I've been playing the game for about 2 days now, and the game is not the end all be all of games, but the game is definitely playable. With some fine tuning this could have been a very good game.
Graphics:
I've heard people say the game reminds them of a PS1 game, If you haven't seen a PS1 game in a while then it may, but the graphics are ok. Nothing to write home to moms about, and it's not in the league of the Big 3, but the graphics don't bother me so much that the game is unplayable. There are definitely some rough spots with the animations, missing frames and quirky animations keep this game from achieving an even better element of realism that's so necessary to immerse the gamer into a virtual sports world. I think the Bright spot animation wise is the jumpshooting. I've always thought Ray Allen has the "sweetest" looking jumper in the NBA, and I think 989 has translated that pretty good into the game. The dunk animations are a hit and miss, some dunks look good and some look not so good. All in all, if only 989 would have smoothed out the animations, even with average graphics would have made the game that much better.
Gameplay:
I would label this section if only. If only 989 had taken more time to get more responsive controls. If only 989 had really taken the time to get a their dribbling controls down pat, this could have been a good game. I personally like the Ball physics and the way the ball hits off the rim. Rebounding in the game is down pretty good, no lapses or unplayable rebounding like Live of Last year. I've been playing on the general default level, and the game seems a bit too easy to score with top tier players. In playing with Iverson for a couple games, he was virtually unstoppable. That being said, the game needs an either/or. Either 989 needs to create a better balance on offense or they need to create sliders, period. The AI can be way to accurate when hitting shots. Whether it be via outside shooting or in the post, they can be too accurate at times. For instance Brad Miller constantly coming into the post and hitting shot after shot is not going to cut it(On a side note...After Brad Miller's constant barrage of low post fadeaways in my face, I wanted to do a Shaq on him by the end of the game). There are too many blocks in the game, but I think that's because of the limited amount of post moves. The computer will exploit a match-up though. If you're not playing solid defense, they will abuse you(or at least they did it to me ). I didn't really see a frequency of fouls, I went to the free throw line maybe once or twice a game.
Extra's:
The summer league is nice. I wish this were an option that all Basketball games included. The edit a dunk feature is a nice option too. There are 10 dunks at your disposal, and the user is able to alter the takeoff of the dunk(1 foot or 2 feet ect), whether it's one handed, two handed, tomahawk, windmill, 360 ect, the landing of the dunk, and there's an option to move the joints(your hands and legs) into interesting positions. You can edit the player's accessories. For instance, you can add Iverson's sleeve and what not. Being released on Sept 24 obviously denotes the games' rosters are not too accurate. The Stackhouse-Hamilton trade did not make the deadline, so you have to make that trade yourself.
Sound:
I think the sound is pretty average run of the middle for baskeball games. The intro to the game has Kool Moe Dee's "I Go To Work" over highlights of last years big NBA plays. For an old-school Hip Hop head like myself, it was a pretty entertaining trip down memory lane, but for a lot you youngsters the intro may be a little disappointing. The play by play is done by Ian Eagle, he also does the play by play for Gameday, so if you're familiar with his work then you know what to expect. I think the pleasant surprise came from Bill Walton. I ususally don't like his voice and comments during real basketball games, but I think in the virtual world, he has definitely found his niche. Bill Walton has a certain cadance to his voice that I think is perfect for videogames, he's overly dramatic, and I think it works. Other than that I think the sound on the game is average.
In closing, I think Shootout is a decent basketball game that finally has a foundation to build on. If 989 decides to improve the graphics, quirky animations, and uneven gameplay, the game will be able to compete with the Big 3.
I rate the game a 70/100.
Graphics:
I've heard people say the game reminds them of a PS1 game, If you haven't seen a PS1 game in a while then it may, but the graphics are ok. Nothing to write home to moms about, and it's not in the league of the Big 3, but the graphics don't bother me so much that the game is unplayable. There are definitely some rough spots with the animations, missing frames and quirky animations keep this game from achieving an even better element of realism that's so necessary to immerse the gamer into a virtual sports world. I think the Bright spot animation wise is the jumpshooting. I've always thought Ray Allen has the "sweetest" looking jumper in the NBA, and I think 989 has translated that pretty good into the game. The dunk animations are a hit and miss, some dunks look good and some look not so good. All in all, if only 989 would have smoothed out the animations, even with average graphics would have made the game that much better.
Gameplay:
I would label this section if only. If only 989 had taken more time to get more responsive controls. If only 989 had really taken the time to get a their dribbling controls down pat, this could have been a good game. I personally like the Ball physics and the way the ball hits off the rim. Rebounding in the game is down pretty good, no lapses or unplayable rebounding like Live of Last year. I've been playing on the general default level, and the game seems a bit too easy to score with top tier players. In playing with Iverson for a couple games, he was virtually unstoppable. That being said, the game needs an either/or. Either 989 needs to create a better balance on offense or they need to create sliders, period. The AI can be way to accurate when hitting shots. Whether it be via outside shooting or in the post, they can be too accurate at times. For instance Brad Miller constantly coming into the post and hitting shot after shot is not going to cut it(On a side note...After Brad Miller's constant barrage of low post fadeaways in my face, I wanted to do a Shaq on him by the end of the game). There are too many blocks in the game, but I think that's because of the limited amount of post moves. The computer will exploit a match-up though. If you're not playing solid defense, they will abuse you(or at least they did it to me ). I didn't really see a frequency of fouls, I went to the free throw line maybe once or twice a game.
Extra's:
The summer league is nice. I wish this were an option that all Basketball games included. The edit a dunk feature is a nice option too. There are 10 dunks at your disposal, and the user is able to alter the takeoff of the dunk(1 foot or 2 feet ect), whether it's one handed, two handed, tomahawk, windmill, 360 ect, the landing of the dunk, and there's an option to move the joints(your hands and legs) into interesting positions. You can edit the player's accessories. For instance, you can add Iverson's sleeve and what not. Being released on Sept 24 obviously denotes the games' rosters are not too accurate. The Stackhouse-Hamilton trade did not make the deadline, so you have to make that trade yourself.
Sound:
I think the sound is pretty average run of the middle for baskeball games. The intro to the game has Kool Moe Dee's "I Go To Work" over highlights of last years big NBA plays. For an old-school Hip Hop head like myself, it was a pretty entertaining trip down memory lane, but for a lot you youngsters the intro may be a little disappointing. The play by play is done by Ian Eagle, he also does the play by play for Gameday, so if you're familiar with his work then you know what to expect. I think the pleasant surprise came from Bill Walton. I ususally don't like his voice and comments during real basketball games, but I think in the virtual world, he has definitely found his niche. Bill Walton has a certain cadance to his voice that I think is perfect for videogames, he's overly dramatic, and I think it works. Other than that I think the sound on the game is average.
In closing, I think Shootout is a decent basketball game that finally has a foundation to build on. If 989 decides to improve the graphics, quirky animations, and uneven gameplay, the game will be able to compete with the Big 3.
I rate the game a 70/100.
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