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. Games44un
    Sep 6, 2020
    8
    Don’t know what to think of the shot meter love or hate it is usually the response buts I think it’s great
  2. drizzydrodrew
    Sep 7, 2020
    8
    Okay, where to begin. First of all I am a massive fanboy of 2k and have been buying since the goat 2k11. I have noticed the substantial dip in quality and lack of updates from the 2k franchise for some time now. I remember the days when 2k11 2k12 and 2k13 were such fantastic values in terms of gameplay and overall content compared to other sports games at the time. Now it seems that inOkay, where to begin. First of all I am a massive fanboy of 2k and have been buying since the goat 2k11. I have noticed the substantial dip in quality and lack of updates from the 2k franchise for some time now. I remember the days when 2k11 2k12 and 2k13 were such fantastic values in terms of gameplay and overall content compared to other sports games at the time. Now it seems that in order to play a AAA sports game you have to deal with the now-greedy companies of EA and 2k. This is simply something one must come to terms with when buying each year's new edition.
    I personally have not purchased a 2k since 2k17, and I thought that 2017 did a phenomenal job with the dribble mechanics and the shot meter. I did get to play 2k20 for awhile with gamepass and had an enjoyable time on MyTeam. Yet would not have considered paying over 20$ for that game. I completely faded 2k18 and 2k19 as they just looked not fun to play when compared to 2k17 gameplay.

    This year, I didn't know what to expect but I was getting absurdly impatient and wanting to jump in to a new sports game. and after witnessing the **** show that EA released with Madden 21 it became apparent that it was 2k or bust. I decided to preorder the game in hopes of developing a dope MyTeam over the next few months. My expectations were tempered but I did at least want to enjoy the gameplay and be able to grind towards my favorite players.

    I have had the game for 3 days now, and I can say that I am mostly pleased with the entire package of the game. There still is quite a lot of content and ways to play the game. Anyone here is likely not new 2k so you know exactly what to expect in terms of gamemodes.

    Let's talk about what is causing such a division in reviews from this community. THE SHOOTING.
    Yes it is definitely true that the dribbling and shooting mechanics have been tampered with. I feel like in the long run these will feel normal and potentially even preferred. I know that I had a few rage moments during my first few hours of play, seeing as the dribble moves and shooting combos take time to master and do not feel intuitive. The shooting is much much much less forgiving and it will take practicing your favorite players releases and figuring out their hot spots as you will have to run picture perfect plays to get them open looks from outside or set enough picks to blow by the defender for a layup. Layups and shooting in the paint is overpowered while outside shooting takes immense skill and patience. Get it?

    Yes the skill gap has gotten a substantialy steeper and yes the CPU players play like Monstars from Space Jam, but I truly believe that overtime a lot of these issues will get smoothed out and players will adjust to the new mechanics and whatever gamestyle that 2k seems to want to reward. I am not sure why 2k would want to punish the casual gamer, but this game is built for serious hoopers and experienced 2kers. Which honestly is fine with me, I love technical and skill driven games.

    All I know is that I can take the good with the bad seeing as its so early in the release, and I can say that I have had a ton of fun with the new MyCareer story and always love MyTeam. I actually enjoy the challenge of shooting and it really allows people with legit basketball IQ to thrive. When you do dominate it feels earned and its something to savor when you go on a shooting streak. This may not be popular opinion but I am fine with struggling upfront to learn new mechanics if it makes the gameplay more balanced and enjoyable in the long run.    … Expand
  3. GirlGoneGamer
    Sep 7, 2020
    8
    I’m giving this game a solid 8, I don’t care what the madden fanboys have to say about this game. They are too stupid to realize their football game is trash; and wanna review bomb this game. The only issues I have with this game is the shot meter and the stamina drain. Other than that the game is fun and is a little better than what 2k20 was and improved on something’s
  4. Vdaboss69
    Sep 5, 2020
    8
    I think this is a big step forward from 2k20 which was awful. They improved passing not pass targeting though. The neighborhood/beach has a nice revamped design. Myteam has the new game mode which is pretty cool and feels nice and has a new good look and feel. Sadly myleague is pretty much the same but at this point that's expected. The Mycareer story is ok but better then last year andI think this is a big step forward from 2k20 which was awful. They improved passing not pass targeting though. The neighborhood/beach has a nice revamped design. Myteam has the new game mode which is pretty cool and feels nice and has a new good look and feel. Sadly myleague is pretty much the same but at this point that's expected. The Mycareer story is ok but better then last year and it's cool to play in high school and college again. I'm very excited for next gen 2k21 and so far really like the way this game is heading and is 100× better then 2k20… Expand
  5. Wedemboys
    Sep 6, 2020
    9
    This game is an upgrade from NBA 2K20, the gameplay has been upgraded and they have finally found a way to make the skill gap bigger with at what rate do the shots go in and so you need to have excellent release if you want to make jump shots consistently. The new comers to the game have been helped with this already when they changed the odds of making it bigger for rookie to all starThis game is an upgrade from NBA 2K20, the gameplay has been upgraded and they have finally found a way to make the skill gap bigger with at what rate do the shots go in and so you need to have excellent release if you want to make jump shots consistently. The new comers to the game have been helped with this already when they changed the odds of making it bigger for rookie to all star difficulties. MyTeam has many new features and although many people say it's pay to win you really cannot get that great of a team by spending that what you can get with grinding. Only thing that's not good about this game is the lack of improvements to the MyLeague and MyGM. MyCareer is good because you can finally play at college and high school. The neighborhood also looks good but they could have done more with how open space there is.… Expand
  6. MinePlay512
    Sep 5, 2020
    8
    What disappointed me the most is that there is no Create a Legend Mode and the lack of improvements for MyLeague and MyGM. I also am not happy that you can't even transfer MyCareer. But overall, NBA2K21 is a solid game that will bring in fun for Basketball Fans.
  7. Serdar_captain
    Sep 16, 2020
    9
    The most realist basketball game ever. I’ve been playing 2K series since 2K06 which makes 15 years and I agree that this game ain’t easy. If you are struggling with new pro stick aiming function on shooting, go on a setup and do not use this function.
  8. Julio987
    Feb 11, 2021
    10
    me gusta mucho mejor que el del año pasado bravo 2k eres li mejor haciendo juegps no entiendo las criticas
  9. Mahoni87
    Nov 20, 2020
    10
    Best nba games of all time super interesting execute you will buy this gams
  10. julic
    Sep 15, 2022
    10
    el videojuego mas realista en basquet que exite de esta compañia llamada 2k

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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