Top Ten Features we'd LOVE to see in 2K (Part 1)

 

Our next feature is a three-part series based on some of the features we'd like to see 2K Implement into the series to enhance gameplay. While few can argue 2K's gameplay is first-rate and the best any sports title has EVER done, there are still places it could improve and give us an even better experience in 2012. Use the link below for the first part of our list.



10. Better Passing - We're still having an issue with our passers being clueless in regards to angles and the defense, passes being delayed and more importantly, still going to unintended targets and skipping "over" players involved in animations, hopefully its a priority to fix this all of these next year. This is a critical issue because the passes that go where we don't intend or right to the defender usually result in turnovers and can be beyond frustrating. Almost as frustrating as the amount of deflections by on-ball CPU defenders. The speed that they react to and deflect passes is unrealistic and hurts gameplay and specifically limits fast breaks too much. Fans of 2K have wanted more control over the passing system for some time and a revamped system could help. Every year, message boards are abuzz with suggestions about the ability to choose between lob passes, bullets and bounce passes. We're not sure how this would be implemented, but after seeing what 2K developers did with the post-game we're hopeful.

9. More Intuitive Shot Stick - While the shot-stick is one of the best features in all of gaming, it still has periods where it we don't have enough control. The infamous "2-foot jumpshot" still happens from time to time and there are times when we want to continue to the basket but instead we pull up. We think consistent shot-stick "rules" where pulling the shot-stick away from the basket ALWAYS results in a jumpshot and TOWARDS the basket always results in an animation where the player continues to the basket. Previously this could have been a disaster, but with the painted area and defense being displayed so well, you gain no advantage from bad shots just because you're closer to the basket.

8. Draw Foul Mechanic - Da_Czar touched on how lack of consequences hurting gameplay (with baseline drives being too effective) led to developers eliminating the force field preventing players from going out of bounds. This same school of thought needs to apply to the mentality players have where they want to block every shot--especially with non-shot blockers. Seeing Mike Bibby block shots in transition is about as realistic as seeing Shaq go 20/20 from the FT line. We'd like to see players below a threshold of 50 for blocks or steals whistled regularly when they attempt tactics outside of their skillset. The Challenge Shot animation was put into the game for a reason, non-shot blockers should be punished when they refuse to use it. Most importantly, we'd like to see the ability for offensive players to draw fouls by leaning the shot-stick INTO a defender who has fallen for a fake and left the ground to block a shot. While this certainly shouldn't allow players to cheese and exploit gameplay balance, it should do a good job of preventing non-shot blockers from violating the age-old sin most players learn in grade school. Don't Foul a Jump-Shooter.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Part 2.