EGM (6.5-6.5-7.5) (EDITED: Includes review text)
Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:38 pm
NBA Live 08: 6.5 (Bryan), 6.5 (Todd), 7.5 (Garnett)
Bryan: If you thought the Dallas Mavericks' playoff meltdown was the low point of the 2006-2007 NBA season, you obviously didn't play EA's basketball sim-what a mess. Luckily, NBA Live 08 goes a long way in righting several of those wrongs. This one is...well, actually playable, thanks to a vastly improved default camera perspective, legit low-post moves (big men finally play a role on the offensive end), and the added ability to pressure ball handlers.
Stil, the more time I spent with 08, the more I felt like the developers played it too safe-you really won't find anything on this hardwood that you haven't seen before. Also, this series continues to have some naggin problems, including little off-the-ball movement, the occasional wonkiness when shooting right near the rim, and the inability to explode to the basket after getting your defender in the air. So even though Live is lookin' better, the series could use more time in the gym.
Todd: In what's a no-doubt good move, 08 has gone the franchise-restart route. That means we have beefed-up graphics, on-the-fly subs, and FIBA inclusion! Of course, that also means we get a few hang-ups, like some phantom foul caslls (did someone pay off these virtual refs?). What irked me most, though, was tossing up crazy, Iverson-style shots when I just wanted to stop and pop, and how getting to the hoop for a dunk or layup is way, way too easy. Still, 08 looks fantastic, is way more realistic than previous Lives, and puts the series back on the road to Wellville.
Garnett: While I agree with Todd and Bryan on 08's technical problems, I have no problem paying for the show it delivers on the court. The new implementation of the right stick makes breaking down defenders off the dribble flow smoothly. The defensive assist makes a big difference in that you can stay manned up on the guy you're covering without worrying about making a slip. Also, turn-arounds have a more natural rhythm to them. Yeah, the franchise mode feels like work, but with the melting-wax men from last year gone, this Live looks and flows like a pro game.
The Good: Low-post play
The Bad: Takes no changes with the gameplay
Don't Bother: Trying the slam-dunk contest-it's terrible
Last edited by benji on Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:51 pm
I think those guys are idiots., don't listen to them.
They say tony hawk's proving ground looks better than skate, LOL. THPG is awful, it's the exact same gameplay as tony hawk 1, you can get 40 million combo points doing the exact same grind in a circle or whatever. The cities are unrealistic, everything about the game is fake.
Skate has amazing gameplay and graphics though, everybody agrees. There is no grind and never stop because if you jump and grind again you go faster and get more points, you can seriously get 40 million points (search youtube)
Those guys are stupid though, I wouldn't take their score seriously.
They say tony hawk's proving ground looks better than skate, LOL. THPG is awful, it's the exact same gameplay as tony hawk 1, you can get 40 million combo points doing the exact same grind in a circle or whatever. The cities are unrealistic, everything about the game is fake.
Skate has amazing gameplay and graphics though, everybody agrees. There is no grind and never stop because if you jump and grind again you go faster and get more points, you can seriously get 40 million points (search youtube)
Those guys are stupid though, I wouldn't take their score seriously.
Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:58 pm
"taking chances with gameplay" is exactly why NBA Live went down the toilet to begin with.
It's also what's wrong with 2K8, IMO. So many signature moves and they're all virtually automatic baskets.
"taking chances with gameplay" is why you can now hit 20-foot jump hooks with Tim Duncan, because they spent so much time making it look good and no time on putting limits on it.
NBA Live went back to basics this year, and quite frankly I'm glad. There's a very good reason why people loved NBA Live back in the day, and it wasn't because of great graphics, because that was never a strength of the series.
It's also what's wrong with 2K8, IMO. So many signature moves and they're all virtually automatic baskets.
"taking chances with gameplay" is why you can now hit 20-foot jump hooks with Tim Duncan, because they spent so much time making it look good and no time on putting limits on it.
NBA Live went back to basics this year, and quite frankly I'm glad. There's a very good reason why people loved NBA Live back in the day, and it wasn't because of great graphics, because that was never a strength of the series.
Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:55 pm
The scores look accurate to me.
Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:01 pm
I'll wait for some in-depth reviews to read.
Where did you quote the good/bad from?
Where did you quote the good/bad from?
Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:42 pm
I edited the first post to include the review text.
They don't actually say skate is worse than Tony Hawk, they say they were itching for Tony Hawk's acadey over-the-top gameplay after playing the hardcore skate.
They do say 2K8 is better than Live, and years past, with great AI and improved playing calling. Also that the dunk contest is far superior to Live's.
They don't actually say skate is worse than Tony Hawk, they say they were itching for Tony Hawk's acadey over-the-top gameplay after playing the hardcore skate.
They do say 2K8 is better than Live, and years past, with great AI and improved playing calling. Also that the dunk contest is far superior to Live's.
Thu Sep 27, 2007 12:58 pm
so thats 6.8 rating.. thats below average right??
Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:03 pm
Well, EGM defines 6.5 as average, and the 7.5 is considered "good".