I have read numerous reviews around the net of 2K3 and ID2003. One thing that very very few reviews have touched on is the artificial intelligence in the games. I feel this is a major flaw in the reviews, as this should be paramount in a sports game.
So, for anyone who may still be deciding what game to get (and just to get it off my chest as it's been bugging me) I have done an AI test. I used two of the best combinations in the NBA, Pierce and Walker and Shaq and Kobe, and tested both games. All results are how the AI reacted to the tests.
Below are the results.
Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker.
In both games, I pulled my defender away from them and thus left them wide open. In Inside Drive, both drove to the hoop and converted. In 2K3 neither reacted. On several occasions a wide open Paul Pierce simply threw the ball to Vin Baker, recieved the pass back, threw it back again and Baker put up a close range shot. I then tried giving them space at the three point line. In ID2003 both took the open three's. Walker in particular would shoot the three consistently. In 2K3, Pierce would occasionally shoot the three as the shot clock wound down. Walker never shot an open three.
Plays run for them.
ID2003 saw Walker come off screens and shoot threes and jumpers as well as post up players regularly. Pierce drove to the hoop often and shot open jumpers. In 2K3, both had only generic moves run for them. Pierce would shoot the jumper as scoring guards do in the game with a few seconds left on the shot clock. Both would shoot close up hook shots from inside the paint.
Shaq and Kobe.
In 2K3 Kobe plays similarly to Paul Pierce. Open jumpers were offered but not taken. Lanes to the hoop were left wide open and rarely driven through. Shots from within the paint were high. In ID2003, Kobe drove through open lanes and pulled up for any Jump shots that were offered. He also passed extremely well when doubled.
Shaq was offered the match up of Charlie Ward in both games. Don't laugh. In 2K3, AI Shaq never backed Ward down. He spun off him and shot short jumpers well. In ID2003 AI Shaq backed down Ward and dunked over him repeatedly. Of note, IN 2K3 rarely did the AI offer the over matched Ward any support. In ID2003, Kurt Thomas regualry came in to offer a double team.
Ball managemnet. In 2K3, the computer AI walked out of bounds at leat three times a game. This never occured in ID2003. In ID2003, the computer AI would sometimes throw poor passes that were intercepted.
Team styles. 2K3 failed to run any screens for guys like Walker to shoot three's. In fact, it never utilised his double skills of possessing an inside and outside game. In ID2003 walker posted up regularly and then would turn up on the perimeter to nail a three. The way this game captures the Celtics stregths was superb. The lakers ran a clear triangle in ID2003. In 2K3 they seemed to run a genric style. Shaq shot a lot from five feet and Kobe put up shots as the shot clock expired. Fisher penetrated off the dribble.
Worst moment. 2K3 watching an open Antoine Walker not take an open shot, not even drive, nothing. Just pass to Vin Baker. This happens over and over. Very poor.
Best moment. ID2003 Walker shooting a three off a screen having posted up Lee Nailon on the previous offensive play.
Overall. I love what sega have done with 2K3. They have revolutionised b-ball games and deserve applause. The stadiums and atmosphere is superb. I posted here a week ago to that affect. However, the AI is plain and simply terrible. It pains me to say that, but it is. The 2K series looked good when it only had the LIVE series to be compared to, however when compared to ID it just looks terrible. The generic AI is very poor. The limited play sets are painful after 20 games. You actually know what the AI will do. Leave it's scoring guard wide open and it won't react because that's the play that the power forward gets the ball. Terrible.
ID2003 is dull as anything. The presentation is lifeless. However, the AI is beyond good. You want to play the Celtics and take on their inside and outside game? This is your game. You want to take on Shaq, Kobe and the triangle? This is your game.
I have changed my mind several times on which game to use for my season. I have started and re-started on both. When it's all said and done, you can live with poor presentation. You can't live with a season of horrible AI.
ID2003 wins the AI battle by so far it's not even close.
AI ratings.
ID2003 95/100.
2K3 60/100.
So, for anyone who may still be deciding what game to get (and just to get it off my chest as it's been bugging me) I have done an AI test. I used two of the best combinations in the NBA, Pierce and Walker and Shaq and Kobe, and tested both games. All results are how the AI reacted to the tests.
Below are the results.
Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker.
In both games, I pulled my defender away from them and thus left them wide open. In Inside Drive, both drove to the hoop and converted. In 2K3 neither reacted. On several occasions a wide open Paul Pierce simply threw the ball to Vin Baker, recieved the pass back, threw it back again and Baker put up a close range shot. I then tried giving them space at the three point line. In ID2003 both took the open three's. Walker in particular would shoot the three consistently. In 2K3, Pierce would occasionally shoot the three as the shot clock wound down. Walker never shot an open three.
Plays run for them.
ID2003 saw Walker come off screens and shoot threes and jumpers as well as post up players regularly. Pierce drove to the hoop often and shot open jumpers. In 2K3, both had only generic moves run for them. Pierce would shoot the jumper as scoring guards do in the game with a few seconds left on the shot clock. Both would shoot close up hook shots from inside the paint.
Shaq and Kobe.
In 2K3 Kobe plays similarly to Paul Pierce. Open jumpers were offered but not taken. Lanes to the hoop were left wide open and rarely driven through. Shots from within the paint were high. In ID2003, Kobe drove through open lanes and pulled up for any Jump shots that were offered. He also passed extremely well when doubled.
Shaq was offered the match up of Charlie Ward in both games. Don't laugh. In 2K3, AI Shaq never backed Ward down. He spun off him and shot short jumpers well. In ID2003 AI Shaq backed down Ward and dunked over him repeatedly. Of note, IN 2K3 rarely did the AI offer the over matched Ward any support. In ID2003, Kurt Thomas regualry came in to offer a double team.
Ball managemnet. In 2K3, the computer AI walked out of bounds at leat three times a game. This never occured in ID2003. In ID2003, the computer AI would sometimes throw poor passes that were intercepted.
Team styles. 2K3 failed to run any screens for guys like Walker to shoot three's. In fact, it never utilised his double skills of possessing an inside and outside game. In ID2003 walker posted up regularly and then would turn up on the perimeter to nail a three. The way this game captures the Celtics stregths was superb. The lakers ran a clear triangle in ID2003. In 2K3 they seemed to run a genric style. Shaq shot a lot from five feet and Kobe put up shots as the shot clock expired. Fisher penetrated off the dribble.
Worst moment. 2K3 watching an open Antoine Walker not take an open shot, not even drive, nothing. Just pass to Vin Baker. This happens over and over. Very poor.
Best moment. ID2003 Walker shooting a three off a screen having posted up Lee Nailon on the previous offensive play.
Overall. I love what sega have done with 2K3. They have revolutionised b-ball games and deserve applause. The stadiums and atmosphere is superb. I posted here a week ago to that affect. However, the AI is plain and simply terrible. It pains me to say that, but it is. The 2K series looked good when it only had the LIVE series to be compared to, however when compared to ID it just looks terrible. The generic AI is very poor. The limited play sets are painful after 20 games. You actually know what the AI will do. Leave it's scoring guard wide open and it won't react because that's the play that the power forward gets the ball. Terrible.
ID2003 is dull as anything. The presentation is lifeless. However, the AI is beyond good. You want to play the Celtics and take on their inside and outside game? This is your game. You want to take on Shaq, Kobe and the triangle? This is your game.
I have changed my mind several times on which game to use for my season. I have started and re-started on both. When it's all said and done, you can live with poor presentation. You can't live with a season of horrible AI.
ID2003 wins the AI battle by so far it's not even close.
AI ratings.
ID2003 95/100.
2K3 60/100.
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