NBA 2K16 provides entertaining game modes, incredible gameplay

There’s something about beating a friend in a game of NBA 2K that feels like you actually just won the NBA championship. With this yearly installment, the game has been taken to a whole new level.

NBA 2K16 came out on Sept. 25, 2015, with not a lot of information about the game. A few things were sure for NBA 2K fans: Spike Lee was involved somehow, famous producers DJ Premier, DJ Khaled, and DJ Mustard would make the soundtrack, and the game was going to let players customize the NBA in ways never thought of before.

Each different game mode has many pros and cons. Mostly pros, though.

MyCareer (9.5/10)

Many players consider MyCareer their favorite mode in the NBA 2K series, for good reason. This mode puts YOU in the spotlight, under the lights playing with and against your favorite NBA players. After I created a guy that looked very similar to how I do in real life, with accurate facial features, I was thrown into a Spike Lee movie! While this is groundbreaking for the series, it could have been better.

Along my story, which consisted of playing a few high school games as the top ranked player in the country, making my college decision, playing in college, entering the NBA Draft, and playing in the league, I only got to make one decision. I chose to go to the University of Michigan over schools like Louisville, Kansas, and UCLA.

The characters in the story are developed. After each of the eight games you get to play in your rookie season, a cut scene plays, ranging in length from five to fifteen minutes. These show you what is going in your family life, your social life, and your organization.

When you get to your second NBA season, it seems as if all of these people disappear. It’s strictly NBA life, where you can play games, go to practice, connect with NBA superstars, and engage in lucrative endorsement deals.

After watching the entire movie, I was very impressed. I actually felt like I was the kid from Harlem with loving parents, a friend who uses my fame for his own benefit, an owner who needed me to get my life together, a money-crazed psychopathic agent, and a dream of playing in the NBA. Good job, Spike Lee.

MyTeam (6.5/10)

A common topic of discussion for NBA fans is “What if this player was on a team with that player?” In MyTeam, you can answer that question. But, to get the best players in the NBA on your team, you either have to play the game for a long time or spend real life money on the game. Not appealing.

For the people willing to spend the time and money, you can really build your dream team, decked out with current and historic NBA superstars. For those not willing to spend, you might be stuck with some of the lesser-known players in the league for a while.

You can take your team online and play against other people across the world in a few ways. There is a traditional NBA game, and there is a new mode called the Gauntlet, in which you can take one of your players and two random ones online in a three on three street basketball setting.

For the average teen who might not play every day, this game mode isn’t appealing. For the NBA 2K junkies, go right ahead.

Franchise Modes (9.5/10)

Often when a team is doing poorly in real life, many fans say, “Oh, if I was the coach, or general manager, I could win our team a championship!” In the two franchise modes (MyLeague and MyGM) you can build your team however you like.

In MyGM, you create your GM and take over whatever NBA team you prefer. But, there’s a catch: you have to make everyone in the organization happy, from the owner to the fans. This mode is good for the NBA fan who truly believes that he or she can win their team a championship.

The heart and soul of the franchise modes in this year’s game is MyLeague. Want to see how the 2004 Pistons would play in today’s game? Do it. Want to move the OKC Thunder back to Seattle? Go right ahead. Don’t like a certain NBA player? Remove him from existence. You can create your own version of the NBA, however you like it. This mode is perfect for the NBA dreamer. Go do what you want to do, man. It’s your world.

Online Modes (8/10)

This year’s 2K game lets you play however you want with whoever you want. Take your player online in the MyPark and Pro-AM modes. Play games against random opponents, or bring your MyLeague online. There simply isn’t enough time in the world to play it all.

A new addition to this year’s game is Pro-AM. This mode lets you create your own set of uniforms and arena, invite some friends, and take on others. This is true online experience, and nothing else in the game comes close. Beating a team with your best buds feels just as rewarding as it does in real life.

Presentation (10/10)

I was playing the game in my living room and my mom came in the room. She asked who the Pistons were playing tonight, as if it was a real game. That’s how impressive the game looks. With pre-game and post-game shows hosted by the cast of NBA on TNT, the game looks and feels like the real thing. No sports game has come as close as NBA 2K16 to real life.

The game’s soundtrack is the best it has ever been, with recognizable songs many NBA fans know. The developers finally realized that hip hop music and the NBA are connected, and they didn’t overload the game with annoying songs like years past.

Gameplay (10/10)

Wow. Just wow. The game in its previous editions has been plagued by unstoppable moves, shots that always go in, and glitches. This year’s gameplay is a masterpiece. It plays better than any sports game ever created.

In my game, Stephen Curry of the Warriors was at the free throw line. As he shot the ball, I saw something sticking out of his mouth. I paused the game and went into replay mode, and I was astonished. He was playing with his mouthguard, just like he does in real life. After this, I knew. This is the best sports game that’s ever been created. They can’t out do themselves. Yet.

Overall (87/100)

If you like basketball in the slightest bit, pick up this game. If you’ve ever shot a basketball in gym class, buy this game. You will not be disappointed.

This review was done with the PlayStation 4 copy of the game.