NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

[trekfan]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Xbox 1
NBA Play Now Impressions:

So, after doing The One last night, I jumped into the NBA portion of the demo this afternoon. Smoked the Warriors 60-28 with the Cavs -- absolutely threw down on the Warriors with LeBron, who was beastly with his dribble moves and dunking abilities. On default settings, the CPU seemed to be at a serious disadvantage in providing any sort of interior defense.

Offensively, the CPU couldn't score to save its life ... except with Zaza Pachullia. Zaza was grabbing boards, making putbacks, and getting some interesting layups (the hits the top of the backboard and rolls into the rim type of circus layups).

This seems to be a trend with the CPU AI. Its shooting players -- guys like KD, Steph -- don't make enough shots. Steph scored one basket out of 8 all game, and attempted only 1 triple. Durant was jacking up triples from all over the court, but got only one to fall.

The CPU AI did try to run its guys threw screens and "Horns" plays, but I managed to stick with them pretty well. On default settings, Pro difficulty, the AI simply is too easy to beat and not accurate enough.

Will be attempted to play on All-Star with default sliders later -- I imagine the increased AI level will improve their playmaking significantly.

[Schwall]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Xbox 1
NBA Play Now Impressions:

So, after doing The One last night, I jumped into the NBA portion of the demo this afternoon. Smoked the Warriors 60-28 with the Cavs -- absolutely threw down on the Warriors with LeBron, who was beastly with his dribble moves and dunking abilities. On default settings, the CPU seemed to be at a serious disadvantage in providing any sort of interior defense.

Offensively, the CPU couldn't score to save its life ... except with Zaza Pachullia. Zaza was grabbing boards, making putbacks, and getting some interesting layups (the hits the top of the backboard and rolls into the rim type of circus layups).

This seems to be a trend with the CPU AI. Its shooting players -- guys like KD, Steph -- don't make enough shots. Steph scored one basket out of 8 all game, and attempted only 1 triple. Durant was jacking up triples from all over the court, but got only one to fall.

The CPU AI did try to run its guys threw screens and "Horns" plays, but I managed to stick with them pretty well. On default settings, Pro difficulty, the AI simply is too easy to beat and not accurate enough.

Will be attempted to play on All-Star with default sliders later -- I imagine the increased AI level will improve their playmaking significantly.

Yea, try out all star or even superstar and let me know your experience.

[trekfan]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Yea, try out all star or even superstar and let me know your experience.

Will do, sir.

[Leasim96]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I really dislike this stance. Not picking at you but it's unfair to people that simply prefer Live's engine.

I want a strong strategic game of basketball. I don't consider myself a casual fan at all.

But Live has always felt better to me. I'm not playing it for this casual / arcade style that people seem to believe it is.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

That's fair - just my opinion / perspective on things.

I just think most people would easily argue that live is not detailed enough yet to have room to be considered more "sim".

When i say casual - i'm not referring to whether you enjoy that type of gameplay or not.

I'm referring to whether you are very nitpicky about things - or you aren't and can overlook things for the sake of just enjoying it more.

Again with casual or sim - i'm more referring to the build of the game - i disagree that the game is developed enough to be considered more "sim".

It feels arcade - it looks arcade - that's just my opinion.

Whether as 2k feels arcade - but looks sim to me. Not just graphically but in terms of gameplay.

Live is not fluid enough to me to be considered sim - yet.

But it's fun - especially this year so far. And that's worth a lot - 2k bored me a few months in and was frustrating at times this year.

Just my opinion - and keep in mind that whether the game looks or feels arcade - doesn't mean that's what you enjoy about it.

It can look and feel arcade - but you could still play it in a sim fashion. Different things.

Again just my opinion. I feel it makes sense.

I'm wondering now - is there any specific reason you prefer lives engine?.

[spike83]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Glad you are enjoying the demo.

There will be some offline challenges that you do solo throughout all our pro-am venues. More details on those coming in the future.

I commented in an earlier post the fun I had with "The One" playing at Rucker, etc. If there is a separate offline mode for streetball, I'm in @ $39.99. If not, it's a no buy.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I'm referring to whether you are very nitpicky about things - or you aren't and can overlook things for the sake of just enjoying it more.


I'm wondering now - is there any specific reason you prefer lives engine?.

I think this is true. I'm not very nit picky about the things I think most gamers in forums complain about, like uniforms or gear. I'm more concerned about things like driving to the basket and seeing the help defense collapse on me so I can kick out to the corner. I don't want it to work all the time but I was able to do this a couple times in the three games I've played of Live 18 and I love that "realism."

As for what I like about Live. Hard for me to say. I definitely get that 2K can look better in a lot of ways. I completely get that Live has had some bad animations. I complained about those in the past. I think 18 did a nice job cleaning many up (from what I've seen), but there are still some things that look ugly to me like the players dribble arm while moving. Can look lifeless to me. Or the facial expressions / placement of the head during the dunk. Certain dunk packages lack emotion or energy because of this.

But, Live just feels better to me. I think part of that is the whole animation vs. free movement argument. Part of it is the colors, lighting, broadcast (visual and audio).

[alabamarob]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

The game has potential, but the shooting is to accurate. To many blocked shots by non shot blockers. On SS every game is 60 plus fg and a ton of threes.

The ballhandler vs on ball def interactions are great. Some really good work there.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Don't play this game when you're taking care of your infant that keeps waking up, forcing you to pause and take several minute breaks before she passes out again.

Down 3 with 6 seconds left. Called timeout. Baby starts to move around a bit. This means tears are near.

No problem, suspend play. Take care of my kid.

15 minutes later, come back to the game, call a play, make an amazing drive to the basket. Oh yeah! Up one with a second to go.

So why doesn't the opposing team call time out?

Yep, forgot I was down 3. Lose by 1. Oh well, it was a good game. I'll make sure to pay closer attention to the score in the full version!

[Leasim96]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I think this is true. I'm not very nit picky about the things I think most gamers in forums complain about, like uniforms or gear. I'm more concerned about things like driving to the basket and seeing the help defense collapse on me so I can kick out to the corner. I don't want it to work all the time but I was able to do this a couple times in the three games I've played of Live 18 and I love that "realism."

As for what I like about Live. Hard for me to say. I definitely get that 2K can look better in a lot of ways. I completely get that Live has had some bad animations. I complained about those in the past. I think 18 did a nice job cleaning many up (from what I've seen), but there are still some things that look ugly to me like the players dribble arm while moving. Can look lifeless to me. Or the facial expressions / placement of the head during the dunk. Certain dunk packages lack emotion or energy because of this.

But, Live just feels better to me. I think part of that is the whole animation vs. free movement argument. Part of it is the colors, lighting, broadcast (visual and audio).

I'm the same as you - atleast in the non nitpicky aspect - and also i've enjoyed this live demo much more than 2k17s prelude.

I'm making another playstyle right now - well actually not another one - i'm sticking with wing defender i'm just seeing if very much like 2k - in most cases - speed is more valuable than strength.

Cause if that's the case i'm just going speed ya know. Rather be able to contest shots more efficiently / cut more efficienctly / get back on defense more efficiently etc etc.

[CujoMatty]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Xbox 1
NBA Play Now Impressions:

So, after doing The One last night, I jumped into the NBA portion of the demo this afternoon. Smoked the Warriors 60-28 with the Cavs -- absolutely threw down on the Warriors with LeBron, who was beastly with his dribble moves and dunking abilities. On default settings, the CPU seemed to be at a serious disadvantage in providing any sort of interior defense.

Offensively, the CPU couldn't score to save its life ... except with Zaza Pachullia. Zaza was grabbing boards, making putbacks, and getting some interesting layups (the hits the top of the backboard and rolls into the rim type of circus layups).

This seems to be a trend with the CPU AI. Its shooting players -- guys like KD, Steph -- don't make enough shots. Steph scored one basket out of 8 all game, and attempted only 1 triple. Durant was jacking up triples from all over the court, but got only one to fall.

The CPU AI did try to run its guys threw screens and "Horns" plays, but I managed to stick with them pretty well. On default settings, Pro difficulty, the AI simply is too easy to beat and not accurate enough.

Will be attempted to play on All-Star with default sliders later -- I imagine the increased AI level will improve their playmaking significantly.

For 16 I had to play on Superstar for a competent challenge and NBA live is the only game ever that I've had to play on the hardest difficulty so I'm not bragging.

Wouldn't be surprised if 18 is the same because all the sliders are exactly the same as far as I can tell.

[Scofield]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

While the game is no longer an embarrassment I don't think it's up to spec (in terms of game play). It feels like what a decent nba game would have been like on in the previous generation of consoles. Also, the animation quality looks dated to me - especially so for player jumpshots . It might be user error on my part but the handle is a bit clunky as well. All in all I'm glad to see that EA can put out a decent game but I'll be passing this year. I'm hoping for significant improvement from 2k or I'll be passing on it again to.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Leasim96]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I gotta admit that i'm quite saddened we have to watch the cutscenes over and over again without being able to skip - when we make a new player.

Especially since some are PRETTY long. Nothing agaisn't the cutscenes - they are quite awesome especially the first time around and can't wait too see more. But the second / third time through etc we just want to get it over with ya know?

Atleast in the demo.

Other than that - i've quite enjoyed this demo and will likely keep playing it until the game comes out.

I gotta admit that i'm looking to buy this game especially since with preorder it's at 40$.

The demo would have been perfect to me if we could skip cutscenes - and if we had more player saves. Not having to delete our guy to play again.

But again - live beat 2k17s prelude to me - because 17 didn't even have the option to restart. You had to do so in another account entirely.

[CujoMatty]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Actually in 2K if your feet aren't set the motion is off and you'll most likely miss the shot

I just don't see it, this game is stiff compared to 2K. I want Live to win as bad as anyone but this is a bad sim basketball game, some encouraging things but overall bad. I may just cop because I'm a big fan of street/Pro-Am basketball and it's only 40 bucks.

I know people want to be optimistic but let'a keep it a hundred.

You don't see it that's cool but some of us do. So if I don't agree with your opinion I'm not keeping it a hundred? You sound like Trump lol?

[PVarck31]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

After playing more, I still really like it. And it's a big step up from 16. Defensively alone, it blows away 16.

It's not gonna topple 2K. But it's back in the race imo.

And for $40, it's a steal.

[IowaAJ]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

My first impression is the game is fun. The first step beating a guy off the dribble is rewarding. I was only playing on Pro so that was definitely a little easy for me. The Floor seemed to be spaced really well. I felt like I could swing the ball around the perimeter really fast. Some of the Highlight reel blocks were really well done.