NBA 2K14 might be the only major basketball game available this year, but 2K Sports hasn't dropped the ball in the absence of competition. They have gotten complacent, though; NBA2K14's graphical improvements and upgraded defensive AI will satisfy fans content with 2K's strategy of releasing yearly sports games with incremental improvements and roster updates, but those looking for 2K to make radical changes to their basketball game should probably look elsewhere.
Improved presentation
Presentation is the name of the game in NBA 2K14. The game doesn't surpass the graphical limitations of the aging Xbox 360, but it does sell the feeling of a participating in a professional basketball game exceptionally well.
The game has been reworked from the beginning to provide for that ultimate experience, opening with a pre-game show and graphics that are personalized to the game at hand. This emphasis on statistics carries over into the gameplay as well, as the announcers provide real-time stats and specific commentary on the state of the game at hand. It's a solid improvement, as color commentary is something that the series has struggled with; announcers in previous games often spouted general basketball nonsense instead of something specific to the situation.
This time around, if you do something really cool—like drive down the middle lane before throwing down a massive dunk—the game will call you out and make you feel good about it. The announcers will talk up the play while a black and white replay starts, with only the player in color. As he jumps, a graph will appear that highlights his vertical achievement. The whole thing is an unnecessary but welcome addition that really helps to sell the feeling of being part of a professional basketball game.
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