NBA 2K19 Review: 6 Ups & 2 Downs

1. Microtransactions

Nba 2K19 Microtransactions
2K Sports

Though the microtransactions debate has been done to death, they remain the biggest blot on NBA 2K's otherwise immaculate package, reducing this excellent franchise to a cheap, tacky mobile game in the name of profit.

The allure of Virtual Currency is strong. Buying coins out of pocket is still the most efficient way to work through MyTeam and MyCareer, because in-game progression remains frustratingly slow. Less so in Career mode, where the developers have upped the gold handed out per game, making developing your player significantly easier than it was in 2K18. Still, both remain a grind.

2K Sports' Senior Producer Rob Jones recently called microtransactions "an unfortunate reality of modern gaming," so no matter how vociferously we complain, they aren't going anyway. Regardless, this inherently greedy practice needs to be called out. The pay-to-progress mechanic is aggressive and invasive, and in nudging players towards them with the oft-glacial in-game progression rates, Jones and his cohorts are only taking advantage of consumers who've already forked out £40-50 for the base game.

VC transactions are voluntary, but the developers know what they're doing. Their inclusion is both predatory and repugnant.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.