Is NBA 2K22 Worth Buying? Our Comprehensive Review Breaks Down Everything

As a lifelong basketball fan and someone who's spent more hours than I'd care to admit playing sports video games, I approached NBA 2K22 with both excitement and skepticism. Having followed the gaming industry for over a decade, I've seen how annual sports titles can sometimes feel like minor updates rather than true innovations. But after sinking nearly 80 hours into this year's installment across multiple platforms, I can confidently say this represents one of the most significant leaps forward for the franchise in recent memory. The development team seems to have taken a page from the coaching changes we've seen in professional volleyball recently - sometimes you need fresh leadership to reinvigorate a team, and that's exactly what 2K has done with their approach this year.

The connection to real-world sports management might seem tangential at first, but bear with me. When I read about how Mosuela was replaced by international coaches Ettore Guidetti from Italy and Taka Minowa from Japan in the PVL, it reminded me of what 2K Sports has accomplished this year. They've brought in fresh perspectives and fundamentally changed their approach to gameplay mechanics. The dribbling system alone feels completely reworked, giving players unprecedented control over their movements. I can actually chain together complex dribble combinations now without feeling like I'm fighting the controls. The shot meter has been relocated to just above the player's head, which initially threw me off, but after about 15 games I found my shooting percentage had improved by roughly 12% compared to 2K21. These aren't just cosmetic changes - they're foundational improvements that alter how you experience the game.

Where NBA 2K22 truly shines is in its attention to detail and presentation. The visual upgrades are immediately noticeable, with player models looking more realistic than ever before. I was particularly impressed with how accurately they've captured Stephen Curry's shooting motion - it's almost photographic in its precision. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second on next-gen consoles, and the load times are significantly reduced. MyCareer mode has received a substantial overhaul too, moving away from the cringe-worthy storytelling of previous years toward a more authentic basketball journey. You start as an undrafted prospect fighting for a spot in the league, and the progression feels genuinely rewarding. I've probably spent 40 hours just in MyCareer building my 6'5" shooting guard, and I'm still discovering new interactions and story elements.

The City, which replaces the Neighborhood from previous games, is absolutely massive. It's essentially an open-world basketball RPG, and while some might find it overwhelming at first, I appreciate the depth it adds to the experience. You can participate in various events, visit different courts, and even customize your own apartment. The social aspects are more integrated than before, though I did notice some frame rate drops when the areas became too crowded. Server stability has improved since launch, but during the first week I experienced several disconnections that cost me progress in online matches. This seems to be improving with recent patches, but it's worth noting for those who plan to spend most of their time in online modes.

MyTeam continues to be both compelling and frustrating in equal measure. The card-collecting mechanics are as addictive as ever, and the new seasons structure provides regular content updates that keep things fresh. However, the microtransactions remain a point of contention. While it's possible to build a competitive team without spending extra money, you'll need to invest significant time - we're talking hundreds of hours - or open your wallet to compete at the highest levels. I've probably spent around $50 on VC (Virtual Currency) beyond the initial purchase price, mainly to accelerate my MyPlayer's development. The economy feels slightly more generous than 2K21, but the pay-to-win concerns that have plagued the series for years haven't completely disappeared.

What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the WNBA integration. The inclusion of women's basketball isn't just token representation - it's fully featured with its own dedicated modes and realistic presentation. I spent an entire weekend playing through a full WNBA season and found the gameplay equally engaging to the NBA content. The developers have captured the distinct styles and rhythms of women's basketball, and it adds meaningful variety to the overall package. This is the kind of innovation I wish more sports games would embrace - expanding their scope rather than just iterating on the same familiar elements.

After extensive playtime, I've noticed some issues that potential buyers should consider. The AI still makes questionable decisions at times, particularly on defense where players occasionally forget their assignments. The commentary, while comprehensive, can become repetitive after extended sessions. And despite the visual upgrades, some character models in created players still have that uncanny valley look that's been present for years. These are relatively minor complaints in an otherwise excellent package, but they're worth mentioning for perfectionists.

When I step back and look at the complete picture, NBA 2K22 represents both evolution and revolution for the series. It maintains the core elements that fans love while introducing meaningful improvements across nearly every mode. The gameplay feels fresher and more responsive than it has in years, and the presentation continues to set the standard for sports games. Is it worth the $70 price tag for next-gen versions? For basketball enthusiasts and returning players, absolutely. The improvements justify the increased cost, especially if you're coming from 2K20 or earlier. Casual fans might want to wait for a sale, but there's no denying this is the most complete basketball simulation available today. Much like how bringing in international coaches can revitalize a sports team, 2K has injected new life into their franchise with this installment, creating what I consider to be the best basketball game since NBA 2K16.