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2K Sports’ second Xbox 360 entry improves on its predecessor’s biggest drawback: a lackluster presentation. The game still doesn’t look quite as good as NBA Live 07, but NBA 2K7 offers a more realistic game of basketball than its next-generation rival.
NBA 2K7 has an insane number of gameplay modes. You’ll find quick play, season, association, tournaments, 24/7 and a full-fledged online mode. The game has a new, hip menu system although it makes finding certain things cumbersome and stands in stark contrast to the intuitive menu system in NBA Live 07. Association is the game’s equivalent of a dynasty mode. In this mode, you’ll have to perform manager duties such as setting up practices, hiring coaches, scouting players, drafting them, observing team chemistry, and make sure your team is winning games.
The game includes an involved side mode called 24/7—the game’s street mode. The game lets you create crazier characters, pull off slicker moves on the street courts, and play the life of an up and coming street baller. Aside from the story mode, you can also play 21, one-on-one, and half-court games in a number of street locales. Although it isn’t quite as in-depth as say, NBA Street, 24/7 is impressive considering it’s just part of the NBA 2K7 package.
In terms of gameplay, NBA 2K7 plays similarly to previous games. You can use the right analog stick to pull off more complicated (and allegedly) more precise shots and you still pull off jukes, spins, and crossovers by using the right trigger and the left analog stick. The artificial intelligence in the game isn’t perfect, but the AI does play a mean game of defense which manages to keep overall scores at the end of games low. One thing that the developers could improve on is the game’s free throw system. It’s very hard to shoot a free throw even if you time the shots just right.
NBA 2K7 includes great Xbox Live support. The game includes online leagues, exhibition mode, tournaments and even one-on-one. Technically, the game performs very well online with minimal lag.
As I mentioned above, the biggest change in NBA 2K7 is in the game’s presentation. The game’s character models have been improved from last year’s with a less obnoxious sweating system and more detailed faces and bodies. The game’s animation system has been dramatically improved with several hundred player-specific animations being added. Aside from the player-specific animations, the rest of the game plays very well. In terms of animation, NBA 2K7 is the closest a game has been to capturing the feel and spirit of a real NBA game. The game’s arenas are well modeled and most look incredibly authentic. Despite the improvement—last year’s game did look like a slightly sharper Xbox game—NBA Live 07 is still the best looking Xbox 360 basketball title.
The audio is considerably less impressive. The soundtrack is largely comprised of hip-hop tracks, which is in line with previous games. The sound effects are still top-notch, though quite similar to previous games. The voice acting from the oncourt players is pretty good and helps breathe life into the game. The ocmmanteary is once again provided by Kenny Smith and Kevin Harlan who do a pretty job good of calling the game—though it grows repetitive after just a few games. They get some help from Craig Sager who comments on the game at the beginning of each half.
NBA 2K7 delivers the most authentic NBA simulation which is great for gamers looking for that. It’s a fuller experience than NBA Live 07 is, although gamers looking for a faster-paced and flashier game of basketball will want to stick with EA’s offering.
-- Jose Liz & -- Adam Nunez, PGNx Media
---- Oct 23, 2006
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