NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

[DW3]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Herea

The more I play the more I enjoy the game. Nothing seems canned and each game I've played has felt different the one before it. I just need to get the pull up shots down and I will be good. Started a dynasty with the Knicks and dropped 30 with Prizingis. Struggling with Melos shot though.

[Calvenn]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Updated:

Well, though the game continues to play well (teams executing like their real life counterparts, good ball distribution, more accurate player tendencies, responsive user input, game fluidity, improved defense, etc), for the past few days, I've observed that the cpu has lost its "edge" on both ends of the court in Dynasty mode. This is disheartening. If you review my previous but recent posts in this very thread, I praised the "aggressiveness and effectiveness" of the cpu in this mode. The cpu challenge was fantastic all around and, IMO, at times even necessitated (on defense) the use of coaching strategies and defensive assignment changes, etc, to be successful against its attack. This was the case for an entire 1 -2 weeks after beginning a new Dynasty (also applied to all "test Dynasties started during that period of time). Also, on offense (human and cpu) fg%'s often were within realistic range (40% to 50%).

I reported my findings at the time to simply inform the community of the differences between Tip off and Dynasty mode and to fully support the elevated gameplay (could have used some minor tweaks here and there but played superbly otherwise) allowed in this mode.

After beginning a new "test Dynasty" within the past few days (was patiently waiting to see if any Synergy tweaks/tuning would bring the competition/intensity back), I've noticed a rather noticeable decline in this regard. I have won ALL my games with little effort while my fg% has averaged in the mid 60% range. Also, my cpu opponents have been easily (for the most part) kept in check while shooting in the 30% to 40% range. As you can imagine, there has been no need to employ any special defensive tactics ( no defensive pressure or assignment adjustment) as a result of this change. Finally, since the cpu is no longer as active on defense, the defensive coverage when down at the 2 point mark and full court press activated, is not as good as it was last week. Interestingly enough, the cpu defense appears ok in general.

I hope this is re-evaluated soon ( Superstar level must truly represent and play like the ultimate level) and they bring back that intensity that's sorely needed. In case you are wondering (just completed a game in my Dynasty from last week that makes this distinction in gameplay painfully clear), your existing Dynasties are NOT impacted, only the newly created will display my latest findings. This also validates the notion that Synergy tweaks don't apply to existing Dynasties. I'm playing the game on Superstar level with default sliders.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Didn't see a thread. Has there been any updates in the last couple of days? Game seems faster than before, which I like

[bateman11]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Didn't see a thread. Has there been any updates in the last couple of days? Game seems faster than before, which I like

I've noticed this as well. It makes the animations look smoother and I dont feel like my ball-handlers are dribbling in mud lol.

What is up with all these gameplay changes that pop up out of nowhere? I don't understand it

[Calvenn]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

I've noticed this as well. It makes the animations look smoother and I dont feel like my ball-handlers are dribbling in mud lol.

What is up with all these gameplay changes that pop up out of nowhere? I don't understand it

Agreed. I have noticed improved fluidity. Most of these changes have been positive and welcome improvements. Hope they will continue to keep the game realistically challenging throughout these changes

[bateman11]

NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Delete post

[The 24th Letter]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Not to mention black and afro Boban on the Spurs

I didn't realize they updated him....doesn't look like him at all but at least the race is correct, lol

[babythug23]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here7

How do u foul? I lost couple games because they ran the clock out because I couldn't foul

[rudyjuly2]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here7

How do u foul? I lost couple games because they ran the clock out because I couldn't foul

L1 + SQUARE I'm pretty sure. (maybe L2 but think it's L1 + square for PS4)

[The 24th Letter]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Game definitely isn't void of 'canned' sequences....

https://vid.me/UoSM

Too many of these 'pull in' animations...I'm assuming to tone down the paint scoring...Memory could be failing me but j don't remember many of these last year...on the flip side, too many straight on sequences where there should be collisions are whiffed.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

I'm thoroughly enjoying the game. Definitely a vast improvement over 15.

My only major gripe so far are the hook shots. It seems like the game is missing some post animations and so it only has a couple options. It just looks ugly and never natural. At all.

Also the collision detection on those hooks, while being realistic in terms of simulating contact, leads to an ugly animation. Players look like they are throwing the ball up but still making a perfect arc, release. Would like to see an animation that forces the shooter into contouring his body like JVG likes to say.

I also find that there is zero response to pulling the left stick back while shooting. Can we not attempt fade aways?

Finally, there needs to be an instructional video on post defense. It doesn't seem intuitive and I'm mostly just guessing at things. Am I supposed to put hands up? Why at times does pressing up result in the back away move? Or am I supposed to follow the player with the left stick? There's no information on this.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

Also had a tough experience mounting a 30 point comeback, down 14 with 6 minutes left in the 4th. The situation doesn't matter but it hurt not being able to play the rest of the game.

During free throws that cut it to 14 the camera stayed in the free throw angle. It wouldn't follow the action and made defense impossible as I couldn't see the action happening off screen. So I had to quit. I have video of it saved. I think.

Hopefully this doesn't happen again. Really ruined a fun grueling second half experience.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

I only resort to L2 for post defence and try to block shots if I can. The fade away jump shot is pretty non existent in this game and needs work for sure. The step back jumper doesn't work as well as it should either imo.

As for post moves, they are limited. I try to spin with the right stick or double tap square for an up and under move. Those two or the basic hook are my only moves.

[CMH]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

The bigger issue is its the only move for both sides. I could understand if the user was only attempting hook shots because we were doing something wrong but the cpu post offense consist of the following:

Back in. If size advantage do so until hook shot animation can be triggered. If no size advantage, exit post up and attempt crossovers until entering dunk or layup animation - which by the way completely negates whatever I'm doing on defense, good or bad.

It's very random. So I'm left just assuming my decisions have no impact.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: NBA Live 16 Available Today, Post Your Impressions Here

So, after picking this up during the PS4 sale, here are some early impressions (for me, at least...I guess they're late for most here ).

First, with the poor sales and tons of negative stuff I had read/heard about Live 16, I expected something much worse than I got. The game is actually pretty solid overall and can certainly provide an entertaining game of basketball. I'm going to mostly ignore the lack of customization as that was a known factor before my purchase and justification for the heavily reduced price tag IMO.

Anyway, I'll spoiler the bulk for length:

Spoiler

Animations are hit or miss. I feel some of the dribble and walk-up animations are excellent, as are some of the contact animations on the perimeter. Contact in the paint and many of the shooting animations feel stilted...just not smooth or realistic.

Also, Basic movement suffers from a herky-jerky aspect that can be disorienting-especially when contrasted with the smoother "canned" walkups and dribbles. It kind of reminds me of 2K baseball in that sense, where a guy would look awesome at bat in his signature stance and then look like he was doing the robot on his way back to the dugout.

That said, from a physics standpoint, contact "feels" really good and plays out in mostly realistic ways (in terms of direction/general reaction). I really think if they can figure the animations to go along with the physics being used, the game could really make a leap forward.

I do like the speed and pacing of the game overall, particularly when playing with more up-tempo teams.

AI does a good job of spacing for the most part (though I noticed more issues with this in Rising Star, as guys would sometimes try to share my space on the floor, despite me following the play accurately). I also like the way the AI seems to make a realistic effort to not only move to get open, but move the ball to create open shots.

Teammate AI is still a bit sketchy for Rising Star, but not terrible. I do feel that they are a bit liberal with chucking contested 3s early in the shot clock though.

Graphics are hit and miss. Some faces are amazing, others are embarrassing. I think EA did a pretty good job with arenas overall (TD Garden, for example, looks miles better than in 2K IMO). I do like the basic build for the player models though (a lot skinnier overall...most guys look long and lean when they should).

Jalen Rose annoys me

I Love the net physics in this game and bottoming Js is really satisfying.

Also, a couple of tentative impressions (meaning, I fully admit I need more time and testing invested to be sure):

1) I feel like the disparity in makes between user and AI is a bit unbalanced. I struggle to make contested Js with even the best shooters (good timing/release, solid percent chance), while it feels like the AI makes a disproportionate amount, yet seems to miss too many uncontested shots. I can perhaps this up to being new though.

2) The game seems to try to replicate the types of runs teams tend to go on over the course of a game, which can make for a fun, more realistic feel to the pacing when it works. Unfortunately, there are plenty of times where it feels like the AI gets stuck in the bad runs, leading me to extend insurmountable leads or dig out of my really bad play. I've only played this on Pro and the next highest level though, so it may be a difficulty level thing.

Overall, it was certainly a good pickup for the price. I'm admittedly a 2K fan (especially on PC), but if EA opens up customization A LOT and adds some depth to modes and presentation, I can see going back to the days of purchasing two basketball games again.