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2K Sports has implemented a new control scheme, new teams, improved A.I., and other improvements to its latest video game, NBA 2K14.
NBA 2K14 is an upcoming NBA basketball simulation which features Miami Heat forward LeBron James as the cover athlete and has new gameplay improvements that build off of last year’s installment of the game.
The game will be released for current generation consoles, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and next generation consoles PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
New gameplay mechanics for both offense and defense have been implemented, in addition to new animations for dribbling, shots, and overall body movements.
NBA 2K14 heavily features the pro-stick which was introduced in last year’s installment in order to pull off different passing, shooting, and crossover variations.
Holding the pro-stick in different directions will cause the player to perform different actions. For example, pointing it at a teammate will pass the ball or holding it toward the basket will execute different shot executions.
Defensively, the game has overhauled its mechanics in order to have smarter A.I. and allow dunks to be blocked which was not possible before.
A new mode for the game is the “Path to Greatness” mode which lets one take control of Lebron James and his NBA career and ultimately decide on which direction to take his talents.
Modes from previous installments will be returning such as “MyCareer,” “Blacktop,” and “Crew”–which has not been featured since NBA 2K11.
Signature skills, character traits that can be applied to certain players which were introduced in last year’s installment, makes a return with all new skills such as pick and roll maestro and tenacious rebounder.
Those who pre-order the game will be treated to the King James bonus pack which offers an exclusive signature skill, 10,000 virtual currency. James unlocked in Blacktop mode, and bonus content for Path to Greatness mode.
New teams in the game will include the likeness of the Euro-league as 14 teams will be introduced to the world of the NBA, among them being Madrid, FC Barcelona, and CSKA Moscow.
Along with the original teams in the NBA, the classic teams will also be making a return such as the ’96 Chicago Bulls and the ’86 Boston Celtics.
Last year’s installment had rapper Jay-Z providing music for the game, but this year’s installment marks the first time a cover athlete will feature his playlist as LebBron James will implement songs such as Fly Union’s “Long Run” and Phil Collin’s “In the Air Tonight.”
NBA 2K14 will hit stores Oct. 1 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 while a release date for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One is still pending.
