NBA Live 10 vs NBA 2K10

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 11:13 am

I would like to hear from folks who have compared both of these and which they think is a better game and why. I am renting both and am having a heck of a time deciding which to go with this year. Bear in mind, I have only a few hours with each at default settings, but here is my feelings so far.....

Live:

Seems like a fun, fast paced game. Easy to pick up and play. Much faster paced than 2K out of the box. Players seems to be "skating" a lot and you sometimes feel "out of control" with whats going on. Players sometimes stand around or do strange things.......especially the AI. I have seen many times where the opposing teams player will just dribble in place until the clock runs out. Sometimes weird ball mechanics.
Graphics are nice, but a little "cartoony".

2K:

Much more deliberate pace than Live and you feel more in control. Graphics are sharper and more realistic than Live. Better cameras and way more choices. Presentation is top notch...again a little better and more polished than Live. Gameplay seems very realistic.

Summary: At this point I feel 2K is better, but I need more time to get used to Live's "momentum" based movement and maybe tweak the settings. In the end, I want the game that plays better hoops out on the floor. I loved Live last year, but this year's game seems not as good to me and I can't put my finger on why?

wabash97 · Post by **wabash97** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:19 pm

I like Live much more than 2k this year, but it took me awhile to get to that point. Playing on all-star, although challenging to the point of madness (especially in the beginning) helps. The patch helps (a lot with some of the real weird stuff, although there will still be the occasional WTF). Ratings adjustments help (shouldn't have to do them, etc., but it's worth it).

The longer I play it, the more I am enjoying the subtleties of Live. It is a pleasure to use different teams, players, and their styles. I used Phoenix last night, for the time, and had a blast figuring out how to best use Nash, Stoudemire, and how to keep that pace burning. And I was making the kinds of plays I make very rarely using the Celtics, and failing when I resorted to the same strategies I was accustomed to using with the Cs.

I think 2k makes it appear that NBA basketball is a moderately intense game on most nights (which is how it does appear on TV sometimes, and how many people perceive it), where NBA Live makes it seem more true to what I think is actually going on, which is intense contact, strategy, physicality, etc.

Mileage is going to vary, but I'm definitely digging Live.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:40 pm

Both are good, Live is better. They have been compared and contrasted OVER and OVER in the other two threads.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:49 pm

Pasta Padre is speculating on his site whether there will even be a Live next year, given 2k10's sales boom (up 60% over last year's launch numbers) and Live's woeful sales numbers. I haven't played Live beyond the demo, but the people who like it may want to keep spreading the word to ensure it stays around.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Nov 13, 2009 3:39 pm

I have no doubt there will be a Live 11 next year. The series has come a long way. In fact their FIFA series was in worse shape than Live and they didn't pull the plug on that.

They also hired the former NBA2K developer. I seriously doubt EA will walk at this point. Live does some things 2k doesn't one of which is the DNA.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:01 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Both are good, Live is better. They have been compared and contrasted OVER and OVER in the other two threads.

I knew you wouldn't be able to resist making a comment like that.

And actually no....there actually isn't a whole lot of in depth comparison in those threads, which is why I made this thread. Just relax and go back to your thread monitoring. Everything is going to be OK.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 10:07 pm

wabash97 wrote:I like Live much more than 2k this year, but it took me awhile to get to that point. Playing on all-star, although challenging to the point of madness (especially in the beginning) helps. The patch helps (a lot with some of the real weird stuff, although there will still be the occasional WTF). Ratings adjustments help (shouldn't have to do them, etc., but it's worth it).

The longer I play it, the more I am enjoying the subtleties of Live. It is a pleasure to use different teams, players, and their styles. I used Phoenix last night, for the time, and had a blast figuring out how to best use Nash, Stoudemire, and how to keep that pace burning. And I was making the kinds of plays I make very rarely using the Celtics, and failing when I resorted to the same strategies I was accustomed to using with the Cs.

I think 2k makes it appear that NBA basketball is a moderately intense game on most nights (which is how it does appear on TV sometimes, and how many people perceive it), where NBA Live makes it seem more true to what I think is actually going on, which is intense contact, strategy, physicality, etc.

Mileage is going to vary, but I'm definitely digging Live.

In going over all the offical reviews, it seems like Live has went backwards this year and 2K reviews remain high. And most of the basketball "sim fanatics" seem to prefer 2K. I am most interested in purely the on court gameplay and Live seems a little "manic" and "unstructured" to me. 2K seems to have more of a real baskeball flow to me? I will continue to try each for a while....

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:13 am

I've yet to personally know anyone who prefers Live over 2k. I think some people are burned out on 2k because Live was a joke for so many years. If you've haven't played 2k year-after-year, you'll probably dig it.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:32 am

They are both good...who really cares what "official reviews" state. Play whichever game is fun for you. And BTW, I have both and it's Live.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 11:57 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:They are both good...who really cares what "official reviews" state. Play whichever game is fun for you. And BTW, I have both and it's Live.

I understand you may be tired of 2K and want a change, but there is no way you can tell me Live's gameplay is better than 2K's. The way Live's players "skate" accross the floor and the way they bunch up and the wacky AI at times. Not to mention the ball/rim physics. Play Live for 10 mins, then 2K for the same and tell me which "feels" more like real hoops, purely from a gameply/physics standpoint.

I loved Live last year, but for some reason this year's version is a little off. You don't feel "in control" of your players on the court. I will have to look into what tweaks and slider adjustments people are recommending. Maybe that will help?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:08 pm

Then play 2k! Why do you only care about other people's opinions, then dismiss them when they give them to you? Obviously you like 2k better. Play it.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:45 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Then play 2k! Why do you only care about other people's opinions, then dismiss them when they give them to you? Obviously you like 2k better. Play it.

I am interested in other people's opinions. I am not dismissing yours...but you aren't giving me any reasons why you think Live is better.
Maybe you can convince me? That's what this place is for. I am debating both games and if someone makes a strong case for Live, it might sway me that way. I haven't picked one yet.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:47 pm

There are two entire threads with opinions on both games from myself and others.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:57 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Then play 2k! Why do you only care about other people's opinions, then dismiss them when they give them to you? Obviously you like 2k better. Play it.

Quit feeding the trolls.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:05 pm

JackB1 wrote:I am interested in other people's opinions. I am not dismissing yours...but you aren't giving me any reasons why you think Live is better.
Maybe you can convince me? That's what this place is for. I am debating both games and if someone makes a strong case for Live, it might sway me that way. I haven't picked one yet.

Sorry Jack but I find the above statement hard to believe when a few posts up you write this

but there is no way you can tell me Live's gameplay is better than 2K's

Why should anyone try and convince you of anything after that statement?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:09 pm

Danimal wrote:
JackB1 wrote:I am interested in other people's opinions. I am not dismissing yours...but you aren't giving me any reasons why you think Live is better.
Maybe you can convince me? That's what this place is for. I am debating both games and if someone makes a strong case for Live, it might sway me that way. I haven't picked one yet.
Sorry Jack but I find the above statement hard to believe when a few posts up you write this

but there is no way you can tell me Live's gameplay is better than 2K's
Why should anyone try and convince you of anything after that statement?

Not to mention the fact that he is blatantly saying that without a doubt 2k is better...so why is there even a need for any further discussion at all?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:24 pm

Danimal wrote:
JackB1 wrote:I am interested in other people's opinions. I am not dismissing yours...but you aren't giving me any reasons why you think Live is better.
Maybe you can convince me? That's what this place is for. I am debating both games and if someone makes a strong case for Live, it might sway me that way. I haven't picked one yet.
Sorry Jack but I find the above statement hard to believe when a few posts up you write this

but there is no way you can tell me Live's gameplay is better than 2K's
Why should anyone try and convince you of anything after that statement?

Gameplay is one part of the package. When I make a statement like the above, obviously that is my "opinion". It doesn't mean I don't want to hear why you may think otherwise.

If all you have to do to win a debate is say..."there is no way you can tell me......", then it would be pretty easy to win debates. If I said "there is no way you can tell me there is a better team than the JETS". Would you just accept it or offer a rebuttal?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:27 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote: Not to mention the fact that he is blatantly saying that without a doubt 2k is better...

Where exactly did I say that?

Could we please get back to comparing these two games instead of arguing with me just for the sake of arguing? There was only one post that addressed the original subject. (Thanks Wabash). Anyone else?

Thanks again to Db for hijacking a thread for his own purposes. Ironic how he hates extra posts that clutter up the boards, but he does exactly that by arguing nonsense.

Another reply from Db that doesn't address the original post in 3-2-1......

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:52 pm

JackB1 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote: Not to mention the fact that he is blatantly saying that without a doubt 2k is better...
Where exactly did I say that?

Could we please get back to comparing these two games instead of arguing with me just for the sake of arguing? There was only one post that addressed the original subject. (Thanks Wabash). Anyone else?

Thanks again to Db for hijacking a thread for his own purposes. Ironic how he hates extra posts that clutter up the boards, but he does exactly that by arguing nonsense.

Another reply from Db that doesn't address the original post in 3-2-1......

Look at Dan's quote. Then go away.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:59 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
JackB1 wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote: Not to mention the fact that he is blatantly saying that without a doubt 2k is better...
Where exactly did I say that?

Could we please get back to comparing these two games instead of arguing with me just for the sake of arguing? There was only one post that addressed the original subject. (Thanks Wabash). Anyone else?

Thanks again to Db for hijacking a thread for his own purposes. Ironic how he hates extra posts that clutter up the boards, but he does exactly that by arguing nonsense.

Another reply from Db that doesn't address the original post in 3-2-1......
Look at Dan's quote. Then go away.

You are so predictable. Why don't you go away so we can get back to the original subject. FWIW, I said "GAMEPLAY was without a doubt better"...that doesn't mean the entre package is better. If you aren't going to contribute anything worthwhile to this thread just show some self control for once in your life and move on to the next thread? Do you enjoy aggravating yourself? This thread is entitled "Live vs 2K"....not "Jack vs Db".

Lets summarize your helpful contributions to this thread.....

"Both are good, Live is better. They have been compared and contrasted OVER and OVER in the other two threads."

"They are both good...who really cares what "official reviews" state. Play whichever game is fun for you. And BTW, I have both and it's Live."

"Then play 2k! Why do you only care about other people's opinions, then dismiss them when they give them to you? Obviously you like 2k better. Play it."

"There are two entire threads with opinions on both games from myself and others."

"Not to mention the fact that he is blatantly saying that without a doubt 2k is better...so why is there even a need for any further discussion at all?"

"Look at Dan's quote. Then go away."

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:06 pm

But all you do is complain about Live on the court. What, if I say "oooooh the sneakers are better in Live"...does that make you want to keep Live. No, it doesn't get you over the fact that you hate the way Live plays on the court.

And if you want impressions, READ the impressions threads. For some reason you wanted to created JACK'S Thread...and no one wants to help you. 4 days, one response. What does that tell you? People don't want to retype everything they already typed in the other thread. Can't you figure that out?

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:11 pm

I'm sure I said this in short form on the Live impression thread, and at OS, and on other boards, but why not do it again? Here goes nothing...

I have played both games, though have not played 2K since the patch. I chose Live for the following reasons:

1. Control - I feel like I am more responsible for my success in Live than in 2K. I fell less like I am triggering animations and more like I am making the move, particularly with dribble options.

2. Arena Atmosphere. Turn off the play-by-play and soak up the feel of being there, with specific chants and reactive crowds. When things get tight in the 4th quarter it feels like the crowd is hanging on your every move, just waiting to explode.

3. Playsets. I'm a Celtics fan, and I can make the Celtics play as they should, with Sheed popping out, Ray coming off baseline screens and Garnett and Pierce doing damage from the foul line extended. If I get hot the cpu AI switches up the defense to take away what I've been working so well. I feel like the cpu AI makes adjustments at the half to stop my offense and increase their chances.

Not that there aren't downsides to Live - it isn't a perfect game by any means. I wish it was a smooth as 2K; the branching animations from one move to another can be very rough, and it can be frustrating when a defensive shuffle becomes a defensive slide. But greater control at the cost of fluidity is a trade-off I'm willing to make. I wish breaks were as good as in 2K - I do get a few but it is too easy to disrupt the cpu team's chances. The rebounding is leaps and bounds above last year, but still lags in comparison; same with the shot block animations.

My biggest issue with 2K is on the defensive end. I don't feel like good defensive teams play that way. The rotations are flat out bad; too often it seems that if you get by the first man you get an open shot. A team like the Celtics or Cavs really work to play angles and hustle to cover gaps and support the perimeter defender; I just didn't see it with my time with the game. Live isn't perfect in this regard, but I do feel like the help defenders are in place more often than not.

If I'm watching someone else play, I'd much rather watch 2K. More animations, more little touches and a presentation that is better in most regards. But I don't watch people, I play for myself, so I chose Live.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:11 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote: And if you want impressions, READ the impressions threads. For some reason you wanted to created JACK'S Thread...and no one wants to help you. 4 days, one response. What does that tell you? People don't want to retype everything they already typed in the other thread. Can't you figure that out?

I read both impressions thread and didn't find a lot of comments comparing the 2 games. Maybe I missed something...I'll go back again.
If people dont want to discuss these games further, than that's fine. I didn't get both games until this week, but I guess everyone has already said what they had to say? That's the trouble with using Gamefly.... you are always late to the discussion on major new releases.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:16 pm

JackB1 wrote: Gameplay is one part of the package. When I make a statement like the above, obviously that is my "opinion". It doesn't mean I don't want to hear why you may think otherwise.

If all you have to do to win a debate is say..."there is no way you can tell me......", then it would be pretty easy to win debates. If I said "there is no way you can tell me there is a better team than the JETS". Would you just accept it or offer a rebuttal?

I think you're missing the point. You're comparing Apples and Oranges. You start a thread like this and you say you want to hear opinions, but now you say it abut debating which game is better.

Why? Whats the point? You have a game you enjoy obviously so play it. If you're thread was I don't own one, what are the merits of each then you would have some ground to stand on.

But as you just said you want to debate which is better, for what purpose? What good is going to come of DB or someone else saying Live is better and you saying it's not and then arguing about it?

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:18 pm

I don't have an opinion on Live, having only played the demo, but I'll say again that I can't get enough of 2k10, especially since the patch dropped. The "My Player" mode in particular is like virtual crack. If there's a better basketball game ever made, I'm glad the other guys are enjoying it.