NBA Live 09 Review

[RaychelSnr]

We have posted our review of NBA Live 09.

"At one time, NBA Live was the king of basketball games. Not only was the game the best around quality-wise, but it also sold in large numbers to anxious fans nationwide.

As of late, the Live series has fallen on hard times. The game still sells well, but the first two editions on next-gen consoles were atrocious. NBA Live 08 began to bring the series out of the gutter, but there was still plenty of work to do. Enter NBA Live 09."

[JDK]

Great Review.
I think next year live should think about revamping the entire game. The graphical style seems a bit unrealistic, surreal even. Many of the players look angry all the time and the stadium lighting is off. I played the demo and I agree with everything the review said here.

[PaulZweber]

Thanks for the review guys!

[Tri-State Killa]

Im seriously considering returning this piece of s h i t game called 2K9 and getting nba live,all it does is freeze for me and the cpu makes almost every single shot;even jumpshot with Kendrick Perkins it a joke

[dubplate]

Re: NBA Live 09 Review

Im seriously considering returning this piece of s h i t game called 2K9 and getting nba live,all it does is freeze for me and the cpu makes almost every single shot;even jumpshot with Kendrick Perkins it a joke

So far I've only played the demo for Live and 2K, but 2K feels like the same old game and it just bores me to tears. After playing nothing but 2K basketball since the Dreamcast I purchased Live this year after the demo impressed me. I can't wait to finish my work tonight and play a game.

[PaulZweber]

^ Play defense. You can't leave people open because, just like in the NBA everyone can shoot. If you are looking for an arcade game that will be easier to play at first, and not as much fun later, then get Live. If you want a game that will be tough to play for the first few games, then exponentially better later, get 2k9. Either that or try turning the difficulty down until you start to master the controls. I wouldn't advise getting Live because 2k9 freezes, I have had more problem with EA games freezing and making my xbox LOUD than any other games. What console do you play on that it keeps freezing?

[asu666]

I think a lot of EA's issues go back to the game engines they develop. 2K's seem to have better movement and place more emphasis on details like jersey numbers on bench play uniforms, or players stepping up on the sideline as a back breaks one down the line for a touchdown. Even comparing NHL 09 to 2K9 it is clear that 2K9 has the ability to show players line changing and the devs thought enough to include board play and early stick movement on face offs. EA puts too many resources into a few aspects of the game to the detriment of the total experience.

[Tri-State Killa]

^ Play defense. You can't leave people open because, just like in the NBA everyone can shoot. If you are looking for an arcade game that will be easier to play at first, and not as much fun later, then get Live. If you want a game that will be tough to play for the first few games, then exponentially better later, get 2k9. Either that or try turning the difficulty down until you start to master the controls. I wouldn't advise getting Live because 2k9 freezes, I have had more problem with EA games freezing and making my xbox LOUD than any other games. What console do you play on that it keeps freezing?

You dont understand the cpu will just bury 3s in your face;even if you leave guys that cant shoot open like Kendrick Perkins they make it.Im talking about 2K9.

Also It freezes constantly,wtf did I waste my money on a game I cant even play online cause of freezing issues;So frustrated.

[PaulZweber]

You dont understand the cpu will just bury 3s in your face;even if you leave guys that cant shoot open like Kendrick Perkins they make it.Im talking about 2K9.

Also It freezes constantly,wtf did I waste my money on a game I cant even play online cause of freezing issues;So frustrated.

That is what I am saying, don't leave people open. Perkins is not a shooter in any means, but he can make a wide open jumper. The freezing, don't know what to tell you bud.

[sithlord06]

I played NBA live 09 demo and the only thing I liked was the ball handling control. I played the Lakers-Celtics demo and the animations were choppy and glitchy, totally non-fluid. Its time that EA Sports takes this game back to the lab and trash it. Start from scratch and develop a more fluid engine like they had to do with Madden in 08. NBA 2K9 is a far more realistic sim game and the animations are true to life of the actual player, its just a better game, everything looks real and is authentic.

[farazz]

i have the p3 verion and the replays keep getting stuck and move at hrribl frame rate and chris did u have this prob ar did anyoone else

[cdiddy71323]

Tri-State Killa,

It's called SLIDERS, they work wonders for people like you who don't play defense and complain about that. I have never opened a game (Live, 2K, Madden, NCAA, etc.) that plays absolutely perfect coming out of the box, but some do more than others as in 2K. I honestly don't know how anyone enjoys playing Live. I have been playing ball since I was about 4 with those plastic breakaway rim goals that made you feel like a badass, and by playing ball your whole life you get a feel for what real basketball should be and in no way does Live resemble that. You may complain that online games freeze and that's easily patchable and fixable. Also, Live's whole online system has been down from what I have heard and read which means NO online play and NO 365 for now. The games just came out and your already complaining about freezing. Even the Live demo was put to shame by the 2K one, and I would have 2K if it wasn't for a midterm and another exam I have tomorrow. ****, I hate college classes

[Da Birthday Boy]

Are you saying 2K has better graphics? Biased?

[ILLSmak]

Re: NBA Live 09 Review

Well, sliders are good for offline play, but it's important that online ranked play is 'perfect' or pretty close to it. You can change sliders in your franchise to make it more fun, but online you want a level playing field.

That being said, I thought this was a good review and I think both Live and 2k are about the same this year. It's just a matter of what you wanna play. As unbelievable as it sounds.... LIVE IS MORE SIM THAN 2K THIS YEAR. wow.

-Smak

[cdiddy71323]

Da Birthday Boy, I don't know if you are talking to me or whomever, but I personally think 2K has better graphics dealing with the players, arena, crowd, everything. And I do not have a biased opinion at all, I had been a longtime Live player going all the way back to the '95 days, and ever since I have had the chance to play 2K, I give them both the same chance, and just have gone the way of 2K everytime. It is just a more pleasurable experience and is a game you can play for a long period of time, unlike I feel with Live.

ILL Smak, You are right about the online stuff and I do occasionally play online if I'm going up against a friend or just want to go up against someone, but there are so many cheesers out there that, with the right sliders, I find a more challenging and life-like game going up against the computer