Qballer's Live 08 PS3 review. (Full gameplay review posted)

[[Q]]

I got the game on Tuesday and I've been pretty much playing online games nonstop. I have not played the computer AI quite yet, but I probably will when I try the Dynasty mode.

Following in Jao's footsteps, my first thoughts:
I quickly tried the dunk contest & 3 pt shootout and was sorely disappointed. I was expecting the quick mini games I remembered from Live 2005 to change it up from the 5 on 5 games I was playing. The dunk contest shot clock still sucks. I found it pretty difficult to transition from the gather to the actual dunk animation, despite my experience in playing this mode from the last 2 years.

Also, the releases in the 3 point shootout are garbage. It's really hard to tell when to let go when almost every player has a freaking seizure in the air.

Actual gameplay was very impressive to me. My first game was Hornets (me) vs. Celtics (they are going to be a popular team this year).
I will say this first. Many people have claimed that 2k is the better game for a "sim" bball game as opposed to the "arcadey" NBA Live. I would have to disagree when comparing Live 08 to 2k7. 2k7 was a button-masher's paradise. mashing the steal button to get those impossible tips in the passing lane, mashing the button for the jump balls, mindlessly moving the stick to get a juke move that gets your guy past the defender... etc.
The most noticable difference was that Live 08 was less frantic and you could actually think about what you are going to do each possession. Not since Live 06 was I able to look at the clock and fully untilize the 2 for 1 possessions and also holding for the last shot (both which are impossible in 2k7).
it was so nice to be able to play an online game without worrying if your opponent presses all game and steals inbound passes because it was a big issue in 2k7. something as simple as inbounding/bringing the ball up should not be a chore.
also, I appreciate that being open plays a big part in whether you make a shot or not. in 2k7, they rewarded dunking over taking open jump shots. in that game, you could have a "perfect release" when youre wide open and still miss more often than not.

anyways, I'll write up a full review when I get a chance to try everything in the game and hopefully a 2k8 review and a comparison article Live 08 vs 2k8.

questions? just ask.

[cheater1034]

sounds good, I get the game on ps3 tomorrow, I was waiting for gamespot to review it, but from what I've seen and heard 2k8 isn't bad this year but the animation system is whack and as you play more, the worse it seems.

I hear great things about live 08 though, i was waiting for gamespot (IGN is so screwed up, they gave AWFUL NBA 08 higher than live, they gave live a 6.9, nba 08 7.5, nba 2k8 7.9, gamespot gave 2k8 8.5, nba 08 5.9 (saying it was terrible which it is), and they didnt do live 08 yet)

Would you say it's worth $60 though?, I'd play mainly dynasty and online.

[JaoSming]

Next Gen dunk contest is just, meh.

I was surprised why the game got such low reviews this year. After my first impressions I'd give it an 8...

...lets hope we dont find something that absolutely ruins it to a Live 07 NG level.

[[Q]]

I'd say for the dynasty & online it's definitely worth the $60. online mode adds so much more replayability to the game... if EA updates the rosters more often than 2k, i'd be pleased. (i mean for god's sake Maciej Lampe dominating for a whole year? c'mon now, 2k.)

for those that are not buying Live 08 simply because 07 was crap, i would tell you that you're making a big mistake by not giving Live a chance. 2k puts a good game out, but it has its glaring flaws as well.

[huddy187]

I'd say for the dynasty & online it's definitely worth the $60. online mode adds so much more replayability to the game... if EA updates the rosters more often than 2k, i'd be pleased. (i mean for god's sake Maciej Lampe dominating for a whole year? c'mon now, 2k.)

for those that are not buying Live 08 simply because 07 was crap, i would tell you that you're making a big mistake by not giving Live a chance. 2k puts a good game out, but it has its glaring flaws as well.

this is the best live ever but the only reason im angry is the
player edit is lock but other than that the game is awesome
and everybody should buy it

[cheater1034]

I have another question for anyone who owns the game, is Varejao and sasha on the cavs roster? (Because neither of them have signed yet), and is there a roster update that would have cedric simmons and devin brown (the cavs acquired both this past week if I'm not mis taken, and a roster update would be nice for that)

[LakersRule24]

Is it as good as EA tries to make of it?

[[Q]]

I have another question for anyone who owns the game, is Varejao and sasha on the cavs roster? (Because neither of them have signed yet), and is there a roster update that would have cedric simmons and devin brown (the cavs acquired both this past week if I'm not mis taken, and a roster update would be nice for that)

A. Sasha & Andy are in the FA list.
B. it's not hard to go to the sign/release players menu and do it yourself

[The X]

As a fellow PS3 owner, I appreciate that you'll be reviewing it & I look forward to your 2k8 vs Live '08 review....

a few questions that maybe you can answer for me now & in the coming days:

1. Are there framerate issues with the PS3 version? This is a huge issue for me & could decide whether I would take a look at the game or not.

2. How does the game compare to NBA 2k6 (on 360)? I personally did not like 2k7, so just wondering if it's a better game than 2k6. This can be gameplay comparisons, animations & so on.

3. How is the game as a multiplayer (not online, I mean offline) sports title? I mostly play franchise mode myself or in exhibition games against family & friends. Again, how would it compare to previous 2k series games?

4. Dynasty/Franchise Mode. Depth? Substance? Stats problems after 1st season (i.e. Dorrell Wright leading league in scoring)? Bugs? Trade AI & frequency (& can frequency be adjusted by sliders)? Mid Level Exemptions? Teams making decisions based on rebuilding/championship contender/young team etc? Player Development (do they have those stupid drills like 2k series)?


So as you can see, my main concerns are the framerate of the game, the multiplayer & franchise mode experiences, & how it compares to 2k series.

Look forward to your answer. Could mean the difference between getting 0, 1, 2 or 3 basketball titles (NBA2k, College 2k & Live) this year....

[[Q]]

1. running at 60 fps, there are very few framerate issues. I think I maybe had one slight lag during an offline multiplayer game, but it was barely noticable. online, framerate's still pretty good as well. if you play someoen with a "poor connection" it still runs well but lags once a quarter or half. otherwise, it plays just as well as it does offline. I liked the responsiveness to the controls as well.

2. I have never played 2k6 on 360, but I have played 2k7 on both ps3 & 360. I can't really compare it to 2k6, but I can compare to 2k7 and then you can compare that to your experiences with 2k6 & 7.
I'd say the visuals (courts, faces, jerseys) blow 2k out of the water. presentation does as well. I was not a fan of 2k's commentary and use (or lack of use) of the arena announcer. 2k does take the cake with gameplay though. just barely. I like the jumpballs midgame and the over the back fouls, 5 sec Barkley rule, etc. but I feel that Live does beat 2k in the way they handle logic on what shots/free throws go in and what misses. I feel like Live is more realistic because you don't need to dunk everytime and shoot 60-70%+ FG% to be competitive.
3. It's a very fun game to play with someone else especially on a team you like. i play with my roommate whenever he's here and we can play together online as well (which 2k7 only allowed in non-ranked matches). Plus, it's better because from what I've played so far, it's far more difficult to play cheap and abuse exploits in the game in Live 08 than 2k7, so you don't have to worry about cheap players as much. plus, you don't get ebay user feedback and you can see what % of their games they quit/drop on.
4. unfortunately, I haven't tried the dynasty mode as of yet. I should be gettign to it in the next few days, so I'll have to include that in my Live 08 review when it's ready.

Overall, I was pleased with my purchase of Live 08. I have the same feeling as I did when I bought 2k7 after Live 06: it was refreshing to play a completely different game. this time, it's refreshing to not have to worry about the bullshit i put up with in 2k7. there's so many ways to be cheap in that game it's ridiculous.

[Matt]

my fingers are itching for some action and yet i still have to wait

[The X]

thanks Qballer, the fact it plays fresh might work for it....I didn't realise it would run at 60fps as EA were having problems but maybe they fixed it up, which is good....

I'll look out for your NBA Live '08 vs NBA 2k8 comparison review with anticipation....I think, since time is limited these days, I would like a game I can just pick up & play, have some fun & have good multiplayer battles (as you said, 2k7 felt a bit cheap....even my bro preferred 2k6 to 2k7)....

maybe I just liked 2k6 because it felt fresh, but 2k7 felt a bit stale, so maybe giving Live a shot might be worth it....I guess I can always get it on 7 day return policy at EB, so if I don't like it, just swap for 2k8....I figure I'll probably get College Hoops 2k8, which is essentially college version of NBA 2k8, so might pay to have a different playing bball game for the NBA version....

thanks for the insight & please update this thread when you learn more positives & negatives about the game....

[nba_baller]

Qballer is their a roster update for the PS3 version yet?

[[Q]]

Qballer is their a roster update for the PS3 version yet?

uh probably not quite yet.


and X, I'd say get College 2k8 and if you like it, consider getting NBA 2k8, but as of right now, I've only played the demo and it reminds me too much of 2k7 to want to buy it.

[The X]

Qballer, I'm going to give Live a miss for the 2nd straight year....

it came down to the 360 review posted on the main site at http://www.5w-g.com/?p=313

More than anything, NBA Live 08 reminds me of EA’s NHL 07 in terms of solid groundwork and unfulfilled potential. Both titles come from EA Canada’s metro-Vancouver studio, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if NBA Live 09 turned out to be like the recently-released NHL 08 and become one of the best sports titles of the year. Considering what’s there now, it’s entirely possible that NBA Live can make that leap.

that one quote finished it for me....I was probably 40-60 before I read that, but the fact is that I bought NHL 07 last year for 360....I was so disgusted in the game that I returned it the very next day & haven't bought another EA product since....the reality is that this year, for the first time since I purchased NBA Live '95 for the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis for you Americans), I don't think I need a bball gaming fix....maybe it's because I'm playing real ball 11 months of the year or maybe it's because I'm consumed in wedding hype or that Oden got injured, but it's just not there....I'll probably get back on the bandwagon next year & give NBA Live '09 or NBA 2k9 a look (unless College Hoops 2k8 is a surprise & then I'll get that)....

[joar32]

The Genesis also had the Lakers Vs Celtics by EA which I think started the franchise.

X, It would be nice if you can get the demo to play it first. I played the PS3 demo and it made me decide to spend 45 dollars on it (ebay). I also go for reviews and my decision sort of get influenced by them. But getting the play the game changes some of those notions and doubts that you get from the reviews.

I guess since you play in multiple formats and consoles, you have a more extensive insight on how a game may look like basing on reviews. I never was able to play NHL 07 and didn't know how bad it was...

[The X]

The Genesis also had the Lakers Vs Celtics by EA which I think started the franchise.

X, It would be nice if you can get the demo to play it first. I played the PS3 demo and it made me decide to spend 45 dollars on it (ebay). I also go for reviews and my decision sort of get influenced by them. But getting the play the game changes some of those notions and doubts that you get from the reviews.

I guess since you play in multiple formats and consoles, you have a more extensive insight on how a game may look like basing on reviews. I never was able to play NHL 07 and didn't know how bad it was...

the funny thing is that NHL 07 reviewed pretty well so I gave it a shot, & it let me down....I usually read like every review, but this one seemed a bit better than others....I still might give it a look when it's in Bargain Bin or something like that....

yep, there was Lakers vs Celtics, then games like Bulls vs Lakers, Bulls vs Blazers, NBA Showdown '94, but it was a total re-design & speeding up of the game that brought a fresh new game that felt like basketball for the first time....it was called NBA Live '95....I played about 500+ games of that....I wish I had of gone in a tourney with that, I think I would've done very, very well....

I guess the problem with me & basketball games is that I expect perfection....for a game like FIFA 08, I can look past the bugs & glitches as I'm not hardcore football fan like I am with basketball....

but yep, I will never say never....but it's more likely than not that my basketball fix will come from one of the two college titles....

[Ruthless Outlaw]

Qballer, I bought Live 08 for PS3 and went over to my friends house to play it because he has a top of the line HDTV and I don't. So I put the game in his PS3 and started to play, and mannnnn was I disappointed. It was was the choppiest game that I had ever seen, and it was like that for the whole game. The sad thing is that I still have a SDTV and it actually looked and played better on my SD tv than it did on my friends HDTV. He has a 37" Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV, so I know it couldn't have been his TV, because all other games play fine. So I was wondering did you have the same problem on an HDTV? This really made me feel bad about my purchase of Live, because I plan on getting a HDTV soon and Live is usually the only game that I really get into.

Also, we were playing multiplayer, 2 on 2, offline on one counsel. Is it possible that, that is why it was lagging sooo much?

[[Q]]

well off line games do lag after scoring plays occasionally becuase the game saves the replay for the "Sprite Highlight Reel" at the end of the game. I have a 37" Olevia and the game looks amazing on mine. I dunno it might just be your settings.


Review's coming soon after I test out the dynasty mode and a comparison article soon after when I can bring myself to play 2k8.

[Ruthless Outlaw]

Yeah I'm figuring that the settings were bad, they were default. I'm going to try it on another HDTV just to make sure that it's not my game disc.

[[Q]]

QBaller's Official NBA Live 08 (PS3) Review
The problem with Live 07 sucking so badly on every console (especially PC for us here) is that people don't give the next game a chance. I you like fundamental basketball games and do not like the "cheezing" (abusing exploits) from the 2k series, I suggest you try NBA Live 08. Yeah, I know what you're saying, "You're a moderator at the NBA Live Series Center Forums, you're just getting paid to hype this game". First, I would say it if I was getting paid, and I'm not. Second, I just want everybody out there (especially those who aren't able to buy the game yet) to be able to make a conscious decision on what game(s) to buy this year. I will keep 2k references to a minimum as there will be a comparison article to follow soon enough. I am reviewing Live 08 and Live 08 alone. Without further ado,

Gameplay
When you first load up the game, you get Gilbert Arenas in a practice arena. The beauty of this feature is that for 2k converts it allows the player to practice or just to mess around the game to get a feel for it. With the option to change players, it becomes an important tool to find your players' strokes and where they shoot the ball best from (the "Hotzones"). The ESPN Sportscenter audio clips that play in the background over your EA Trax are nice at first, but after you hear it once, you won't appreciate it being played over and over again like a broken record.

As you pick your teams, you realize that the selection of retro jerseys are non-existant, but it's only a minor issue. They allow you to select your starting lineup before you load the game. During the loading screen, you and your opponents/teammates get to answer 3 multiple choice trivia question. I really like this addition, as I have always thought of myself as someone with good general knowledge of the NBA. Marv Albert & Steve Kerr bring you the action again this year (and this will probably be Steve's last year due to his new GM job in Phoenix). The long-time arena announcer Al Murdoch announces the starting lineups and the game is underway.

The tip animations look a little funny, and if you don't know how to time it, it could take a few tries as they reset the ball if neither team tips it. The first thing you will probably notice is the amazing graphics of the game. Faces, jerseys, and courts are all top-notch as EA does every year. You will also note the pace of the game. It might be a little slow for many people's tastes, but you can always change that along with many other aspects of the game through the gameplay sliders. The 60 fps makes the game run very smoothly (if anybody's played Madden for PS3 vs Xbox360 can tell the difference).

The passing animations are a little better than previous versions of Live, but the one pass that ruins it for the rest of the passes is this high-arcing post-entry lob pass that takes a few seconds to reach your teammate. Passing with the X button takes some time to learn as the player may not always pass to the intended receiver (and at times may pass it to someone else no matter how hard to try to point the left stick to the guy you want). However, EA has added a white circle under the player who your player will pass to if you hit X, which is very useful on breaks and in traffic to get easy baskets and open cutters.

As you hit the R1 button to direct pass, you may accidentally alley oop for the first couple games you play. holding R1 will get you the direct passing icons (which I have always loved since Live 98). The alley oop animations can be a little weird at times, but if you connect you won't be disappointed but spectacular alley oops are very rare. However, the delay is a little burdensome and I hope they wise up next year and move the alley oop to L1, Hotzones to L3, and bring back the direct passing of say Live 06 on PS2.

Once you throw the ball down low, you have a few options. back him down with the L2 button frm which you can use the right stick to perform several post juke moves that are effective more often than not (I've determined about 60/40 or so). these moves are very important in drawing fouls instead of getting offensive fouls for bowling through the defender. Collisions down low are farily good and if you body up on a good low post scorer you will affect their shot.

If your man gets doubled down low or can't get an open shot, he can pass out to an open shooter. Which brings me to a "new" feature in this game. EA has implemented something that used to be an option in the past. "CPU determined shots" takes into account your player's shooting rating and how open he is and where he's shooting from into account and less on how well you released your shot (if they even use that at all). This has its pros and cons when compared to the old "User" setting. Of course, you won't have the feeling that you're controlling your own destiny and your own shot, but it is nice to be able to hit most open jumpers that you should be making. This game definitely rewards people for shooting jumpers, that move the ball for an open shot. This makes the game less dependent on a dunkfest/layupfest. Hotzones don't seem to affect in-game play as much, as the good shooters will still make their shots and the bad ones will still miss. You will notice that you shoot a VERY slightly higher percentage from the red zones.

After your score, the game autoswtiches you to the PG, which I happen to like, in order to guard the oppposing PG that's bringing the ball up the court. By the way, stealing animations have been slightly limited to minimize inbounds stealing . It should not be a chore to do something as simple as inbounding the ball or holding for the last shot or going for the 2 for 1. Anyways, I feel that steals and blocks are quite balanced this year. There's not too many "rips" and interceptions, but there's enough of them. Blocks are a little harder to do and sometimes there's a delay or if your opponent goes up for a dunk or lay up. This is necessary in my opinion in order to keep the game from becoming a block party. NBA players only get 1 or 2 blocks per game with 12 minute quarters so it but the game usually gets just under that average of blocks in a 5 minute quarter game. Taking charges is a little more difficult than years past (which was a feature I loved to exploit in Live 06) and double teaming by pressing right on the dpad twice is a little annoying. This can cause your D to respond slowly to a good player or an open player occasionally. Defense with the right stick is pointless now that "take charge" has been mapped to left and right on the right stick. I liked it better when steal was there. I could hold down and quickly move left or right ot attempt a steal. I use the L2 "defensive assist" occasionally now instead of the right stick.

The Dpad interface is a welcome addition, but needs a lot of work. It is possible, but difficult to call plays and make substitutions on the fly (which is very important in a basketball game in my opinion. pausing to sub is a little irritating). Calling timeout (and subsequently the end of a period) is finally an interesting part of NBA Live. It is perhaps one of the best parts of the actual gameplay for someone who likes the strategy of the game. If your opponent calls timeout, you can set your double team, pressure, and matchups. If you call timeout, you can dictate whether yuo want to hit the boards or go the other way. Also, a big thing is once you hit the select button, you have the option of calling a 20 second timeout or a full (which I have actually mentinoed numerous times in past NBA Live wishlists here at the NLSC. I would like to think I was the one that came up with the idea of distinguishing between 20s and full timeouts.)

The Quickstrike ball handling system is a new version of the old Freestyle juke moves. it's very similar but it has a few differences. The animations are a lot shorter, so you are able to string different juke moves quite easily.

There are a few issues with laying the ball up behind the backboard, dunking through the backboard, getting rejected by the rim and shots off the side of the backboard, but unfortunately, it is to be expected of "next gen" basketball. It doesn't happen too often, maybe once or twice in a whole game. But it's still there.

Fatigue and substiution patterns are improved a little bit this year. The secondary positions really hlpe the computer with the autosubs, but it does have its lapses at times (ahem, Sean Marks in for a fouled out Marion). The only problem is that for online games, fatigue has been disabled.

Presentation is still very good although you may get sick of Steve & Marv's ramblings about your favorite team's players quickly. Their commentary does not sound scripted at all which makes it very realistic to me. Plus, the occasional humor makes up for some of the repetitive nature of the commentary. I like Steve's admission that he used to play "matador" defense. I like the different stats that pop up from time to time and the Foul Trouble indicator is a very useful tool. The arena annoucer is a nice touch too. An addition from old-school Live, he gives you some useful bits of information that might not show up in a stat layer when you need it most. He tells who the foul was on, how many fouls they have, and how many team fouls you have.

Free Throw shooting with the right stick takes some getting used to, but the SixAxis shooting needs some work. *hint* I particularly enjoy intentionally missing the last free throw to the right as getting an offensive rebound on that side is a little easy if you know it's coming.

At times in a game, you will notice slight lags after a made basket. The game is saving the replay for the end of the game "Sprite Highlight reel" which is a nice touch. It replays all of the most spectacular moments of your game as you review the scoring breakdown and the box scores.

If you're looking for a game that plays fair and rewards fundamental basketball, then this game is for you.

Game ratings (from 1-10, 9 being NBA Live 2000 status)
Presentation: 8.5 (Marv & Steve still bring the game to life)
Graphics: 8 (Textures have always been a strong point of EA)
Sound: 7 (In-game sounds are average, EA Trax is decent, commentary is solid)
Gameplay: 7.5 (Good, but still has issues)
Replayability: 8 (Online games keep the game fresh, dynasty always gives you something to play for a while)
OVERALL: 7.75 (Good game to work off of for 09. Watch out.)

well, that does it for the gameplay portion of my review. Thanks for taking the time to get this far. I will add anything that I have left out. Dynasty and the Game mode reviews are coming soon, as well as (a less in-depth) 2k8 review and a 2k8 vs Live 08 article. keep your eyes peeled for those.

[Tuomas]

Good thing that someone manages to bring out the best parts about this game. There are some good things... and I'll leave it to that from my part this time

[The X]

Fatigue and substiution patterns are improved a little bit this year. The secondary positions really hlpe the computer with the autosubs, but it does have its lapses at times (ahem, Sean Marks in for a fouled out Marion). The only problem is that for online games, fatigue has been disabled.

Hey, some people would call that a positive lapse