NBA Live 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here 360 & PS3

[LAKE4742]

Well......in tonight's session, lookin' past the graphics, it didn't take long to notice the gameplay flaws others have mentioned already.
No, I didn't see one shot made off the backboard or rim. I did see Ray Allen make a full court one-handed shot to end the quarter. I also saw Derek Fisher spin out of a double team at the three-point line and make a swish, and other players make numerous other seemingly impossible shots...for anybody. The automatic defense is cool, but overall, defense feels sluggish, as does everything else.
In essence, this demo is a bimbo (that rhymes!). It looks great (the best player models ever, great headtracking and animations), but no real substance or defense. The players pretty much go about their business, makin' a high percentage of their shots-similar to Robo QB in EA's football games. It could almost pass for NBA Street Vol. 5.
Alot of similarites between Live and Madden this year-too many. One of the biggest and justified concerns this year are the number ratings systems. Do they work....at all? Besides the signature styles, are the players really different in ability? Doesn't seem so this year. It's even more obvious with this game that EA is undoubtedly focused on the casual gamers. Okay, but, this is supposed to be a simulation. Isn't it? Only EA knows what this game should be. And if they want to keep the focus towards new users, then who am I to argue? I've only been a avid sports gamer for the last 15 years or so. So, to see such innovation and advancin' realism displayed as the goal in shooters and other various types of videogames lately, who am I to expect that same type of advancement and goal for realism in sports games-I mean, with all the new tech and resources? Or, maybe I've just expected too much too soon. Hell, some movies predicted flyin' cars by 2010. I guess after 15 years, I could give EA a couple more years to mirror real life sports. Flyin' cars, hoverboards and sports simulations-I can't wait!

[Gmoney2002]

Quote: Originally Posted by SageInfinite

I haven't seen any backboard shots either. Hopefully the retail is better. Almost every jumpshot is a swish in the demo. Lay ups and shots close to the basket have some variation, but it still nowhere near the "other" game.

The variation of ball-net interaction is a little more than I original thought though. It's still quite minimal IMO though. Although I find the "misses" off of jumpshots bounce far too high off the rim. Looks very "buggy"

Man, I'm still trippin' off your avatar and sig Sage haha. Who woulda thought...

[Behindshadows]

Quote: Originally Posted by LAKE4742

Um, okay, my argument is gettin old? That's my first time mentionin' the backboard. Anyway, in practice I definitely don't see ANY. No, none at all that hit the backboard or the rim and drop in. No....none. I'm about to begin a session, a few rounds of the actual game, and see if I notice any.

Yeah on jumpers its almost none existent, you are right. On layups and hook shots the board is used, including some nice bounce physics. But on jumpers yeah its usually a swish! My fault!!!

[PuntNL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Behindshadows

Yeah on jumpers its almost none existent, you are right. On layups and hook shots the board is used, including some nice bounce physics. But on jumpers yeah its usually a swish! My fault!!!

True, but that makes me think the demo is from a build earlier than that of the gameplay used in the vids of pick & roll control etc.. In those vids (check them on ign) you see jumpshots bounce against the rim before they go in...

[colkilla]

i like the demo and will probably buy this and 2k like i always do. i get live for the fun factor, and 2k for the realism. i think live is SLOWLY closing the gap a bit, but the animations, though getting better, still are a bit off at times...

[Vinngadd]

I have been wearing the demo out. I think it is the best looking and the best playing NBA Live in a very long time. For me, '99 and '00 were the best years. 2000 being the better of the two. The game modes, the gameplay, all too much fun. I think that EA Sports it pulling very close to where they were with those two games. The demo is so much fun that I wish it were longer. I am so glad that they have implemented NBA Live 365. A continually updated game?! Hot and cold streaks true to the day?! That's ridiculoulys ingenious! That has always been one of my main gripes with EA Sports, keeping the game updated. The gameplay of '09 is great to me. I think that sometimes we all get a little too nitpicky with things and try to find something that's negative about a game. Wow, no bank shots. Who cares? Wow, jumpers swish in, they don't hit the rim. So what? Put the magnifying glass down. It's one thing to say that the game feels sluggish, it's one thing to say you just don't plain like it, but beyond that? Come on! Anyway, I'm very excited about the game. I have been having entirely too much fun playing just the demo. I will be making sure I have it on release day.

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vinngadd

I think that sometimes we all get a little too nitpicky with things and try to find something that's negative about a game. Wow, no bank shots. Who cares? Wow, jumpers swish in, they don't hit the rim. So what? Put the magnifying glass down. It's one thing to say that the game feels sluggish, it's one thing to say you just don't plain like it, but beyond that? Come on!

That's very true.

[sportyguyfl31]

I'm looking forward to the Demo. I have been playing NBA 2k since 2k5, and last year purchased both games but wound up playing 2k8 more. It was just better, and despite the improvemtn live made from 07 to 08 (which wasnt that hard to do, to be honest), I couldnt justify keeping it.

All this time though, Ive been rooting for NBA Live to make a come back.

I'm one of those guys who "grew up" on live..NBA Live 95-2005..I hope the demo plays well, because Im only going to buy 1 hoops game this year.