NBA 2K21

 PlayStation 4
User Score
0.9

Overwhelming dislike- based on 546 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 546
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 546
  3. Negative: 500 out of 546
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  1. Perpetualbored
    Sep 11, 2020
    6
    I haven't noticed as many issues with shooting As many others, but one huge gripe for me is the fact that 2k removed all cutscenes involving the player post draft. A lot of the beauty in 2k20 came from the immersion that gets built through the news conferences, interviews, and seeing your player interact with the team. Without them, your player is a robot, not an avatar, and all the workI haven't noticed as many issues with shooting As many others, but one huge gripe for me is the fact that 2k removed all cutscenes involving the player post draft. A lot of the beauty in 2k20 came from the immersion that gets built through the news conferences, interviews, and seeing your player interact with the team. Without them, your player is a robot, not an avatar, and all the work they put into the intro story will quickly be forgotten shortly after you join the league.… Expand
  2. KingNyx
    Sep 5, 2020
    7
    I think this game will be a little more worth to play on next gen, I am upset about MyCareer not being able to transfer over to next gen, but I guess that's how it is. Gaining VC fast isn't a problem if you like to play 5 minute quarter games and all. I would say that this is a down year, 2k20 may have been better than this. I'll still get this game maybe, but I would look forward to 2k22
  3. Landwriter
    Sep 6, 2020
    5
    It’s it a pretty good improvement from the last game don’t expect any major improvements but is still better than 2K20 but I can’t say it’s a good game necessarily it does have micro transactions and my team is still Basically a casino and the shooting is impossible but don’t be expected for a major game hopefully we will see that in 2K21 next Gen
  4. Frandawg
    Sep 7, 2020
    5
    The game definitely isn’t bad enough to get review bombed like it currently is, but it’s disappointing that a series that used to be absolutely teeming with innovation and pushing the boundaries of what made sports games great has become so stale. Unfortunately seems to suffer from this pre-nextgen syndrome where annual releases aren’t given a proper update. Everything is fine. Which isThe game definitely isn’t bad enough to get review bombed like it currently is, but it’s disappointing that a series that used to be absolutely teeming with innovation and pushing the boundaries of what made sports games great has become so stale. Unfortunately seems to suffer from this pre-nextgen syndrome where annual releases aren’t given a proper update. Everything is fine. Which is about as good as it gets really. Calling it nba 2k20 1.5 is probably a little off the mark, considering there haven’t been enough upgrades to warrant that Tagline...

    One issue I do have, however, is the inconsistency with shooting. It was pretty bad in 2k20 but has becomes even worse in this iteration. When you make shots vs when you don’t makes absolutely no sense. You miss sitters inside the rim when you’re timing is perfect and you’re barely covered, but make a 3 pointer on the fly when your timing is off and you’re far more covered. Makes the experience quite frustrating overall.    … Expand
  5. Jp3te
    Sep 6, 2020
    7
    People are overreacting about this game. It is not a blow you away game but make no mistake that this is a completely playable somewhat quality video game.
  6. nardokrazy
    Sep 5, 2020
    6
    It Very Good Game I do see the changes in gameplay I don't expect much from graphics but the gameplay is alot smoother than 20 l, shoot is high skill gap i was complaining alot but now messing with it even more i understand it and I will say gameplay has improved alot and I will enjoy this game for once this year snice 2k16, only way u give it a 10 is of they make the shot meter biggerIt Very Good Game I do see the changes in gameplay I don't expect much from graphics but the gameplay is alot smoother than 20 l, shoot is high skill gap i was complaining alot but now messing with it even more i understand it and I will say gameplay has improved alot and I will enjoy this game for once this year snice 2k16, only way u give it a 10 is of they make the shot meter bigger thats all I asked.… Expand
  7. Gongbanza
    Sep 7, 2020
    5
    Same thing as the last 5 entries, Mycareer is okay not as good as last year's, and the soundtrack is good.
  8. roundtablegamer
    Oct 13, 2020
    7
    Hello everyone and welcome back to another exciting review from ICE at Gamers of the Round Table. 2K is back at it with another year of NBA action, does this year edition make a slam dunk impression or does it just become another air ball flop? Lets find out.

    I want to talk about the development team for this generations version of the game, (PS4 & X box one). The developer only had    Hello everyone and welcome back to another exciting review from ICE at Gamers of the Round Table. 2K is back at it with another year of NBA action, does this year edition make a slam dunk impression or does it just become another air ball flop? Lets find out.

    I want to talk about the development team for this generations version of the game, (PS4 & X box one). The developer only had half a team working on that while for next gen they had Two or Three teams working on it.

    Game play: The overall game play remains the same as it did in NBA 2K20, it feels more like a patch than a new game with some minor differences. First thing that is new is the shot meter which I feel like is a downgrade compared to 2K19 and 2K20 shot meter; it feel more like an arcade version which is rather disappointing you do have the option of turning it off though. Not only is the shot meter disappointing but the shooting is not as good as it was in 2K19 and 2K20 what I mean by that is it does not feel as good as it did in previous instalments, the only thing 2K added was new shot animations and more pie charts for your my player build. The game play itself is solid though but unfortunately it’s the only thing that is solid on this generations version.

    Controls: The controls are the same with a few minor tweaks such as the aiming stick for the shooting, which is really annoying because we did not need that in the first place it can mess up the ball handling. I myself went in to the controls and made them classic by taking the aiming stick off and using the right stick for the handling. The classic controls are what work if something is not broken 2K please do not fix it.

    Modes: There are many modes in this years installation of the NBA2K franchise, my favourite to this day is still my career. In this years my career you start off in high school and make you way through college and in to the NBA which is something I have wanted for a long time in a career mode.

    My Team: This year really is no different when it comes to this mode accept you can transfer your team and the virtual currency over to the next generation.

    The Neighbourhood: The neighbourhood got a huge cosmetic overhaul but that is all it got, it still takes about 10 minutes to get an actual game going, mostly people just stand around and it is incredibly frustrating, but that is OK I still enjoy it when I do get a game.

    NBA 2k21 just feels like a patch from NBA 2K20 in some areas it is good some areas is bad, but it is still fun.

    NBA 2K21 7/10    … Expand
  9. Kingthunder94
    Sep 13, 2020
    6
    It’s an ok game. It’s all the same. The only thing I do not like is the park it’s all changed i have no idea where anything is. How can I find stuff in the park if it’s all changed
  10. Bloodnes
    Nov 4, 2021
    5
    Не являюсь фанатом этой игры, но есть опыт игры. В целом графика приятная, броски после фифы прям напрягают с этой шкалой, в целом только графа зацепила, на этом все 5/10
  11. Easy_mode123
    Jun 9, 2022
    7
    i dont understand why some people still play this game like 2k22 is way better.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Nov 15, 2020
    70
    It loses a point because of its Virtual Currency (VC) obsession, a recurringissue in 2K games. It’s supposed to ensure that all your actions in every mode – career, MyTeam, even watching 2KTV – secure rewards, but they’re often someagre that the entire game comes across as a grind, aimed at funnelling you towards the PS Store to part with real cash.Please don’t do that. The only way games like this and FIFA will change in the next gen is if their players make a sustainedeffort not to exchange any of their hard-earned dosh for digital trading cards. Otherwise this is solid, but on that front 2K (and EA, and the rest) must do better. [Issue#181, p.94]
  2. GamingBolt
    Oct 31, 2020
    60
    NBA 2K21 makes welcome improvements to its MyCareer and MyTeam modes, but the frustratingly inconsistent new shooting system and lack of changes elsewhere make it feel like it’s lost its step over other sports games.
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  3. Games.cz
    Oct 23, 2020
    70
    On the court, this is a brilliant basketball game that doesn’t change much. Why would it when it’s not really necessary? The microtransactions, however, are more annoying than Houston’s playstyle.
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