Zeus
10-23-2009, 06:40 AM
Game: NBA LIVE 10 from EA Sports
<a href="http://www.gamesbasement.co.uk/games-sport/sony-ps3/nba-live-10-ps3-PD-1821.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/buynowbtnbanner8.jpg.gif"></a> with free delivery from <a href="http://www.gamesbasement.co.uk" target="_blank">Gamesbasement.co.uk</a>
Introduction
EA Sports have something of a great track record in the sports genre, when they get it wrong, they consistently achieve to get it right. And when they get it right, they continue to make things even better, just look at FIFA 10. However, there has arguably one title that has bucked the trend in the EA Sports portfolio and that is NBA Live with 2K Sports providing the ‘benchmark’ in the previous years for the basketball simulation genre.
<center><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/nbal.jpg"></center></a>
But we’re pleased to say EA have come out fighting with NBA LIVE 10 and will give 2K sports some serious food for thought. So let’s take you to the start of the game which begins in true EA Sports fashion by allowing you to hit the court and practice. But if you feel like a break, you can always watch the live ESPN on demand feed which is always on show at the gym! From there on in you open up a variety of modes which leads us onto actually reviewing the main aspects of the game:
Graphics:
The visual graphics of NBA LIVE 10 are creeping into the ‘excellent’ category. There are some fantastic textures on the players and the court. Likewise, the colors ‘jump’ out of the screen at you and really make a vibrant difference. If we had to make some complaints it would be that some of the players like almost like model figurines due to some extreme smoothing and the free-throw sections of the game look rather jagged.
<Center><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/nbabluwhi.jpg"></center></a>
<center><i>See the players look great even if they do look a bit figuring like.</i></center></a>
But all in all, the game looks great with no serious problems; even the cheerleaders on the side of the court look good enough to warrant a sneak peak off the court – 8.
Gameplay:
What NBA LIVE 10 does so well is really capture the excitement of a tense and exciting basketball game so well. The game flows well, and EA has put a bigger effort into ensuring that defence is just as important as attack this time around. Pushing the shoulder buttons of your controller opens up a variety of plays on the fly so you can effectively play as you wish ‘on the fly’. The joys of perfectly timing a block to deny a 3-pointer truly come to life in NBA LIVE 10 as does the thrill of actually performing a 3 point shot by timing your jump-shot with a simple button press. Overall the game is fast and relatively fluid, and definitely provides tense and thrilling action whether it be in defence or attack.
<center><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/nbagsot.jpg"></center></a>
<centeR><i>Timing a jump shot is indeed sweeter than ever!</i></center></a>
However, the gameplay of LIVE 10 is not without its flaws. Your fellow team mates can frequently seem dis-interested and relatively lazy in the grand scheme of play. Likewise, there is a number of ‘glitches’ like your player sliding through the base of the basketball hoop but perhaps worst of all the ball passing right through your player even though you have positioned him perfectly to intercept the ball. And while it is possible to steal the ball off your opponent, for now it does seem relatively random as to when this occurs due to the slightly glitch ball properties. However, overall NBA LIVE 10 is fun and rewarding to play, even if you are not a basketball fan - 8.5.
Longevity:
Sports games are typically one of the longest lasting video games across all genres. And NBA LIVE 10 is no exception. There are a variety of modes which will keep you going above and beyond the standard head to head options. For example, you can go online and play a real five on five match by connecting with ten other players, take part in the Dynasty mode or even an improved FIBA world championships mode which will allow you to represent your national country of choice in addition to fantasy teams mode. Although what truly provides NBA LIVE 10 with exceptionally high levels of longevity is its sound and tension replicating gameplay which will keep you coming back for more – 9.
Audio and other considerations:
The best part of the audio in LIVE 10 is the dynamic sound of the crowd who can really be vital in creating an even more competitive environment. Commentary within the game is fairly stand with many repeated lines as you’d expect, but there are some decent dynamic touches with superstar players such as Howard of Orlando Magic. Elsewhere, the sound of the ball bouncing and dunks are OK but not particularly riveting.
If you’ve played FIFA 10, then you’d be pretty accustomed to the presentation of NBA 10. It’s decently presented with the option to watch ESPN moments live on demand pretty entertaining. However, beyond the at time shady ball properties and at times lazy team moments, the PS3 version of the game as we played appears to have something of a choppy frame-rate which is only really evident during the odd moment in a game and is not particularly consistent – 7.9.
Bottom Line
The improvements that NBA LIVE 10 offers means that EA Sports are one step closer in the quest for a grand slam of top sporting titles across all sporting genres. Even if you are not a fan of NBA, LIVE 10 should provide you with a fun and entertaining experience as every move you make counts and EA has done a great job of capturing the thrills and spills of basketball. Overall, it looks as if EA are heading on the perfect track with NBA LIVE 10 and from here on in which will make 2K feel a little more uncomfortable.
The Good: Fast and entertaining gameplay, emphasis on attack as well as defence, suitable for newcomers to the sport but also offers advanced options for those who wish to use them, great dynamic crowd sounds, solid and color vibrant graphics, new dynamic season which blends in real life games.
The Bad: Inconsistent ball properties, lethargic team mates, repetitive commentary and average ball sounds, occasionally slow-down on PS3.
<img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/ayteafive.jpg"></center></a>
<a href="http://www.gamesbasement.co.uk/games-sport/sony-ps3/nba-live-10-ps3-PD-1821.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/buynowbtnbanner8.jpg.gif"></a> with free delivery from <a href="http://www.gamesbasement.co.uk" target="_blank">Gamesbasement.co.uk</a>
Introduction
EA Sports have something of a great track record in the sports genre, when they get it wrong, they consistently achieve to get it right. And when they get it right, they continue to make things even better, just look at FIFA 10. However, there has arguably one title that has bucked the trend in the EA Sports portfolio and that is NBA Live with 2K Sports providing the ‘benchmark’ in the previous years for the basketball simulation genre.
<center><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/nbal.jpg"></center></a>
But we’re pleased to say EA have come out fighting with NBA LIVE 10 and will give 2K sports some serious food for thought. So let’s take you to the start of the game which begins in true EA Sports fashion by allowing you to hit the court and practice. But if you feel like a break, you can always watch the live ESPN on demand feed which is always on show at the gym! From there on in you open up a variety of modes which leads us onto actually reviewing the main aspects of the game:
Graphics:
The visual graphics of NBA LIVE 10 are creeping into the ‘excellent’ category. There are some fantastic textures on the players and the court. Likewise, the colors ‘jump’ out of the screen at you and really make a vibrant difference. If we had to make some complaints it would be that some of the players like almost like model figurines due to some extreme smoothing and the free-throw sections of the game look rather jagged.
<Center><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/nbabluwhi.jpg"></center></a>
<center><i>See the players look great even if they do look a bit figuring like.</i></center></a>
But all in all, the game looks great with no serious problems; even the cheerleaders on the side of the court look good enough to warrant a sneak peak off the court – 8.
Gameplay:
What NBA LIVE 10 does so well is really capture the excitement of a tense and exciting basketball game so well. The game flows well, and EA has put a bigger effort into ensuring that defence is just as important as attack this time around. Pushing the shoulder buttons of your controller opens up a variety of plays on the fly so you can effectively play as you wish ‘on the fly’. The joys of perfectly timing a block to deny a 3-pointer truly come to life in NBA LIVE 10 as does the thrill of actually performing a 3 point shot by timing your jump-shot with a simple button press. Overall the game is fast and relatively fluid, and definitely provides tense and thrilling action whether it be in defence or attack.
<center><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/nbagsot.jpg"></center></a>
<centeR><i>Timing a jump shot is indeed sweeter than ever!</i></center></a>
However, the gameplay of LIVE 10 is not without its flaws. Your fellow team mates can frequently seem dis-interested and relatively lazy in the grand scheme of play. Likewise, there is a number of ‘glitches’ like your player sliding through the base of the basketball hoop but perhaps worst of all the ball passing right through your player even though you have positioned him perfectly to intercept the ball. And while it is possible to steal the ball off your opponent, for now it does seem relatively random as to when this occurs due to the slightly glitch ball properties. However, overall NBA LIVE 10 is fun and rewarding to play, even if you are not a basketball fan - 8.5.
Longevity:
Sports games are typically one of the longest lasting video games across all genres. And NBA LIVE 10 is no exception. There are a variety of modes which will keep you going above and beyond the standard head to head options. For example, you can go online and play a real five on five match by connecting with ten other players, take part in the Dynasty mode or even an improved FIBA world championships mode which will allow you to represent your national country of choice in addition to fantasy teams mode. Although what truly provides NBA LIVE 10 with exceptionally high levels of longevity is its sound and tension replicating gameplay which will keep you coming back for more – 9.
Audio and other considerations:
The best part of the audio in LIVE 10 is the dynamic sound of the crowd who can really be vital in creating an even more competitive environment. Commentary within the game is fairly stand with many repeated lines as you’d expect, but there are some decent dynamic touches with superstar players such as Howard of Orlando Magic. Elsewhere, the sound of the ball bouncing and dunks are OK but not particularly riveting.
If you’ve played FIFA 10, then you’d be pretty accustomed to the presentation of NBA 10. It’s decently presented with the option to watch ESPN moments live on demand pretty entertaining. However, beyond the at time shady ball properties and at times lazy team moments, the PS3 version of the game as we played appears to have something of a choppy frame-rate which is only really evident during the odd moment in a game and is not particularly consistent – 7.9.
Bottom Line
The improvements that NBA LIVE 10 offers means that EA Sports are one step closer in the quest for a grand slam of top sporting titles across all sporting genres. Even if you are not a fan of NBA, LIVE 10 should provide you with a fun and entertaining experience as every move you make counts and EA has done a great job of capturing the thrills and spills of basketball. Overall, it looks as if EA are heading on the perfect track with NBA LIVE 10 and from here on in which will make 2K feel a little more uncomfortable.
The Good: Fast and entertaining gameplay, emphasis on attack as well as defence, suitable for newcomers to the sport but also offers advanced options for those who wish to use them, great dynamic crowd sounds, solid and color vibrant graphics, new dynamic season which blends in real life games.
The Bad: Inconsistent ball properties, lethargic team mates, repetitive commentary and average ball sounds, occasionally slow-down on PS3.
<img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/ayteafive.jpg"></center></a>