NLSC Forum • How good is the game? (2024)

A lot of different opinions on 2K19, ranging from quick takes of "This is trash", or "Your game is broken" (Without explaining why), and several saying its the best 2K ever (Also without explaining why). So I am going to give my honest opinion, and explain why (In summary, but still an explanation)

When the new motion system was introduced for 2K18, it created player movement issues which did not exist on this gen, or the later games on last gen. Specifically, the players looking and feeling like they are skating/sliding, and at times even floating. it's apparent in any gameplay video you watch, and you can feel it when you play. Other movement issues include clunky change of direction, clunky acceleration (Or lack of in general), and speed/acceleration breaks. While 2K18 had the skating and the terrible blow by defense (and poor defense in general), the change of directions and speed/acceleration breaks did not happen as often. So while the player movement in NBA 2K18 is slightly better (On offense and just moving around the court), the game overall is not as good as 2K19. Here is why:

2K19 remedied the defense issue from 2K18. The dev team clearly heard the complaints about the blow by defense (From regular joes like me, all the way up to people in the 2K league and people like Chris Smoove) so they made the on ball defense sharper. Just eliminating the blow by exploit made 2K19 a better game. The graphics in 2K19 have also improved, with an improved HDR effect and better cutscenes. While the game has stunning closeups, it still suffers from low lighting, and a washed out look from the gameplay perspective. 2K19 suffers from the movement issues, but also animation issues when it comes to trying to pull up (Getting sucked in), or taking layups from far out unrealistically when that was not you the users intention. It has issues with ball mechanics as it relates to the backboard, and the body blocks/body steals legacy issues still exist, these have been in 2K games for quite some time.

With slider tweaks, you can help that sluggish feel you are talking about. I created an "improved Player Movement" slider set that I posted on here and on OS, and it was well received. By increasing player acceleration/speed with ball, and a few other tweaks, you can make the players move more like real life counterparts, instead of all the players feeling like they are stuck in mud. This also helps a bit with the speed/acceleration breaks. However, it does not help with the skating/sliding feeling and look, which is why I have basically dropped 2K19 (and partly why I didn't play 2K18 more), and have stuck with NBA 2K17 and prior. With slider tweaks, and if you can put up with the skating, NBA 2K19 isn't a bad basketball game.

I prefer NBA 2K17 because of the foot planting, because the players don't look like they are playing on an ice rink. The game also doesn't suffer from the speed/acceleration break issue, and while brick wall defense is a bother at times, I can stomach it because the overall feel of the game is better. I personally like 2K15 and 2K17's gameplay the best on this gen, and I'd say that NBA 2K13 is the best on last gen. The problem is: No current rosters exist for 2K15 or 2K17, and because those games were not as moddable as last gens games, people left those games pretty fast to move onto playing/modding the new ones. I am one of the few left playing NBA 2K17, and am one of the few who are interested in modding it.

For 2K19, you will find a lot of great mods, so again, if you can stomach the player movement issues, find a slider set you like, and can put up with the skating/sliding players, 2K19 would be the choice for you (Without question), as you are looking at using the current NBA rosters. otherwise, I'd recommend downloading the URB mod (Because its always being updated) and playing either 2K13 or 2K14 on PC. The new rosters are amazing, accurate, and fun.

Here are some gameplay videos from various games, these are all "Gameplay highlights" of games, so you don't have to sit through full games.

Here is a video Made with me using the Wizards with my improved movement sliders on NBA 2K19:

This was a fun game, so the game can be fun.

And another fun game I had against the Pacers on NBA 2K19:

Here is me playing NBA Live 19 as the Jazz. You are talking about 2K, but for now teams, NBA live 19 is a good option (If you have an X1 or PS4).

Here is me on 2K17 playing against my brother

Here is me as the 10-11 Mavericks against the 10-11 Heat on 2K17 (modded against the CPU)

Here is Live 16 with me as the Wolves (PS4)

Here is NBA 2K10 with me as the Wizards vs the CPU (02-03 mod)

Here is 2K11 with the 91-92 Roster (This is important, because Andrew and company are working on a 18-19 roster for 2K11 that you may want to dive into)

NBA 2K12 UBR game highlights.

Here is 2K13 URB for the PC:

NBA 2K14 for the PC game highlights of me vs the CPU

A lot of fun can be had with these games, and I wish that we had updated rosters for all of them. Unfortunately, that's not the case. NBA 2K19, Live 19, UBR/URB for 2K13/2K14, and possibly Andrews NBA 2K11 modded roster may be best for current rosters.