NBA 2K18‘s Neighborhood also offers shops that sell a variety of clothing and accessories for all occasions. It’s boring, but it gives you an energy boost in NBA games and a few of the exercises give you experience toward certain badges. After hitting the practice gym, you can head toward the Gatorade training facility to replenish your energy for the rest of the game by performing menial mini games that simulate exercises like running on the treadmill and curling dumbbells. Unfortunately, you can only perform three drills before every NBA game, so you have to be selective with which badges you want to work on. From team scrimmages to pick-and-roll drills, the practice gym is an easy spot to get those experience points.
To help in this endeavor, NBA 2K18 brings in a new practice gym that gives you the opportunity to perform drills that specifically target certain badges. A combination of skill level cap breakers (yes, they’ve made a comeback) and various badges will help you on your voyage to the top spot in the league. The only way to make up the remaining 14 points is through playing with your character in the various modes available in M圜areer mode. It will certainly give you a boost in the early game, but your player’s rating will cap at 85 at the beginning, regardless of the archetype you choose.
Sure, the virtual currency in the game is still used to upgrade your attributes and you can buy VC with real money if you want to. The “Road to 99” is long and, this time, you can’t just buy your way to the top. From there you get your agent, get your contract, and you’re off to the Neighborhood to do whatever you want. After the final match you’re approached by a scout from the team of your choice, asking you to come try out for the team. The “Road to 99” in NBA 2k18 starts out with a few pick up games in a street ball tournament, so the Park aspect of the M圜areer mode is given emphasis early on in the campaign.