NBA Elite 11 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here (PS3, 360)

[ledzep]

To me Elite11 is a slight improvement over Live10 once you get used to the controls; so if you liked Live10 I see no reason why you shouldn't like Elite after some practice; if you hated Live10 then you'll hate Elite11.

On the positive side:
- now you control your shot, not just a matter of pressing a button. This was an old demand, wasn't it? Oh no, wait! now we complain because somebody could become a master of the stick and hit all shots against us!!! (Anybody payed attention that the 'sweet' spot is affected by distance to the rim, defense, player ratting?)
- no more canned animations when two players collide (This is a big improvement over Live10)
- now you can steal a pass if you are in the position (last year a ball could pass by your nose while you were pressing the steal button but nothing happened)
- the ball seems more loose so you can see more block situations. Probably far from perfect but much more improved

On the negative side:
- Graphics seem to be worst!
- Icons take ages to be displayed when passing, however you can do quick icon-passing even though icons are not displayed yet.
- Many of the issues of Live10 remain in Elite11. You can name them: players usually seem lifeless, IA makes bad decissions, players not behave like their real counterparts, etc... But man, they were already in live10!!! Didn't you see them one year ago? Did the name 'Mike Wang' blind you?

Other comments:
- No turbo button is a good idea for me, all sports games should portray the speed of the player based on the left stick (the more you push it the faster you run) It's tricky but we would get used to it eventually
- All the right stick movements (crossovers, spins, behind the back, etc) are not a big improvement, but it serves. Every year this type of stuff is changed in both games, but looks like developers are never satisfied.
- I'm sure the default camera and controls layout of the demo caused a big shock in many users. Fans from both 2k and Live10 felt lost, and as long as there is another game which eventually is a better all around option, most people made their call: bull ****

I'm not saying Elite11 is a big game, I believe 2k11 is better, but I think people is overreacting, especially fans of Live10 because after some practice you realize there are gameplay improvements. Do they worth the price? it's up to you

[jmarcguy]

Only played the demo a bit. The learning curve is steep!!! That part of the reason so many are disappointed. It's going to take time. I'm going to play more before I praise or rip the game.
The graphics are rough though. Also I hate players posting up with facing away from everyone on the court. They turn so they can't see teamates or the opposing d.

[Behindshadows]

Okay after playing more tonight! I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not going to enjoy this! Since I don't have my 360 version running. These are from my PS3 opinions.

Pros - Cons

Pros

It's a change of pace!

Crowd looks amazing!

Commentary is the best in series to date! Love the overall excitement during game. Stadium sounds are great as well. Glad they didn't strip that out from 10. But improved on it.

Cons

Passing with right trigger is terrible and has a major delay to it. Tried using icon passing with R1 and still icons popped up fast, but once selected the icons disappear in milliseconds and the pass turns into something ugly.

(Graphics are terrible) Anyone who has played Live over the last few series on XBOX 360 and PS3. Will noticed they went back to the Live 07 player models with lower framed textures. Some of the models are damn near identical to NBA 08 and 09 the inside. Down to the Kobe, Bynum and Ray Allen models. It's very noticeable. Sidelines look worse and so does the stadium details, looks like they completely removed the staples center from NBA Live 10 and put an older version in.

(Examples)(FAIR COMPARISON)

NBA Live 10 - Xbox 360




NBA Elite 11 - Xbox 360



Gameplay!!! While the developers think this change is good, I think it made controls more complicated and very annoying. At the pace the game moves, the response time during movement is beyond delayed and late reactions, cause easy buckets for the CPU.

A.I. seems to be dumber even on harder levels. Offensive rebounds are out of hand on CPU end, player controlled team seems to be ignorant to ball recognition. They just stand there, and numerous times I ran a guy towards the basket and he still wouldn't reach for the rebound. Other times, I would go for post moves and I could never get the guy to take the shot. Kept moving around like he was trying to fake the defender. Even got numerous traveling calls, because the player wouldn't release the ball.

Become Legendary Mode, still has that same terrible default create-a-player model that has been in the game since Live 07. Hook nose, beety eyes, and Lamar Odom onion head. Sadly enough trying to edit him in the final version, will most likely be the same when trying to create-a-player in previous games. He'll look the same no matter what, so I'll pass on that too.

As a longtime fan, I can't see myself playing this game a full season, worse enough a month in. Will still buy on discount, but definitely not a day 1 purchase.

Thanks to all the developers, especially rEAnimator, blackflash, stepsix and the others who have taken time to share thoughts and opinions. I really appreciate you guys on OS. And I apologize for finally leaving the series, as a basketball player, and a gamer. This just isn't basketball too me and outside of the logos and sound effects this isn't NBA Basketball.

I pray you guys will improve during your 3 year cycle and I wish you the best, and I really hope you bring NCAA Basketball series back, without these controls. And go from there!

Final Impressions! Take Care Guys!

[magicman32]

Just finished playing for another 45 minutes. This game is horrible. The controls are too much for a basketball title. R2 is passing. Now how does that make sense? Everything and I mean everything is on the right stick. Shooting and dribbling. Come on!!!! And lastly the animations are last gen and worse than Live 10. The way this game is animated, it's not worth mastering the weird controls scheme. Plus there is no turbo. I even tried the become a legend mode. Just horrible and as a basketball head since I was 9 years old, this Elite isn't cutting it. This is 2010. I'm 33 years old and know better. Wow!!!!

I was going to delete this crap from my hard drive. It's almost a gig. But my 9 year old hasn't played it yet. If he likes it (which I doubt). Then I may have to buy this garbage. But I won't be pay $60 bucks for it.

[Tha_Kid]

I tried to like it. Maybe next year. At best, picking it up around playoff time.

Basically I co-sign most of Court Vision's posts regarding AI & Genericness. 24thLetter, Pared, & Ruben also summed up pretty much how I feel about Elite. Controls are great, tutorials & 1on1 move great, 5 on 5 is just lacking in terms movement, in-air collision animations, etc. Fun basketball game, but doesn't feel like a NBA game in 2010. I think there is no depth outside of playing online, and maybe Become Legendary.

[ingi_9]

i think it would be easier to promote hitler than this game....

[Nokstar]

Extremely disapointed...there's so much wrong with this game and this is the biggest step back from a pre ious game I've ever seen. From the graphics....to the animations...to the a.I....to even some of the controls. I think ea made a bad decision by not building/improving off of live 10. I understand the controls system....but I think some of it is overly complex, it doesn't allow enough room to be ab le to comfortab lly focus on other aspects of sim basketbal becauese you have so many other controls during a quick reflex type of sport.

I think maybe they should keep the one on one controls but modify them a tad and completely get rid of the layup and dunk system and put the old one back. I also think the shootting system might be a little too much as well.

One thing that's 100% certain is the need to COMPLETELY redo the graphics AND player models....they honestly look terrible! The player shapes look off...the detail is low res...the animations are akward and unnatural...seriously let's not kid ourselves live fans. I don't mean to be harsh but maybe ea need better talent for these areas because this is not going to cut it and will not stand a chance against the competition. Like others I was excited about live 11 based on the potential from live10...they were soooooo close to getting it right....only to risk and take many steps back in quality.

I will not be buying this game at all...I hope for the next game some huge changes will be made...I would even suggest taking two years and skipping next season to bring this series back to speed....I don't know if another year is enough.

[Tha_Kid]

Quote: Originally Posted by rEAnimator

That's the same progression guys on the dev team made as well. N/S is easier to learn, broadcast looks better (still not sure why it is so much different). Once you get the controls down to the point that you aren't thinking about it, broadcast isn't any more difficult to play in.

But on defense this doesn't hold true. The arm controls are flipped, so it isn't natural. On N/S, left will always move the arm that is to the left, but on broadcast, left moves your right arm and vice versa. That needs an option to change.