Are you just a wannabe baller, shotcaller? Or are you the chosen one? This game makes its leap into next gen, sporting some of the most accurate face portrayals—right down to Dwayne Wade’s full-sized chops and Steve Nash’s terrible hair-don’t. Presentation is the defining point of Chosen One. The story mode is set during the offseason, featuring a tournament-like reality show with Chuck D as your host (apparently Flavor Flav’s success has Public Enemy #1 seeking more lucrative part-time gigs). You then create a baller to play against the NBA’s finest rookies and sophomores at some of the most luxurious and exotic courts, a franchise trademark, throughout the world.

The other modes are best played against actual competition. Reason being, the AI really has nothing to offer. Attempting combos can become redundant and the learning curve is rough on expanding your combos, either due to the partially responsive controls or the fact that your patience will wear thin and you’ll just want to shoot the damn ball. After you’ve scored, you wonder if it was worth seeing the corny dancing celebration. Although, I must say the technique of dribbling a ball upside your opponent’s head is amusing.

For some completely needless reason, there are fouls in the game. Yes, fouls… By the fifth foul, the player gets to go to the free throw line for a three-point shot and retain possession. What is supposed to be an up-tempo, arcade-style basketball game is now broken down with stoppages you would expect in a simulation. That’s enough buzzkill to warrant reference of Stuart Scott’s “playa hatin!” comment.

For hip-hop fans, the soundtrack done by Just Blaze perfectly complements Chosen One’s style. Just make sure that after you’ve become the Chosen One, be sure to choose others to play with you. For more information, read up our Q&A with the lead designer, John Vignocchi.