NBA 2K21 Review: 4 Ups & 4 Downs
2. Slow Progression
Playing NBA 2K the traditional way can be a grind. A brutal, unrelenting grind to get that elusive attribute point or card pack, and while 2K21's isn't noticeably slower than in previous incarnations, that the series still features such sluggish progression despite the myriad criticisms thrown at it over the past few years speaks volumes.
This increasingly feels like a way for the game to nudge you towards microtransactions. 2K21's glacial progression system transparently prompts you to say "screw this," grab your wallet, and take the VC-infused shortcut. It's like they want you to get frustrated by your spinning wheels in MyCAREER and MyTEAM and is the product of an equation that values coinage more than enjoyment.
A grinding progression system would be more forgivable if the other option wasn't so predatory, but here we are.