NBA 2K18 is the king of the sports genre. This entry happens to be an inflection point within the franchise, being the biggest jump when it comes to new mechanics and quality during this generation. The Hood is the biggest of the last years in a game of this characteristics, something that points 2K Sports and Visual Concepts as the vanguard of innovation in this aspect.

2K Sports delivers an amazing game, with great new features and an even better simulation. It's, without a doubt, the best title of the series so far.

Probably the best sports game of the year and a great achievement for 2K and Visual Concepts. Brilliant.

This year's entry is incredible in so many ways, from graphics, to soundtrack, to the different modes and ways to play hoops. It becomes clear early on that the fastest and easiest way to progress is by spending real money, slightly marring an otherwise tremendous experience.

NBA 2K18 is an excellent basketball simulator. Still, player's progress is heavily relied on microtransactions, but that's the only real downside.

NBA 2K18 is a solid title but does little to improve overall, featuring relatively the same experience as years past.

With NBA 2K18 we’ve reached an inevitable crossroad, though the signs should have been seen a while back. The on court action is still the best available, but there is now room for another franchise to come and steal an audience that will be sick of the costs of simply being able to compete in the 2K series. The grind isn’t fun and paying gives advantages over those who won’t or can’t afford to. You absolutely cannot ignore how NBA 2K18 is a full price game that also integrates the business model of a free to play/pay to win title and the way that the enjoyment you get from it suffers because of it.