by Andrew on Sat Apr 16, 2022 6:14 pm
At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a Current Gen port again. I wouldn't say that there's absolutely no chance of a Next Gen port, but it doesn't seem as though developers like 2K and EA are in a rush to bring the PS5/XSX versions of their sports titles to PC. As much as anything else, I imagine it's cheaper and easier to continue with the PS4/X1 ports.
On one hand, it's disheartening. It made sense with NBA 2K14 and NBA 2K21, since they came out with the launch of their respective consoles, a couple of months after the PC/Current Gen release. The timing made a Next Gen PC port of both games highly unlikely (and would've required a delayed release in both cases). NBA 2K15 was subsequently a port of the flagship version of the game, with all platforms receiving the game at the same time. The fact that NBA 2K22 didn't follow that trend is concerning, and while we can only speculate, other games remaining Current Gen ports doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
On the other hand, I have a PlayStation 5, so I have played the Next Gen versions of NBA 2K21 and NBA 2K22. And frankly, while I wouldn't say that the PC isn't missing out on anything at all, I also wouldn't say that the PS5 and XSX are getting a vastly superior game, either. Put it this way: if you've only played the PC version of NBA 2K22 and didn't enjoy it, and you asked me if I thought you'd like the Next Gen version better, I'd say probably not.
Of course, the bigger picture here is that the PC version remaining a Current Gen port invites speculation that it will be phased out along with the older consoles, leaving us with no new game on PC. In the long run, that's the more pressing concern regarding which version the PC gets. Right now, I don't think PC-only gamers are missing out on a vastly superior experience. The troubling prospect is missing out on having a game entirely down the road, so ideally we do want to see the PC port make that switch very soon.