This is a quick NBA Live game review for PlayStation and Xbox. NBA Live is one of Electronic Art's most well known console games. Every year, several sports games are released however NBA Live's annual edition always ends up being among the most popular. The latest version is no different, with its high tech graphics, new jerseys, and resolution, this final edition of NBA Live has garnered very positive reviews.
NBA Live 2010 featured additional jerseys, a first for the franchise. Throwback jerseys from the 1980s and 1990s were added in as well as several alternate ones for a number of teams. Using special codes, even more uniforms and shoes can be unlocked. It is unsure if every team will receive new game jerseys but two codes have been announced so far and more are likely to come.
The graphics in this game received a massive overhaul. The game features quicker and smoother animations that allow for maximum play. Items like the lights and courts were designed to look very realistic. It's a bit grainy when enhanced on plasma screens but generally looks extremely well.
The players, the background, and other smaller graphics are also more detailed. This year's game has a more realistic background, unlike the previous installments. Crowd members were designed to look and sound more lifelike and real. The players themselves were made with more personal and exact details such as personal accessories, hairstyles, and tattoos. The stars in this year's edition were made to be easily recognizable than previous ones. The game's controls were altered slightly so that it isn't necessary to control the players one hundred percent of the time. Using this auto mode can result in more turnovers though. For those who want to, it is quite possible to expand the control over the players.
The game is easy enough so that even users who have not played experienced a sports game can easily understand it. Things like shooting the ball and passing it to fellow players are both one button actions. And nearly all of the console controllers employ the right pad to control the basketball athletes. Playing on the defense is easy too, just position your athlete by one from the opposite team and it will take care of the rest on its own. The update of the player DNA system from past games has significantly improved as well. The 2010 edition's DNA updates individual player's tendencies and attributes almost instantly. This year's game will also allow users to play real games almost as they happen in the real world. And with the NBA team's rosters and line ups updating instantly in the game, it makes for a much improved Dynasty Mode as well.
The soundtrack was updated and revamped for this version to include more current bands and artists. There are more songs this year and that cuts down drastically on the music's redundancy during the game and training mode. They were programmed to change and react to the beat of the games.
