When designing a basketball game, the designers have to make sure that their product has the following aspects: Great game play, easy-to-use controls, a solid franchise mode, an enjoyable online mode, and many more features to make the buyer want to keep playing the game over and over again. NBA 2k8 has all these features, which is why is appeals so much to the mass market of consumers.
While NBA Live 08, 2k8’s main competitor, focuses on improved graphics and solid core gameplay, 2k8 takes a different route. Instead of focusing on all the players looking perfect, they made it so that the player models run smoother. This leads to very smooth-looking players while the game is in motion, but it is when the game stops that you notice the lack of high-quality graphics. The player models are rough and jagged, and the players’ body types often look nothing like those of their real-life counterparts. With that being said, an upgrade in the graphics department would be an added bonus for this game, but is not a necessity, as the other aspects of the game are so well-done.
As stated earlier, NBA 2k8 doesn’t need top quality graphics if the other parts of the game are top-notch. This is where the game play comes into play. It doesn’t matter if you are in Quick Play or in Franchise mode, the AI will be top quality, both for the players on your team and on the opposing team. No longer will you see the computer making dumb mistakes (unless, of course, it’s the Knicks) or have the players doing something on the court that they would never do in real life, such as Yao bringing the ball up like a point guard, or Chris Paul trying to post up on Shaq. You also won’t be able to get away with doing the same thing on offense over and over again, being guaranteed a score every time, as was the case in past basketball games. No, you will have to try and look for mismatches and open players if you want to score, which makes the game very realistic. Overall, I think that the game play of 2k8 is the selling point of this game, and also the selling point of the whole series.
The controls in 2k8 are easy to master, along with being fun to use. Taking a page from MLB 2k8, NBA 2k8 utilizes the right thumb stick to shoot. No longer do you press a button to shoot. Instead, you flick the thumb stick, and your timing determines how good the shot is. There are also a variety of shots that come with using the right stick. Flick it up to get a normal, balanced shot. Flick it down to get a “fadeaway” shot, and flicking it right or left will have your player jump right or left, respectively, when he shoots. This allows for the player to have much more control over the shot-style, which will appeal to many potential buyers.
There is really only one word to describe Franchise mode, titled The Association, in NBA 2k8: consistent. Year in and year out, The Association has been one of the best franchise modes in all of sports games. This year, they went ahead and added on to The Association. Trying to prevent people from having 10 perennial all-stars on their squad, which happened far too often in past versions, the designers decided to implement a morale system. You begin by giving a player a role to let them know how they will be of value to the team. The roles include Starter, Sixth Man, Role Player, Prospect, and Bench Warmer. Each role is then divided up into subcategories, which further determine how much playing time they can expect. For example, for the Starter role, you have 3 options: “Superstar”, “Guaranteed Starter”, and “Slip up and lose your starting position.” These roles truly make for a much more realistic experience, as you try to give playing time to more and more people, really bringing out the strategy portion of the game.
All-new to this year’s game is NBA Blacktop. Replacing the 24/7 mode, Blacktop provides a more arcade style of play to the game. In Blacktop, you have many, many style of mini-games you can do, from a 3pt shootout against reigning champ Jason Kapono, to games of one-on-one with King James. Ever wondered what would happen is Kobe and Shaq played against Allen Iverson and Yao in a two-on-two game? With NBA Blacktop, you can finally find out what would happen.
Given how far we have come in internet technology in recent years, online capabilities in a game are a must. NBA 2k8 truly delivers when it comes to online. While it doesn’t have the Team Play the Live does, it still offers a very enjoyable online experience that is, for the most part, lag free. However, NBA 2k8 has something nobody else does: NBA Blacktop online. Yes, you heard right, people. All of the 3 point shootouts, dunk contests, and pickup games are online, too. Ever want to really prove your skill? Challenge someone to a one-on-one game, where it is just you and him, battling it out. The developers of this game earn major kudos for the online in this game. Great job guys!
Overall, NBA 2k8 is the top basketball game on the market. There are quite a few issues with gamers being able to abuse the AI, and the gameplay doesn’t feel as fast as an NBA game should be at times. The controls are fun to use and easy to learn, and the Franchise mode is superb yet again. Adding on to that, the addition of NBA Blacktop was brilliant, and online is better than it ever has been for this game. While the graphics aren’t up to par, all the other aspects of the game make up for it, and continue this game’s title of Top Selling Basketball Game on the Market.
