NBA 2K6 Beta Impressions

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 2:41 pm

This is the hardest sports game I have ever played, in terms of controls and skill of the cpu. I also have Live for the pc, which I am enjoying as much as 2K6.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 4:13 pm

Theo wrote:This is the hardest sports game I have ever played, in terms of controls and skill of the cpu. I also have Live for the pc, which I am enjoying as much as 2K6.

Yeah, pretty much. It's just insanely hard to get everything mastered...it's going to take weeks I imagine. I played way too much Live last year so I'm definitely programmed for the right stick jukes...not shooting. I'm actually kind of hoping the Live 06 is better than 2k6 when I get to give it a try tonight...that way I don't have to relearn everything.

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 4:42 pm

I might be in the minority, but I think Live 06 is a very good game this year. 2K6 is definitely more of a sim than Live, but it's not as "fun". Also, I think that Live does a brilliant job calling a realistic amount of fouls, better than 2K6 imo. If you want a game that has simple controls, yet has a sim/arcade influence, Live will fit the bill.

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:19 pm

I'm certainly not the right person to ask as my bias isn't too well hidden, but Live confuses me this year.....

I thought they were moving clearly in the right direction last year and was interested/scared

) to play their title this year but the latest iteration baffles me this year.

The rebounding is terrible, the players look like bobbleheads, the presentation is weak, and the special player type stuff is overpowering...I can't tell if the game wants to be sim or arcade....Kind of odd. No title is perfect but unlike most, I consider this to be one of the weaker years for Live.

I'm sure with slider adjustments and heavy player editing a lot of stuff can be made better, but there are some fundamentals flaws in this year's version that nothing can fix along with a couple of questionable design choices....I'm guessing there was a battle that went down to the wire trying to straddle the line between sim and arcade and for me it feels like that never got resolved. Perhaps they were holding back on old gen and concentrating on 360 version....

All sports titles are just interpretations of the sport so I don't mind when they lean more arcade or more sim...It's just that live goes both ways and doesn't satisfy either to me. Very weird game this year.

scottdracula · Post by **scottdracula** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 2:46 am

Yeeeeeeah, I have to agree with you about live, it hasn't been the most satisfying experience this year. I've now played it a few times over at my sister's house (it's her husband's game- she hates sports) and so far, I'm not too impressed. As the last poster said, too arcadey to be sim, too sim to be arcady (if that makes any sense). It may grow on me the more i play it, but right now I'm not too thrilled with it.

nba 2k6 on the other hand i'm very much planning to pick up, possibly as soon as this weekend. I haven't played it yet, but I've read the reviews and seen the screenshots and so far it looks great. 2k5 was such a good experience for me and 2k6 looks like more of the same, so i'd say plunking down my hard earned $$$ for a copy is a no brainer.

TheHiddenTrack · Post by **TheHiddenTrack** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 3:09 am

I actually like alot of the aspects of 2k5 better than 2k6...however, 2k5 is practically unplayable for a few obvious reasons.

I wish they could've done a better job of combining the good and the bad, but they did a damn good job so I'll stop complaining.

The flow of the game is great and you have a strange feeling while you play when you start to get the controls down....it all just goes so naturally....I do have the opinion though that it's getting too hyped up and it's a little too hard to stop people from scoring if they have a decent grasp of the controls.

If you don't have a shot blocking 7-footer you're screwed it seems.

TrojanMan · Post by **TrojanMan** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:17 pm

This game blends a lot of the good of the 2K series and ID. I like the fact that the guys off the ball actually screen for each other, cut to the basket, etc., trying to create offensive opportunities as they're supposed to occur in basketball. I don't like games where the ability to string together a series of And-1 moves is the key to success. Iso-motion is still a bit of a puzzle. But, I feel like it's something I will master in time. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the number of playable camera angles (I prefer the 2K cam). Overall, I agree with all the positive buzz. But, how in hell do you save a season? I've false started 2.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:20 pm

When you're at the calendar, press right on the right stick, it'll bring up another menu.

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:46 pm

A few more observations. In the games that I have played, there aren't enough fouls called. I play 9 min. quarters and there are roughly 10-15 called a game, with foul sliders max. There are WAY to many missed shots. I play using the Rockets and Yao Ming routinely misses 4-5 shots a game near/under the basket. The cpu is simply god like. Im playing on the Pro difficulty and I just saw Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter make numerous unbelievable shots. I will keep playing this game because it offers the most realistic gameplay with outstanding animations etc. But it isn't as realistic as some are saying.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 6:48 pm

No, you probably just suck. You are playing on PRO afterall.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 7:23 pm

The more I play this, the more I'm falling in love with the game and ISO 3 in general. I'm really starting to get the controls and my game is starting to show improvement because of it.

A game that I wasn't even planning on picking up is quickly turning into one of my favorite non-football sports games in a very long time.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 7:29 pm

Theo wrote:A few more observations. In the games that I have played, there aren't enough fouls called. I play 9 min. quarters and there are roughly 10-15 called a game, with foul sliders max.

I'm playing on All-Star (9 min quarters) and have the shooting, off the ball, and blocking sliders about 3/4 and I get plenty of fouls. In the last game I played (SAC vs. Denver) both teams shot over 20 foul shots. I'm also seeing a lot of call variety...sometimes I'll see a lot, sometimes a little, plenty of opportunities in the bonus, players have fouled out, plenty of calls in the second half, etc.

I don't think the CPU is cheating, but damn are they good. I *love* the challenge from a gaming standpoint, but I'm either going to have to get much better, drop to Pro, or do something with the sliders before I start a franchise or I will win about 10% of my games. It's fun as hell, but takes the type of concentration and patience I may not have anymore

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 7:35 pm

I agree Leebo. I may not have the patience it takes either. I am definitely not giving up on it though.

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 8:58 pm

Theo wrote:I agree Leebo. I may not have the patience it takes either. I am definitely not giving up on it though.

I was feeling like you guys until today. I am playing on superstar and have been getting blown out. I finally said to hell with it and started a franchise today with the Mavs. I beat Phoenix in my first game! Next game, I'm playing Utah and I let them hang around the whole game. They finally went up by 5. I regained the lead and was up like 7 with under two minutes. I ended up losing when I mismanaged the clock and Kiralinko (sp) drilled the game winner with about 4 hands in his face.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 2:50 am

After reading all of these positive impressions it took all the willpower I have to not buy this game this week. I wasn't planning on going anywhere this weekend and I went to the System of a Down concert last night. Smooth sailing through the weekend without the temptation of picking up the game, right? Wrong. My brother, the prick, picked it up yesterday and brought it by after the concert. Needless to say I picked it up today.

A game that I wasn't planning on getting with the 360 on the horizon has turned into a great game. How can IGN possibly call this a roster update? This game is so much different (and better) than 2k5 it's not even funny. I love everything they've done this year. The cpu offense is actually moving around.

The controls are extremely expanded and that's a good thing. It took awhile to adjust to the expanded controls in NHL 2k2 on the DC but after doing so I haven't looked back since. I hope they continue on with this control scheme into the next generation because I fully intend on learning all the ins and outs.

The only thing I'd like to see is an increase in fouls. I haven't really messed with the sliders yet so I'll have to dive into those.

TheHiddenTrack · Post by **TheHiddenTrack** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 9:05 pm

I think the different ways you can pass the ball is my favorite aspect of the game. Using the shot stick around the basket is also right up there.

There needs to be more defensive options, intercepting the ball is inconsistent....and the without the defensive crouch, stopping an elite player is almost impossible....with a double team you have a chance.

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:13 am

TheHiddenTrack wrote:I think the different ways you can pass the ball is my favorite aspect of the game. Using the shot stick around the basket is also right up there.

There needs to be more defensive options, intercepting the ball is inconsistent....and the without the defensive crouch, stopping an elite player is almost impossible....with a double team you have a chance.

I disagree with the last statement. If you guard the star player close and time your jump perfectly to challenge the shot, they will miss more often than they will knock one down in your face.

geehep · Post by **geehep** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:03 am

2k6 is really taking me for a ride in terms of difficulty. it's owning me. but i like that. i don't want to feel like it's giving me a break. so far it's plenty of me cussing at the tv but then realizing i'm exjoying myself and i take the cusses back. i may suck at the game so far, but that's fine by me. hopefully i'll get better.

TheHiddenTrack · Post by **TheHiddenTrack** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:53 am

SoMisss2000 wrote:
TheHiddenTrack wrote:I think the different ways you can pass the ball is my favorite aspect of the game. Using the shot stick around the basket is also right up there.

There needs to be more defensive options, intercepting the ball is inconsistent....and the without the defensive crouch, stopping an elite player is almost impossible....with a double team you have a chance.
I disagree with the last statement. If you guard the star player close and time your jump perfectly to challenge the shot, they will miss more often than they will knock one down in your face.

I've been playing mostly on-line, and it's a little different guarding a user controlled Dwayne Wade. The defensive crouch should be in the game...the left trigger isn't even used....It's really almost impossible to hold a top guy in check without a double team.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:32 am

How many players in the NBA can guard Dwayne Wade, Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, etc. one-on-one and keep them in check? I watch the Sixers a lot and he is constantly double and triple teamed.

scottdracula · Post by **scottdracula** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 2:00 am

I have to admit I'm lovin' the shot stick. Nice addition to this years game, i must say.

Basiclly right now 2k6 is my new master, i've been playing it nonstop since Saturda morning (not including going to work, which believe me I would always prefer not too)

The movement of the players for one thing impresses the hell out of me. 2k6 eradicates all my constant bitching about how bball sims never get the movement right, etc. this time around its just sooo damn good. the only real downside to this game is that i know i won't be able to leave my apartment until i master it. but what a pleasant diversion...

PadresFan104 · Post by **PadresFan104** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:51 pm

This game has done a number on me as well. I don't follow pro basketball at all, and I've been to maybe 2 games my entire life. The only time I watch a game on TV is during the playoffs. Only soccer is lower on my interest meter. The only reason I bought the game was because of all the positive things being said about it here and on OS.

That being said, I'm finding NBA2K6 to be one of the best sports games I've played in a long time. Playing on Pro, I beat the Nuggets with the Lakers handily, so I tried taking the Clippers up against the Suns. I was down by 15 at halftime, with Nash hitting everything he shot. I was about to shut the game off for the night, but decided to play it out.

I switched to a man defense, concentrated on guarding Nash closely with Cassell, let the CPU take care of the rest of the defense, and starting driving to the hoop with Maggette. I ended up winning 61-60 (5 min quarters) by shutting Nash down, and by getting the ball to Maggette every chance I could get.

I understand the basic defenses, but still have no idea what most of the offensive plays are. (I need to go into the playbook I guess). Nevertheless, I'm still having fun.

Al

Alan_Bernardo · Post by **Alan_Bernardo** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 12:53 pm

Theo wrote:A few more observations. In the games that I have played, there aren't enough fouls called. I play 9 min. quarters and there are roughly 10-15 called a game, with foul sliders max.

I don't see this, but you'll need to have more than one game under your belt to see if there are more fouls. With the sliders untouched, I'll admit there needs to be more fouls called. But when I bumped the sliders up somewhat, the fouls came. They came so often that I had to tone things down a bit.

There are WAY to many missed shots. I play using the Rockets and Yao Ming routinely misses 4-5 shots a game near/under the basket. The cpu is simply god like. Im playing on the Pro difficulty and I just saw Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter make numerous unbelievable shots. I will keep playing this game because it offers the most realistic gameplay with outstanding animations etc. But it isn't as realistic as some are saying.

There are too many missed shots, I'll agree. But again, try messing with the sliders. You can can decrease the percentage for short shots and increase the accuracy. I doubt that you want a lot of short shots that are made constantly.

I have one simple question, however. I'd like to practice the plays I plan on using in a game. Is this possible-- just like in a game but without an opposition? Practice mode itself is pretty odd and I just don't get the value of it.

Thanks,

Alanb

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:07 am

About a month since the last post for NBA 2K. Is anyone still playing this game?

Over the haul, does it play a good game of b-ball?

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:44 am

Minor quibbles aside, it is a great basketball game, up there with any other b-ball game I've ever played.

However, I think people are kind of anxiously awaiting to see what the 360 version is all about. I think that may be why you don't hear many excitedly talking about the currnet version much anymore.