NBA 2K19 The Prelude: 5 Ups & 3 Downs

1. Likeable, Realistic Characters

After the (sometimes dreadful) comedy-laden approach of last year with B-Fresh, it's nice to see 2K get back to basics and focus more on creating well-rounded, realistic characters. In A.I, they have a likeable protagonist, and the same goes for backup frenemy Corey Harris. Together, the old friends dip into simmering tension and occasionally dive back to lost innocence as kids sharing a dream.

The NBA Draft flashbacks A.I has throughout lead to realistic moments like an argument with his neighbours over noise, and practically every other little memory he looks back on builds his relationship with the player. Your main character is conflicted, at war with himself more than others and someone with confidence-crushing fears aplenty.

If 2K can follow up on this first chapter, then 2K19's MyCareer may well be the best one we've seen yet.

Background characters, like the coach of the Shanghai Bears and A.I's translator, provide comedic relief following the most tense parts of the story. They're fleeting rather than in the spotlight constantly, and that helps them appear less in-your-face than B-Fresh was.

What did you think about The Prelude for NBA 2K19's 'The Way Back'? Let us know down in the comments section below!