For those still wondering, yes, seeing Shaq in a Cavaliers uniform is just as weird as we all thought it would be. It's also weird that NBA 2K10 can build upon what was in the game the past few years - excellent atmosphere, player animations and sense of excitement in almost every game - while introducing new wrinkles that keep it from being the great game it is so close to being.
NBA 2K10's headlining new feature this year is My Player mode. Creating the player you've always wanted to be includes more than just your physical stats of height and weight, but also your tatoos (come on, everybody's doing it) and your animations. Your career doesn't jump right into the NBA, either. You'll start in the summer league with everyone else who's trying to be noticed by a team. After that you'll move to the developmental league and then, finally, to the big time. The early going feels a little long, but after playing in front of so many empty seats in small venues, if nothing else it gives you the perspective to appreciate the garnd scale of NBA games once you get there. Throughout the mode, you'll earn points (or not) for your play. In order to avoid encouraging a bunch of ball hogs, you won't get points for scoring. In fact, many shots that most of us would consider standard and 'good' will actually cost you points - like launching up long threes at the buzzer or trying for a layup on a one-on-one fast break. But generally, your encouraged and rewarded for doing other things like assisting in double teams, holding your opponent to a certain number of points. The system attempts to get you to play the game as if it were real, with all the little nuances. Unfortunately, those nuances can be pretty subjective and that makes the scoring inconsistent. It's still an interesting way to play, but be prepared to be perplexed.
Outside of My Player mode, 2K10 will be very familiar. It's a fast game of basketball, with driving to the lane and dunking as the norm. Defenders will step in front of you, but the use of turbo and moves will almost always get you by them. Even if they don't, someone ends up open for a quick pass. Easy bunnies around the hoop still miss way too often, probably for the exact reason that it's so easy to get there in the first place.
Calling offensive plays still works, however, and the d-pad brings up your options if you want to run something other than the drive and dish. Against live people online, you'll have to do this a lot more often because they'll be the ones most prepared for the habits that get you around the cpu. Online is also where you'll find games of five on five with up to ten live players. You need ten good players to make it work, but when it works it's a blast.
Some choppiness in the action can be pretty frustrating. The game slows down here and there and on top of it ruining the fast paced nature of the game, it also can make some plays fizzle out because of timing issues. Even with those problems, the venues and the players in NBA 2K10 keep looking better and better. The courts and the crowds in them move naturally and, particularly in contrast to the scene in the summer leagues, contribute greatly to the high flying nature of 2K10.
This year continues the concept of Living Rosters, with ratings for players that change throughout the season based on real world stats. It was one of the best new ideas of last year, and that still holds true. For those who've ever had any fantasy sports team fall apart based on pre-season projections, it's a no-brainer.
The biggest difference between 2K9 and 2K10 is My Player mode. It's yet another new take on a single player version of the game, and it adds a layer to what is already an high-octane version of basketball. If next year's version doesn't spend any time on another mode and instead deals with framerate issues, it'll be a win-win for all of us.
