NBA 2K7 (gamezone)

- gamezone -

Over the past few years, simulation basketball games have taken a backseat to NBA Street and NBA Ballers. The slick style, faster gameplay, and superior mechanics have pushed the arcade series several notches above the rest.

Trying to keep up, NBA 07 and NBA Live 07 moved away from their simulation roots in search of entertainment. The results weren't all that memorable, but could prove to be a good starting point for future iterations.

As disappointing as that may be, those who have managed to snag a PS3 (and don't have aspirations of selling it on eBay) can count on one basketball game to fulfill the dream of equal parts realism and entertainment: NBA 2K7.

Nearly everything about it is next-gen. Baller mechanics have the players flowing together like instruments in a symphony. The transition from player to player, whether a steal or successful pass, is seamless on all spectrums. Physically the ball sails with instant feedback. Not force-feedback – you won't get that from a SIXAXIS – but gameplay feedback as you go for the next move.

Visually the ball is grabbed by the player with unique animations and individual subtleties every time. Analyze the game closely enough and you're bound to pick out repeated animations. But in an average game with average player performance, you're going to see an immense amount of graphical depth. The animations are more than just fluid. They're more than lifelike – a word that, once you see what the artists at 2K Sports have come up with, will seem irrelevant in its previous uses.

Motion Free Throws

Here it is gamers – the moment of truth. Does NBA 2K7 use the SIXAXIS's motion controls, and if so, do they rock?

The answers are "yes" and "well..."

On the other consoles, including Xbox 360, free throws were triggered with the analog stick. You push down to get the player into position, then quickly push up just as his elbows start to bend. It's a timing game that isn't that hard to learn.

PlayStation 3 exchanges the analog stick in this area for motion control. Instead of pushing up and down, you hold the controller flat as normal. Quickly tilt the controller toward yourself (no need to flail the game pad, just tilt it). When the player's elbows are bent, tilt the controller forward back into its original position. The ball is shot, dives toward the net and swoosh – nothing but net.

It's awesome that 2K has gone the extra mile and added SIXAXIS functionality when most wouldn't bother. But the results aren't innovation, nor are they a test of what the controller can do. It's just a different way of implementing the same mechanic.

NBA a la Mode

NBA 2K7's mode selection is on par with the competition. Answering the call of NBA 07's The Life, NBA 2K7 has 24/7: NEXT.

You control a no-name baller without any street-cred. A free throw game with Shaq changes your luck, giving you the opportunity to play in a game against a couple of thugs. Keep playing, score as required, and you'll crawl your way to the top.

Comparatively, 24/7: NEXT has the better gameplay and the better graphics. But the Life Vol. 2 features better voice acting, better characters, faster load times, and a deeper, more meaningful story. NBA 2K7 has a lot of polygons to load, but the wait is rather extreme. You'll have to withstand several seconds of loading before and after every scenario, even if it's a non-interactive story segment.

Whether you want a game or a movie – that choice is yours. As it stands now, neither mode (24/7: NEXT or The Life Vol. 2) is an all-around winner.

The Association is NBA 2K7's main game, covering every aspect of EA's Dynasty modes but with exclusive features and superior presentation. When the game boots up, it takes you to a quick game lineup of two teams whose logos are projected on the sides of two skyscrapers.

Players will be able to control several different aspects within The Association, including team chemistry, trades, three team trades, team personnel, rosters, contracts, the hiring of scouts and trainers, a glance at the prospect list, access to free agents, and so on. The events calendar looks good with bright colors, team logos, and big text that's easy to read. Simulate games you're not in the mood to play. Set up specific training routines, and adjust the player lineup, and nearly anything else could think of.

What You Crave

NBA 2K7's unrivaled physics and mechanics are emphasized by new next-gen visuals. The star players – Shaq, Billups, Parker, Wallace, etc. – are impeccably realistic. Shaq is the cover athlete and is featured in the 24/7: NEXT mode, so you can count on players to examine every poly of his character model. The detail in his face –- his eyes and his expression -- are what the next generation is made of. His muscles, and the shape of body are very close to the real thing.

That's during a player close-up. When the game is on, and the camera is a positioned for TV-style coverage, you could glance at NBA 2K7 and swear it's the real thing. The audience's brief and less predictable movements cannot be dissected from far away. Also, the textures, lighting and shadows – they blow the last gen out of the water.

There is one flaw you'll have to contend with – not all characters are given equal realistic detail. I can understand this coming from the 24/7: NEXT mode, where new characters are created for the purpose of this game. But when one of the pros lacks facial detail, or has something else about him that's a little off, it takes a little away from everything else the graphics have achieved.

Review Scoring Details for NBA 2K7

Gameplay: 8.5
The best in next-gen b-ball is also the best basketball game of the year. I’ve played ‘em all, and none of them can compare to 2K7’s controls, physics, or mechanics. The SIXAXIS debut won’t be remembered two years from now, but its inclusion shows how dedicated the developers are to making use of every technology available – even when time is limited.

Graphics: 9.2
Shaq is back and there’s no mistaking it. Seriously – you won’t mistake him for another player. The detail applied to his character model is out of this world. And he’s not the only pro to benefit from 2K’s efforts – there’s a lot of beauty to go around this court. You won’t soon forget the first time you see this game in action.

Sound: 6.0
Above-average voice acting is offset by a below-average soundtrack. All rap, no variety.

Difficulty: Medium
NBA 2K7’s shot mechanism is wholly visual – that is, you watch the players’ animations to figure out when you should release the button (which causes the player to release the ball). It’s the easiest system to learn, and is vastly superior to those with shot meter.

Concept: 8.0
A much more polished game for you to sink your thumbs into. NBA 2K7 is one of the few PS3 and Xbox 360 games that looks and plays like a next-gen game should.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Just as addictive as the single-player gameplay. Jam with six others offline, and nine others online.

Overall: 8.5
Love basketball? NBA 2K7 is all you need. It’s faster, more realistic, and more naturally executed than the competition. But even if the competition were better, they’d still have a hard time matching, let alone surpassing, what 2K Sports has achieved. Pick up the controller, take one shot and you’ll know that this is where next-gen gaming is at.