For the last few years, I've HATED live. I had 2001 for the PC, and won every game by 40 or more point. It was fun as an arcade game, but I craved more of a sim. I got my hands on 2K2 on the XBox and was blown away. That game was almost perfect, where it not for the insane shooting percentage of the CPU.
Anyway...I tried to play Live 2003, and it made me sick. Literally, I was shacking with rage. I remember the first few break away dunks by the CPU...and realising this was NBA Street in pro clothes.
VC's 2k3 was pretty awesome. I mean...admittedly I stopped playing because there just was NOT a perfect slider setting for that game. But I just loved the physics of that game compared to LIVE. Players moved well...animations were more realistic etc etc. And don't assume for one second I'm going to compare Live 2004, to 2K4...as 2K4 isn't out yet (which a lot of y'all seem to forget).
So anyway...I come to NBA Live 2004.
My first impressions were pretty good. I started a franchise with the Cavs. First off, the speed is way down...you can actually set-up for a half court offence. My first game was against the Kings...and they KILLED ME! But it was awesome...because they played just like their real life counterparts. They took a plethora of threes...and RAN the HELL out of the ball. I couldn't stop them. At first I thought it was just the same arcade fask break engine of 2003. But then I played the Suns...
This was a completely different game. They started out trying to run...like in real life...but I managed to slow them down. They just weren't as crisp as the Kings. When I forced them into half court, they pounded the ball into Amare all game long. And just like real life...Amare struggled. He scored 17 point...but you could see his raw power...just dribbling and going up..and lack of finess...JUST like the real kid. I was starting to dig this game, realising every game was as diffferent as when you played ID2003.
Anyway...on to Denver. Again, utterly different. They were slower, didn't score as much...as Andre Miller used his quickness to kill LeBron.
In terms of my own team, it felt VERY realistic. I mean...players move off the ball like CRAZY in this game. Miles and Davis streak to the hoop consistently...and Miles has NO outside shot, lol.
I have had no trouble making all kinds of shots...whilst also missing quite a few. I can make hooks, lay-ups, dunks, mid-range jumpers, threes etc etc...and miss enough to have it all feel realistic. I can swing the ball to the open man on occasion, and knock down the open jay. I really have NEVER seen this 'lack of mid-range' game reported by IGN.
Off the ball movement is the best I've seen in an NBA video game. I really like the physics, even if the players seem a little small.
It's hard to really get out all you want to say...I suppose the best thing about it, is the way teams play like in real life. They go to the normal guys..***n the same plays...move off the ball in the same way...break if they break in real life...or slow it down if that's the real style.
Scores remain close...and I'm getting killed by the good teams...and struggling against the average teams.
There are some negatives. A little slow-down...and the CPU doesn't go for offensive rebounds. But nothing so far to really detract.
Mainly, I think EA need to face-lift the whole presentation. Their menues and Dynasty lay-outs are OLD!
Try this game...at least rent it. Play it on press-cam so you can truely see everything, and if you're like me...you'll love the similar style to ID2003...just a little better collision detection, animations and physics.
I'm really digging this game. I'm looking forward to 2K4 as well, but too many 2K4 vids show NO off the ball movement. After playing Live 2004, and the constant movement...I just hope 2K4 is the same, otherwise, Live takes it.
Don't know if this helps anyone.
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