NBA 2K17 is gorgeous: the light reflecting off the court, the player animations after a dunk or a 3-point swish, the way the crowd lights up after an important basket and the sweat falling from your point guard’s forehead completely sets it apart from everything that has come before. The meticulous nature of Visual Concept’s programmers makes the game a real joy to look at, providing an almost lifelike rendition of the entire NBA experience; players, stadiums and all. The career mode opens up after Freq's rookie year, when gamers have to deal with free agency, endorsements, their fandom and other issues pro athletes face. 

 

They have to face the media if they falter during a big game. They choose whether to hang out with teammates to build chemistry or help out a sponsor. The way Visual Concepts integrates all these elements makes "NBA 2K17" feel alive, and the best part is that this type of storytelling extends to other parts of the game, including the franchise mode. I'm excited about this year's NBA 2K's Special Edition," said Michael Jordan. "NBA 2K17 allows gamers young and old to not only experience and re-create some of my greatest moments on the basketball court but also customize their players with Jordan shoes and apparel. 

 

The NBA 2K17 Michael Jordan Special Edition will be available both digitally and in retail stores for $79.99 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. This marks the third NBA 2K cover appearance for Michael Jordan, and we have a feeling it won't be the last. It was previously reported that the NBA Summer League would be featured in "NBA 2K17" but it was unknown in what capacity. The only time that I found the look of the players a little off-putting was on the teams from NBA’s history. I was playing as the Chicago Bulls from the mid-nineties and certain faces look like they’d been stuck on with some kind of digital glue. When the players moved on the court, the faces didn’t move in unison.

 

Let’s get the biggest problem right out of the way. NBA Live 17 can’t compete with the likes of 2K17 because its core controls and mechanics aren’t polished enough. This isn’t about game modes, graphics or online play: this is a fundamental issue with the way players move and respond on the court. To be fair, it’s far from the worst you’ll ever play, but nailing these elements is an essential part of the experience — if dribbling, shooting and passing don’t feel right in one mode, they don’t feel right in any of the modes.

 

For all of the hype surrounding NBA 2K17‘s revamped MyCareer mode, it seems downright shocking that Visual Concepts would forget the most exciting part of its signature mode. Sure, the latest iteration of the number one basketball simulation in the world is still mechanically sound, loaded with features that will keep NBA fans busy for months and fun to play, but letting Spike Lee have such a large role may have been a mistake. While there is a level of intrigue that comes with playing a Spike Lee Joint as opposed to watching one, the best part of MyCareer came from the childlike wonder players experience when they live out their personal NBA dream.

 

When not on court, NBA 2K17 excels in different ways. The pre-match analysis is so realistic that it’s as if you’re watching ESPN on the TV. Shaquille O’ Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny “The Jet” Smith provide detailed information on player stats and opinions on the impending match-up, meaning every game is treated differently and each approach by the trio is often dissimilar from the last. Also, between quarters, you’ll have bite-sized interviews with some of the actual basketball stars themselves and cheerleader performances, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game.