NBA2K5 Impressions

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:19 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Admittedly, I'm having a difficult time getting into this game thus far. I don't know if it's the controls, the boredom playing D, or I haven't found a good camera angle, etc.

You aren't the only one. I just sold mine on Half.com. It turned out to be a $2 rental for me. I like Live better, but ESPN is a damn fine game. I just don't have room in the library for 2 pro games. I'll be picking up College Hoops for sure now though.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:32 pm

I bought mine for 15 dollars. I may not play it long but I'm not going to bother selling it. 15 dollars minus whatever shipping costs and the time and effort it takes to sell it is not worth it.

tsunami · Post by **tsunami** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 2:43 pm

I finally got to play both Live and ESPN, and I'm not sure which I like more. The main thing I do know is that I don't think I like either of them better than ID 2004.

That being said, the controls feel a little awkward in both games. In ESPN I feel like everything is a little delayed, like the actions happen a second after I do something with the controller. And with Live the skating of the players is a little much. Freestyle seems more responsive than Iso, but I never really know what is going to happen when I try to do something. I definitely like the fouling situation in Live much better than ESPN, in fact it offers the most realistic foul totals (and types) of any game, including ID.

Also, in terms of animations, it seems both games get caught up in canned animation sequences. Sometimes it feels like you are a slave to the animations and have to wait until they finish. Often, they look pretty cool, but they hamper the gameplay and lead to frustration. I never really got that feeling with ID. That game always flowed right and never really got caught up in that.

Still not sure which one I'm going to keep, but I think I am leaning more towards Live right now.

Parker · Post by **Parker** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 1:55 pm

Well, I'm sticking to Live because of the following issues I can't fix with ESPN, as other have noted:

-Too difficult to draw a realistic number of foul shots
-Somewhat difficult to get the cpu to take enough 3s
-AI trading issues in franchise

I actually like many things about ESPN. The graphics are smoother, the player movements are great, the cameras are better. But it's just much easier to get realistic games of basketball with Live stat-wise, and the dynasty mode does not seem to have any major problems.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 2:07 pm

-Too difficult to draw a realistic number of foul shots
-Somewhat difficult to get the cpu to take enough 3s
-AI trading issues in franchise.

That's funny. I haven't seen any of those problems. In fact, four weeks into my franchise, I haven't seen a single cpu trade. I give up 31% from 3 point range, an average of 11 a game. And the computer and I shoot roughly 15-20 free throws per game. Those are MORE than adequate numbers. I don't know if I'd want completely realistic numbers from the line...it would slow the game down to a crawl...kinda like the real NBA.

To each his own though...I'll be getting Live for the PC when the modders can actually make it semi-realistic. Good foundation, bad execution, again for an improving EA franchise.

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 3:50 pm

Parker wrote:Well, I'm sticking to Live because of the following issues I can't fix with ESPN, as other have noted:

-Too difficult to draw a realistic number of foul shots
-Somewhat difficult to get the cpu to take enough 3s
-AI trading issues in franchise

I actually like many things about ESPN. The graphics are smoother, the player movements are great, the cameras are better. But it's just much easier to get realistic games of basketball with Live stat-wise, and the dynasty mode does not seem to have any major problems.

I'm getting a great number of 3's from the CPU and my Knicks went to the line 31 times in my franchise game last night. The CPU did send me to the line 8 times last night late in the fourth trailing by 6 but I was still getting a decent number of fouls prior to that.

A lot of people are enjoying Live though as I've heard great things about it. Despite some problems I really liked Live 2004 and I'm sure I would like 2005 if I gave it a try. I'm just enjoying ESPN too much right now to warrant spending $40 on another basketball game.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 8:50 pm

Just got it...couldn't resist the price tag at Walwart today. I like it so far but it defiantely needs slider tweaking. More impressions once I get some realistic sliders.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Sat Oct 09, 2004 9:49 pm

I'll keep this short and simple. I bought 2K5 this Tuesday @ BB for $15. After 3 days I ran out and bought ID2004 for $10. 2k5 is going up on Ebay. ID stays.

Even though it is a year older, ID is by far a more enjoyable and better basketball game IMO.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 1:28 am

matthewk wrote:I'll keep this short and simple. I bought 2K5 this Tuesday @ BB for $15. After 3 days I ran out and bought ID2004 for $10. 2k5 is going up on Ebay. ID stays.

Even though it is a year older, ID is by far a more enjoyable and better basketball game IMO.

Matt,

Don't give up on it YET man. It seriously takes about a week to get in the groove with the game. A little tweaking to the shot percentage sliders and it's a damn nice game.

sigma · Post by **sigma** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 10:02 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
-Too difficult to draw a realistic number of foul shots
-Somewhat difficult to get the cpu to take enough 3s
-AI trading issues in franchise.
That's funny. I haven't seen any of those problems. In fact, four weeks into my franchise, I haven't seen a single cpu trade. I give up 31% from 3 point range, an average of 11 a game. And the computer and I shoot roughly 15-20 free throws per game. Those are MORE than adequate numbers. I don't know if I'd want completely realistic numbers from the line...it would slow the game down to a crawl...kinda like the real NBA.

To each his own though...I'll be getting Live for the PC when the modders can actually make it semi-realistic. Good foundation, bad execution, again for an improving EA franchise.

How do you get so many free throw attempts? Of the 3 issues mentioned that's the only one that I have.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:02 am

After playing 2K5 for a decent amount of time I still think Live is the better game. Just my opinion. 2K5 is solid but Live plays a better game. Unresponsive controls plague 2K5. Not as bad as 2K4 but there are issues still there. I like the BASIC play animations of Live better. Way better stat results on Live. The playbooks on 2K5 are very nice...wish they were in Live. Bottom line, Live is more responsive and gives me better/realistic results.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:28 am

Diablo25 wrote:After playing 2K5 for a decent amount of time I still think Live is the better game. Just my opinion. 2K5 is solid but Live plays a better game. Unresponsive controls plague 2K5. Not as bad as 2K4 but there are issues still there. I like the BASIC play animations of Live better. Way better stat results on Live. The playbooks on 2K5 are very nice...wish they were in Live. Bottom line, Live is more responsive and gives me better/realistic results.

I'm glad that folks are having a good time with 2K5, but I agree with Diablo. Live is fantastic with slider adjustments. Notice I didn't say perfect. There are too many times when the animations get in the way and the transition game still needs some work.

I am just really impressed with the variations in gameplay. For instance:

- Fouls. Sometimes you get contact and no call. Sometimes you get "touch" calls. The amount of blocks and charges with the correct sliders is perfect. The amount of 3 point opportunities is spot on. Sometimes when you are fouled you can get a shot off and sometimes not. I love it.

- Blocks. Sometimes they are just tipped. Sometimes they are swatted into the stands. With slider adjustments the number of blocks and the players getting them is realistic.

- CPU offense. The more I play Live the more I think the CPU offense is by far the best in the Live series.

The Live series has come a long way in 2 years and with the proper sliders adjustments is as "sim" as most sports games. It sounds like you can say the same thing about ESPN 2K5 (I wasn't seeing some things that others were but I'm sure others don't see the things in Live I see) and that is good for basketball gamers.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:35 pm

Leebo33 wrote:
Diablo25 wrote:After playing 2K5 for a decent amount of time I still think Live is the better game. Just my opinion. 2K5 is solid but Live plays a better game. Unresponsive controls plague 2K5. Not as bad as 2K4 but there are issues still there. I like the BASIC play animations of Live better. Way better stat results on Live. The playbooks on 2K5 are very nice...wish they were in Live. Bottom line, Live is more responsive and gives me better/realistic results.
I'm glad that folks are having a good time with 2K5, but I agree with Diablo. Live is fantastic with slider adjustments. Notice I didn't say perfect. There are too many times when the animations get in the way and the transition game still needs some work.

I am just really impressed with the variations in gameplay. For instance:

- Fouls. Sometimes you get contact and no call. Sometimes you get "touch" calls. The amount of blocks and charges with the correct sliders is perfect. The amount of 3 point opportunities is spot on. Sometimes when you are fouled you can get a shot off and sometimes not. I love it.

- Blocks. Sometimes they are just tipped. Sometimes they are swatted into the stands. With slider adjustments the number of blocks and the players getting them is realistic.

- CPU offense. The more I play Live the more I think the CPU offense is by far the best in the Live series.

The Live series has come a long way in 2 years and with the proper sliders adjustments is as "sim" as most sports games. It sounds like you can say the same thing about ESPN 2K5 (I wasn't seeing some things that others were but I'm sure others don't see the things in Live I see) and that is good for basketball gamers.

Leebo, what slider adjustments have you made? I have a set from a guy at another board but would like to hear yours. Lost to the Raptors last night 90-83. I was my Sixers. Had a 12 point lead early in 3rd but Carter went off in the 4th. 28 points for the game...damn

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 3:15 pm

Diablo, I also use the Sixers. I posted in the settings thread.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 4:53 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Diablo, I also use the Sixers. I posted in the settings thread.

Cool.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:31 am

I picked 2k5 up this weekend. Had a 10% Best Buy coupon, so it was only $13.50. I played 2k, 2k2, and 2k3 previously, enjoying the original, souring on the other two and becoming an ID fan in 2003.

I played two games yesterday, All-Star defaults, one game with fouls maxed (except charging). Have to say I was impressed. The player momentum and sensitivity take a little getting used to, but what I liked was that the game has the flow of the real NBA. There are runs, scoring bursts/droughts, and fast breaks that I feel are really earned by playing good D.

My second game was a 9-minute contest, Bulls (me) vs. Nets. I lost 100-67 and it felt just like a Bulls game. Kidd took control and tore up whoever I put on him, with Jefferson serving as the other scoring option. I managed to play hard at first and keep it close, but in the second half I got cold and had foul issues, and the Nets took control.

One thing I like is that NBA 2k5 handles space the way NFL 2k5 does. The players will adjust to the seams and lanes available, not just running into players if they touch any part of them.

In terms of fouls, I was only fouled three or four times, but I fouled plenty. You can't just swat forever at the ball, which is nice. I thought I would miss the crouch, but I found playing defense to be more team-oriented than individual oriented, trying to see what the CPU was doing and anticipate where the ball was going, instead of where it currently was.

Overall, a pleasant surprise so far, especially for the price. I'm even more hopeful for College Hoops 2k5 now.

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:45 am

Brando70 wrote:I picked 2k5 up this weekend. Had a 10% Best Buy coupon, so it was only $13.50. I played 2k, 2k2, and 2k3 previously, enjoying the original, souring on the other two and becoming an ID fan in 2003.

I played two games yesterday, All-Star defaults, one game with fouls maxed (except charging). Have to say I was impressed. The player momentum and sensitivity take a little getting used to, but what I liked was that the game has the flow of the real NBA. There are runs, scoring bursts/droughts, and fast breaks that I feel are really earned by playing good D.

My second game was a 9-minute contest, Bulls (me) vs. Nets. I lost 100-67 and it felt just like a Bulls game. Kidd took control and tore up whoever I put on him, with Jefferson serving as the other scoring option. I managed to play hard at first and keep it close, but in the second half I got cold and had foul issues, and the Nets took control.

One thing I like is that NBA 2k5 handles space the way NFL 2k5 does. The players will adjust to the seams and lanes available, not just running into players if they touch any part of them.

In terms of fouls, I was only fouled three or four times, but I fouled plenty. You can't just swat forever at the ball, which is nice. I thought I would miss the crouch, but I found playing defense to be more team-oriented than individual oriented, trying to see what the CPU was doing and anticipate where the ball was going, instead of where it currently was.

Overall, a pleasant surprise so far, especially for the price. I'm even more hopeful for College Hoops 2k5 now.

Glad you're enjoying the game. We have to hook up for a Bulls-Knicks matchup sometime.