2K Games has released a lengthy developer blog for NBA 2K18, detailing a lot of changes and new features for their latest basketball title. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2K18, but the most exciting change may be the game’s improvements on its defense mechanics. Everything from dribbling to matchups will be feeling a lot better with this new version.
Here’s more information about the defensive improvements:
On the defensive end of the floor there were a ton of improvements as well. The biggest thing for a lot of our users was the dribble drive game. This is something we spent a lot of time on and it’s come a long way since last year. Many people complained about “stonewalling” defenders that were able to clamp down ball handlers regardless of their ratings and, somewhat unrealistically, stifle the dribble drive game. The interactions and logic for ball handler/on-ball defender collisions were reworked and it feels MUCH better. In NBA 2K18, if the ball handler can get a step on his man or is a Westbrook or LeBron coming downhill prepare to see a blow-by for a clear drive to the hoop. It feels really good now to get your defender leaning one way, attacking his drag foot, and seeing your ball handler quickly swim by the defender without getting snatched into a heavy bump animation. Sure the Kawhi Leonards of the league can still clamp down slower ball handlers, but for the most part, you’ll see a lot of “hip riding” this year compared to the knockbacks and dribbler stuns from the past. If you find yourself matched up with an extra pesky hard-nosed defender, I recommend pulling off stepback moves from the rides. They’re extremely deadly this year. The whole revamp of the 1-on-1 chess match really opens up the floor game and makes going to the basket with a playmaker much more realistic than before.
There’s also a new trailer, to help you get a feel for all the gameplay improvements in NBA 2K18:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwBqitrE3ww
NBA 2K18 is releasing September 19 for all current and last generation consoles, as well as PC.
[Source: Facebook]
