If you’re an NBA fan, then you’re probably counting down the days until the release of NBA 2K22. The good news is that you don’t have to wait much longer! This year’s game is coming with both new-gen and current-gen versions, so no one will be left out. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything we know about the game so far. Keep reading to learn more about the new features that are being added in NBA 2K22!
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On-Court Gameplay Improvements
As seen in the trailer above, Visual Concepts is promising more impactful changes on both sides of the game. Last year, Visual Concepts worked on elevating dribbling, allowing you to change up the speed of your dribble and size-up moves. It looks like more improvements to this key area of the game are coming in NBA 2K22 to provide a unique feel and rhythm when sizing up, tighter navigation, and a significantly faster overall pace.
The action should also feel a bit different thanks to some new moves on the court and a new shooting meter. Offensively, the goal is to give players more control over how they score. Post play has also seen some enhancements, including new movement and a new arsenal of back-to-basket moves. New R2/RT fakes allow you to chain multiple fakes together to keep defenders guessing, while new disengage faceup moves, new hop shots/fades/hooks, and a better pull chair mechanic give you more options for success.
For the shooting game, a new shot meter should change things up; it dynamically expands when players take high-quality shots with skilled shooters, but this will shrink when they’re heavily contested, shooting with a less skilled shooter, or fatigued. Shot IQ will matter more in NBA 2K22, forcing you to make good plays and work for open looks. Forcing up bad shots isn’t going to work as it has sometimes in the past. If defenders are crowding the shooter and making good shot contests, more bricks and airballs should ensue.
As you can see, basketball IQ and stick skills will play a bigger role in your success. You can expect precision jump shooting, dunking in traffic, and pulling off alley-oops to be more skill-based alongside new signature moves and combos to break down defenders off the dribble. Gameplay director Mike Wang said, “If you don’t make the right play, then that’s going to be on you.”
Defensively, a revamped shot contest, stealing, and blocking system bring more realism to the game. For blocks, expect more variety here, such as several new snatch blocks and volleyball spikes. Elite defenders should also make much more of an impact, being able to play suffocating defense on the perimeter. Defensive A.I. is also said to be improved, and you can expect a significant update to the fundamental defensive rotations. New on-ball defensive positioning logic is also said to give defenders A.I. more consistency in their positioning regardless of their distance from the basket.
Some other tweaks include a new dunk-style creator for more customization. In addition, the badge count has been increased to 80 (see all the new ones below), and new-gen versions will introduce Takeover Perks, which you unlock to strengthen your existing Takeover abilities. You can learn more by reading the recent Courtside Report, which highlighted faster-paced gameplay, tighter and more responsive movement, more skill-based offense, and changes to the player builder.
