Fall is an exciting season: the leaves are changing, corporate America is shoving pumpkin-flavored everything down our throats, and the smell of an upcoming NBA season is in the air - is there a better time of year? The colorful, apple-infested months of fall also bring another yearly basketball tradition: The yearly release of Visual Concepts and 2K’s latest NBA-licensed title, which has become a cultural cornerstone since its debut 15 years ago on the Sega Dream cast.

 

With NBA 2K17, Visual Concepts have delivered another impressive, slightly frustrating, occasionally head scratching entry in their series, continuing to embrace the ideals of player freedom - a philosophy it oddly contradicts in this year’s most advertised addition. They say content is key and defense wins championships. Well, 2K Sports got its scouting reports early this year and knew which direction to head going into training camp. Powered by a brand-new physics engine, silver screen narrative mode, and ultra-realistic graphics - 2K redefines its playbook and presentation to create the most surreal basketball game ever in NBA 2K17.

 

Now, players of NBA 2K17 have total control over what they’re simulated star does on ‘off-days’. Will you spend your days off hanging out with teammates or fans (for social improvements), putting in extra work on the court (for attribute gains) or working new endorsement deals to reel in extra cash. What’s more, opponents noticeably react to your gameplay during a match, which imbues a sense of intelligence to proceedings in that the game is actively trying to beat you by learning how you operate, rather than simply adopting a generic defensive approach. If only all sports sims were this smart.

 

MyGM is another popular game mode. In this mode, you incarnate the new general manager of a NBA team of your choice. In other words, it is the other side of basketball. You manage everything from signing contracts to food price in the stadium. You play games with your team and earn money game. This allows players to assume the role of a general manager. The progress saving is also included in the MyCareer mode, which was the best version from last year and continues the quality in 2K17.

 

The season mode emphasizes five on five gameplay with a side perspective and nice flow, while MyCareer mode offers a third person behind the back perspective focusing on your player. NBA 2K17 is the virtual equivalent of a player who can play all five positions on the court. The already strong gameplay receives a boost this year from a redesigned post game that lets you back down players with a press of the left trigger, a welcome return to days of old. Passing also received an overhaul, giving you three face buttons for lobs, bounce passes, and the traditional toss. Outside of MyCareer, it seems that a greater effort has seemingly been poured into providing a more robust online offering this year, following last year's comparative shambles.

 

NBA 2K17 is masterful at providing a re-creation of what we expect to see from a TV broadcast. Camera angles, commentary, crowd reaction, cheerleaders and all the extraneous lighting and imagery associated with the NBA is present and correct. Superlative presentation is flanked by improvements to gameplay, particularly to AI defensive adaptability. Using your knowledge of basketball tactics is the only consistent way of unlocking high percentage shooting opportunities.