NBA Live 10 Review Xbox 360 Unedited - SBartlett's Blog

SBartlett's Blog

NBA Live 10 Review Xbox 360 Unedited

Posted on October 7, 2009 at 11:25 PM.

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NBA Live 10 Review Xbox 360

The Association once had Russel and Wilt. Then there was Michael taking the reigns from Bird after he dropped 63 in the Garden in the �86 playoffs. Last year, it was the debate between Kobe and LeBron. Right now, it�s Live and 2K.

It�s an old school new school thing. As one legacy comes to an end, the torch is passed on to the new king to lead the next era.

The NBA Live team has chosen to ignore the league�s history. After sitting to the side for the better half of this decade, NBA Live is done playing the role of the jester. Live 10 is back after the throne.

Game play

Controls & Momentum

From freestyle passing, to signature shooting styles for all the NBA�s stars, Live 10 isn�t playing jokes anymore. The smooth tempo of NBA Live 10 brings a refreshing feel to what has been a �lost one� over the years.

Gone are the canned animations that gamers are forced into. In NBA Live 10, you can branch out of animations into a new move as long as you have handles with the sticks. This allows for creative dribbling styles to get your defenders off-balance. Once you get the separation, go for the blow by or the step back jumper.

The controls take some time to grasp fully, so give it some time in the basketball hanger �NBA Live�s practice gym. There is an element of balance in place to make sure players don�t abuse the Freestyle dribbling controls. Dribbling too much can result in a turnover; and also dribbling in the paint or with a big man like Yao will usually end up in a fast-break going the other way.

Unfortunately, Live 10 has a limited number of dribbling animations that are assigned to every single player in the game. There aren�t any signature ball handling moves, which detracts from the simulation style ball that Live attempts to achieve. Nonetheless, each player has different speed, size, agility, and lateral movement to differentiate the stars from the rest.

The player momentum in Live influences the type of shot your baller attempts. If you are on the break and want to pull up for three, you have to ease off the turbo and the directional stick before the shot. Pull back on the directional stick while sizing up a defender and pressing shoot (X-button) and you will do a step-back J. Moving lateral to the hoop while shooting will send your player into a hop-step or a fade away jumper across the lane � creating separation from the defense and giving you a clear look at the hoop.

After speaking with Mike Wang, the Lead Gameplay Designer for NBA Live 10 who came over from 2K Sports, it is clear why the player control is so tight. Wang explained the attributes going into the game to create a different feel for each player. It starts with first step, acceleration, top speed in the open court, ability to change directions, and ability to stop on a dime all being accounted for as ratings for each player. From here, EA Sports Canada brought in ball players to record dozens of movements to account for these type of specific motions occurring in different combinations. The result is the difference in feel when battling a quick guard against a slower guard. Derrick Rose can stop on a dime, and instantaneously take off to the hoop a moment later. Billups or Fisher cannot.

These controls are all very intuitive and natural once you grasp the physics and animation engines. The result is fade away J�s with Kobe that are nearly unstoppable.

Nearly unstoppable� so not every shot will go in when you are open. The main reason is the new shooting mechanics added to Live 10. You now have to time your release at the height of your shooter�s shot animation. Each player has a different shot animation so make sure you practice with your hometown ballers to find their shot rhythm. This system creates a rewarding experience for timing your favorite player�s authentic shot.

Driving the lane in Live 10 results in many collisions in the paint. This places a premium on the mid-range game since it�s very difficult to get to the hoop clean. The mid-range jump shots may be your best bet to a steady and consistent offense. If players try to force the issue and drive with LeBron over and over, the results will be some highly contested shots clanking off the side of iron.

The collision detection in Live 10 allows for these animations to occur although I would like to see a few more fouls called under the hoop. If you think you�re going to get stuffed after launching into a drive to the hoop, you can now kick the ball out to the perimeter much more seamlessly than in NBA Live 09.

Low Post

If you are looking to dominate the blocks in NBA Live 10, I hope you like baby jump hooks. That�s virtually the only back to the basket move I was consistently able to pull off in the game. It may be enough to cover Kendrick Perkins� arsenal, but the up and unders and drop-step moves aren't as intuitive as the perimeter controls.

Players can put up a jump hook, or face up and jab step to attack the rim. The problem here is when you face up and put the ball on the ground, you may or may not be able to get back into a post position with your back to the hoop.

The auto-post determines on its own if you are in a position to post. While the auto-post activates in the appropriate times, it still feels as though the virtual Dwight Howards are calling the shots. The lack of a back down button is missed this year. Teams will still double down to the post, but it�s not entirely efficient to run your offense through a post game.

Defense

There is no defensive stance button in NBA Live 10 which means all the defense is in the footwork. While it would be nice to have a defensive stance button, the defense in Live is a welcomed challenge.

Defense is about moving your feet and anticipating the offensive player�s moves. These basketball fundamentals come to play when players must maneuver their guys into position purely with the left analog stick. The right bumper acts as a guide to help you stay with your man.

NBA Live 10 uses technology that developer Mike Wang has dubbed as �pad filtering.� This is a technique as Wang describes as a filter for �erroneous� player movement on the left analog stick while playing defense. So if a player leans their players too hard in the wrong direction, the game will help you compensate for your real intentions and stay in your opposition�s path to the hoop.

The NBA Live foot planting technology has also been worked on to create better stop and go movement on the court. According to Wang, "The off-ball locomotion was completely revamped as we felt cyclical move groups just weren't cutting it, and not yielding true basketball movement. Moving to a system where we could match specific cut and curl animations based on the underlying A.I. logic was a huge systematic rethink."

Defensive assist (RB) will help you stay in front of your opponent if you get out of whack with your controls. The counter to this is that the A.I. recognizes when you hold it down and they immediately attack you and get blow bys. It should be used only to get back into position as helpful assistance � just as it is named.

The technology on defense may be advanced, but it is still difficult to play close enough to defenders and contest shots. Using the right analog stick, players can flick up and attempt to put a hand up in a shooter�s face but it seems ineffective when you are always positioned three feet away from the offensive player. When the offense does get penetration however, the lanes close up fast with excellent help defense, especially in the ten foot radius around the hoop.

The rebounding in NBA Live 10 is hot and cold. The physics and detection of going up for a board with two hands and grabbing the ball feels authentic and clean. If in position, players such as LeBron can sky and get a rebound even over bigs. The player ratings in speed, size, and rebounding come in to play nicely here.

Much like the auto-post feature, the auto-box out feature activates when the rock is up in the air. The auto-box out is serviceable, but if you are not in front a rebounder, a player can come running in to leap in and steal the rebound before the auto-post activates to box him out.

A.I. and DNA

The NBA Live Dynamic DNA returns with some added elements for the 2010 season. As usual, Kobe and LeBron dominate from anywhere on the court while Nash picks and pops all day. The dynamic DNA is quite an accomplishment for a video game. The level of precision in the player tendencies can be used to preview real life NBA Matchups and as scouting reports.

The DNA Scouting Report feature provides all the latest player tendencies. It keeps track of scoring tendencies from all over the court, to different shot types and even off the ball tendencies. You can compare the ratings from week to week by holding the X button.

With Dynamic DNA updates, the rosters update player DNA, DNA Tendencies, DNA Streaks, Roster and Lineup updates, and DNA Shooting Percentages.

You will be at an advantage if you become familiar with your team, its players, and their DNA. Almost like coaching in a sense, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each individual will help you with decisions while playing Live 10.

Player DNA rates the player attributes in seven categories: Isolation, Pick and Roll, Screener, Post Up, Spot Up, Off-Ball Screen, and Basket Cuts. Each one is a percentage of the player�s overall offensive DNA.

Notice how I did not mention one type of DNA category for defense.

Five on Five

When it comes to hoops, all that it truly comes down to is how Live plays under the bright lights during five-on-five action. This brand of ball plays well.

To get your open shots, players must operate within the offense. I�m talking pick and rolls, off-ball screens, post plays to draw double downs, and drive and kick outs to for the open three. Entry level passing from different angles into the post rewards good ball movement. Enter into the game's coaching strategy screen and browse through over 300 plays and a variety of offens[ive]? sets. NBA Live has it.

Freestyle passing is a fresh and useful addition to make passing the ball easier with just a flick in the direction where you want the ball to go. Holding the LT activates the freestyle passing feature. I haven�t found it to be an advantage over the direct passing I am used to using, but I think some players will enjoy the freedom it creates.

Passing with the off-ball controls helps create open looks for your star players while the A.I. takes control of your ball handler. Pressing the LT brings up the passing icons, and holding the icon of your choice will allow you to run around with that player until you release the button. The ball is then passed to you. You can also throw an alley-oop out of this feature.

Executing the pick and roll is an art, even in Live. Players can call for picks on the fly and hold the pick until they clear the corner. I look to get a big man with an outside jumper such as KG or LeMarcus Aldridge to shoot the J on the pick and pop.

Defending the pick, players have the option to trap, show and rotate, or switch. These options can be brought up on-call during game play by hitting the D-pad.

Running a fast break allows for open jumpers on the wings, wingmen spot ups in the corners, and players filling the lanes. While the fast break spacing could improve, the players act with a high level of basketball I.Q. to get their open shots to land their big contracts from you in dynasty mode.

When driving the lane from the free throw line elbows, your corner shooter will bounce back to the wing to get an open look at the three � that�s some serious basketball I.Q. period. Let alone it occurring video game hoops.

Graphics

The NBA Live 10 visuals create a lively basketball experience - living up to the name. The player introductions are decorated with NBA store gear. Players run out for the layup lines in authentic warm-up suits rockin' the latest Flights and Jordans.

The stadium lighting creates an active and exciting atmosphere for NBA entertainment; the court is at the center stage of the show.

Each stadium has its specific court style all the way down to the wood grain finish. The NBA logos and sponsor signage are all present in the game; they are not overdone and they actually add to a genuine NBA basketball atmosphere.

The player models are extremely detailed. Each star looks strikingly realistic featuring specific tattoos and certain mannerisms at the free throw line which we�ve come to expect. When players get bumped and bruised when driving the lane, they come up hobbling and squinting and grabbing their arms or legs adding a nice realistic touch to the game. I�d be pressed to say I�ve seen a better basketball title in terms of visuals, even if the models look a bit glossy at times.

Presentation & Sound

NBA Live 10�s presentation is the blueprint for all other sports games. From the court lighting and the player introductions, to the stadium-specific PA announcers and player-specific stadium sounds. Throw one down with Dwight Howard in Orlando and the Superman theme song comes on. The sound effects are on point with great detail.

During your Dynasty season, Marv Albert and Steve Kerr will comment on the fictional story lines that occur throughout your dynasty as well. This way, not only will they boo VC in the Air Canada Center, but it�s possible that Marv and Steve recognize when a superstar is traded � resulting in even more dynamic commentary and crowd reactions.

In the game options menu, you can adjust the crowd atmosphere to NBA Playoffs or NBA Finals to have an intense playoff experience. Fans wear the team color t-shirts and the MVP and Defense chants make the game feel like an ESPN instant classic.

Dynasty & Dynamic Season

Dynasty mode is back with all the same features we have come expect. The dynamic DNA updates your dynasty rosters as you play although I have not had a chance to test this out yet.

The new feature is the Dynamic NBA season. Players now can choose to play a season with a team with frequent updates. This takes the real NBA results that you can play with � the tendencies and shot percentage DNA will be specific to those specific real NBA games.

The Rewind feature allows you to go back to a real life loss and over-write it with your own game play results during your Dynamic NBA season.

Online & Adidas Live Run

NBA Live 10 online allows for ranked matches, and the new feature is the Adidas sponsored Live Run. Here you can create a squad similar to EASHL from the NHL series, and bring on board five users per team. You can select five players from any team in the league to create your squad. Play in a pickup game up to 21.

Each month, a new leader board is created. The goal is to become the top squad for each month to earn medals. If you can�t find a team, go on the web and search with their web supported feature on EA Sports.com. I haven�t played this feature online yet, but playing with three people offline was fun and the game play didn�t change that much to a run and gun shootout.
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[b]After playing a couple online matches, the frame rate in Live online is nice. The speed and flow of the game was virtually unchanged in the ranked single player matches. Both me and my opponent had a strong ping.

Five on Five team play went impressively smooth with only some slight slowdown. The game paused a few times when players disconnected. The most difficult part about the five on five is getting used to the footwork and momentum which is so crucial to the game.The EA Servers are quiet capable of handling the ten player simultaneously. It's just a matter of connecting with other players with good pings. Expect a lot of fast breaks, dunks, and no defense in this online mode.

Final Thoughts

Similar to when Kobe and LeBron step on the court, the NBA Live series has the making of a legend feel. The depth in the controls are the only things holding this one back. The arrival of NBA Live 10 is a welcomed and exciting change to basketball fans.

Pros
� Presentation is phenomenal
� A.I. DNA has real-life tendencies
� Freestyle controls, Signature shot styles and timing � great tempo to the game

Cons
� Each player has same exact moves
� Weak low post offense; weak defensive controls
� Stamina is currently broken
8.0