The City is evolving in NBA 2K23, at least for Next-Gen consoles
When NBA 2K22 released, the feature known as The City, got a big change, but it seems not all the changes were for the better, as some functions that players wanted were missing. Thankfully the folks at Visual Concepts have listened and have made some big changes.
One of the elements that people disliked about last years City, was the lack of modes to get around, namely no fast travel, but that is something that the team have corrected. In this new city, players will find a Subway, that can get them from point a to point b, without any issues, you just go to the nearest one and choose where you want to go and you are there.
Locating a Subway stop is simple as well, all you need to do is hit the R1 or Right Bumper, depending on your console choice and you will be directed to the nearest one, thankfully though getting to them won’t be a chore either, as the city itself is smaller.
The team have said that its about 25-30% smaller than last years, however it still contains the same features, so all they did, was remove a bunch of dead buildings. That means there is more to see and do than ever before within it.
In addition to the fast travel and such, another area that has seen the biggest change are the areas for each of the clubs, so when you visit a specific team, you will know that you have, without needing to locate a sign.
There are four of these boroughs that exist in the city and each one is given to a team, thanks to 2K and Erick Boenisch, Executive Producer and VP, NBA Development here at Visual Concepts, here is the full breakdown of each location and the team that calls it home. These are Erick’s words:
South City Vipers
Taking inspiration from a sprawling jungle setting, the new Vipers affiliation area transports your senses to another world. It’s impossible to miss the centerpiece of the area, a giant temple flanked by two towering Viper statues, each with water streaming out of their mouths and crashing into the pools below. As you move around, you’ll hear the sounds of the jungle, the birds in the trees, and encounter numerous other locations, including bonfires, a village with huts (one of which is where you can equip your MyPLAYER with Vipers gear), a crashed plane that is now becoming one with the environment, and ponds that dot the terrain and surround the court areas.
North Side Knights
Prepare to be whisked away back to the Middle Ages as you trudge up the dirt path and cross the draw bridge into the new home for the North Side Knights in NBA 2K23. This year, the Knights will be playing in a castle setting complete with everything you would expect in such an environment. The baskets and stanchions are elaborately designed wooden structures, coats of arms surround the castle, and wall-mounted torches will guide your way at night in concert with the warm glow of the lights placed around the courts. One of my personal favourite times of day in the castle is around 6PM (in-game time) when the setting sun crests over the looming castle turrets and it casts a golden glow across the entirety of the playing area. The technology behind our visual improvements in the City this year are astounding, and this is one way you can really see that progress.
Western Wildcats
Taking the pathway from the City proper and entering the all-new Wildcats borough is such a contrast as the landscape quickly changes. Set inside a scenic canyon vista, you will instantly get vibes of being in a semi-desert landscape under the blazing hot sun. Defined by its sparse landscape, the Wildcats borough is anchored by a giant pillar right in the middle of the canyon. Surrounding the pillar are plateaus featuring a number of playable courts and any plant life that can survive in this climate, primarily low-lying bushes and succulents. The courts themselves feature rudimentary baskets to fit the environment; cylindrical posts dug into the ground with aging wooden backboards with chain nets mounted to them. Make your way to the highest plateau in the borough and turn around to be treated to one of my favorite views in the City. Creeping up over the steep canyon walls, you will see the tops of the tallest buildings the City has to offer, including the all-new Pink Diamond Plaza (which looks even better at night!). It really helps to understand the scope of the City and the work the team has done this year to make each and every location feel completely, 100 percent unique!
Beasts of the East
Set inside the caldera of a once dormant volcano, the Beasts will be cranking up the heat in NBA 2K23 in their home grounds. The entrance to the park has hints of being idyllic with its luscious grove of palms and beach-like sand. This environment quickly gives way to the now active portion of the landscape, where you will find molten lava dotted walls, cracks, and fissures. The red glow of the lava is unmistakable, particularly at night when it dominates the colour palette of the locale. The baskets on each court have hints of molten in their cores, but are quickly cooling as they enter their igneous state. The incredible level of detail in this borough, in my opinion, really helps to immerse you into this rugged landscape as it perfectly defines the tone for those that hail from the East!
There is still more, because the City now has a special home for all the competitive aspects of the game, welcome to The Block. If you want to play some competitive matches against other players, this is where you will want to go, for 3v3 and 5v5, or perhaps you want to check out the all-new Theatre.
While the idea of Broadway Shows put on by digital NBA players would be hilarious, the Theatre in NBA 2K23 is actually something more special, as you can jump in here and play new game modes. The building will offer something similar to what the warehouses that were scattered around in last years game.
Every week, during the early hours of Saturday morning, four new modes will swap in, replacing the other feature attractions that the Theatre has hosted, meaning each week there is something new to see, popcorn not included of course.
These are the first four events that are launching with the game:
Theater 1: Loser’s Out - A 2v2 experience where you can come alone or bring a friend with you. Only catch is, as the name implies, the opposing team gets possession after made baskets.
Theater 2: Hustle - A 3v3 experience where you can come alone or bring your friends. Hustle features a 12-second shot clock to keep a non-stop lightning pace of play.
Theater 3: Comp: Squads Only - A 3v3 experience where you bring your own crew. Sure to be a favorite for the true 2K vet, Comp modes bring competitive game tuning to the table where only the strongest will survive. Time to sweat!
Theater 4: Rooks: No Squads - A 3v3 experience where squads aren’t allowed. A great place to level up your MyPLAYER; the only players allowed entrance are those rated 75 and under.
With countless game types and modifiers, there will always be something to play each week.
There is even more to discover about this new city, you can read all about it here. Again though and sadly, this City is only for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 gamers, those on the previous generations, Switch or PC will have to make do with the G.O.A.T. Boat.
