Your favirite NBA Live this generation

[youvalss]

So...now that this generation of Live games is officially done, which one did you like best? Here are my thoughts, and keep in mind that I don't play online and don't care about The One and all those player creation stuff...Only care about NBA basketball with real players.



Live 14 - Rough start, not even close to what was expected, even die-hard Live fans would admit that. EA made some improvements to the game, but still the graphics were bad for this gen, gameplay was lacking. I must admit that this game had a decent AI (Court Q), it actually was the only thing about this game I felt was close to being ok. And controls were the best this gen, with every move you want - controlled by the user.



Live 15 - The game that we should have got instead of 14? Much improved graphics (except for the washed out colors), decent physics, better animations but still lot of ugly ones. AI was a step back from 14 in my opinion, controls felt less responsive than 14 (probably because it was more animation-heavy), signature style was downgraded as far as dribbling, and other moves that were controlled by the user in 14 were automatic in 15 (floaters, for example). Some updates broke shooting jumpers (similar to what happened at the end to 19).



Live 16 - I only played the demo, so can't say much about the full game. But I really liked the demo. Graphics were great(!), controls felt good, everything was smoother and more fluid, I enjoyed the demo much more than I enjoyed 15. From what I understand, update 1.04 improved gameplay big time. Shooting was nice with that meter.



Live 18 - Oh yeah, my favorite Live this gen. Love the graphics - the best looking Live to date in my opinion (except for some players with extremely wide shoulders). Textures, lighting, arenas, sweat...and everything in between is A+. Gameplay is great with some slider edits and roster edits (yeah, we finally got to edit rosters - but not tendencies). Spacing is the best out of any Live and AI plays great with lots of off-ball movement and ball movement, but you still get a fair chance to win if you play smart basketball and don't force shots.


Live 19 - Great game that was ruined by update 1.25, which broke shooting and spacing. Upgrade in many ways over 18 (more interactions with environment, more emotion, better looking movement/animations, better player models) but I still come back to 18 every night and prefer it over 19.


What are your thoughts and I would love to read everyone's take on 16 in comparison with 18/19. Saw a used copy of it at EB Games a couple of times, but is was sold for...ready?...$35. Yes, I'm serious, that's ridiculous. Was thinking of getting it if I find it cheaper somewhere else in the city.

[DJ]

I need to play 18 and 19 back to back to decide which one I prefer. I'd lean towards 18 right now, but both are fun.

[youvalss]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

I need to play 18 and 19 back to back to decide which one I prefer. I'd lean towards 18 right now, but both are fun.

Tried to play 19 at least 3 times recently and just could not like it anymore.

18 is just on another level. If you take the time to experiment and tweak sliders, as well as edit each and every player, you will have the best NBA experience a Live game has ever given you.

I am addicted to this game. CPU moves the ball crazy great, lots of off ball movement as well, physicality, midrange, mismatches...it's all there.

I've been editing each team and play a 12min-qtr games, and this game never seizes to amaze me.

And don't get me started on the graphics, it's gorgeous!

19 has nicer animations and more interactions, but 18 is so much better overall. Best Live ever, in my opinion.

PS: I only play offline vs the CPU, nothing else.

[mosvaluable1]

I'm torn between Live and 18 and 19. Haven't made a final decision yet. I've actually enjoyed both.

[youvalss]

Got a cheap copy of Live 16. Played the demo a couple of years ago and I remember liking it. But after being used to Live 18, Live 16 feels like a downgrade.

Still, I'd like to take a break from 18 and experiment with 16. Too bad controls changed that much. I need to re-learn dribbling and gathers. For some reason spin move is so much more responsive in 16. I find it hard to do in 18.

No roster edits mean more time for tweaking sliders and experimenting, get the feel of the game. Graphics are nice, not sure why it was considered a let down for some reviewers.

Physics are nice, trying to find a slider combination for collisions, fouls but still keep it smooth free flowing...just like I've been doing with 18.

I actually like 16's player models, just wish EA got rid of those HUGE shorts, it's way too big.