every year when not too much changes. If you're a true sim basketball fan and really love the sport then I think it's worth it for the little things like ball physicsIt's really quite simple: this is the best 2k ever made, just like every other year. It keeps getting better and I don't think that's arguable. HOWEVER, there is an argument to be made whether it's worth getting the new one every year when not too much changes. If you're a true sim basketball fan and really love the sport then I think it's worth it for the little things like ball physics and AI tweaking.

    The people giving it a 0 are ridiculous and just want to complain. It's COD all over again. Sure, COD got pretty uninspired and isn't even the best FPS, but is it a 0/10? No. The best difference is this is the best basketball game ever made. Period. And 2k19 will be the best basketball game ever made when that comes out. Is it worth the upgrade? That's up to you. I can only help by saying I think the leap from 2k17 to 2k18 is bigger than the year before.

    With all that said, the greed put on display by 2k is a little out of control. VC runs everything in the game. This isn't certainly a huge money grab full of micro-transaction. But just be an adult and ignore them (or spend $ on it if that makes you happy), because the core basketball gameplay is unbelievable. Also, if you're a MyTeam player then you gotta pick this up. They've made that mode WAY better (no more unfair God squads).

    Lastly, if you want a less realistic experience play Live or NBA Jam. If you want to call plays, us freelance sets, adjust defensive settings, and put together a (fair, balanced) dream team the. This game is for you.    … Expand
  7. SupremeHonour
    Sep 17, 2017
    10
    great as always. Love the career mode. Packed sh aq on my first pack. bought VC. already maxed. Going for road to 99 level. Ignore the haters. They are just haters that are going to hate.
  8. notbutt
    Sep 15, 2017
    8
    Alright, I'm not sure if I should be reviewing this, as it is my first time ever playing a 2K game, but I'll try. First off, I'd like to tell the rest of the imbeciles here, that you review a game for its gameplay first and foremost. It seems like theyre only putting their scores down for things that piss them off. Im a level 13 trophies-wise; I've played my fair shair of games, and I mustAlright, I'm not sure if I should be reviewing this, as it is my first time ever playing a 2K game, but I'll try. First off, I'd like to tell the rest of the imbeciles here, that you review a game for its gameplay first and foremost. It seems like theyre only putting their scores down for things that piss them off. Im a level 13 trophies-wise; I've played my fair shair of games, and I must say the story mode here seems pretty good. I like the whole live your own life aspect of it. Gameplay is smooth, with a few players running into one another occasionally, but what sports game doesnt have that. Overall this is an entertaining and enjoyable game. If you enjoy good gameplay and story, but this game, because no amount of micro-transactions will ruin your gameplay experience.… Expand
  9. BBQTuck
    Sep 20, 2017
    9
    A really great basketball game that is leaning too hard into the micro transaction movement. The core game play is utterly fantastic and the presentation is better and more realistic than it ever has been before.

    The only reason this is getting trashed by the user reviews is due to micro transactions, and in a way they are right, but DEAR LORD not to the extent that they think they are.    A really great basketball game that is leaning too hard into the micro transaction movement. The core game play is utterly fantastic and the presentation is better and more realistic than it ever has been before.

    The only reason this is getting trashed by the user reviews is due to micro transactions, and in a way they are right, but DEAR LORD not to the extent that they think they are. It's a grind to build your player up, more than it's ever been before, and pretty much everything in the game costs VC. Clothes, Shoes, Haircuts, Tattoos, Emotes, Animations, Attributes, etc. are all bought with VC. Which isn't that much different than last year, VC has just become harder to obtain.

    That being said it's not some unattainable feat to build your player up. It just takes more time which, to be honest, I actually like. I enjoy building my player up from scratch, grinding throughout the season and watching my numbers rise over the course of the season. I enjoy that I can't drain a contested 25 footer right from the get go. It makes for a more realistic progression for your player, plus it makes you a better 2K player in the long run.    … Expand
  10. Redstripe420
    Oct 10, 2017
    10
    Gotta write a review since it's not getting a fair shake, all the people giving it a zero are plain and simple bums that suck at it. These people are complaining about playing vs the CPU.... if these guys can't beat the CPU on the 2nd to easiest difficulty can you imagine how they feel when they play against good players online. These are the bums you see with 5 - 100+ records in the park.Gotta write a review since it's not getting a fair shake, all the people giving it a zero are plain and simple bums that suck at it. These people are complaining about playing vs the CPU.... if these guys can't beat the CPU on the 2nd to easiest difficulty can you imagine how they feel when they play against good players online. These are the bums you see with 5 - 100+ records in the park. I'm dead serious. The games great, my friends and I have been dominating bums like this all day on it.… Expand
  11. Kasra25
    Sep 19, 2017
    10
    Just i can say, it was amazing, animations that was like the real one , very good my player part and it was better than the last version, it is the best NBA GAME EVER
  12. LRBEternal
    Sep 20, 2017
    10
    Love this game because it offers me what I want, and that's pure basketball. Best NBA video game ever made, and I love the multiple modes that are offered giving me a variety of ways to enjoy the game.
  13. augustwo
    Feb 7, 2018
    10
    So many haters. I can only assume it is because they are not very good at this game. No doubt they have devised a plan that almost forces you to pay more than the $60 price tag to compete with everyone else. That sucks but it is not absolutely necessary. If you don't like it then go the "grind" route. Regarding gameplay, i have focused on MyCareer games, Park and Pro Am this year andSo many haters. I can only assume it is because they are not very good at this game. No doubt they have devised a plan that almost forces you to pay more than the $60 price tag to compete with everyone else. That sucks but it is not absolutely necessary. If you don't like it then go the "grind" route. Regarding gameplay, i have focused on MyCareer games, Park and Pro Am this year and I LOVE it. The career games are realistic (the cut scenes you can not skip are a bit much), the neighborhood, your phone, your Mycourt, etc. are all great in this game. ProAm is great too. There are idiots in the walk on pro am like usual. I would love to see them figure out a better way to weed out those morons who quit or intentionally make you lose or never pass. Anyway, if you love basketball video games like i have for many many years then you will not be disappointed. This is the best sports game in history. Haters gonna hate but there are thousands and thousands of players on every single night so i'd say the 2K franchise is doing just fine.… Expand
  14. kickinbck199317
    Oct 27, 2017
    8
    NBA 2K18 is the best simulation basketball game of all time, HOWEVER, it is loaded with technical issues (bugs, glitches), mircrotransactions, and a ridiculous amount of grinding that holds it back from reaching a 9 or 10.

    Pros: -graphics: amazing player models, upgraded lighting/shadows -core gameplay: little tweaks to core gameplay, much smoother controls -new teams Cons:    NBA 2K18 is the best simulation basketball game of all time, HOWEVER, it is loaded with technical issues (bugs, glitches), mircrotransactions, and a ridiculous amount of grinding that holds it back from reaching a 9 or 10.

    Pros:
    -graphics: amazing player models, upgraded lighting/shadows
    -core gameplay: little tweaks to core gameplay, much smoother controls
    -new teams

    Cons:
    -grind to 99
    -$$$
    -neighborhood forces online play
    -story is cheesy and at times cringe-worthy    … Expand
  15. erguemoleite
    Nov 26, 2017
    8
    I will be honest nba2k18 is not a great sequel but it is not as terrible as people are saying. I know that people are saying that the vc system is **** and I agree but this game has a lot to offer I really liked the addition of all time teams and the neighborhood. I still think that 2K could develop it more and make it more relevant. I disliked the cut scenes from my career especiallyI will be honest nba2k18 is not a great sequel but it is not as terrible as people are saying. I know that people are saying that the vc system is **** and I agree but this game has a lot to offer I really liked the addition of all time teams and the neighborhood. I still think that 2K could develop it more and make it more relevant. I disliked the cut scenes from my career especially those with B-fresh but i really like the inclusion of a cinematic GM mode. I would also suggest that you could use two different players. Your MY CAREER player and my park player. in my career upgrades would work without the use of VC and you could create a true 99 overall in all stats as you see in other sports games. You should be able to create a 7'7 demi-god that can shoot threes in my career because my career is supposed to be fun and not competitive since your opponent is the CPU… Expand
  16. ElSeano89
    May 27, 2018
    8
    To objectively review this game rather than stamp my feet and whine about micro transactions like seemingly everybody else here I would say that NBA 2K18 at its heart is a brilliant game. The level of depth, customization and detail in this game is astounding. 2K has basically cornered the market for NBA games as Madden has for the NFL and FIFA has for soccer and it's to be commended thatTo objectively review this game rather than stamp my feet and whine about micro transactions like seemingly everybody else here I would say that NBA 2K18 at its heart is a brilliant game. The level of depth, customization and detail in this game is astounding. 2K has basically cornered the market for NBA games as Madden has for the NFL and FIFA has for soccer and it's to be commended that they seemingly don't rest on their laurels and do improve the product year to year.

    Firstly the MyPlayer mode has now been expanded to become it's own little open world game. Now the worst thing about the entire game is the story line to it which is juvenile, poorly scripted and at times down right annoying. Lil Tasty is probably the most annoying and unfunny character I've even seen in a video game and the fact you cannot skip the overlong, unfunny cutscenes with her is by far my biggest gripe. Apart from the story they do a pretty decent job of investing you in your character however the biggest issue isn't the microtransactions and the grinding for me it is that the CPU will make absurd trades that you cannot undo. For example as the Lakers they traded Randle for Serge Ibaka and not even Ibaka and some pieces, just straight up so they lost one of their best players and in turn ruined their cap space for free agency. Not only is it unrealistic it also crippled my playing experience in a game mode I'd poured hours and some extra cash into playing. I don't mind the micro transactions. Frankly I find the whole rallying against them a little silly, if you've got the money then pay for them and if you don't then grind. Don't whine because you can't get immediately good for free in what is basically a competitive online mode, of course they're going to try and make their money coming and going. However the lack of control over roster moves is unforgivable. There should at least be an option to reject/accept a trade before it is undertaken because as such now I've lost all desire to play that mode

    To step away from MyPlayer however the single player depth in this game is astonishing. The game provides a near endless roster of teams and players both current and historic. On top of the NBA teams that are fastidiously updated to the point G-League player for the Lakers who played 3 games was added there are an endless array of historic teams. This means that, paired with an active and brilliant roster creation community you can basically do anything with franchise mode. People have created rosters to turn this into a NCAA game, you can do almost anything. The amount they let you tinker around with the mode is astounding. Once in the mode the depth is incredible too, the scouting, negotiating trades and contracts is brilliant and very realistic. I will say that with original sliders in place that free agents rarely hit the open market but just like nearly everything else you can adjust that so it happens more to your liking. Trades tend to be realistic and interesting also and with the ability to download draft classes you can realistically play a franchise for quite a while. The replay ability in this mode is staggering.

    The on court product is next to none. Controls are tight, responsive, easily to learn and hard to master. The satisfaction of learning and executing moves is brilliant and the AI is smart enough to provide a challenge. What is more impressive is the difference in "feel" between players. LeBron plays differently to Paul George who plays differently to Kawhi Leonard and so on. They've done a brilliant job of making each player a different experience.

    Presentation is absolutely wonderful. Arenas are alive with activity and noise and look amazing. The players are rapidly approaching photo realistic levels of accuracy all the way down to their tattoos and the constant roster updates even mean that when a player changed their hairstyle mid-season the game is updated to reflect that. The audio presentation is amazing. The pool of comments for the announcers is deep enough that over the course of a season they don't repeat themselves too much and the touch of bringing in Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett as special guest announcers is a great touch that along with the TNT crew of Ernie, Shaq and Kenny doing the pre-show makes games a very close approximation of real life games. Throw in old recordings of players actually doing interviews and vignettes during timeouts and it's now getting to a point of hyper realism.

    On the whole there are some faults with 2k18 but it is brilliant at what it is trying to do which is provide a realistic, enjoyable and customizable NBA experience. Objectively, without whining about micro transactions, this is a brilliant game and one of the best NBA games ever. It has room to improve without doubt but what is here is truly brilliant and engaging and kept me coming back time and again.    … Expand
  17. omair786
    Jun 12, 2018
    8
    A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL ASPECTS OF NBA 2K18

    Most would classify NBA 2K18 in the sports genre. This is a fair and the most logical classification as the titles primary genre. After some thought I would say 2K18 also has subgenres of strategy, action, and role play. I assert that while NBA 2K18 does not share all the qualities of a title that would primarily be considered as    A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL ASPECTS OF NBA 2K18

    Most would classify NBA 2K18 in the sports genre. This is a fair and the most logical classification as the titles primary genre. After some thought I would say 2K18 also has subgenres of strategy, action, and role play. I assert that while NBA 2K18 does not share all the qualities of a title that would primarily be considered as strategy, action, or RPG genre it shares enough of resemblance to make a case. For the sports genre this is directly related to the sport of basketball, as it is a video game adaptation of the National Basketball Association. 2K18 adheres to the same formal conventions and rules of basketball. Role play genre comes into play in the MyCareer mode where players create their own rookie, who is drafted to an NBA team. The player can control the rookie on and off the court aiding them in making relationships while maxing out their player rating. Strategy genre can be seen in the coaching capabilities of the game both offensive and defensive, essentially the same way as a coach would in the real game of basketball. The player can draw plays, make substitutions, call pick and rolls, timeouts and more. Although the conventional idea of shooting and fighting come to mind in the action genre, I would argue that it’s not a stretch to say that NBA 2K18 is also an action game. A great abundance of the game is physical one on one play, even in team competitions, that results in crossover moves, spins, jabs, post ups and of course dunks!

    Some may find it surprising that sports genres also have narratives. NBA 2K18 is no exception and actually has multiple kinds of narratives centered around the world of basketball. The modes are MyCareer, MyGM, MyCourt and MyLeague. MyCareer enables most basketball enthusiasts to play out their dreams of making it to the NBA. The narrative follows the gamer’s created rookie from a college basketball career to being drafted to play professionally until retirement. While this rookie journey has been consistent in previous titles, NBA 2K18 adds the story of a DJ who comes back to pursue his dreams of going pro. MyGM introduces NBA 2K’s first narrative based franchise experience, where you handle the team’s logistics and see the consequences of your decisions. MyCourt allows one to exert a great amount of agency with a more aesthetically customizable experience. The gamer can create their unique court and invite friends to play on it. MyLeague is a grander scale of MyGM mode. Here the player controls not just a team but a whole league, defining how many teams are in the league, their schedule, playoffs, among other factors. A down side across all these modes is that there is no real character development for the player character. While prominent players, coaches, and other personnel are recognizable and relatable, the player character is left feeling hollow.

    This particular titles delivers the most realistic gameplay graphics I have ever experienced. It truly blurs the line between watching a basketball game and playing it because of 2K Sports’ undying commitment to detail. The attention to detail in this rendition of the series is mind boggling. What makes this title’s graphical aesthetics so great that Forbes has called it the “the best-looking 2K ever?” The beads of sweat, the facial hair, body stature, player accessories, on and off the court movements, dribbling style, uniform fit and more have all been given careful thought.

    In my opinion the feel of the game was overcorrected in NBA 2K18. In the pursuit of fluidity the game became too loose when it comes to player control. Preceding titles had a level of firmness when moving the player and an intuitive basket shot. In this title the shot itself has become very gamified, causing the gamer to miss simple undefended buckets that the elite player could easily make. Ratings took a hit for various reasons as users complained about: connectivity issues when playing online, a different feel in gameplay especially when shooting, and the constant need to purchase to virtual currency to rate up their players and unlock legendary moves.

    Major cultural influences in the game come from the demographics that play it, slang, music and ofcourse shoes. Understanding the game’s demographic, the rookie creation feature of the game has enabled gamers to make the rookies look just like them with the face scan app, or choose from extremely diverse options to customize their rookie.

    Ultimately the NBA brand’s popularity and relevance is closely tied to the success and fame of its athletes. The audience comes for the sport of basketball but stays for their favorite players. The players in a way are the NBA’s product that sell out games and merchandise. NBA 2K18 is another avenue in which the popularity of the star players and love of basketball is used to sell and profit off of.    … Expand
  18. juniortiger
    Apr 7, 2023
    10
    I love feeling you in game haptic feedback control and graphic amazing and I recommend pick one up in store

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best PS4 Game of 2017
25
#25 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
32
#32 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 54 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 54
  3. Negative: 4 out of 54
  1. Riot Pixels
    Jan 28, 2018
    83
    Basketball fans, NBA 2K18 is your new best friend… until the next fall.
    Read full review
  2. Cubed3
    Nov 26, 2017
    60
    In no way is NBA 2K18 a bad game, but it's certainly not worth its current price-tag, as the few improvements it offers are simply not enough, and, secondly, its sub-par single-player portion relies too much on micro-transactions.
    Read full review
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 20, 2017
    80
    A beautiful, exciting representation of the sport. You'd be hard pushed to find a better, more accurate simulation of basketball on a modern console. [December 2017, p.82]
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