NBA 2K21 revealed a trailer showing off gameplay on next-gen consoles. All footage is captured on the PlayStation 5 and shows off the drastic leap in graphics and animation. The trailer highlights both cover athletes, Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson, who look more life-like than ever before.
Zion Williamson made his first appearance in the debut NBA 2K21 cinematic trailer with an impressive look at him in action with realistic facial expressions and movements. Now, in the next-gen trailer, Williamson looks even more realistic with next-gen graphics fully capturing tiny details in his hair, eyes, and face. In the debut trailer, Zion can be seen dunking in an empty gym, and now in the gameplay trailer, the stadium crowd and lighting make a big difference while showing off next-gen capabilities.
The crowd is one of many ways the PlayStation 5 footage stands out. Not only does the crowd look more realistic than any past NBA 2K games, the crowd also functions more individually. Each person is wearing different clothes including various team logo shirts, Adidas hoodies, and more. The crowd also noticeably reacts individually, with fans performing unique animations and cheering different ways. The crowd plays the biggest part in the excitement for a game, and the new NBA 2K21 trailer is no different. During gameplay, the crowd explodes with different cheers when players are dunking or shooting threes.
The gameplay details a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors and highlights NBA stars Steph Curry and Luka Doncic. During the player warm-up, coaches, players, mascots, and media members all shown on the court with just as much detail as every player. The actual gameplay has noticeable improvements to dribbling animations and player interaction. Although many of the animations such as dribble moves and contact dunks are not new, the animation looks much more smooth and realistic.
NBA 2K21 has more in store for the next-gen version than just improved graphics. The next-gen version is planning on debuting a new neighborhood, as well as WNBA MyPlayers. Although career progress will not carry over to next-gen, players will finally be able to create a WNBA player and compete in the new neighborhood. Despite having new features on next-gen, NBA 2K21 received some backlash for not offering a free upgrade and pricing the next-gen version $10 more than the current-gen versions. NBA 2K21 is sticking to the price increase despite other sports simulations like FIFA 21 and Madden 21 offering free next-gen upgrades.
According to the trailer, PlayStation 5 players can also receive three MyTeam player packs a month with a PlayStation Plus subscription. Although the Xbox Series X version does not offer any exclusive content, fans will get to play the Xbox Series X version two days before the PlayStation 5 users.
NBA 2K21 releases November 10th for Xbox Series X and November 12th for PlayStation 5, with PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One versions already available.