NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

3. There is absolutely ZERO off ball movement.

While it's possible this was removed, there is an option that creates off ball movement.

I'm assuming file size or something weird has something to do with it not being on in the demo. I believe it was this way for 16 too.

Imo, it's a mistake by the dev team to leave it out. Movement is essential. Because of my experience with Live, Im not concerned about lack of off ball movement. I know it should be there based on last year.

But I'm just a guy. The demo should do the talking and right now it's telling people there isn't any and that's a big miss. Wish I knew why it wasn't on by default.



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[Macs Power]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Played against my sis today. She was the Warriors and she beat me convincingly (66 to 59). Mind you, she's not even a fan of basketball games. It tells me how easy it is to pick up the game and have fun. It also tells me how deadly klay, curry and KD are hahaha. Should have uploaded some of the stuff I witnessed from the both of us

[ClassicMan]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Anyone else seeing this MMSE error when trying to matchmake?

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I was gettin them friday night

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[Tomasson84]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

If i reset and do a new player, do i keep all the clothes etc that i've unlocked?

[Macs Power]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

If i reset and do a new player, do i keep all the clothes etc that i've unlocked?

That is correct

[Naboulet]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

If i reset and do a new player, do i keep all the clothes etc that i've unlocked?

Affirmative my friend

[Americas Team]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Played my first Cavs vs. Warriors game on All Star, man did I enjoy every second of it! The game is much improved from 16, it's not much I didn't like so im going to list the dislikes I have as of now.

Dislikes:
The shotstick, it's too distracting, I liked the minimal simpler one in 16 better, Ill end up turning it off eventually.

Left stick direction change during dribbling seems to be toned down less effective from how it was in 16?

The graphics, I'm not feeling the graphics for the players, they are dated, need to redo even scan all players in the next release.

Non post scorers like ZaZa too effective in scoring in the post. One time he threw up a 13 foot contested hook shot and it went in.

Please turn down the 1970's Kungfu movie sound effects on the block shots.

That's all I have on my dislike list for now, im sure I will have more once I play the game more. But overall I definitely like the game and will buy it.





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[WTF]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Franchise is an improvement, just don't go looking for MyLeague 2.0. There will be a blog coming on it i believe.

[Tomasson84]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

As someone who is almost purely a offline be a pro player when it comes to sports game, i gotta say im just happy that i dont have to start in the 50s when it comes to overall.

[Armor and Sword]

NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

I really see myself playing The One primarily with this game. It is potentially the best RPG My Player mode ever made if this demo is any indication of the presentation, decent teammate AI and upgrade system we are getting.

I think this is where the game is going to shine big time.


When I want true franchise authenticity and gorgeous game play I pop in 2K17 and have a blast with retro rosters and custom leagues.

But pick up and play this game is an excellent departure.

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[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Here's my two cents:

Spoiler

1. Presentation is phenomenal both in game and in cutscenes as well. LOVE the First Take integration. Almost forgot I was playing a game there for a minute. Literally when the scene ended I was confused as to why my TV turned off lol. I was blown away. Coolest thing I've ever seen in a basketball game.

2. Atmosphere is fantastic. Love the pan out of the crowd when someone hits a big shot.

3. There is absolutely ZERO off ball movement. Career Mode seems extremely boring when everyone is just standing around or setting the occasional ball screen for someone other than you. No downscreens, no basket cuts, literally zero movement unless the ball is dribbled at them. This was a game killer for me once I unlocked play now. No freelance movement like in 2K almost made me put the game down right there.

Spoiler

4. Dribbling is meh, but it may be because I'm so used to 2K dribbling. I couldn't tell if it was better or worse.

5. Defensive AI wasn't very good, but you can tell that they are programmed to be that way in some circumstances. The AI will switch every ball screen, but at least they do it correctly so it is still somewhat effective. I've seen some really terrible decisions such as a defender trying to dig down the post on the block all the way from the weak side wing. Not good.

6. I don't like having only a block shot attempt and no shot contest. I've never understood why that ever became a thing. You don't see players jumping 5 feet in the air to block a jump shot. (Edit: Shot Contest is Right Stick Up. Oops)

7. Shooting seems too easy. The AI and I hit 10 straight threes to start off my first play now game. Some of them were very contested.

8. Layups were too long and drawn out. I also saw the AI take 5 steps with no dribble. I had to laugh at that.

9. Commentary is weak. I like Van Gundy, but it just doesn't flow as well as 2K. Even the old days of Live with Steve Kerr seem better than this.

10. Ties in to a previous point but no motion offense is just a deal breaker for me. As a basketball coach, being able to jump in and run actual offenses is my favorite aspect of the 2K. I don't think I can play basketball without it.

Considering my expectations were very minimal, I was pretty surprised with the demo. However, it's still not up to par with anything 2K has or will put out with 2K18 imo. I love the presentation and the story behind the career mode, but the gameplay still seems very bland to me. The lack of motion offenses leads to very sluggish gameplay. Not every offensive action should be triggered by dribbling somewhere. It's just not realistic in any way. This might be a great game for a casual basketball fan or a youngster learning the ropes of the game. But as someone who is involved with basketball for a living, it's not realistic enough for me.

To put things in some sort of ratings perspective:

Presentation: 9
Commentary: 4
Gameplay: 7
Realism: 5
Overall: 6.5 out of 10

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Regarding ball movement. I've been trying to find a way to get ball movement. I'm getting ball movement via the following options:

(1) Use the L1 bumper (screen button) but don't actually set a screen. Hold and release the screen button (This screen button is actually pretty useful on both offense and defense
- Yes, this is the same as initiating the screen, but don't actually follow through with the screen. Push your analog stick towards the player you want "moving" or "setting a screen." Once the teammate starts moving towards, you release the screen button, he will start running away from you. At this point you could move towards him or the opposite side. You could do this with multiple teammates, initiate the screen with teammate #1, release the screen button. Then immediately initiate the screen with teammate #2, release the screen button. And so forth, just to get your teammates to start moving. You yourself as the ball handler will also need to start moving, it doesn't have to be an extreme distance, but just roam.

(2) Use the d-pad
- just push the d-pad in any direction to get your teammates to start moving. It's a quick play, but you don't have to run the exact quick play. Just see your teammates start moving.

(3) Call plays
- Same as d-pad function. Just call any plays. You don't have to follow through with that exact play, but just initiate a play and your teammates should start moving.


.... and then forget everything I wrote if you're referring to something else.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Played my first Cavs vs. Warriors game on All Star, man did I enjoy every second of it! The game is much improved from 16, it's not much I didn't like so im going to list the dislikes I have as of now.

Dislikes:
The shotstick, it's too distracting, I liked the minimal simpler one in 16 better, Ill end up turning it off eventually.

Left stick direction change during dribbling seems to be toned down less effective from how it was in 16?

The graphics, I'm not feeling the graphics for the players, they are dated, need to redo even scan all players in the next release.

Non post scorers like ZaZa too effective in scoring in the post. One time he threw up a 13 foot contested hook shot and it went in.

Please turn down the 1970's Kungfu movie sound effects on the block shots.

That's all I have on my dislike list for now, im sure I will have more once I play the game more. But overall I definitely like the game and will buy it.





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There is a vast improvement in the hook shots. In 15 and 16, guys took some awful looking hook shots. I always saw some of these 10+ footers as an animation that had not been built. It's better in 18 but it shows up still at times.

Live team, you have to set a restriction on how far away from the hoop a hook shot animation is triggered. It's ugly when it's too far. Also the hook shot in general should appear much less of the time.

I might have video of Nick Young attempting one from 8 feet out. Why? Hes a guard. Like 6'4 or something. He should just take a jumper or floater.

Edit. Young is 6'7. Still should not be taking hook shots.

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[The 24th Letter]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

My superstar level gameplay observation. Kevin Love plays like Dr. J and Kyrie Irving all rolled up into one. One handed around the basket shots, hook shots, everything. Kevin Love is the man in NBA Live 18's demo.

Haha he is definitely a Hall of Famer in the demo.

Superstar is what I've been playing on too...the lack of off ball movement is really apparant at that level....especially because a lot of the one on one logic kind of goes out of the window as a difficulty measure. Hope they can improve this....way too much standing around....

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Haha he is definitely a Hall of Famer in the demo.

Superstar is what I've been playing on too...the lack of off ball movement is really apparant at that level....especially because a lot of the one on one logic kind of goes out of the window as a difficulty measure. Hope they can improve this....way too much standing around....

Superstar level. See if my above post about ball movement works for you. I use all three methods. Hold the screen button (but don't actually set the screen, hold screen & release multiple times with different teammates), use the d-pad for quick plays and call more in depth plays, but don't necessarily have to follow through with the plays just to get your teammates moving.

At least that's how I'm playing right now because I hate doing isolation ball. I don't do isolation in 2k and I'm not going to do it here with Live 18 because I'm actually a terrible isolation player, but I love ball movement even more.

Will post my pro/con list and I'm ready to hop on the Live18 and NBA2k18 wagon this year. Both will be via digital purchases. Hate swapping disc. Likely day one for both unless something drastic changes.



Side Note: Offline franchise mode only for both 2k18 and live18 (with an added touch of WNBA). Not touching online.

[trekfan]

Re: NBA Live 18 - Demo Impressions

Franchise is an improvement, just don't go looking for MyLeague 2.0. There will be a blog coming on it i believe.

Looking forward to that blog! I don't need MyLeague 2.0; Live clearly has a direction they're going in with The One, I expect their franchise mode has its own direction too.