First game in over a month...

... and I'm reminded of why I don't play the game. <sigh> Really, getting a second first impression, so to speak, the flaws are still beyond annoying. Probably won't play again for another month, when I'll forget again how bad it is... and try it once more.

wow what an unecessary post. sorry dude, not trying to put you down or anything. but there's plenty of threads going on about not liking the game, if you feel the need to start a new one, at least give us some comedy

Yeah, I know, I'm whining. Can't help myself, though. Lock if you wish.

why do people complain about this game so much? if you know how to play basketball, tweak the slideres, and try to make the game realistic it rusn out just fine. i love playing this game. im in 2011-2012 season in my dynasty now. it's fun!

why do people complain about this game so much? if you know how to play basketball, tweak the slideres, and try to make the game realistic it rusn out just fine. i love playing this game. im in 2011-2012 season in my dynasty now. it's fun!

You can try to make the game realistic stats-wise, but you can't change the number of blocks, the poor flow animations, the lack of fastbreaks, the super fast CPU, etc, etc.

why do people complain about this game so much? if you know how to play basketball, tweak the slideres, and try to make the game realistic it rusn out just fine. i love playing this game. im in 2011-2012 season in my dynasty now. it's fun!

You can try to make the game realistic stats-wise, but you can't change the number of blocks, the poor flow animations, the lack of fastbreaks, the super fast CPU, etc, etc.

Nor can you prevent guys from pushing you into backcourt violations, the flawed playcalling situation (too much to mention here), off-ball switch taking a second to engage (why do they do this?!?), etc. The list of annoying things goes on. Honestly, the playcalling thing alone is enough to turn me off -- I like calling plays that the players actually do, like in real ball! "If you know how to play basketball" my arse! I've tweaked the sliders and found decent settings but you know what? They don't mean squat when simple stuff doesn't work.

This is not to say that the game doesn't have some amazing stuff in it. I wish there was a way to save replays easily on the Xbox... I'd love to post replays of the good, the bad and the ugly.

maybe it's just me, but i haven't noticed the blocks to be a problem. neither have i noticed a lack of fastbreak as i always run the court with my team. and the cpu is not extremely fast, in fact i think it's just right.

overall, i think the game is great with minor flaws. not terrible with minor pluses like most people seem to think...

why do people complain about this game so much? if you know how to play basketball, tweak the slideres, and try to make the game realistic it rusn out just fine. i love playing this game. im in 2011-2012 season in my dynasty now. it's fun!

You can try to make the game realistic stats-wise, but you can't change the number of blocks, the poor flow animations, the lack of fastbreaks, the super fast CPU, etc, etc.

Nor can you prevent guys from pushing you into backcourt violations, the flawed playcalling situation (too much to mention here), off-ball switch taking a second to engage (why do they do this?!?), etc. The list of annoying things goes on. Honestly, the playcalling thing alone is enough to turn me off -- I like calling plays that the players actually do, like in real ball! "If you know how to play basketball" my arse! I've tweaked the sliders and found decent settings but you know what? They don't mean squat when simple stuff doesn't work.

This is not to say that the game doesn't have some amazing stuff in it. I wish there was a way to save replays easily on the Xbox... I'd love to post replays of the good, the bad and the ugly.

why do people complain about this game so much? if you know how to play basketball, tweak the slideres, and try to make the game realistic it rusn out just fine. i love playing this game. im in 2011-2012 season in my dynasty now. it's fun!

I concur! I know it isn't perfect, I know this. But can anyone honestly tell me that this isn't the best basketball game in the history of videogames? EA Canada deserves applause for their outstanding effort, just my opinion.

I have to agree... The game is very good... After playing like 50 games there are a few things that annoy me, but they really don't matter that much...

Fast breaking is meant for teams that have guys who do run the court... If you have line up like the Suns have right now, you can bet that they run the break every time in the game too... If you have like Shaq at center and Malone at PF and your point man is Mark Jackson, don't expect to go on too many fast breaks... You gotta build your team around a tactic...

Just get young athletic guys on your team and see them run... Especially if they can pass the ball as well... A good passer can start alot of runs... Bad passers make passes that are usually left behind so that the player catching the ball has to stop... This is one thing in real life that shows the difference between good and bad passers... Live 2004 and before the passing rating really didn't matter at all... Only for simulated assist average it mattered, but nothing else.

maybe it's just me, but i haven't noticed the blocks to be a problem. neither have i noticed a lack of fastbreak as i always run the court with my team. and the cpu is not extremely fast, in fact i think it's just right.

overall, i think the game is great with minor flaws. not terrible with minor pluses like most people seem to think...

I totally agree. I don't see that many problems with blocks and fastbreaks. I run the court with my team as well, and when I pass the ball, 90% of the times my teammates catch it ON THE RUN, and that doesn't slow down the action at all.

Blocks? Maybe a little worse than fastbreaks, but a lot depends also on how you play. Stop shooting with a defender in the face and the number of blocks will decrease. Only real problem is blocking hook-shots, but that's it.

BTW, I play on all-star.[/quote]

I concur! I know it isn't perfect, I know this. But can anyone honestly tell me that this isn't the best basketball game in the history of videogames? EA Canada deserves applause for their outstanding effort, just my opinion.

It's hard to say if this is the best basketball game EA has created so far. Even though they're able to create diversity with animations, the dunking is flawless, the blocking and rebounding animations are great, the defensive positioning have been greatly improved, and the addition of All Star Weekend (although I don't even use) is a plus; I find the overall gameplay to be terrible. I know many disagree with me, but I'm willing to back up my statements. Live 2005 has terrible gameflow. The passing animations are the worst I've seen in years, mainly due to the slow passing and the slow responsiveness of "catching a pass." Ironically, the no look passes off a pro hop is excellent. The CPU is noticably much faster than the user controlled player, which is annoying since it allows some unexcused uncontested shots by the CPU, and the lack of fastbreaks, or should I say, a running game? I can't forget to mention that scoring has been mainly reduced to my center/power forward dunking the lights out because of the easy post game. The lack of movement (due to players standing around, and due to slow passing) and high frequency of jumper blocks makes a shooting game beyond 15 feet very difficult.

EA Canada deserves applause for their outstanding effort? Definitely, for their efforts on All Star Weekend and Dynasty Mode. For the gameplay and consideration for the user? I'd say no. Where did all the playbook animations go? Why can't we save our controller settings, and save our selected plays? Why have some elements been removed, such as saving stats? Those little things that can make or break a game, imo, have been overlooked. Just my opinion

What you guys need to do is play the game like you're watching a real bball game. Sure there are mistakes, but accept them like you would if you were coaching a game. The bugs would be the equivilent of your player making a dumb play or turning the ball over. Just suck it up and move on, don't let it get to you. This still is the game of the year.

ESPN is gay, the turn over bug is so freaking annoying. It says I had 17 to's with T-Mac the other night. If you deflect a pass or tip one in ESPN it counts as a turnover on your team. The CPU also gets so many assists it's not funny. They always have over 30 a game and most of their shots are from assists. And the substitution patterns are horrible. I was playing the Mavs and they brought in DJ Mbenga(?) as a pg, and I have seen them put Andre Miller or Rodney Buford at C, so don't ask.

The passing animations are the worst I've seen in years, mainly due to the slow passing and the slow responsiveness of "catching a pass."

The CPU is noticably much faster than the user controlled player, which is annoying since it allows some unexcused uncontested shots by the CPU, and the lack of fastbreaks, or should I say, a running game?

What Level are you playing? Superstar? I play on all-star and trust me, 90% of the times my teammates catch a pass while running and don't stop. I play with Memphis and I can say mine is a running game if there is one.

Also I can pass the ball quite fast even during a half-court play, so that I can move the defense and take an uncontested shot. The speed of the ball during a pass is significantly higher than in LIve 2004.

I really don't see this fastbreaks bug that you guys are ezperiencing. Maybe it's just a matter of the team you are using.

What you guys need to do is play the game like you're watching a real bball game. Sure there are mistakes, but accept them like you would if you were coaching a game. The bugs would be the equivilent of your player making a dumb play or turning the ball over. Just suck it up and move on, don't let it get to you. This still is the game of the year.

Most of the problems I have with the game can't be rationalized in this way. For example, as I've mentioned before, playcalling is broken in more ways than one, which is a problem I find to be a near deal-breaker. What am I supposed to do, imagine that my players can't hear the coach calling out the play? Also, without the diagrams for the real plays, I can pretty much only run the default plays, so I guess I have to imagine that my players forgot the rest of them.

Bah! Believe it or not, the frustration is already wearing off to the point that I'll try again within a week. Doh!

Real ball? Eh, when in "real ball" has Deshawn Stevenson blocked Amare taking a turnaround jumper in the post? My team averages 15-20 blocks a game, and I am user-locked on SG.(I average only about 1.3 a game out of that total)

My PG, Van Exel(cpu controlled), is shooting 5.2% from 3pt range and at least 50% of his shots are wide open. I suppose I could adjust the sliders but then my own player would make practically any garbage he threw up.

While I do get lots of fast breaks, its primarily because of the incredible number of blocks my team gets.(also due to myself averging 4 steals a game)

Passing is very sluggish. Some of my passes are stolen simply because my player has fallen in love with slow, high-arcing "floaters" to someone 2 feet away from him. I would like to see more bounce passes.

I think this is the best live ever BUT it still needs work. There are moments where the game is very entertaining but the nagging flaws in the game mechanics are wearing on me.

As far as "Stop shooting with a defender in the face", THIS is not realistic gameplay. If everyone in the NBA got loads of wide open shots the FG% would be through the roof. Just imagine Dirk N. attempting 3/4 of his shots wide open, he'd shoot 65% from the field easily.

there has to be a balance.......the computer has to act unrealistically, otherwise you'd beat the hell out of it all the time.

Live was pretty much a disappointment this year....it is almost the same game as last year. I have not had a CPU team take under 20 3pt shots against me yet. The game is way to easy because the CPU does not use any type of coaching strategy at all. It is way to easy to defend the CPU and way to easy to score.

To anyone who has followed sports gaming I think they would agree, the total lack of innovation and improvement year to year is frustrating. Games do improve so reviewers can say it is the best game ever but at increments so indistinguishable that it is barely justified.

I am giving Live another chance this year(already bought the game during release but was using as a coaster) next year unless there is some resolution to the poor movement and total lack of strategy I am no longer spending the money/time and energy for the annual disappointment EA games have brought me.

The problems in the game has nothing to do with knowing how to play basketball!!! I certainly don't mean any disrespect but people who say this need to reevaluate there intellectual side!

1. Players stick to one another like freak'n glue!
2. Amount of blocked shots are rediculous!
3. Why can't players catch the ball in stride?!
4. The amount of missed layups and dunks with the layup button is absurd! No one around and the guy can't make it?! Timing the shot is not hard. Push the button let go at top of jump......see not that hard.

there r 2 interesting points that cyanide and jolu brought up that 1) i agree wit and 2) i dont agree

i agree wit cyanide that the majority of the offense inside is dunking... i play wit the suns and amare averages 22 ppg and he prolly gets around 16 ppg off of jus dunks... unrealistic... this is cause i cant friggin shoot within 10 feet cause he gets stuffed. i played minny the other day and gary trent (6'8) constantly rejected amare (6'11) str8 up... thats BULLSHIT

also, jolu... i disagree that ppl dont catch the ball in stride. im surprised ppl r mentioning this as a BAD thing in 05... because my players do that ALL the time... while in live 2004 that never happened. i see this issue has a nice improvement to live

As far as passing and dribbing: Here's how it should be, players with poor passing abilities making a pass to a player with a poor dribble rating SHOULD result in the typical hard stop to catch the pass.(or they have to jump in the air to catch the pass) This is really not how it is in the game though, it happens to everybody and is totally random.

Passing in stride or not should depend on the type of pass(length, angle, and the defense of it) and the players' ratings. There's a relatively large period of time between catching a pass and putting the ball on the floor, this makes sense for some players but this time should be dependent on the dribble rating.

There are times when a player does catch a pass in stride, for me this usually happens when I make a short range pass before I cross the half court line. I'd like to say it happens in a half court set but there's very little movement even on a basket cut play.

BTW, the last game I played my team had 25 blocks. I was only a part of 2 or 3 of those. Kandi had about 12 himself.

Thankfully, most of the issues with the game should be easily resolvable next year.

Thankfully, most of the issues with the game should be easily resolvable next year.

We say that EVERY year.

BTW, I've finally gotten into the game some more. There are still times when I scream at the game for something ridiculous but I am *finally* at the point where I enjoy the games more than I don't. It still drives me nuts, though, when I try to set a pick and nothing happens or I try to call a play and nothing happens, etc.

Okay. Many topics in this forum result into how `05 sucks and then topic is totally off topic and same things are said in every thread about how it sucks.... if you dont like it DONT PLAY IT! Go play the other lives or go even lower and play ESPN.

Me. The game is way too easy all together. all my shots are pefected even on SuperStar and the best sliders released to the public! So i then make the quarter times longer and i have to use my weaker subs to play better and the game is nice and balanced. Yea the passing on inbounds is slow and they stop (specially annoying when you have 3.1 seconds left) and catch it but who cares. You can pass on stride ( learn your stuff YOU CAN DO THIS), you can block shots (fadeways are little harder. THATS WHY THEY DO FADEAWAYS SO YOU CANT BLOCK THE SHOT), inside scoring is easy and hard at times (defense gets smart after i pass it yao, back em down for like 3 sec. and do nice hook shot so they start to double team me). Also on fast breaks yes its not really possible to fast break the court with fuckin Peja Stojavick and do a layup... in all star game, (lets see thats steve francis, shaq, allen iverson, and many other fast players that can steal or bnlock or just stop him so he has to wait for other players to catch up), but still just change game speed and etc or dont do it at all. If you find a exploit or something then dont do it. (Ex. You find on fast break when Wade steals the ball and Shaq is first person going back towards the court. Pass it to him and he out runs em? amazing. AND YOU KEEP DOING IT ! BUT YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT IT LATer.... Makes no sense). Im not even going on the whole list that you guys complain about. Yes there are less animations with passing and things but still this game is good. As long as your having fun its okay. Who actually pays attention to how many left handed passes, right handed passes, 2 handed passes, no handed passes, styles there are in one fuckin game? I didnt even know there was bad passing till now that ya complained about it. Also but my complained are teh commentary from Czar and the otehr gay guy. Use the same lines all the time when your in a blkowout game. Or use the wrong lines in wrong situations. Just because you miss your shot doesnt mean you had pressure defense on you... Come on now. I was tracy mcgrady and kobe was defending me. he was like 5 feet inside the 3pt line and i was like 2 feet behind it which is 7 ft. difference. I shot it and he jumped after he checked to see if his ankles were broken (which was while i was coming down from my shot) and i missed it. They said Kobe played good dense and was close to blocking the shot but wasnt quiete there but was still able to mess with the offense...

No this game isnt fucking perfect but it sure doesnt suck. If you want a betteer game go find one. Doubt you will find millions of other games better than `05. And after you think about it there barely are any. Your just complaining just to join the bandwagon and complain and making the game seem worse than it already is. Yea Playcalling and stuff isnt there but still just because of that 1 thing ouit of the millions of other features doesnt mean you have to give it a Negative out of 10 on your Rating scale. Jeebus and im not even done im tired as hell right now.
Anyways im outte,
- The Guru

And on another note, why u think they just added the sliders? They werent there in 2003 and im not sure if they were or wenrent in `04 but they added them to make the game MORE REALISTIC! people have different styles of play THATS WHY YOU EDIT THE SLIDERS you lazy kiddy ass bastuds. Im just sick (and a little cranky ) of people complaining over stuff.

Guru, what were you smoking when you posted that? I want some! (I keed, I keed)

Anyway... when will people get it? My complaints about the game cannot be fixed by sliders so please STFU about sliders. That is all. Nothing more to see here, move along.

BTW, I have another funny video of something ridiculous happening, but I forgot how to make it an animated GIF. Anybody?

Anyway... when will people get it? My complaints about the game cannot be fixed by sliders so please STFU about sliders.

Agreed. Sliders can't change animations, the menu setup, the AI, the playcalling, etc...

Guru, what were you smoking when you posted that? I want some! (I keed, I keed)

Anyway... when will people get it? My complaints about the game cannot be fixed by sliders so please STFU about sliders. That is all. Nothing more to see here, move along.

BTW, I have another funny video of something ridiculous happening, but I forgot how to make it an animated GIF. Anybody?

iwas Cranky Then.... I dont even remember posting it thats the sad part lol.

Long as 5 Paragraph like complaint =(