by Andre on Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:55 am
I bough espn 2k5 last week and I've played about 10 games so far. Here are my thoughts:
1. first of all, player models look better than in LIVE. This is a fact IMO. And courts look better too, especially the wood.
2. The overall presentation of the game is better too. The highlights at half-time and after the game are a very nice touch. Play by Play broadcast is good but probably not as goos as in LIVE. Arena's sounds however are great and much better than in LIVE. The crowd is really involved and really gets you into it.
3. The animation on the contrary is not as fluid as in LIVE. This is true for both players and the ball. It just seems to me that EA did a better job with motion-catpture this year. Everything just seems to flow smoother in LIVE than IN 2k5.
4. Few courts in 2k5 aren't like their real counterparts. Warriors and Wizards for example do not have their update courts' colors. This is a major flow for me.
5. LIVE has a much deeper selection of alternate and retro Jerseys than 2K5. Also, I don't like the fact that in 2k5 you cannot select your opponents' jersey in association mode. This means you cannot have real retro nights.
6. IN summary, graphically speaking 2k5 may gain a thin edge over LIVE due to better player models, but it eventually loses it because of poorer players' animation.
So, anyone saying that 2k5's graphic is a way better than LIVE's graphic needs a pair of thick eye glasses.
7. When it come to Association/Franchise. They are different but both good. Without going into details, both games have ther PROs and CONs., and there is no winner. I like a lot LIVE's Gm's evaluations since it gives me the chance to change team in franchise mode without having to start a new franchise..I haven't seen such a thing in 2k5.
8. Gameplay is better in LIVE for me. Not because I'm more used to it, but because player controls are much better than in 2k5. Iso-motion sucks compared to LIVE's freestyle. Post-moves are not that good in 2k5 as I was especting. In 2k5 it's harder to drive to the basket (probably because isomotion sucks) and you usually end up scoring with forced shots from 3, mid-range or the post. LIVE offers more variety in terms of ways you can score, but it has that blocks issue that really makes it unrealistic most of the times. In general though, LIVE's gameplay is better.
IN general, the two games are close in my opinion. Both are very good game, but far from being perfect. Since I am the type of person who puts gameplay before graphic and presentation, I slightly prefer LIVE. Still, both games are enjoyable and worth the money you pay.