Re: Official NBA Live 10 Impressions Thread
I've read all the reviews and although they're positive, I disagree with all of them giving the slight edge (or more in some cases) to 2k.
I'm a diehard basketball fan who hasn't bought a new basketball game in a couple years. Although I know other sports less, I prefer playing their video games because the experience to me has felt more rewarding -- mostly because they seem to involve more fun and strategy. Basketball games to me have always been about running the ball down the court, getting a quick 2, repeat for an hour, and then hope your score is higher than the opponents when the buzzer sounds. Really not too engaging.
I haven't bought an EA basketball game since 1995. I think this time, the edge goes to Live. There are things going on in Live that make it feel and look like real basketball such as manually controlled off-ball player control. Instead of being miffed that your AI opponents are doing this or that, you just take control of that person, go where you think he should go, do what you think he should do, and then if you're doing smart basketball things, this system actually rewards you. Get open and you'll most likely make the shot. I watch a lot of Phoenix Suns basketball, and this is what I see in the NBA that actually works in the video game. Leave Steve Nash uncovered and he will absolutely burn you for a 3-pointer. It's not like flipping a coin anymore.
The sound in this game is incredible. No longer does a basketball game feel stale and staged. Amare for a dunk on his home court and the PA system plays the same sound clip as they do in real life when this happens. Steve Nash for 3 and they play the sound effect for that too. The only thing it doesn't have is The Ramones or Dr. Dre when Nash brings up the ball. Those aren't in the game for obvious reasons. I'm a gameplay over modes person. To me, this is the most important "presentation" there is. That is, the presentation in the actual game! I'm telling you the presentation in this regard is better than MLB 09 The Show. Phoenix looks and sounds like Phoenix. I imagine fans from other cities would agree on their hometown courts too.
Graphics. Again, I've read the reviews and the edge is being given to the other game on this category too. The last time I bought a basketball game was the other brand. Although that company is praised for making a fair representation of the sport, I can't say it looked like a real NBA game. Can't put my finger on it. Camera angle, player size, who knows? Every year I try to get hyped on the newest sports release and I'm here watching gameplay videos but haven't pulled the trigger due to what I've seen from both companies. Live 10 is where it's at in this regard. Not only do players look true to life but the camera angle, court to player sizing, and player movements to me, make this game the most realistic looking basketball game I've ever played. Sure I know it's a video game. But when I'm glancing at my play call options with the game going on in the foreground, my mind instantly recalls the hundreds of Suns games I've watched in the recent years and I can't help but be impressed at how much it looks exactly like the real thing.
Fun. That's what the games are about right? I'm actually having fun. Something I didn't think was possible in virtual basketball land. I could win, I could lose in my experience with the other game a few years back, and I never really felt like I had that much of an impact on the outcome. Wins didn't feel rewarding. Loses undeserved because I couldn't stop a Tracy McGrady dunk contest. Steve Nash could've missed 5 wide open 3's and maybe that was the reason. This game will reward you for getting open. This game acknowledges that Amare Stoudemire will absolutely hit an open 16-foot jump shot. It's things like this, that say "make it look like what you know to be true, and we'll give you the bucket." I have fun trying to replicate what I see on TV. I didn't have fun on all games of the past - trying to dunk or layup on every possession because I know those will go in, while I was never sure a jump shot would go in. There's no strategy there other than a race.
I never thought I'd say this, but EA for the win.
I've read all the reviews and although they're positive, I disagree with all of them giving the slight edge (or more in some cases) to 2k.
I'm a diehard basketball fan who hasn't bought a new basketball game in a couple years. Although I know other sports less, I prefer playing their video games because the experience to me has felt more rewarding -- mostly because they seem to involve more fun and strategy. Basketball games to me have always been about running the ball down the court, getting a quick 2, repeat for an hour, and then hope your score is higher than the opponents when the buzzer sounds. Really not too engaging.
I haven't bought an EA basketball game since 1995. I think this time, the edge goes to Live. There are things going on in Live that make it feel and look like real basketball such as manually controlled off-ball player control. Instead of being miffed that your AI opponents are doing this or that, you just take control of that person, go where you think he should go, do what you think he should do, and then if you're doing smart basketball things, this system actually rewards you. Get open and you'll most likely make the shot. I watch a lot of Phoenix Suns basketball, and this is what I see in the NBA that actually works in the video game. Leave Steve Nash uncovered and he will absolutely burn you for a 3-pointer. It's not like flipping a coin anymore.
The sound in this game is incredible. No longer does a basketball game feel stale and staged. Amare for a dunk on his home court and the PA system plays the same sound clip as they do in real life when this happens. Steve Nash for 3 and they play the sound effect for that too. The only thing it doesn't have is The Ramones or Dr. Dre when Nash brings up the ball. Those aren't in the game for obvious reasons. I'm a gameplay over modes person. To me, this is the most important "presentation" there is. That is, the presentation in the actual game! I'm telling you the presentation in this regard is better than MLB 09 The Show. Phoenix looks and sounds like Phoenix. I imagine fans from other cities would agree on their hometown courts too.
Graphics. Again, I've read the reviews and the edge is being given to the other game on this category too. The last time I bought a basketball game was the other brand. Although that company is praised for making a fair representation of the sport, I can't say it looked like a real NBA game. Can't put my finger on it. Camera angle, player size, who knows? Every year I try to get hyped on the newest sports release and I'm here watching gameplay videos but haven't pulled the trigger due to what I've seen from both companies. Live 10 is where it's at in this regard. Not only do players look true to life but the camera angle, court to player sizing, and player movements to me, make this game the most realistic looking basketball game I've ever played. Sure I know it's a video game. But when I'm glancing at my play call options with the game going on in the foreground, my mind instantly recalls the hundreds of Suns games I've watched in the recent years and I can't help but be impressed at how much it looks exactly like the real thing.
Fun. That's what the games are about right? I'm actually having fun. Something I didn't think was possible in virtual basketball land. I could win, I could lose in my experience with the other game a few years back, and I never really felt like I had that much of an impact on the outcome. Wins didn't feel rewarding. Loses undeserved because I couldn't stop a Tracy McGrady dunk contest. Steve Nash could've missed 5 wide open 3's and maybe that was the reason. This game will reward you for getting open. This game acknowledges that Amare Stoudemire will absolutely hit an open 16-foot jump shot. It's things like this, that say "make it look like what you know to be true, and we'll give you the bucket." I have fun trying to replicate what I see on TV. I didn't have fun on all games of the past - trying to dunk or layup on every possession because I know those will go in, while I was never sure a jump shot would go in. There's no strategy there other than a race.
I never thought I'd say this, but EA for the win.
you can't just run up the court anymore and you really have to use the weapons and call plays etc. I still stink but I am getting better
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