NBA Live 2005 Preview

NBA Live is always a guaranteed best-seller in the gaming market.  But just because it sells out more than Gary Payton (Lakers, Gary? Please…), doesn’t mean it shouldn’t listen to its dedicated fan base.  Democracy rules NBA Live this year, as producers listened to the users and adjusted the game accordingly. 

One of the biggest complaints that EA heard about NBA Live was the graphics.  Many users preferred ESPN/Sega’s player models more, citing more realistic looks and better animation.  What did they do?  Scrapped everything and started from scratch.  The new player models look comparable to the player models in NBA Ballers, which was a pleasant surprise from Midway.  The faces of the superstars are easily recognizable, taking the game to new heights.  Player lighting has also been tweaked, getting rid of whatever cartoon feel last year’s version retained. 

In addition to the set of new dynamite dunks, dazzling dribbles, and awesome alley-oops, EA has added a little more control to the game and hammered out some of the kinks that made the game more game-like.  Users last year loved the separate jumpshot and dunk buttons, so EA took it a step further and added separate put back buttons.  Crashing the boards and pressing the dunk button will result in a highlight reel putback throwdown, and the normal shoot button will be more of a relaxed tip in, perfect for when it’s a little more crowded under the basket.  Ten man motion capture has made all the pick and rolls and other plays look smoother, as well as given the game realistic spacing… no more crowds on one side of the basket. Work the ball around the perimeter and hit an open man in the corner, just like in the NBA. Defensive freestyle has been tweaked a little bit, adding a bit more balance to the game.  For example, jumpshooters can have the ball stripped on their way up for a shot.  This will hopefully alleviate some of the massive offensive power, last year’s version had every team scoring like the Dallas Mavericks or old school Denver Nuggets.  New collision models have been added for more realism based on momentum and mass.  If Shaq bumps into Damon Stoudamire, Damon’s going to be flying across the floor.  Likewise, don’t expect Shaq to give up much ground with that massive caboose of his.  This really makes the player play according o the actual team’s strategy in many cases, and possibly gets them to think twice about driving down the lane. 

Overall, the look I got of the game didn’t reveal any great new improvements, but it’s still the same solid NBA videogame.  A few tweaks here and there, but nothing substantial.  Look for NBA Live 2005 to be released with the start of the 2005 NBA season.

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