NBA Live 16

[Diablo25]

Agree also. I'm also leaning towards ordering 2K16 tonight also. It's looks damn good. Nice having two viable games again. Live isn't there yet but it's moving in the right direction.

That's exactly where I was last year, and will probably still feel that way this year. EA could probably get me if they just provided an option to show the play art on the court. But I am really liking the controls, and the controls are what I hate about 2K.

There is 'play art' on the court....not sure if it's what you are looking for. In the demo whenever I chose a play icons popped up showing me where to go...move to spot or pass. I guess it's an option in settings.

[sportdan30]

Game does play better than the demo IMO. The player animations seem smoother, which is a good sign.

[Diablo25]

Game does play better than the demo IMO. The player animations seem smoother, which is a good sign.

Animations are still the biggest weakness of the game. Little to no variety with post moves. If it had 2K level animations it would be an awesome game.

[dbdynsty25]

Um...got 2k tonight, and forget everything I said about Live. It's another landslide. LOL.

But to be fair, Live definitely is improved, it's just not in the same stratosphere as 2k. They really fixed a lot of the animations in 2k so they aren't a hindrance as much as they used to be.

[sportdan30]

So, I played a quick 6 minute game last night with the Thunder (me) vs. the Rockets, and it wasn't bad.

- My biggest beef is that the Rockets did not shoot any mid range jumpers. None. It was either a three point shot, post up, or a drive to the basket.

- Some of faces are just not good. Dwight Howard.....small head and doesn't look much like him. Durant looks good, but for the most part, many are slightly off to pretty bad.

- I saw little if any loose balls. It makes every game feel similar if there aren't any loose balls.

- I don't like that there is an automatic animation when bring the ball up the court. It's either dribble between the legs or where the player looks like he's pushing the tempo and the ball feels like it's on a string. Looks really bad.

- Lack of fast breaks. The CPU gets back way too quickly. You can still pull them off but it's not very smooth looking.

- The Euro step is too powerful. Seems like any player can do it and create separation.

- I enjoy the jump shooting and the percentages of my shot I'm shooting.

- I like the off the ball movement for the most part, but the passes aren't fluid enough. Not to mention there is one on particular that just looks strange where the pass is thrown higher than most passes.

- Defense is rather fun as is blocking shots.

- I'm not sure if it's an EA thing or what, but the sound effects are too low in this game. Can hardly hear the ball bounce or the shoes squeak. Also, the rim is rather quiet too.

- And lastly ball and rim physics are just so far behind 2K it's not even close. It's better, but that is not saying much.

- It can be a fun pick up and play game I suppose, but I can't see why someone would buy this game at full cost. I think sales are going to be awful once again.

[Rodster]

^^^ That reads like an early December EA Access game

[pk500]

So, I played a quick 6 minute game last night with the Thunder (me) vs. the Rockets, and it wasn't bad.

- My biggest beef is that the Rockets did not shoot any mid range jumpers. None. It was either a three point shot, post up, or a drive to the basket.

I'm not trying to defend this game, but that's pretty accurate. If my memory of Zach Lowe's NBA podcast on Grantland serve me, no NBA team lived and died with an offense of threes and big man post-ups last season more than Houston.

But I agree with the rest of your points, at least from what I saw in the demo. Hopefully this game hits EA Access by late winter or early next spring. It will be a fun, free diversion.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm not trying to defend this game, but that's pretty accurate. If my memory of Zach Lowe's NBA podcast on Grantland serve me, no NBA team lived and died with an offense of threes and big man post-ups last season more than Houston.

Yup, that's the Rockets. In fact, that's pretty much the entire NBA these days. Analytics guys have figured it out...and the coaches are finally catching up. No value in a 15-20 foot jumper. I definitely wouldn't count that as a negative against Live.

[sportdan30]

Fair enough. I do think the game will get a lot of support and updates, which is a great thing. It's not the worst basketball game I've played, but certainly has a lot of room for improvement.

[dbdynsty25]

Fair enough. I do think the game will get a lot of support and updates, which is a great thing. It's not the worst basketball game I've played, but certainly has a lot of room for improvement.

Well I thought the same thing, till I fired up 2k16 last night, then you realize just how bad it is. It's playable this year, which is more than you can say for most years, but it's not even in the same stratosphere as 2k.

[fsquid]

I still miss NBA Inside Drive 2003 by Microsoft for the original Xbox. I played that more than any console basketball game.

Me too

[Diablo25]

The "EA Sideline" camera is awesome. Best hoops camera ever.

[tjung0831]

So what's the story on the NBA games, I don't see them being talked about much. I loved Live 15 so I will more than likely stick with Live 16. The 16 demo doesn't seem much different than Live 15 but I do see some random improvements and the players feel a bit better. I've been watching a lot of 2K16 live streaming and thought about pulling the trigger but I think that game would frustrate the heck out of me so I'm just going to pick up Live16 on Black friday or as soon as we get a price drop on PSN.

[Aristo]

After playing the Early Access of Live 16 and watching clips of 2K16, I bought 2K16. I will say that 2K16 feels a lot better than previous versions. I don't regret getting it at all. I really wanted to go with Live, but it is still a thinner experience for me. Part of it is that I lay with the classic teams a fair amount.

I don't think Live is a bad game, but I still just enjoy 2K more still.

[pk500]

Enjoy NBA Live 16, Live fans. These pathetic sales numbers almost guarantee we won't see an NBA Live 17:

http://www.pastapadre.com/2015/10/20/no ... ba-live-16

NBA Live 16 sold 8,000 copies in September in North America, compared to more than 1 million for NBA 2K16. This game may be in EA Access by Christmas.

Too bad, as competition improves the breed. But NBA Live must be DOA.

[dbdynsty25]

Enjoy NBA Live 16, Live fans. These pathetic sales numbers almost guarantee we won't see an NBA Live 17:

http://www.pastapadre.com/2015/10/20/no ... ba-live-16

NBA Live 16 sold 8,000 copies in September in North America, compared to more than 1 million for NBA 2K16. This game may be in EA Access by Christmas.

Too bad, as competition improves the breed. But NBA Live must be DOA.

Holy sh*t. That's embarrassing.

[Rodster]

The trend has been 1 title per license with the exception of Soccer and Basketball. And really PES lacks the licenses of FIFA. EA can't compete with NBA 2K and i'd only play Live if it were put up free on EAA. There golf game isn't much better.

[wco81]

Maybe they'll try NBA Street again.

[pk500]

Maybe they'll try NBA Street again.

Hope so. That was a very fun game.

[Inuyasha]

Live can come back strong if they convert it to a college ball game. But it'll be hard to do since they have to avoid being sued.

[pk500]

Live can come back strong if they convert it to a college ball game. But it'll be hard to do since they have to avoid being sued.

There's a better chance of EA or any game company producing a vintage porn console game than a college sports game due to the continued O'Bannon litigation.

[Diablo25]

That number is shocking. I was excited for Live this year but I haven't even looked to purchase it...2K16 is just too good.

[Rodster]

NBA Died 16

[Aristo]

That number is shocking. I was excited for Live this year but I haven't even looked to purchase it...2K16 is just too good.

Exact same boat. Played Live 16, saw that 2K16 was improved, and went with 2K. Don't regret it at all. Will Live a look when it hit the Vault.

Hey, at least NHL and Madden are hitting on all cylinders. And the gameplay for Rory is rock solid, if they could just build a career and a legitimate online mode into it. Maybe they could scratch basketball and golf and put out a freaking baseball game.