RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

[SirGaryColeman]

2k Marketed this mode as an RPG (or RPG-esque), so if we take that into account... how does it stack up?

This trailer says "Choose your own Path" and "Choose Your Own Destiny."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuylZ59B60U

The dev team says the mode is a "dynamic and interactive story". https://www.facebook.com/notes/nba-2...53795803517267

They market it as a "Hoops RPG" in a ton of articles:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmaz.../#3c4e6ef54f37

My question is for people that played RPGs before... how would you review this game's RPG mode?

I have played many RPGs (NES/SNES/PS/PC/Online/Offline) and I would say this is far and away the worst one I've ever seen.

I could make decisions that mattered back in a Super Nintendo game like Crono Trigger. NONE of my decisions matter in 2k's RPG mode (I traded away from Justice Young and the cutscenes still have him being on my team, my coach still mentions him, tnt still talks about him, etc.).

I would stack the story of Final Fantasy up there with some of my favorite movies and books. Yet, 2k wouldn't even be as good as the worst Lifetime Movie I've ever seen... Granted, I hate Lifetime Movies, but I'm assuming most bball fans hate Lifetime movies - why make 2k into one?

My point is - let's not judge MyCareer on how well the on-court gameplay runs (it's beautiful, we know that), let's judge it on what it's supposed to be featuring... A dynamic, choose-your-own-path "Hoops RPG" mode.

My Verdict: MyCareer is Ground Hogs Day The game. Every game you will hear the same lines, you will have no impact on the story. You can't choose your path/destiny because nothing you do even matters. As an "RPG" or even as an "RPG-esque" mode - it fails on every level.

My wish for this mode in the future: Go an entirely different direction. 2k17 was supposed to be a different direction, but its not... it's just a different, bad story. Just because you have a MoCap studio, doesn't mean you should be making MoCap Lifetime movies.

The BEST part of 2k takes place ON-COURT. Literally, ON the court - the game itself. This is where the story should happen. The TNT Crew, The Sideline Reporter, The Announcers, The Crowd, The Fake Coach - they all need more audio lines that reflect the path I've chosen.

This would not only be cheaper for them to do, but it would create a superior game, and it would also qualify as an RPG - IF they give them dynamic lines that reflect my career choices.

[fluent2332]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

They have a LONG way to go if they want to make 2K's MyCareer mode into an RPG-style. I am a huge RPG gamer and have been for over 25 years. Other than 2K basketball or other basketball games I play 99% RPGs.

I will simply say that cut-scenes and an overly scripted mode is not going to make the game anymore RPG. You have to have the actual elements in place that make an RPG interesting (and cut-scenes are way down on the list). Besides the obvious stats and advanced analytics that are present in the game already.

[Mr.Ace]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

Stacks up very poorly..

[killxmike]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

Its about as RPG as the World of Warcraft logon screen.

[beans2k]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

Not even close.

[FerdBrown]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

For me, in my opinion, I would like to see the "story mode" in MyCAREER. After all, I don't have the same urgency and responsibility and care for other live players compared with PARK and the rest of online live mode. This is purely OFFLINE.


It's just that, from pure RPG standpoint, 2K17 don't have the decision trees that will actually have consequences. If Justice is traded, it seems everyone still talks and walks like he is still around. If I choose a different response in an interview, whether it be selfish or giving credit to team, it doesn't have an impact - not the least team chemistry.


I would say to make it RPG style, I think the focus would be in team chemistry and how my decisions impact that of the coaches and team mates. That could affect my performance, meaning that - if I have 99 3 pt shooting and I have a "bad day", in-game I could have a "penalty" of only having maybe 79 3 pt shot rating for that day only. Or there could be temporary "boost" - not the purchasable ones - that could be "gained" out of having a good practice or simply good team chemistry - resulting from choosing the right decision.


That is RPG, in my opinion.


Whether it be in 2K18, 19, 20, 2K2xxx, we don't know.

[fluent2332]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

For me, in my opinion, I would like to see the "story mode" in MyCAREER. After all, I don't have the same urgency and responsibility and care for other live players compared with PARK and the rest of online live mode. This is purely OFFLINE.


It's just that, from pure RPG standpoint, 2K17 don't have the decision trees that will actually have consequences. If Justice is traded, it seems everyone still talks and walks like he is still around. If I choose a different response in an interview, whether it be selfish or giving credit to team, it doesn't have an impact - not the least team chemistry.


I would say to make it RPG style, I think the focus would be in team chemistry and how my decisions impact that of the coaches and team mates. That could affect my performance, meaning that - if I have 99 3 pt shooting and I have a "bad day", in-game I could have a "penalty" of only having maybe 79 3 pt shot rating for that day only. Or there could be temporary "boost" - not the purchasable ones - that could be "gained" out of having a good practice or simply good team chemistry - resulting from choosing the right decision.


That is RPG, in my opinion.


Whether it be in 2K18, 19, 20, 2K2xxx, we don't know.

They tried something like this ages ago and I don't think they ever built on it. I think it was either the Franchise or GM mode. Players would come to you and you can respond differently to them with each response having a different outcome. It could affect team chemistry, etc.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

MyLeague/MyGM have more RPG elements than MyCareer I would say.

Comparing a sports game story to FF, Chrono Trigger is a bit much though..The term 'RPG' can cover many ranges...but I definitely get your overall point...

[SirGaryColeman]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

Comparing a sports game story to FF, Chrono Trigger is a bit much though..The term 'RPG' can cover many ranges...but I definitely get your overall point...

That's true.

I was also using it to point out that Chrono Trigger is a super old game, yet it had the ability to change its story based on your choices.

[Mr.Ace]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

For me, in my opinion, I would like to see the "story mode" in MyCAREER. After all, I don't have the same urgency and responsibility and care for other live players compared with PARK and the rest of online live mode. This is purely OFFLINE.


It's just that, from pure RPG standpoint, 2K17 don't have the decision trees that will actually have consequences. If Justice is traded, it seems everyone still talks and walks like he is still around. If I choose a different response in an interview, whether it be selfish or giving credit to team, it doesn't have an impact - not the least team chemistry.


I would say to make it RPG style, I think the focus would be in team chemistry and how my decisions impact that of the coaches and team mates. That could affect my performance, meaning that - if I have 99 3 pt shooting and I have a "bad day", in-game I could have a "penalty" of only having maybe 79 3 pt shot rating for that day only. Or there could be temporary "boost" - not the purchasable ones - that could be "gained" out of having a good practice or simply good team chemistry - resulting from choosing the right decision.


That is RPG, in my opinion.


Whether it be in 2K18, 19, 20, 2K2xxx, we don't know.

Also how about the choice to be a blue chip player, coming in the league as a 77 or so with an A pot or a guy who is living off 10 day contracts like before and how different their stories would be.. I just hate that I went like 7th and I was a 56 overall

[raidertiger]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

It'd easily be one of the worst RPGs in the modern era, if not the worst. If they were aiming at an RPG mode they failed miserably.

[wombatvvv]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

I'm not really sure it's supposed to be an RPG or even should be an RPG.

I think it should be a career-simulation. I think trying to turn it into an RPG is the reason they include this silly story. It shouldn't have a story. It should be open-ended. The "story" should tell itself through however your career turns out. And that should be totally variable. If you're a beginner and your player isn't very good, then the "story" should be about you just making into the NBA. Playing a season without getting cut. If you're a 2K wizard and you're spent a billion VC improving your character before the game even starts, the story should be the next coming of Michael Jordan. Either way, the story should be the game itself. Whether you call that an RPG or not, I don't know. But to me an RPG implies some kind of "adventure". You're making your way through a predefined storyline. That's not for 2K imo.

[nuckles2k2]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

Technically, it is an RPG because you assume the role of 'Pres'.

It's just a restricting RPG with a not so great...or even good...story. It's linear, with bunches of bugs (the cutscenes with Young after Pres and Young are split up is not intentional. I imagine it'll be "resolved" in the next patch, you can almost count on it.)

2K needs to just split the mode from the online offerings (Park & Pro-Am) and sandbox the offline-only mode.

[Mister_G]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

They tried something like this ages ago and I don't think they ever built on it. I think it was either the Franchise or GM mode. Players would come to you and you can respond differently to them with each response having a different outcome. It could affect team chemistry, etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that was 2K5? The ESPN-branded one? I remember the players would come into your office and there were different effects that saying things to them would have. At the time I remember thinking it was awesome. Looking back, it probably had a crazy dramatic effect on team chemistry.

It's essentially the same thing we have in MyGM mode today, but with animated players, which is pretty sad considering it's been over a decade.

[nuckles2k2]

Re: RPG Fans - how does MyCareer stack up to other RPGs?

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that was 2K5? The ESPN-branded one? I remember the players would come into your office and there were different effects that saying things to them would have. At the time I remember thinking it was awesome. Looking back, it probably had a crazy dramatic effect on team chemistry.

It's essentially the same thing we have in MyGM mode today, but with animated players, which is pretty sad considering it's been over a decade.

Yea, with the different personality types and they'd say things like "big changes needed" or "I'm optimistic" etc.

Back when it was still called Association.