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. Gulzar
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ctrl C then ctrl V still ends up being worse than the previous one which was copy of previous. Noice.… Expand
  2. GODSPEED7
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    ADS IN A GAME YOU PAID FULL PRICE, SNEAKED-IN A MONTH LATER.

    2K IS BLACKLISTED AND I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GAME OF THEM!
  3. MaxCred
    Oct 19, 2020
    2
    The game has some redeeming qualities in the presentation and graphics. Gameplay is cartoonish garbage. Nothing makes sense. Shot meter is impossible, Butt steals are still regular, people can still reach and intercept the ball with their back faced towards the ball, centers can chase down point guards, court is too small. Just garbage.
  4. DisapointedAus
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    NBA really hitting low points now.
    Introducing unskippable ads a month after release is the worst thing. I believe they did this to trick initial reviewers, but that doesn't work when the initial reviews are crap.

    damn, they really need to rethink their marketing strategies.
  5. Yunior1
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    There is nothing to say the game is disapointing. Same as the last and the one before. There are unskipable in game ads, and its a slot michine. I will never buy another game from 2k until this **** stops they dont realize that the players are the most important with out us they are nothing. **** 2k
  6. Gaven
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    NBA 2k21 is a $60 game riddled with microtransactions and now has unskippable ads. This cant become normalized
  7. acos2
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    Adding unskippable ads one month after the game’s release. What a scummy move.
  8. SammyDelicious
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    And we all thought EA Sports had no respect for their fanbase? This game is like a competition for who can create the most contrived piece of crap. EA held the title for decades but 2K21 just SET THE BAR.

    Your best bet is to mail EA a cheque for $90 and just skip playing 2K21 this year
  9. Hater357
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    I bought a game for a lot of money, there are microtransactions in it and you **** are snickering and shove advertising?
    Yes, I will never buy any game from this series again, I despise you and wish you bankruptcy)
  10. sheporgan1
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    Don't really need to say why every other review here pretty much convays why it sucks. Also sneaking in in-game advertising a month after launch makes this a pretty bad dumpster fire
  11. Joiren
    Oct 18, 2020
    0
    You pay $ 65 to watch ads. Very bad, you can't do that. The game is absolutely secondary.
  12. ecank
    Oct 18, 2020
    0
    This is just an exact copy of NBA2k20. I can't believe I spent €60 for this update package.
  13. mikemilley23
    Oct 17, 2020
    0
    Terrrrrrible game!!! 2k HAS BEEN falling off bad. The shot meter the movement and not changing anything on 2k. They gave people the same game for 5 years in a row im not buying no more . Big let down to a former huge 2k fan
  14. SiegeManic290
    Oct 16, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game meter is what makes it horrible it can be timed perfectly but counted as a miss. The MyGM mode copy and pasted,Myleague Copy and Pasted,and the park as a whole basically the same with a dull sunny background. This game is horrible and is tied as the worst 2k ever (NBA2K18) by the general community.… Expand
  15. Crismaix
    Oct 15, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Similar to 2k20 but for 70€ gg, nothing new important, better ignore that tipe of games… Expand
  16. thesilverback36
    Oct 14, 2020
    2
    Easily the worst basketball video game I've ever played! How do you make a basketball game that the casual player can't make an easy mid range shot? It seems the product managers at 2k outsmarted themselves and made a great game for the loud minority of 2k League players.

    As for the casual players, like myself, I can't believe I'm writing this, but can't wait for NBA Live next gen!
  17. 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
  18. Jonaslivebella
    Oct 12, 2020
    0
    The Absolute Worst NBA2K ever.. 100% don't recommend!!!
    Career mode lack of cutscenes!
    MY TEAM no fun , disgusting gameplay !
    letting this **** game going back to 2k16
  19. ToXTeR
    Oct 11, 2020
    0
    Microtransaction, copypast. Microtransaction, copypast. Microtransaction, copypast.
  20. 6ix_
    Oct 11, 2020
    0
    The game is literally the exact same game as last year (maybe even before last.) The shooting is awful, the online play is filled with cheese. There has been literally no improvements made, in fact the only thing I can see is new faults. As a long time fan of the 2k series (been playing seriously from 2k9) this is the most disappointed this series has ever made me. At $60, 2k should beThe game is literally the exact same game as last year (maybe even before last.) The shooting is awful, the online play is filled with cheese. There has been literally no improvements made, in fact the only thing I can see is new faults. As a long time fan of the 2k series (been playing seriously from 2k9) this is the most disappointed this series has ever made me. At $60, 2k should be ashamed of themselves for releasing an inferior version of last year's copy at fully price. The only sliver of hope would be next gen improving but at a $70 price tag, I may skip the jump to next gen because I am mortified with 2k at the moment… Expand
  21. Egis511
    Oct 9, 2020
    0
    I wanted to write why "0", but it is just too depressing. Nothing in this game is done right. 2k21 is like a patch that broke the game to the point it is unplayable without a hope it will be fixed later. I hope ps5 version will be better, but who am I kidding - it's 2k....
  22. Rushrush
    Oct 7, 2020
    0
    If I could give this game a negative score I would! Easily one of if not the worst nba 2k games I have played. This game is a literal copy and paste of 2k20 and they somehow made it worse. For shooting is inconsistent even if you know your release. I’ve seen releases from not only myself, but other players be released right on the line to only get slightly early/late and miss a wide openIf I could give this game a negative score I would! Easily one of if not the worst nba 2k games I have played. This game is a literal copy and paste of 2k20 and they somehow made it worse. For shooting is inconsistent even if you know your release. I’ve seen releases from not only myself, but other players be released right on the line to only get slightly early/late and miss a wide open jumpers. The defense in this game is also horrible. You can make a lockdown defender with maxed out defensive badges and your assignment will slide off of you as if you bathed in grease before the game. Lateral quickness regardless of rating doesn’t matter, you’ll feel as if you’re playing in molasses. If you plan on buying this game I suggest you keep on playing 2k20. This was the first game I have ever requested a refund for from Sony.… Expand
  23. Vanbooment
    Sep 30, 2020
    1
    Would get a 0 but it is better then madden 21 so there is that. The micro transactions in these game are on the predatory side and would second guess getting this for any children cause how aggressively game pushes to spend real money beyond its initial purchase.
  24. Sordonez96
    Sep 29, 2020
    0
    I Have played every 2K from 2K9 on and the lack of effort they put in this year is just amazing. If you are someone who plays MyLeague/MyGm or even my career DO NOT buy this game. Sports games have done little other than roster updates for years but since the NBA season isnt over 2k decided to make the games functionally unplayable. The solution they chose was to pretend there is no FreeI Have played every 2K from 2K9 on and the lack of effort they put in this year is just amazing. If you are someone who plays MyLeague/MyGm or even my career DO NOT buy this game. Sports games have done little other than roster updates for years but since the NBA season isnt over 2k decided to make the games functionally unplayable. The solution they chose was to pretend there is no Free agency or Rookies for 2020 which makes the game 100% unrealistic and ruins every future season since FA is messed up because they skipped a year.

    The biggest issue I have is that they LITTERALY already had a solution for this as 2k lets you start your league in the past offseason if you chose to but for some reason it is NOT AVAILABLE even though is in the game and its more useful now than ever. Since they put in 0 work to adjust for the NBA being thrown off schedule they should've just waited to release when the next season was about to start. I beg you all please do NOT buy this game.    … Expand
  25. TvTrey5
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is not a must buy and is a complete waste of your money I urge you not to do what I did and buy this dog turd excuse of a game. 2k will never get better and it gets worse every year this game makes NBA 2k20 look like a **** masterpiece and generational video game. THIS WHOLE GAME IS A CATFISH!!!!… Expand
  26. billister
    Sep 27, 2020
    0
    If I could rate with -10, I would have done it. Every shot in neighborhood is out, even if you have a good release. Piece of junk. Stupid algorithm.
  27. aaron4
    Sep 25, 2020
    0
    I’m sorry but is literally the worst 2k I’ve played. The animations are so bad and the build system isn’t any better. Please make adjustments to next gen ps5 2k21 I payed 108$ to and I literally deleted the app off of my console.
  28. pierretg
    Sep 24, 2020
    1
    Shooting is impossible. Worst NBA 2k in years. Haven’t had a green in about 50 myteam offline games, even a free throw.
  29. Ken85
    Sep 23, 2020
    0
    Feels like a game made for ps3. Really bad graphics. EA nba games was way smoother then this ever can be. 2K games is stuck in the early 2000..
  30. Osmosis_34
    Sep 23, 2020
    1
    So disappointing that they took away all good things from nba 2k20 and they added new/illogical things into the new game. I don’t have post game interview in mycareer mode for god sake. I’m not sure how many people plays mygm mode but i like to play that and its all the same since 2019!!! Even the text on chit chat section with my players are the same! I don’t want to see the conversationSo disappointing that they took away all good things from nba 2k20 and they added new/illogical things into the new game. I don’t have post game interview in mycareer mode for god sake. I’m not sure how many people plays mygm mode but i like to play that and its all the same since 2019!!! Even the text on chit chat section with my players are the same! I don’t want to see the conversation about burgers in the vending machine anymore! I simply wish it was true but no, that’s not the way when you introduce a brand new game for the next year’s title. Additionally about shot meter, normally I’m playing with button when i shoot the ball just because of the new shot logic i had to change difficulty one level lower so i can shoot something when there is no one around me! I’m catching that small bar in the almost middle area and I can’t make the shoot. I have nothing but all the annoying things about this game. Wish I didn’t buy it right after it launched.… Expand
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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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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