I believe the game uses planar reflections as opposed to ray-traced

But the 2K21 MT next-gen difference is delivered in many ways, particularly in terms of substances, shading, and light. Primarily, based on the side-by-side comparisons, skin receives a substantial increase to the specular layer permitting surrounding lights to realistically play off its surface. The players just look more realistic this time around as a result of this change, to the point where sweat accumulates on the personalities the harder they operate. All of this brings the players .

The same is true of those courts, which get new stuff as well producing more realistic outcomes. The colour and material response is simply more natural in the next-gen variant of the match. But really, the key draw for me is the audience, which provides a massive boost over the older consoles. The amount of detail within each member of the crowd is remarkably impressive. All of them proceed independently and are far more detailed, to the point where even individual fingers are left handed. Yes, if you look too closely, you can spot dead eyes straightened, clipping issues, and more but, honestly, it works extremely nicely during gameplay and replays.

Then there are the reflections about the court itself and this is a place where tried and tested technology wins the afternoon. According to what I am seeing, I believe the game uses planar reflections as opposed to ray-traced or SSR reflections. Planar reflections continue to be helpful when applied to one plane such as the court but they're not as flexible in a more intricate game universe. In this case, the expression is altered by shaders used on the wood flooring to properly distort what you see. The quality and resolution of the reflection seem enhanced on next-gen versus last. It's even more persuasive and thoroughly realistic. The nature of planar reflections also suggests that objects can be perfectly reproduced and reflections may intersect without difficulty. The backboard also receives mirror-like reflections which show the hoop itself and the ball while the net receives fine physics since you jam the ball . None of those features are new to the next-gen version but everything  Buy 2K MT feels more refined overall.