PC players are definitely the minority of players within the 2K community. The PC port is undeniably less popular than the other versions of the game. According to Steam Charts, there are an average of 11,566 PC players since the game’s release in September. Most of the 2K community unanimously resides on the Playstation 4 console. Our reasons as PC players are that we don’t own a console or we prefer the single player experience or we just don’t care.
The most coveted game mode in NBA 2K18 by far is MyCareer. You begin in an area called ‘The Neighborhood’ where your first thought is Grand Theft Auto’s open world but with basketball. This is where you begin your NBA career. MyCareer encompasses both MyPark and Pro-Am inside its world. Both are the main competitive modes of the game. Playing with CPU and other players as teammates/opponents was both fun and frustrating. The game certainly wasn’t easy the entire way. I can say my journey in the NBA was rough around the edges.
The good
NBA 2K18 is a lot of fun. I’ve played this game a lot, with around 200 hours worth on record. Most hours were spent playing MyCareer. I’ve played an entire season and participated in MyPark frequently. Playing with friends is enjoyable which makes for good laughs and jokes. I get a kick out of other players and how ridiculous most look. You can make friends in-game and run a few games together too. If you really enjoy the NBA and the game of basketball it’s hard not to have fun.
Playing season games is fun because of how your player’s strength benefits playing as a team. The actual gameplay of basketball feels reminiscent of years past. There is a lot of depth into the gameplay that shows the balance between every player’s archetypes. I may be in the minority but I do miss a few of the cut-scenes before and after the game. The cut-scenes gave me a sense of immersion that I really am in the NBA, but plays off on its humor entirely.
The bad
NBA 2K18 has a lot of bugs. Times where my character will spawn into a ghost town after using the subway to go to MyPark. Other times where my game will crash if I didn’t mute my teammates in my squad. The game will also randomly crash after MyPark games and the list goes on if you can already tell. The gameplay isn’t perfect. Sometimes you can’t make wide open layups. The shot meter isn’t accurate either because a slightly early release is better than a good release. These bugs aren’t being addressed and causes players including from console versions to lash out at 2K on social media as well.
There’s a small community of people that play MyPark or Pro-Am in general. I still haven’t played a Pro-Am game via walk-on because there isn’t a Pro-Am scene that I know of. I’ve been told it’s still bugged. You’ll eventually play with the same people that are the regulars at MyPark. It’s disappointing to pay the same price as console versions for an abandoned PC port. I can’t imagine how many people will still play several months from now. There isn’t an incentive to play on PC if you plan on playing multiplayer.
The ugly
NBA 2K18 has a lot of cheaters and exploiters. They have been around in previous years of 2K and remain prevalent now. There’s already 99 overall players around yet it’s barely October. The chances there’s a legitimate 99 is slim to none. Another exploit I’ve seen is farming experience in the Gatorade Training Facility where I’ve seen a player do dumbbell flyes for weeks. People are finding different ways to get to 99 because of the grueling grind. This ruins the experience of others, including myself.
A few players from the Steam Discussion forums have recently reported that there are players using speed hacks. Meaning they have a 99 rating in more than a few attributes. However, the 2K PC community isn’t surprised because they’re all used to this behavior. Players who play 2K on PC every year comment that the developers never had an anti-cheat system in place. Many warn others about the PC port’s problems regarding cheaters, and to get the console version instead if possible.
In conclusion
I enjoy NBA 2K18’s MyCareer. This game has its strengths and fair share of weaknesses. I don’t regret my purchase at all because I knew what I was getting myself into. If you’re looking for a single player experience then PC is for you. MyLeague and MyTeam are really fun and you should try it if you haven’t. Otherwise if you’re looking for a more competitive scene or a complete experience, like me, then console is for you. I will admit this is going to be my last year as a PC player. Soon I will join everyone else on Playstation 4!
Featured image courtesy of Tito Sar.
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