NBA 2K25 continues Visual Concepts’ long-standing tradition of delivering high-quality basketball simulations, this time touting their new ProPLAY technology, which aims to elevate the game’s realism. For fans of the franchise, it’s a visually stunning and mechanically refined experience, though some familiar issues persist beneath the surface. Is it worth the upgrade? We played the PS5 version to find out.
The standout feature of NBA 2K25 is undoubtedly the ProPLAY system, which translates actual NBA footage into in-game mechanics. This makes player movements feel more authentic, with improved animations that contribute to a smoother and more dynamic flow on the court – as well as more realism for fans of the sport’s top players. There’s an impressive attention to detail in how each athlete’s signature style is captured, although ProPLAY can also make some of the animations feel almost too fluid (or automated) at times, bordering on a lack of responsiveness in critical moments, particularly during close-quarters defense.
MyCAREER, a fan-favorite mode, remains a compelling highlight, as players play through their journey from rookie to legend. This year, the narrative offers a solid progression with opportunities to engage in streetball challenges and push toward NBA superstardom, but the overall structure feels a bit too familiar. The City, the expansive social hub, returns with a host of new venues and activities, but it can feel overwhelming at times. The various side quests and non-basketball activities, while adding depth, sometimes detract from the central on-court gameplay experience. In addition, the over-reliance on microtransactions in modes like MyCAREER and MyTEAM continues to be an awkward element, creating an imbalance for players who prefer not to spend extra money after paying full price for the game.
The MyTEAM mode remains strong though, and NBA 2K25 introduces some fresh wrinkles with weekly King of the Court events, which encourage competitive play. Collecting and building an all-time roster continues to be rewarding, though the mode still suffers from the fact that progress can feel slow unless additional currency is purchased. On the positive side, the inclusion of challenges and dynamic objectives ensures that MyTEAM feels continually engaging, with plenty of rewards to aim for across the season.
Visually, NBA 2K25 is stunning, with player models, arenas, and lighting effects all contributing to an atmosphere that mirrors the energy of a live NBA broadcast. The level of detail, from sweat glistening on players to the crowds reacting to on-court action, adds to the overall immersion. However, the game does have its occasional performance hiccups, with framerate drops during particularly chaotic moments. In terms of audio, the commentary team delivers as always, with dynamic, insightful remarks that keep up with the action, though the repetition of lines over time becomes noticeable.
For players interested in the WNBA, The W mode continues to offer an engaging way to experience the women’s game, complete with a well-crafted career progression system. However, like other modes, it would benefit from more narrative depth to distinguish it from its male counterpart. Additionally, while The W has seen incremental improvements, it still lacks the level of attention that MyCAREER receives, making it feel like a secondary offering rather than a fully fleshed-out mode.
Overall, NBA 2K25 delivers a visually impressive and mechanically sound basketball experience, bolstered by the new ProPLAY technology. However, the game’s reliance on microtransactions, coupled with some recycled content in its modes, prevents it from being a perfect slam dunk. Longtime fans will appreciate the continued refinement, but those hoping for significant innovation might (once again) find this year’s edition more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Score: 7.9/10
Press Play Media 