NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

[scottyp180]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

My goodness, I'm really impressed. It's simple to play, (I find 2k so complex, especially as I work so much I rarely get to play), it feels responsive, I like the weight of the players.

I really like the passing, and effectiveness of simple moves and the movement of the ai who try and set up plays.

Unless this bombs on its full release, this is a buy for me!

Wow. I grew up as a Live kid, I feel like it's back. Finally, it's been so long!

Personally I think thats a good spot for Live to be. It's going to take Live years to reach the level of depth 2k has both on and off the court so EA should be focused on making a fun NBA game that looks good, feels good, and has the modes people would expect out of a sports game in 2017. And it's not like Live is an arcade fest. There's enough there to play the style you want (whether it's a fun fast paced style or more som/realistic style)

I think a good example of what Live should be is the NHL series. NHL isn't the most sim experience on the market but it's very popular because of how fun the game can be, which I think is mostly tied to the responsiveness of controls. Live could be that game for basketball. A game where casual fans can play and have fun without have to learn complicated controls or be a basketball genius but there's enough to the game that more hardcore basketball fans can enjoy it too.

[Rockie_Fresh88]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Finally started playing . Already the game looks a lot cleaner graphically than I was expecting . Wow. I'm playing on PS4 pro with a 4k tv too.

Movement feels a little weird tho. I'll post more as I play.

[stephenk24]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Personally I think thats a good spot for Live to be. It's going to take Live years to reach the level of depth 2k has both on and off the court so EA should be focused on making a fun NBA game that looks good, feels good, and has the modes people would expect out of a sports game in 2017. And it's not like Live is an arcade fest. There's enough there to play the style you want (whether it's a fun fast paced style or more som/realistic style)

I think a good example of what Live should be is the NHL series. NHL isn't the most sim experience on the market but it's very popular because of how fun the game can be, which I think is mostly tied to the responsiveness of controls. Live could be that game for basketball. A game where casual fans can play and have fun without have to learn complicated controls or be a basketball genius but there's enough to the game that more hardcore basketball fans can enjoy it too.

Agreed.

I almost exclusively play sports and racing games, as I'm sure a lot of people here do. And the thing is, we forget how complicated these games have become.

I'm British, and when my friends come over and ask if we can play madden or 2k, they get frustrated so quickly because it's just too hard to just pick up and play if you have no experience. I've been playing sports games, be it MLB, NBA, Madden, FIFA, NHL and PES for a decade or so, avidly. And because I played them so much growing up, when I had time on my hands, I can have fun with the current games even though I have so little time to play now.

All I want to do on a sports game, is do a season with my favourite team, each year, and then when I've done a season or two, I'll buy the next one. That's what I love. I don't have the time to learn the intricacies of NBA 2K anymore, I find it so hard!

So Live, which seems refreshingly intuitive to me, I think I'll have a lot of fun. I don't notice things like body types being wrong, shot styles being off or which shoes players are wearing, so for me, as long as the gameplay is fun and its franchise mode is workable, I'm sold.

[thedream2k16]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I'm very surprised by the game, both the look and feel are great. If what 2K has to offer is more or less the same I'm definitely pre-ordering Live.

I love the upgrade system, it doesn't feel like I'm grinding through pointless games just to get my overall up for The Street, I like how it's all tied together.

I only wish there were 3v3 games in The Street, too many ball hogs in most games.

way to many guys dont want to pass. They want to dribble out the clock forever just to get blocked at the rim or take a contested shot

[trekfan]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

way to many guys dont want to pass. They want to dribble out the clock forever just to get blocked at the rim or take a contested shot

Agreed. I had a 7'1" Protector center taking the ball upcourt and dribbling around, and shooting contested shots every other possession. Another guy doing his best Steph Curry impression by chucking impossible triples from deep (he mad 1 of 7 I think).

I think we need to start to making some threads for X1 and PS4 groups, fellas. The masses don't seem to know how to play good basketball.

[GisherJohn24]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Best NBA Live since Live 10 without question and I had a very fun time playing this game. It's wonky at times, the jump shots look a bit odd and I see some weird things, but man, I had a good time. Player models are very very good. Excellent atmosphere, average commentary, but overall. I'm sold on the 39.99 price point. I'm seeing a lot of amazing things when I played long enough, the animations when bodies collide can be very very realistic and I feel like I can play defense. The contact that is made when a stellar dunk is being made by say Lebron or Durant, is a sight to behold. There is a lot going on there and I give kudos for EA really putting effort into this game. With the disappointment of the other game last year. I honestly am ready for this game. Rated B for everyone.

[Teddy_Long]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Finally started playing . Already the game looks a lot cleaner graphically than I was expecting . Wow. I'm playing on PS4 pro with a 4k tv too.

Movement feels a little weird tho. I'll post more as I play.

waiting to see this on the pro (around 7 gb at the moment). lol is the camera angles closer this time around? i remember broadcast camera not being close enough.

[greenegt]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Won't be able to get on the demo until late tonight. Do the AI teams play like their real-life counterparts?

[Junior Moe]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I have thoroughly enjoyed the demo so far on PS4. The Drew League intro was nice and fun. Like others have said it felt right for street ball. A little over the top with the dunks and ally's but not arcade. And it was FUN! Drained a 3 with Steph to end the game. Stephen A and Max are a nice touch and I find myself rooting for Nick Howard and myself; I'm vested already. About to play the first game but so far, rock on Live! Officially more excited for this than Madden on EA Access. Love seeing the devs here interacting as well, speaks to confidence in the game. At this rate I'm a definite buy on Live 18.

[coolcras7]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

The best words I can find to describe Live 18 is Beautiful & Ugly, there are things that I really like about the game but then there are the legacy issues that take me out of the game. Once that new car smell is gone it feels like the game is repetitive ,speaking as a offline player, player models look good and weird at the same time if that makes any sense, it like EA tried to make the players as realistic as possible but also exaggerated certain aspects of their face so player tend to look a bit older or rougher than they should, this is even more noticeable with un-scanned players. Player movement also has this exaggerated feel especially when sprinting, shooting just feels weird its not as smooth as it should be and their is a slight delay you feel like you are reliant on the shoot meter and not just releasing the shot organically, this is a good first step for EA and pricing the game at 40 dollars and including the WNBA will definitely help their sales but they have a ways to go to get back to the top of the mountain.

[CyberOps]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Played the game some more today but i do have to say the AI feels really braindead at times they just stand there doing nothing.

Also movement sometimes really aint good, most times it is but in certain situations it just simply isnt.

Player models can definitely use improvement.

I just wish we could do some more 5 on 5 games in play now on the different courts and parks in this demo.

[scottyp180]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Agreed. I had a 7'1" Protector center taking the ball upcourt and dribbling around, and shooting contested shots every other possession. Another guy doing his best Steph Curry impression by chucking impossible triples from deep (he mad 1 of 7 I think).

I think we need to start to making some threads for X1 and PS4 groups, fellas. The masses don't seem to know how to play good basketball.

You have to take into account that with a free demo you are going to have a bunch of people and kids jumping on and not taking the game serious at all. They are just going to worry about themselves and upgrading their player.

[RogerDodger]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Got a chance to play last night....

Pros
- Atmosphere
- Soundtrack
- Player skill upgrading system (like the idea of traits)

Cons
- Player weight, control and movement (players feel way to heavy)
- Weird stiff animations, especially with dribbling
- No Footplanting (seeing ALOT of sequences were players are traveling, whether they receive the ball on the move or initiate a new animation after getting the ball. Looks like the animations are not finishing which results in poor animation blending)
- Floaty passing and weird passing animations (talked about this is before, but I'm seeing the same passing animations in too many instances)
- Player awareness (During loose balls players look at the ball rolling on the floor, PICK IT UP!!!!)
- Jumpshooting (jumpers don't feel smooth at all)
- Paint Cheese, it's very easy to exploit the paint w/ slashers (Hold Square Gang!!!)
- Zombie AI (cpu is just brain dead in certain situations especially if u don't call a play)

Overall im not seeing how this is a huge step up from the 14-16 interations. Seeing so many legacy issues it's not even funny....
- passing
- stiff animations
- player awareness
- paint cheese

I'll be interested in Live once they switch a new gameplay engine because personally I don't see any of the above issues being fixed anytime soon.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Operation Sports mobile app

I would add that, much like Madden, there's a lack of authenticity. In Madden all QB's have the same throwing action. Here, everyone has the same shooting and passing animations.

[jason_pgh]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Finally got some hours in on this game is good


But if run like 8 live run games and Iv been passed the ball a total of 5 times COMBINED in all games

I'm bordering the idea of just not making a big man on this game without friends you play with


Nobody passes the ball on this game


All the trash kids waiting for 2k flocked to
This game


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

That's how EASHL is as well. Have to find a group of guys to play with for it to be any fun =)

Speaking of, I am assuming there is a game mode on here is like EASHL or Pro Clubs? Is it called pro-am or drew league? 5 on 5 would be amazing (with friends of course).

[KingTocco]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I do enjoy it for a change of pace and some of the presentation areas are great but it still feels kinda like a chore to play to me.

Everything feels really slow and the animations are pretty wonky, I also feel like there is some pretty serious input lag with this game.

The arenas/outdoor spaces/lighting are great but the players themselves look very cartoonish to me.

I'll continue to play and see how I feel about it, the progression system is great in this game. Like I said, it does some things great and others...not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk