Gaming
NBA 2K21 review: Fading glory of basketball
Apart from a few fixes, it doesn’t try to reinvent anything
As of writing, we’re still in the midst of the NBA Playoffs taking place in Orlando, Florida. As the NBA turned to a quarantine bubble setup, the game just doesn’t feel the same. Fortunately, this time of the year — as weird as 2020 has gone — brings one constant thing to NBA fans alike. That’s right, a new NBA 2K video game!
NBA 2K21 comes around with almost the exact same flavor as its predecessor. It’s still the same kind of sports simulation that mirrors pre-pandemic NBA basketball. The live crowds, the clutch plays, and the jaw-dropping moments — it’s the same full NBA experience. But is this version of the game worth even looking at, now?
Is there anything new to look forward to?
Rodneil: There really wasn’t anything that’s remarkably new that was announced leading up to the game. It’s a little disappointing. But that may also be because 2K has already done everything it can do on the PS4/PS4 Pro platform?
Gab: I personally had zero expectations coming into the game. I got to play the demo a little bit and I got a glimpse of some of the changes — like the shot meter. Also, that demo pretty much jinxed the NBA Finals by putting the Bucks and Clippers in it. But again, it’s still the same NBA 2K game as before.
What made NBA 2K21 stand out from last year?
Gab: In my opinion, they didn’t do much to make this version stand out in any way. It’s still the same core experience as the previous two games. However, they tweaked the Pro Stick a little bit to add more fluidity to certain actions done in-game. And of course, there’s the change in the shooting controls when using the Pro Stick.
Rodneil: Some face scans and overall character models for players in the all-time and classic teams also look better. Previously, they looked like “lite” versions of players models in current teams, but no longer seems to be the case.
That said, some classic teams are in desperate need of more real players. If all 2K has rights to are just five players from that classic team, that isn’t much of a team. Either they put more thought into the generic players or they just scrap the team altogether and just add them when they have at least 8 players from that team.
What about the game modes? Are they any different from before?
Rodneil: I only really spend most of my time on three game modes: Quick Play, MyCareer, MyLeague/MyGM. For MyLeague/MyGM, I mostly customize the experience to my liking. Since I grew up looking up to players that entered the league around the 90s to 2000s, I would usually load user-created rosters and relive a particular NBA season.
I’m not sure if there are enough players like me, but I think a good addition would be a “What if” or “Legacy” option in MyLeague. What it will do is let you relive a particular season and make your own trades.
Of course, I understand the challenges of getting the rights to all the players but perhaps what 2K can do is highlight user-created rosters that can be used for each mode but have the year change from 2020-201 to whatever season you’re trying to relive.
Gab: Apart from the usual Quick Play and MyCareer, I do play MyTeam from time to time. Even in the previous versions, I always found myself going through this game mode to take a break from getting triple-doubles in MyCareer. I honestly felt that this time around, there’s actually an incentive to keep playing.
The usual roster of mini game modes and weekly challenges are there, which also ultimately test your game skill. This time, they even included a whole progression-type of reward system like how most shooter games have battle passes. Essentially, you earn XP to level up and earn rewards as you reach certain levels.
This is honestly a great addition to MyTeam as a whole. Before, I felt like there’s really nothing much you could do in it when you’ve finished the challenges. With this added feature of a progression-style reward system, I get to explore more of MyTeam.
Speaking of MyCareer, how did NBA 2K21 handle it?
Gab: MyCareer this time around was disappointing, at best. Last year, they did an entire college stretch, and it just felt like it wasn’t worth the wait. While I applaud going all the way back into a high school root, it just made the tedious part even more so.
For starters, I don’t know if it’s pretty common to switch sports in your senior year of high school. But somehow, that’s how this story begins: with Junior switching to high school basketball at the wake of his dad, Duke’s death. It doesn’t necessarily add anything new to the MyCareer experience, and instead makes the campaign longer.
Rodneil: The whole prep-to-pro thing just feels really out of place now. Plus your player during that period just doesn’t feel like it’s worth playing.
I want a story that chronicles an NBA journey, not some forced narrative about who I am as a player. It’s called MyCareer but every year it just keeps feeling like the story doesn’t match the game mode.
After all of that, is this still worth playing?
NBA 2K21 serves the obvious mixed bag of great basketball with roughly the same mix of game modes to boot. The action, player movement, and dynamic player moments is still top-notch. And while questionable decisions were made to the core gameplay, it’s still a joy to play even when you’re just passing time.
If you were getting into NBA 2K21 with a lot of expectations, I assure you that you will be disappointed, at best. An extended MyCareer storyline, coupled with not-so-stacked Classic teams for Quick Play don’t seem to incentivize you to maximize the game. While MyTeam actually gets some shine, I was sort of hoping every other game mode did too.
In the end, you will still consider getting this game, and possibly go for the Mamba Edition if you’re dead set on the PlayStation 5. If you still love playing the game of basketball from the comfort of your home, it will surely bring you that.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is set to launch on October 6, 2026, bringing a new high-speed twist to the Star Wars universe. The game is published by Secret Mode and developed by Fuse Games. It arrives on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC with support for up to 12 players.
Pre-orders are now open across Standard, Deluxe, and Collector’s Editions. Pricing starts at $59.99 for the Standard Edition, with both digital and physical versions available depending on platform.
A different kind of Star Wars story
Set in the lawless Outer Rim, the game introduces the Galactic League—an unsanctioned racing circuit where skill matters more than destiny. You play as a mysterious pilot named Shade, navigating a single-player campaign built on rivalries, alliances, and unfinished business.
There’s no Force or prophecy here. Instead, the focus is on build strategy and racing mastery. Players can customize three types of repulsorcraft and even take on classic podracers, blending familiar Star Wars elements with a more competitive, arcade-style edge.
Multiplayer supports online races where players can test their builds and driving skills against others.
Pre-order bonuses and editions
All pre-orders include a bonus livery usable across vehicles, with platform-specific colors, plus a Player Banner background for multiplayer.
The Deluxe Edition adds three extra vehicles, exclusive Arcade events, a livery pack, and cosmetic upgrades like new player banners and insignias. It also includes a digital art book featuring early designs of characters, locations, and vehicles.
Collector’s Edition for dedicated pilots
For collectors, the physical Collector’s Edition bundles a model of the Kor Sarun: Darc X landspeeder, themed patches, a printed art book, and a steel case housed in premium packaging. It also includes all Deluxe Edition digital content.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer launches on October 6, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with pre-orders now available.
Gaming
PRAGMATA is not for the faint of heart
Already a Game of the Year contender for all the feels
Six years and a few notable launch delays. That’s what it took for Capcom to finally introduce a new franchise in 2026. They already have legacy franchises getting new releases. However, the biggest question looming over their head was whether or not they dare to explore something new. What makes it more challenging is an entirely new team is working on its development. That comes with its own sets of risks and rewards.
This was the story of PRAGMATA, another exciting title finally getting its time in the spotlight on all modern platforms. Looking at trailers, screenshots, and even demo highlights, I already got the sense that this game may just be at par with a ton of sci-fi-inspired RPGs. The expectation on my end was clear: all action, all exploration, with a storyline that will tie everything together seamlessly.
I was not prepared for the storm of emotions and action that came my way.
Maximizing your brain power
PRAGMATA operates like most action-packed RPGs with how combat works: you point, you shoot. To set that up, you play as Hugh. He is an engineer sent to a moonbase called the Cradle to investigate comms being down. As you enter the Cradle, something already feels off. Before you even get a chance to blink, you’re already plunging into danger as the AI that keeps it safe has gone rogue. By the time you come to, you’re attacked by one of the bots that helped you out. From there, must fight your way throughout the game to survive.
Luckily for you, a support android named D-I-0336-7 fixes you up. The android willingly helps you fight the rogue AI by hacking through them. Not only will the hacking deal additional damage, but it will help you identify enemy weak spots to exploit. However, to achieve the perfect hack, you are required to solve a puzzle-like board with nodes mid-fight. Essentially, you’ll be doing two things at once to survive and fight your way through the Cradle.
It’s the kind of mechanic that feels unique as the level of difficulty escalates with every encounter. Oftentimes, the hacking and the shooting are separate mechanics that are done to calmly set you up for the fights. Now, it’s do-or-die with the hacking increasing your odds of success immensely. Enemies are hard to defeat simply on the gunplay alone. And you will need to keep that in mind as you progress through the game.
Expansive world to complete and unlock
Speaking of progression, as you get out of that initial skirmish alive with D-I-0336-7, who Hugh cutely gives the nickname “Diana” to, you end up in a tram to the Shelter. Effectively, the Shelter serves as both your base of operations and a rest spot to retool before combat. As you go through every area of the game, you unlock newer features. These are REM Replicators, upgrades to your health, firepower and hacking skills, and access to more weapon schematics and nodes. Also, you can even set up matching suits for Hugh and Diana before heading out into the world again!
Once you have everything you need, you will venture out into areas in the Cradle that need to be restored. A lot of the areas are incredibly expansive. This allows you to explore and grab as many freebies lying around as you can. From the Lunafilament used for upgrades to newer weapons at your disposal, the game scatters these for you to find and harvest from the overworld. Of course, you’ll run into the occasional swarm of enemies but you have Diana, and Diana has you!
Diana’s hacking even extends into these as you progressively acquire new skills. As you progress, you’ll be able to remove map hazards, clear traps, and scale structures effortlessly. This fully allows exploration to be less of a drag. There are newer pathways to areas you previously couldn’t explore or made it easier to backtrack. Plus, there are stations that can be activated as save points and hangars to return to the Shelter that Diana can activate.
It’s a large hub to explore. You’re encouraged to get and know everything because this next part will have you strapped.
Building bridges back to Earth
Without completely spoiling too much, PRAGMATA‘s storyline is one you gradually feel and resonate with. Earlier, I mentioned that the whole reason Hugh and his team were in the Cradle was to investigate its unresponsiveness. In an unfortunate turn of events, Hugh gets separated from his team and has to go through the entire Cradle looking for a way to get back to Earth. Along the way, Diana resurrects Hugh from certain death and accompanies him throughout the excursion mostly to be a guide and helping hand.
Throughout the game, Hugh and Diana develop a strong bond that already borders a father-daughter dynamic. Originally, Hugh didn’t really consider himself as a parental figure since he doesn’t have kids of his own. However, he goes out of his way to ensure Diana’s safety and overall wellbeing – effectively giving human compassion and love to an android. Oddly enough, Diana almost certainly feels more human and would even want to join him back to Earth.
As you explore throughout the game, you also pick up schematics of real Earth objects that are processed in the Shelter’s REM Replicators. These are neat trinkets that Diana actually gets to play with, even to a point of bonding with Hugh through them. It’s the kind of heartwarming moments in between the chaos that reflects the dynamic that many people will truly appreciate.
Struggles picked, sacrifices made
Remember how the game encourages you to explore to know everything? All of that was intentional for Hugh and Diana to get down to the bottom of what really happened at the Cradle. As it turns out, the AI mainframe of the Cradle, IDUS went into disarray after the moonquake that separated Hugh from his crew. Along the excursion through the Cradle, the pair discovers and meets up with another android called Eight who has the answers to effectively contain IDUS through Diana.
Only for them to realize that there are far graver dangers ahead. So now, the objective is to survive till the end, get back to Earth and stop anything that gets in the way. All throughout, you as Hugh will be tested on not only keeping Diana safe, but also ensuring that she gets to experience Earth with or without him. For the parents and parental figures out there, you know this feeling all too well.
A GamingMatch Made in Heaven?
No matter how you slice it, PRAGMATA nailed everything in my list of expectations: the right mix of exploration, easy-to-master combat mechanics, and an emotional story that transcends culture and hits right in the feels. It feels like Capcom continuously revitalizes the RPG experience with newer concepts and mechanics that truly test players at the core. Matching it with characters that allow you to have an emotional investment in, and the game hits right in the feels in more ways than one.
It’s a game that gradually keeps you engrossed in the experience from start to finish. From approaching tougher and larger enemies to traversing the overworld to collect resources, every instance feels wholly unique. Furthermore, the game incentivizes rest and reset without fully losing progress in your adventure.
More than anything, it offers a fresh take on character dynamics that will leave you in an emotional mess. Whether you like it or not. Admittedly, the bond between Hugh and Diana is one that a lot of people simply resonate and potentially aspire to have. It’s a reminder of how deep the human connection can truly transcend. And even be the ultimate key to survival against all olds.
Not only does PRAGMATA get a Swipe Right, but this game truly deserves to be up there for Game of the Year contention.
Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.
The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.
Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora
A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.
Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.
Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.
Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed
A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.
Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.
Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.
A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice
Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.
Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.
The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
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