NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

[The 24th Letter]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Did you bite?


Sent from my mobile device.

on like the 15th one, haha

[louie dogs]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

but the patch they were talking about the producers of nba live about the graphical improvements are planned? you know something about?

[Gorilla Glass]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

but the patch they were talking about the producers of nba live about the graphical improvements are planned? you know something about?

Supposedly it's in the works for the 'big' patch. If they address this and fast breaks, then I'm set...

[mythreesons]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

I got my copy on Christmas Eve and have had the opportunity to play several games since. Here are a few of my observations:

Overall Gameplay:
Much improved from the demo. Other than the sub-par graphics it has a feel of an NBA game. Audio presentation (JVG and Breen) is much improved and the action flows. My biggest issue was learning a new set of controls (versus 2K).

Post Play:
Both offensively and defensively seem a bit cumbersome. Points in the paint are WAY too high and once the your opponent gets to a certain point and starts the "pump-fake" annimaton, you are better suited to attempt a steal than a block shot. Double team is the best option and even with that you must keep the man you're guarding from getting to his spot or it's over. Seems that the offensive player can slide right by you if you're not in precisely the right place. Again, I am learning a new set of controls. Jumpers with out first creating space, will generally get blocked unless you have a decided height advantage over the defender. I liked this aspect. Wade would get his shot sent back to him, while Lebron was/is able to get his shot much easier. Again, PIP are WAY to high. This may be to my ineptedness as a defender, although I have saw many post in this thread that have complained about this. Sometimes the slam-dunk put back is a little overdone and so far I haven't seen a block or at least a forced miss on a dunk attempt. I need to know that it is at least possible.

Shooting:
Players release points are definitely different. I roll with the Heat and I've got Chalmers down - almost to the point of cheesing. I went 11-17 from three with him in one game. I'd post Lebron or Wade, the double would come and I'd kick to Rio. I'm about 6 games into Dynasty and Mario is shooting 62% from 3 . On the other hand, Ray Allen is shooting 33% which is actually closer to the norm than Rio's 62. Freethrows are realistic for the most part, although DWade is shooting 47% primarily because he has this funky quirk in his shooting motion. The Devs need to fix this as it looks like Chuck Hayes (former Houston Rocket) shooting motion.

Rebounding:
One of the most pleasing aspects of the games. The players block out and for the most part get the rebounds they should get. You ocassionally notice a player not jumping and his opponent getting the rebound, but for the most part the rebounding is spot on.

Defensive options:
I love the myriad of options at your disposal for defense. The AI responses well based upon your selections. The Heat were flying around like the Heat getting into passing lanes and hard-hedging on the PNR. They rotate well to help if your settings are such. One thing I disliked was when you select "Perimeter Double-team on Drive" the AI help comes often time on the "Dribble" i.e., too soon and not technically on the drive. I would like to see this patched if possibe.

Intangibles (Hot/Cold Streaks):
I don't really have a problem with this as "runs" are the nature of the NBA. However on more than one occasion, I have jumped out to 30-15 leads in the first quarter only to be outscored by a similiar score in the second and arrive at halftime either tied or leading by 2 points. Points are generally harder to come by during these periods and I believe that the key in minimizing these cold streaks is to run your offense and take good high percentage shots. On the flipside of the cold streak, I went into the fourth quarter on the road against the Raptors trailing by eighteen (73-55) and won on a Chalmers 3 (the game that he went 11-17 from three) at the buzzer - 96-93. Effectively outscoring the Raptors 41-20. We shot 75% for the quarter the Raptors shot 47% and lost. For some reason it felt doable, but I wouldn't want to see this too often . I believe the hot/cold streaks are hard-coded to force the overall shooting averages towards the norm.

That's enough for now, but I'll have more input after I've had a couple dozen more games.

Overall:
I like the potential that I see in this game.

[WTF]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Great impressions. Keep them coming as you get more accustomed to it.

You can block dunks, and putback dunks as well. There's several videos in the video thread, and I have several more that I haven't posted. I had back to back blocks by Markief Morris over the weekend. It was a great feeling.

The Miami Defense does feel great in the game. You have to be extra cautious with your passes, and pick your spots.

To reduce the blocks from jumpers, try to create some space by use a jabstep from the triple threat (right analog towards the defender while not dribbling). They'll step back normally just enough for you to get a shot off. Or the step back jumper, (Triangle/Y and away from the hoop while stationary).

Looking forward to more impressions.

[louie dogs]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Supposedly it's in the works for the 'big' patch. If they address this and fast breaks, then I'm set...

yeah with more realistic graphic and some bug adjust nba live 14 is a really good basket game

[WTF]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

I love the loose balls from batted passes in the game. Nothing like throwing a pass across the court, or through the lane, to have it batted down from the defense, and not automatically intercepted. Then there's a scramble to get the ball. I've noticed several passes sailing out of bounds in my last 2-3 games as well.

[mythreesons]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

I was browsing NBA Live website and saw this:

"On the other side of the ball a quick tap of the pad calls a 2-3 zone, a 3-2 zone, press or man-to-man defense. Double tapping results in calling the coach’s default defensive scheme, pack the paint, pressure the shooter or focus on and double-team the opposing squad’s best player".

This opens up another level of defensive strategies and schema. Anybody try these? Particularly the open's I have bolded.

[WTF]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Also, for those of you who use the euro step manuevers, someone a while back posted that they wish the "shot" at the end wasn't animation controlled. You CAN manually push the shot button after the euro buttons, and it will give you a different shot. You can also pass out of it. If you only want a 1 step euro then shot, make sure you double tap triangle/Y, then the shot button. I drew a foul on the fast break with Goodwin on the euro step, hit the shot button, and he spun off of the contact into a 360 type fading shot... it was SLICK.

Just wanted to let guys know.

[WTF]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Absolutely man.. Where you been?

Works like a dream. The pack the paint and Star Focus are what I use the most, after setting the individual defensive matchups.

[mythreesons]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Absolutely man.. Where you been?

Works like a dream. The pack the paint and Star Focus are what I use the most, after setting the individual defensive matchups.

Does it work well for controlling the PIP? One of the reasons I'm not ultra-critical is because I feel I've only scratched the surface of the games capabilities. Interesting...

[WTF]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

It does help out somewhat. I'm normally at 50% PiP or a little less, which isn't bad. Part of the reason it doesnt' bother me as much, is that a lot of the PiP that I'm seeing right now are quick floaters just inside the paint, or regular jumpers in the paint. I'm not seeing a ton of the spin move, pump fake stuff right now. Not sure if I'm combating it, or if it's improving in that aspect. Yesterday for example, Tony Parker had a ton of PiP against me, but most of them were right around the free throw line. Several layups, etc, but still, not the cheese stuff you saw early on.

I still set my matchups for each individual player, and adjust periodically through the game, but if I see a team is determined to try to continue their assault in the paint, I'll pack the paint. Or if I can't stop someone, I'll go with a Star Focus, and it causes a double to come, or at least shade over towards the guy allowing further help if needed.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

I wish the CPU was a little more aggreesive in their help defense...all this beautiful spacing...but not seeing a lot of drive and kick game to show for it...

[alexthegreat]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Saw a lot more loose balls in the paint, due to contact, today.

It was beautiful seeing online players finally pay for spamming and being sloppy in the paint.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 14 Has Arrived, Post Your Impressions Here

Played against the Heat today and it is definitely nice to see them trap my ball handler on pick and rolls.

It doesn't kill P&R but it makes it much harder to complete. On the flip side, get through the trap and you have a lot of daylight.

Really nice risk/reward for that team being shown through this game.


Sent from my mobile device.