I was a sick in bed this weekend so I rented ID2003. I had played a little of ID2002 last year and was not all that impressed. Well I got the game Sunday night and have played 20 games since then. Wow. . .
Wait I can be more specific. The game reminds me visually of the Live games on the PSOne (I think they even have the same PA announcer). I don't mean it looks bad, I mean that there is a soft, almost painted quality to the graphics that I really enjoy. Also, I like the slightly darker lighting, it reminds me of the way NBA games looked on CBS in the 80's. Also, I may be wrong, but the animation seems buttery smooth. Nice.
The gamplay was the best surprise. This game is all about the Stars (I am glad Kobe has that little "star" next to his name all the time or I would forget that he should take most of the shots!), which is cool with me. You best players have to take most of the shots or you will lose. I had to tweak down the speed and ability of the players to cross-over dribble past 2 or 3 men every trip down the floor, but overall I am impressed. I mean when you see Houston or Ray Allen come off a baseline screen square up, catch and shoot in one fluid motion it is exciting and feels very real.
And after 3 years of play NBA 2k is not as challenging as it once was. Even with Arenas' excellent sliders I am still able to beat the CPU down on All-Star 99% of the time. With ID I lost my first 8 games. Badly. It was great.
Really I find the game charming and very inviting. It makes me feel the way I felt watching basketball when was a child- warm and completely enraptured. I feel much more involved then I do when playing NBA2k3. 2K3 is great, but it can start to feel a bit robotic and, relatively, sterile. With ID I really feel like it is up to me to use my players well, while in 2K I feel less in control- esp. when rebounding. Plus ID has a number of little touches that add a lot to the gameplay. For example I really like the fact the ID tracks player achievements. I mean Tyson Chandler (I use the Bulls) may not get a lot of double-doubles, but I am glad I will be able to track them. Also the commentary is still making me laugh.
Anyway I advise all you Xbox owners to give ID a chance this year. You may be in for a treat. I for one will be picking it up this week.
And a fanboy is born. . .Anyway has anyone else picked up an old school vibe from this game?
Wait I can be more specific. The game reminds me visually of the Live games on the PSOne (I think they even have the same PA announcer). I don't mean it looks bad, I mean that there is a soft, almost painted quality to the graphics that I really enjoy. Also, I like the slightly darker lighting, it reminds me of the way NBA games looked on CBS in the 80's. Also, I may be wrong, but the animation seems buttery smooth. Nice.
The gamplay was the best surprise. This game is all about the Stars (I am glad Kobe has that little "star" next to his name all the time or I would forget that he should take most of the shots!), which is cool with me. You best players have to take most of the shots or you will lose. I had to tweak down the speed and ability of the players to cross-over dribble past 2 or 3 men every trip down the floor, but overall I am impressed. I mean when you see Houston or Ray Allen come off a baseline screen square up, catch and shoot in one fluid motion it is exciting and feels very real.
And after 3 years of play NBA 2k is not as challenging as it once was. Even with Arenas' excellent sliders I am still able to beat the CPU down on All-Star 99% of the time. With ID I lost my first 8 games. Badly. It was great.
Really I find the game charming and very inviting. It makes me feel the way I felt watching basketball when was a child- warm and completely enraptured. I feel much more involved then I do when playing NBA2k3. 2K3 is great, but it can start to feel a bit robotic and, relatively, sterile. With ID I really feel like it is up to me to use my players well, while in 2K I feel less in control- esp. when rebounding. Plus ID has a number of little touches that add a lot to the gameplay. For example I really like the fact the ID tracks player achievements. I mean Tyson Chandler (I use the Bulls) may not get a lot of double-doubles, but I am glad I will be able to track them. Also the commentary is still making me laugh.
Anyway I advise all you Xbox owners to give ID a chance this year. You may be in for a treat. I for one will be picking it up this week.
And a fanboy is born. . .Anyway has anyone else picked up an old school vibe from this game?
. For example I love the way the play-by-play guy is always apologizing to MJ for cutting him off. It kills me. I am sure it will get old soon enough but for now it leaves me grinning. Anyone agree?
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