NBA 2K9 Review III

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Aside from the game’s overly complex nature, it really does have a lot going for it, as a couple of neat features promise to keep the entertainment coming for a long time. First up, Blacktop mode is back this year, which sort of serves as a collection of things to do for the less hardcore players. Players take to New York’s famed Rucker Park for 3-Point Shootouts and Dunk Contests, as well as quick pickup games and old-school bouts of 21.

Also, if you ever tire of trying to outwit the game’s very formidable AI, you can hop online and jump into a game of true 5-on-5 ball, with human players controlling each character on the court. These matchups can be a lot of fun, with players fighting to get open, work the ball and take the open shot against other, fallible players instead of the seemingly strategically perfect AI.

Finally, 2K9 is promising a very unique feature this year: “Living Rosters.” This new program will keep track of an amazing number of NBA stats, from rosters and trades to hot streaks and injuries. Even better, anyone who’s connected online will receive Living Roster updates automatically, so you’ll always feel as though you’re living through a real NBA season. If Tony Parker goes on a scoring tear or Steve Nash is sidelined with an injury, these changes will be reflected in your game. Since the NBA season hasn’t actually started yet, we’ve yet to see this system truly in action, but if it lives up to its billing, then we’re in for quite a dynamic game experience as the year rolls on.

The main thing to take away from NBA 2K9 is that this is a game designed and built for hardcore fans, and it’s not going to waste any time concerning itself with anyone who doesn’t “get it.” To be perfectly blunt, the game is very, very hard, and most decidedly not for everyone, especially if you aren’t an NBA superfan or a longtime franchise devotee. Those willing to put in the time and effort to learn the game are going to absolutely adore it, but anyone who is looking for a title that will allow you to easily jump into a game of basketball is going to be frustrated. The bottom line is that NBA 2K9 is a beautiful, deep, staggering game, but its high walls bar entry for all but the most fanatical fans.