NBA THE RUN review: Spectacular street basketball that is still missing something

Sports games always have their audience, and the new NBA THE RUN, developed by Play by Play Studios, attempts to offer an alternative to the long-standing dominance of the NBA 2K series. At first glance, it is clear that it draws inspiration from the iconic NBA Street from 2001, bringing players back into the world of fast, arcade-style, and spectacular street basketball. Indeed, NBA THE RUN successfully conveys some of the charm of that classic through dynamic gameplay and attractive moves, but despite the fun it provides, it lacks that special spark that would fully immerse me in their world.

Presentation - Solid representation of street basketball

From a presentation standpoint, the game does a very good job and hits almost all the key elements you would expect from a modern streetball game. The courts are adorned with graffiti and vibrant colors, the players and environment have a pronounced comic book visual style, while the crowd by the court cheers loudly, creating an authentic neighborhood basketball atmosphere. All together, it leaves the impression of an energetic and visually appealing game that successfully captures the spirit of street basketball, even if it lacks depth in some other segments.

The interface is simple and clear, so you can easily choose your favorite player and enter matchmaking where the game connects you with other team members. This process works quickly and intuitively, which will be especially appreciated by new players who do not want to waste time on complicated menus and unnecessary systems. A small complaint is the sparse selection of clothing and accessories for NBA players, where we only have characters in their jerseys and without them. The game divides you into dressed and shirtless teams, which is a bit silly. I hope the studio will add new accessories and clothing that players can unlock or earn by playing various tournaments.

Although this is a different game (made 25 years later), NBA THE RUN replicates NBA Street in many ways, which is not a complaint; on the contrary, I welcome the return of gameplay elements that were popular in their time and remain memorable to millennials who nostalgically recall their childhood. Overall, the game looks great and has a good presentation element that will definitely attract players.

Gameplay - A tribute to NBA Street that replicates that classic too much

As for gameplay, NBA THE RUN leaves a somewhat divided impression. The game is fun, but I would hardly say it completely won me over. Admittedly, I am not a big fan of online sports games, mainly due to numerous bad experiences with matchmaking systems and players in lobbies.

There are several game modes available, including classic 3-on-3 matches, which is the main mode in the game. Each matchmaking connects you with other players, after which you go through a tournament format of competition in an attempt to win the title of the best team. The concept is simple, easy to understand, and engaging enough to encourage you to play another match, even if you are not a big fan of online competitive games.

One major complaint is when you enter the game and play against 3 Victors Wembanyama, who is already quite a tough opponent, and facing two more of his "clones" turns into a rather frustrating experience. When three identical players with such attributes are on the court, the matches lose diversity, and the balance suffers severely, to the point where some matches can feel almost unplayable.

Another complaint is the gameplay itself, which is at risk of repetitiveness, which is not surprising for such an online game. Players have played NBA THE RUN enough times since the game's release to know every trick of each player. For new players, this element of the game is a "baptism by fire." I would praise the original license of the NBA league and its players, and I have no doubt that there is a future for this game as it has all the prerequisites to become addictive. For some, it might even become a cult classic.

Conclusion - A good start for the studio, but it needs a few more updates

NBA THE RUN is a solid game that offers something different from its competition. It resembles NBA Street, which has become a cult classic since its release in 2001, but this game by Play by Play Studios is fundamentally different. Besides being online and playable on all platforms (crossplay is enabled), NBA THE RUN is special in its own right. It has its own atmosphere, different mechanics, and manages to welcome new players more smoothly through its game modes and simple design. Aside from the presentation itself, there are several complaints about the gameplay, especially regarding repetitiveness and bizarre matchmaking where you get three Wembys and pray that the match ends as soon as possible. The lack of additions like equipment or clothing is also a complaint, but I believe that new updates will address this issue.

Although I didn't enjoy the game as much as I wanted, I must praise one thing that the Play by Play Studios developers managed to achieve. With its release and appearance, NBA THE RUN is trying with all its might to distance itself from the already exhausted and tired NBA2K players, who have been releasing increasingly worse and emptier products that everyone is fed up with for years. Knowing that players will seek a game like NBA THE RUN and move away from monopolies like NBA2K warms my heart. All in all, we expect improvements, and I believe that will only elevate the fun festival of basketball.

A copy of the PC version of the game for review purposes was provided by the publisher Play by Play Studios!