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. GhostBigfoot
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    It absolutely disgusts me to be a basketball fan when 2k exists. This game is the equivalent to vomit, piss, and **** in a dumpster that's on fire. NBA 2k21 is the worst basketball game ever created with almost no changes from NBA 2k18 to here besides a stupid meter change. Just because you change the meter doesn't mean it's good Ronnie! The fact that your cover athlete, Damian LillardIt absolutely disgusts me to be a basketball fan when 2k exists. This game is the equivalent to vomit, piss, and **** in a dumpster that's on fire. NBA 2k21 is the worst basketball game ever created with almost no changes from NBA 2k18 to here besides a stupid meter change. Just because you change the meter doesn't mean it's good Ronnie! The fact that your cover athlete, Damian Lillard said your game is trash is saying something about your product 2k. MyCareer has a trash story again and all they did was give birth to a 2k18 x 2k19 plus some palm trees, it's the same boring land of **** again. MyTeam is the same greedy garbage again with nothing changing, your builds are the exact same from 2k20, same gameplay but you can't make a shot. This why I encourage people to not spend their money on this trash, please encourage yourself and others not to spend money on this pissful company who are so greedy releasing the same copy and paste garbage every year. The game keeps crashing like the ****ty product it is. Don't buy this garbage for your sake and others, 0/10. … Expand
  2. KingAnt292
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    This game is copy and paste of previous 2k games. They added ridiculous shooting mechanics. Which I don’t really care about. What I do care about is the micro transactions. I am tired of spending VC to have fun in a sport video game. This is honestly criminal and it is considered gambling. I am also am tired of my career player being capped as a ROLE PLAYER. I used to love my careerThis game is copy and paste of previous 2k games. They added ridiculous shooting mechanics. Which I don’t really care about. What I do care about is the micro transactions. I am tired of spending VC to have fun in a sport video game. This is honestly criminal and it is considered gambling. I am also am tired of my career player being capped as a ROLE PLAYER. I used to love my career because I had fun playing like a superstar. So, what if everybody is a 99 everything. Don’t you understand that although everyone is a 99 it neutralizes things. Now its about who can play team ball better, team defense, shoot better, and last IQ. Stop capping me.

    Take me back to the days of 2k14, 2k15 and last good 2k16. After that 2k has gotten worse and worse over the years. I’m honestly disappointed in the 2k community. All the 2k community cares about is themselves. Their views, even when the game got this bad they seem to pretend like its the best thing ever. For those of you wondering if you should buy 2k21. Don’t. My league and my gm is the exact same. My career and my team is micro transactions heavy. They literally just changed a little appearance and call it 2k21. We as a whole need to put pressure on that. How do we do that? Don’t buy the game. I understand thats the only basketball game we got. A suggestion is just stick with the current 2k you have. We have the power were the ones making them rich and so rich to the point that their cocky. They don’t care, so why should we care to buy it? So, quite frankly how can we blame 2k if the people we support are not pressuring them or using their voice to change the game.    … Expand
  3. Jurkyn
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    Adding ads after the game launch is insulting and unnaceptable. 2K is truly pathetic.
  4. StubbornStanley
    Sep 12, 2020
    0
    Looks the same as last year. MyTeam is a joke. AI can score at will. Defenders react like they’re caught in a tar pit. They do this to simulate reaction time, but it’s so overdone that it completely takes away from any semblance of simulation defense. The same holds true for MyCareer. Your player cannot properly cut to keep up with opponents. Franchise is better than games likeLooks the same as last year. MyTeam is a joke. AI can score at will. Defenders react like they’re caught in a tar pit. They do this to simulate reaction time, but it’s so overdone that it completely takes away from any semblance of simulation defense. The same holds true for MyCareer. Your player cannot properly cut to keep up with opponents. Franchise is better than games like Madden, but just like Madden it is being neglected for the modes that you guys keep spending money on. Spend $60 for a game then dump another $60 into MyPlayer stats or packs on MyTeam. Overall a frustrating game that is absolutely not worth a purchase. I’m dumb enough to to buy this crap every year. Don’t make the same mistake.… Expand
  5. rLhgT66a8VTGU
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    I don't even understand how it's possible to release such kind of buggy **** 2K released 95% the same game as it was (cope of 2k20), but they've gone above and made it even worse. Bravo 2K, it's amazing piece of ****.

    Shot creator with mid-range rating 90+ can't make a shot in 2 meters from the basket without green release. In 99% situations when you make a good release it won't go to    I don't even understand how it's possible to release such kind of buggy **** 2K released 95% the same game as it was (cope of 2k20), but they've gone above and made it even worse. Bravo 2K, it's amazing piece of ****.

    Shot creator with mid-range rating 90+ can't make a shot in 2 meters from the basket without green release. In 99% situations when you make a good release it won't go to the basket. How come a park game can have 50+ missed shots, it's ridiculous. The worst version I ever played. Some of my friends are done and removed this ****    … Expand
  6. 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.
  7. Hahahahha
    Oct 20, 2020
    0
    Imagine buying an anticipated and new NBA game only for it to be an the empty shell of 2k20 but filled with UNSKIPPABLE ADS. I prefer chewing nails than to ever buy anything from 2K again.

    Enjoy my review :)
  8. djandredantas
    Sep 11, 2020
    0
    This is an update DLC, not a new game. Don't spend your money buying this, mercenary company, nothing has evolved in the game. It's the same as the NBA 2k20.
  9. wikgh3li4trg
    Oct 20, 2020
    0
    -Ingame ads added a month after release
    -Microtransactions to a point where it's literally a virtual casino
    -Copy pasted content
    -60$
  10. PollitoRubio22
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    NBA 2k21 is the definition of disappointing. The only reason they manage to keep making the same game every year is because they have no competition. Its the same gameplay but they made it worst. DONT BUY
  11. GoneBaldr
    Oct 23, 2020
    1
    When I bought the game, I was aware of the microtransactions. But since I'll be playing MyCareer only I proceeded with the purchase (and being back to console game after 5 years). After being greeted by a massive 20GB update in your first boot, the game auto-quits when internet connection is interrupted for even less than a minute. So, if you're in the 4th quarter of a game, the game willWhen I bought the game, I was aware of the microtransactions. But since I'll be playing MyCareer only I proceeded with the purchase (and being back to console game after 5 years). After being greeted by a massive 20GB update in your first boot, the game auto-quits when internet connection is interrupted for even less than a minute. So, if you're in the 4th quarter of a game, the game will auto-quit, none of your previous gameplay in the first 3 quarters will be saved. All the other complaints about online gameplay favouring people with money to spare, intrusive ads, and the constant auto-quitting, I now understand how this game has overwhelmingly negative reviews. Never buying another 2K game again.… Expand
  12. Dizzle_Dogg97
    Sep 15, 2020
    0
    Probably one of the worst NBA 2K games that I have ever played. It is just a reskin of NBA 2K20 except with extremely buggy gameplay and one of the worst shooting mechanics of all time. As a casual player, it is frustrating to play this game as the grind to getting to a decent overall rating is ridiculous. Even on an 85 rating, the buggy gameplay has me doing weird stuff like taking 4Probably one of the worst NBA 2K games that I have ever played. It is just a reskin of NBA 2K20 except with extremely buggy gameplay and one of the worst shooting mechanics of all time. As a casual player, it is frustrating to play this game as the grind to getting to a decent overall rating is ridiculous. Even on an 85 rating, the buggy gameplay has me doing weird stuff like taking 4 seconds to pivot or having a long delay before I shoot or rebound. The player ratings are also terrible. Untried rookies have a higher 3 point rating than Damian Lillard. Enes Kanter is somehow a defensive God, and on the other hand I'm destroying legit defenders like Paul Millsap, Dwight Howard and Giannis Antetokumpou. The devs are clearly focussing on Microtransactions over performance with MyTeam now being the poster game mode for 2K. Even the cover athlete (Damian Lillard) is trashing the shooting mechanics. Dump MyTeam, change the neighbourhood up instead of a beach re-skin and fix the broken gameplay. I can't possibly see NBA 2K getting any worse than this. Microtransactions have claimed the soul of another franchise.… Expand
  13. 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
  14. Jiovoni09
    Sep 11, 2020
    0
    I got NBA 2k20 for free on the Playstation store and thought it was decent. It had been a couple of years since I played NBA 2K and it was good enough to make me want to buy 2k21. Now that I've played the newest iteration, I can say that it's just terrible. 2K should feel embarrassed with the product they put out. They should be even more ashamed for using Kobe to get more money. My theoryI got NBA 2k20 for free on the Playstation store and thought it was decent. It had been a couple of years since I played NBA 2K and it was good enough to make me want to buy 2k21. Now that I've played the newest iteration, I can say that it's just terrible. 2K should feel embarrassed with the product they put out. They should be even more ashamed for using Kobe to get more money. My theory is that they intentionally made this game bad to force people to buy the "improved" next-gen version. It just reeks of greed.

    First off, let's address the elephant in the room. The shooting. I don't care what any Youtuber or "Get Good" bro says, the shooting is broken. I have tried about 30 different jumpshots so far, and cannot get consistent green with any of them. This wouldn't be a problem if you didn't HAVE to have green to make the basket. But if you don't get green (especially in The Neighborhood) you will most likely miss the shot. Why is this bad? It's bad because it ruins any chance of playing sim basketball. Instead, every game devolves into dunks and layups. Even in MyTeam (2K's cash cow), once you get to the higher tiers, the games are just a dunk/layup contest. The shooting has made this game almost unplayable. And it's definitely not fun.

    Prelude- This one is just a personal preference. I think the prelude was way too long. Too many pointless high school games and too many college games. I ended up skipping most of the cutscenes because they seemed to just drag on. I was four hours into the game and still wasn't at the draft yet. Speaking of the draft, I hate how they let you pick your team. Players can't do that in real life, so why here. I did a workout with the Thunder and ended up getting drafted by them with the 2nd pick. Funny thing is, they also had the 1st pick and drafted Cobb. (How the hell would they have the first and second picks? That was outrageous). I remember in 2k(10?) you did the pre-draft combine stuff and went up against top draft picks like John Wall and Evan Turner to get your draft grade. If you did good, a random team would draft you. If not, you were headed to the D-League. What ever happened to that?

    MyCareer- This mode is relatively the same. Same layout, same assistant coach that speaks for the head coach (They didn't even change his look from last year), etc. But then there were things 2K left out. There's not more Inside the NBA with Shaq, Kenny, Earnie, and Chuck. No more press conferences after the game. When you negotiate an endorsement, all of that is done via text rather than you going into the office. They were just too lazy to add stuff that was already in the game last year. Again, using 2k10 for reference, I remember when you played a nationally televised game or a game against a superstar at your position it was called a "key game" and you would earn bonus XP. That always made me want to play better during those games. I'm not sure why they removed that.

    Overall, this is just a lazy cash grab. If you haven't already purchased this but want to, I'd say wait until the next-gen version comes out. No sense in wasting your time building a MyPlayer only for you to have to start over again. This game and Madden are examples of why competition is good. Whenever a company has a monopoly, the consumers are the ones that suffer the most.    … Expand
  15. Didrik
    Oct 26, 2020
    0
    The game have ads , in game ads . Its not a free game its AAA Game that you pay 70 dollars for and have ads . Maybe in the future you can pay more to remove the ads ? Let me now
  16. Lesser_Critic
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    I'm not really surprised that NBA 2k21 isn't doing well. This is 2K Games we're talking about. If this is what their future games are shaping up to be for the next-gen consoles, then they're gonna have it rough. Especially since they're trying to change the prices of games for the upcoming future, and that's before I mention the micro-transactions and loot boxes that they put in the game.I'm not really surprised that NBA 2k21 isn't doing well. This is 2K Games we're talking about. If this is what their future games are shaping up to be for the next-gen consoles, then they're gonna have it rough. Especially since they're trying to change the prices of games for the upcoming future, and that's before I mention the micro-transactions and loot boxes that they put in the game. Please, Please, PLEASE don't buy NBA 2k21, your wallet will thank you for it. Seriously.… Expand
  17. Luminer
    Oct 21, 2020
    0
    if i want to see ads i will watch TV . This company make fun of their coustomers
  18. PLEASEDCRAB
    Oct 21, 2020
    0
    Why we are obligate to watch adds when we already pay for the game? This is pure trash we need to avoid this type of games they can destroy the game industry with this ideas of making mor money
  19. 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
  20. Johnguerrero
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    In-game ads in a $60 game. A month after launch? Wow.. What a trash company. Basically copy and paste from last year. I'm so done with EA and it's scummy tactics!
  21. DropDeadShotty
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    Ronnie, bro, stop giving people the same game every year. Time for the community to speak up about how much of a fraud you are my man. Take that zero for giving us a copy-paste game.
  22. Jayk12TTW
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    Same game since 2k18, absolutely no changes for the best, the only thing that changes smh is how much worse it becomes year by year. Good job Ronnie, suck a big D.
  23. devonbarton
    Oct 28, 2020
    0
    This game gets worse every **** year I can't even play my team without dudes cheesing the ai defense bc the ai guard like Trae young and pass like javale McGee never have I had a game that makes my nerves shot as much as this if nba live could make a better game that'd be the way to go
  24. 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
  25. ForRealIsReal
    Sep 12, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Park: Recycled animations, just changed sliders. The people who plan to win can only score using pure shooters or pure finishers. If you're in between you're most likely struggling. Even pure shooters recommend buying shooting boost. But my first build is a perimeter lock and just saying he's not good for shooting or defense he constantly gets shot over and layed on by playmaking shotcreators, last time I checked they can only shoot and dribble. But the only thing I could think a perimeter lock is for is steals or reaching which is pretty dumb because I wanna play ACTUAL DEFENSE! There's also one more thing I've noticed there's only one pie chart that lets you dribble and shoot constantly which is the shooting and dribbling pie chart. The closest one is pure playmaker with high ballhandle but mediocre shooting of 75. I do respect the dribble heads even though this year the bad people only look better because they make a playshot, do one dribble, use screen, then shoot off dribble and boom they have a higher win percentage than anyone that's not using a playshot even though they never actually learned how dribble to get open, and it definitely doesn't help when the center drops you with a screen that you literally slowly walked into not run into.… Expand
  26. Zzz71
    Sep 14, 2020
    0
    bottom of the mariana trench bottom of the mariana trench bottom of the mariana trench
  27. Nickdeaze
    Sep 14, 2020
    0
    Its a trap, with many dangerous pratics and it is much expensive, its the worst game of 2k
  28. Nworingo
    Sep 19, 2020
    0
    Feels more like an update not a new game, wish I would’ve waited for it to go on some kind of sale but bought into the hype....
  29. 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.
  30. 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!
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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.
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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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