12 Gameplay Improvements in NBA 2K22

After we released the method of obtaining 2K22 MT, VC, and Tokens, we now summarize some improvements to NBA 2K22 gameplay.

The newest installment in the NBA 2K series has made much-needed improvements to gameplay like shooting, dribbling, finishing, defense, etc. Here are 12 gameplay improvements in NBA 2K22:

1. Shooting Mechanics

Some shooting mechanics remain or have been improved upon, and some mechanics have been removed. Shot Aiming and the vibration cue have both been removed, while a new Shot Meter has been added. Other elements like Real Player FG% and getting a shot percentage boost for having no Shot Meter are still in the game.

2. Defense

The shot contest and blocking system have been completely revamped, highlighting an arsenal of new defensive tools at a player's disposal. Contesting a shot carries more weight this year, and the logic was switched to using the Perimeter Defense rating for outside jump shot contests.

3. Dunking & Finishing

Dunking in traffic and pulling off alley-oops have become more skill-based with more direct control of the outcome.

4. Unlockable Animations

Animations, signature moves, and shots will be unlocked throughout the latest NBA 2K22 'Seasons'. The over-used 'Curry slide' dribble move will start as a locked animation, and 2K is "gating more animations based on size and ability this year." New Jumpshot landings have been added, and gameplay Jumpshots and moves will stay in the game once they've been released.

5. Signature Size-ups

KD's big hesi crosses, Harden's around/thru the leg moves, Steph's short machine gun crosses, and Luka's methodical rock back and forth dribbles are all now under the gamer's direct control rather.

The speed stick that we introduced on new-gen last year also returns. So flicking the stick quickly results in quicker dribbles while slower flicks give you more rhythmic ones.

There are around 50 unique signature size-up packages to choose from, each with its distinct advantages. Make sure to give all of them a try to find out which one best suits the rhythm of how you like to play. Additionally, you can equip one of 32 unique dribble sequences (which I've dubbed Signature Combos) as well. These are quick, three- or four-second dribble combos that you can trigger by simply holding Sprint and flicking the Pro Stickup. Mixing the Signature Size-ups and Signature Combos gives you a limitless variety for how you want to break down your defender.

6. New Post Moves/Fakes

2K spent a lot of time upgrading post play with loads of new content, including new movement and a new arsenal of back-to-basket moves. Similar to face-up ball handling, many of the latest moves are cancels and aborts. For example, start a post-spin by twirling the Pro Stick, then immediately move the left stick in the opposite direction for a spin back. There are also new RT/R2 fakes that keep you engaged in the post, allowing you to chain multiple fakes together without disengaging. You can also take advantage of new to disengage faceup moves, controls to help you avoid steals, new hop shots/fades/hooks, and a better pull chair mechanic. There's a lot of great combinations and fakes once you've mastered the controls.

7. New Hedging and Logic

Brand new hedge defender logic and behaviors give the catch hedge defender a specific focus for how they react to the ball handler. The hedging defender can focus on the ball this year and play two offensive players intelligently, covering the deepest threat. This year, the drive help was also built from scratch to give AI support defenders more intelligence in their calculations for when to send help on the drive. It also increased help defender logic, controlling movement speeds requested in help situations. The AI will no longer send a defender to double a standing offensive player thirty feet from the basket when a user requests drive help in the defensive settings.

8. BBALL IQ & Skill

Basketball IQ and stick skills play an even bigger role in separating top offensive players. High IQ plays get rewarded more.

9. Luka Doncic Mo-Cap

NBA 2K22 Cover Athlete Luka Doncic was among those brought in to make motion capture moves for 2K. Luka gave 2K his patented step-back jumper and his signature moves that become animations in the game.

10. Current/Last-Gen vs. Next-Gen

Current and next-gen are much more similar on-court this year than last, but next-gen has some exclusive features – foot planting improvements, a lot of tech with movements, etc. 2K also plans to release the same signature animations on both generations of consoles.

11. Dunk Style Creator

You'll now have the ability to completely customize your dunk repertoire with an all-new Dunk Style Creator! This is a great feature that allows you to have detailed control over the exact style of your dunk packages and lets you equip more dunks on your player than ever before!

12. Career & MyPlayer Customization

In NBA 2K22, players have a marked increase in badge points available for use. There are 80 total badges this year, including 17 that are entirely new. Gamers can now create multiple badge loadouts for their player that can easily be switched between games on the 2K Cruise or in the City. Takeover perks make their debut this year to help make player takeovers even stronger.

Outside of those gameplay improvements, there are also some significant improvements in other aspects of the game that we'll be updating in upcoming articles, so stay tuned for the U4GM's news page.