NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 | PS4 Review
Do you long for the days of arcade style basketball games like NBA Jam as much as I do? If so, then the second instalment of the Playground franchise will certainly wet your whistle. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 a decent enough game, but falls short on repeated playability once your nostalgia meter is full. It’s more than suitable when you’re looking for a non-simulator arcade-style approach to the game of basketball.
Luck of the Draw
The exhibition mode isn’t the centerpiece of the game but still seems to be the primary focus. You can alter game locations from around the globe as well as the in game basketball itself and game rules. These rules include a game clock, shot clock, and the game’s “lottery picks”. This consists of a meter style system which fills as skill and ability points accumulate. These points lead to bonuses or the unfortunate dire consequence like a “cursed” shooting hand or iced bucket. These can be entertaining enough, but the randomness can certainly get old after a while.
This is especially true in “season mode”, where you can’t alter any game options like you can in exhibition. Here you to take one team through a 14-game regular season and playoff bracket, assuming your squad makes it that far. Winning the championship allows you to unlock team players that were previously gated. You can earn “baller bucks” through continued gameplay or purchase “golden bucks” with real life currency. The former are used for purchasing packs of player cards and always give you a few golden bucks as well. Golden can be used for things like player swag and clothing. Everything is optional, and no real money has to be used to complete the game.
Unlocks and Other Barriers
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is decent enough, but it’s as badly entertaining as it is entertainingly bad. Most players begin with mediocre statistics that must be unlocked and increased through subtle tasks in both exhibition and season play. Even the game’s best shooters have difficulty with wide open shots. A meter gauging the statistical likelihood of a made shot takes your eyes off the game far too often. This sacrifices your concentration on the shot over a possible offensive rebound. Super dunks are too often missed as you need near-perfect percentages to lead your team to success. Add this to a “cursed hand” or your opponent randomly gaining unlimited speed for 30 seconds, and you’ve got a game that’s about to quickly lose control for you. Defense is key to victory with well timed blocks and steals, but a depleted turbo meter can ruin those chances in a hurry.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 Final Verdict
There’s also a three point shootout mode, but honestly it’s lackluster at best. Most of this game is anticlimactic. Whether it’s a shoot out or the end of a quick season and playoff run that can’t be continued, only started over fresh with more unlocked players that require grinding for their locked stats. If you can look past the uninspiring game backgrounds, one-sided commentary, and players that look like bad caricatures, it’s a decent enough change of pace. If you’re looking for some quick, high flying action and stupendous dunks in a pickup game atmosphere, there’s fun to be had. I can’t tell you what it’s got, but what the game certainly lacks is heart.
This review is based on a PS4 copy provided by Sandbox Strategies for coverage purposes. The game is also available on PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch for $29.99.
NBA Playgrounds 2
$29.99
Pros
- Nostalgia Factor
- Fun Arcade Action
Cons
- Intrusive Barriers
- Annoying Random Attributes
- Player Stats Over Skill
- Grinding Required
