As much as I enjoy the titles produced by 2K Games, it's becoming increasingly clear that they prioritize profit over gameplay. NBA 2K25 continues the trend set by its predecessors, including NBA 2K24 and WWE 2K24, where the focus shifts from how much fun you can have to how much you can spend.

Microtransaction Modes to Avoid: MyCAREER and MyTEAM
Let’s be blunt: steer clear of MyCAREER and MyTEAM!

MyCAREER puts you in the shoes of a custom player aiming to ascend from college draftee to NBA superstar. The game kicks off with a “dream sequence” where you dominate as a 99 overall player. But the moment you wake up, you’re left with a 60 overall player struggling just to handle the ball. From that point on, the grind begins—unless you choose to pay for an easier path.

The mode is poorly balanced right from the start. While you can play through some games from your player’s past to earn VC (Virtual Currency), the objectives are ridiculously difficult. One challenge demands that you outscore the top player by 15 points while ensuring your team wins. As a lowly 60 overall, this is nearly impossible, especially when the AI opponent consistently sinks three-pointers. The game pushes you toward buying more VC, effectively locking gameplay behind a paywall.

The online hub, THE CITY, compounds the issue with a mix of developer requirements and community demands. If you want to be noticed in pick-up games, you need the right overall rating and stylish outfits—achievable only by spending VC. The rotating premium items mean you'll always find yourself needing to spend more real money for virtual cash.

Despite receiving the All-Star version of the game, which included 100,000 VC, I quickly depleted it due to the exorbitant prices of items. Yes, there's a weekly training center for stat boosts, but who wants to grind through that when you can simply pay to upgrade your player to a 90+ overall?

Oh, and did I mention you can race Go-Karts for VC? Because that’s exactly what I want to do after spending over 100 Australian Dollars on a basketball game!

2K could learn from WWE 2K developers and simplify MyCAREER into a linear story mode, allowing players to unlock features for the MyPLAYER creation suite. But, of course, profit takes precedence over player experience.

MyTEAM: More Spending, Less Playing
If MyCAREER doesn’t entice you to spend, MyTEAM surely will. Similar to WWE 2K’s MyFACTION, this mode centers on creating a team using player cards you acquire through packs, which you can only obtain by spending real money. Sure, you can earn VC, but the grind is painfully slow, often leading players to shell out over $150 for packs.

You start with mediocre cards (70-78 overall) and a few limited-use “Free Agents” rated over 95, which disappear after just two games. MyTEAM offers online play and challenges to unlock players and items, but many challenges require specific cards, forcing you back to the spending trap.

While there’s a base Pro Pass each season, the barrage of notifications pushing the Premium Pro Pass or Hall of Fame Pass can feel overwhelming. You’re constantly bombarded with urges to spend more.

Presentation: A Visual Masterpiece
One undeniable highlight of NBA 2K25 is its stunning graphics. Visual Concepts has leveraged new technology to enhance animations using real NBA footage, making gameplay look and feel more authentic. The presentation mimics a live TV broadcast, with an extensive library of commentary to minimize repetition.

However, that’s where the positives largely end.

Gameplay: Complexity Over Accessibility
NBA 2K25 introduces the ProPLAY engine, which adds over 9,000 new animations to enhance realism. But the controls have become more convoluted, moving away from the straightforward “pass, shoot, run” scheme of the past. Instead, you’re now expected to navigate a complex shooting mechanic involving a stick motion and timing an arrow on-screen. Adjusting settings to ease the learning curve feels demoralizing when you’re already playing on the lowest difficulty.

For newcomers, the “LEARN 2K” mode offers guidance, but I find it frustrating to relearn controls every year. Sports games should have standardized controls that allow new players to jump in and enjoy the experience.

The server issues also plague the online gameplay, reminiscent of past 2K releases. Regularly experiencing downtime and lag makes it hard to enjoy the game, especially for players outside the U.S. who may be penalized for high ping. It’s infuriating to see a series that generates substantial revenue still struggle with basic server maintenance.

Some Free Options Exist
Believe it or not, there are a few things you can do for free in NBA 2K25, aside from the quick-play option.

The MyPLAYER Builder lets you create a 99 overall player, attaching badges based on your build. While there’s a Pro Build option based on current NBA players, historical legends like Shaquille O’Neal or Michael Jordan are unfortunately absent.

MyNBA is a redeeming feature, allowing players to navigate different eras, including the Steph Curry era. It’s a fun way to relive or rewrite basketball history, especially for fans of the ’90s Chicago Bulls, thanks to its nostalgic presentation.

MyGM has two paths: an RPG-style experience that adds a personal touch or a more traditional management route focused on stats. If you enjoy spreadsheet management, this mode may appeal to you.

The WNBA mode, however, feels underdeveloped. While it's great to see the inclusion of the WNBA, there’s a lack of depth and options for female players, like a MyCAREER mode or comprehensive MyPLAYER features.

My experience with NBA 2K25 encapsulates the ongoing issues with the franchise. From the excessive microtransactions to the convoluted controls, it’s evident that 2K prioritizes profits over player enjoyment. With the relentless push for purchases, it feels like players are treated as nothing more than walking wallets.

It may be time for 2K to take a page from the WWE 2K playbook—step back, re-evaluate, and focus on creating a game that prioritizes fun and accessibility. Right now, NBA 2K25 feels more like a roster update with a few tweaks rather than a fresh, engaging basketball experience. Perhaps shifting to a free-to-play model would allow them to be more transparent about their monetization strategies and restore some integrity to the franchise.

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