NBA 2K25 is on the horizon, and as players anticipate new features and improvements, there are certain elements from previous editions that many hope will not make a comeback. Having spent considerable time in NBA 2K24, here are five aspects of the City and the Park that should be left behind as we transition to NBA 2K25.

1. The Oversized City

One of the most noticeable features of recent NBA 2K games is the City, a massive virtual environment where players can explore, socialize, and participate in various basketball-related activities. However, the sheer size of the City has been a point of contention. Despite efforts to streamline and patch performance issues, the City remains too large, leading to unnecessary lag and choppiness.

The City is filled with vast, unused spaces and countless buildings that serve no purpose. This wasted real estate not only bogs down performance but also makes navigation cumbersome. The abundance of non-interactive elements, like the extensive water bodies, contributes to the City's bloat. Reducing the City's size to a more manageable and optimized version, akin to the Parks from NBA 2K15 or 2K16, would enhance performance and overall user experience.

2. The Gatorade Training Facility

The Gatorade Training Facility has been a staple in NBA 2K for years, but its execution has left much to be desired. While the concept of improving your MyPlayer through workouts is realistic, the implementation is flawed. The requirement to grind through repetitive and tedious exercises just to change your player's body type or gain temporary boosts is not enjoyable.

Moreover, the cost of Gatorade boosts is exorbitant. Spending 7,000 VC for a 10-pack of Gatorade boosts, which only lasts 10 games, feels like a cash grab. The boosts should offer permanent upgrades or be significantly cheaper to justify their existence. The facility needs a complete overhaul to make it a worthwhile and engaging feature.

3. The Pointless Buildings

As mentioned earlier, the City is littered with countless buildings that players cannot interact with. These structures contribute to the City's size without adding any functional value. For instance, numerous apartments and plazas serve no purpose other than to fill space.

This issue extends beyond aesthetics; it affects gameplay performance. The presence of so many non-interactive buildings adds unnecessary load to the game, causing lag and choppiness, especially during peak times. A more streamlined City with interactive buildings that serve a purpose would improve both performance and immersion.

4. The Point Mode

The Point mode, which allows players to compete against AI teams and recruit players similar to NBA Street Vol. 2, seemed promising on paper. However, in practice, it falls short due to the AI's unrealistic defense. The AI opponents in this mode are notoriously overpowered, turning every player into a lockdown defender regardless of their actual skills.

This results in a frustrating experience where the only viable strategy is to exploit alley-oops repeatedly. The unbalanced AI defense makes the mode more annoying than enjoyable. For NBA 2K25, either this mode needs a significant rework to balance the AI's defensive capabilities, or it should be scrapped entirely.

5. The Garage Hoops

Garage Hoops, introduced in NBA 2K21 Next Gen, was intended to provide a casual, pickup game experience. However, it has become more of a hindrance than a help. The latency in these courts is often so bad that practicing or playing a game becomes a chore. Furthermore, these courts are almost always occupied, making it difficult for players to use them.

The feature doesn't offer enough value to justify its existence. Instead of Garage Hoops, a return to the traditional MyCourt, where players can practice without interruptions and latency issues, would be a far more beneficial addition to NBA 2K25.

Conclusion

As NBA 2K25 approaches, fans and players alike are hopeful for a refined and improved basketball gaming experience. By addressing these five areas – the oversized City, the flawed Gatorade Training Facility, the pointless buildings, the frustrating Point mode, and the underwhelming Garage Hoops – the developers can create a more streamlined, enjoyable, and immersive game.

NBA 2K has always been about providing a realistic and engaging basketball experience, and these changes can help return the series to its roots. With a focus on performance, functionality, and user experience, NBA 2K25 has the potential to be one of the best entries in the franchise. Let’s hope the developers take these considerations to heart and deliver a game that fans will love.