NBA 2K8 demo impressions

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:09 pm

Rodster wrote:
sportdan30 wrote:Does this game include a season mode, or is it just franchise?
I wish developers would just give us both. I only ever play Season mode when it's available.

Same with me. It makes it easier to manage the rosters.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:21 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
Rodster wrote:
sportdan30 wrote:Does this game include a season mode, or is it just franchise?
I wish developers would just give us both. I only ever play Season mode when it's available.
Same with me. It makes it easier to manage the rosters.

Not only that but I play sports games for the action not to micromanage. While others want just the opposite.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:15 am

For the NBA 08 fans ENJOY!!! lol....

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/nba0 ... id=6180012

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:49 am

greggsand wrote:For the NBA 08 fans ENJOY!!! lol....

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/nba0 ... id=6180012

I don't know one NBA 08 fan. That series has a long way to go. But, no worries at all. The NBA 2K8 demo on the PS3 rocks hard man! A definite first day pick-up Greg.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:55 am

Why is Live more "fun" than 2K? A few of you have said in comparing the 2 demos, that Live was just more "fun". Could any of you elaborate what makes it more fun? I tried both demos again last night and don't get it. 2K seems to have much more solid gameplay and defensive AI. I also love shooting with the right stick and find it hard when playing Live to use the right stick for dribbling moves and then pressing a button to shoot. It feels awkward. There isn't really anything groundbreaking new with either game. The graphics are nice on both, with neither one really distancing itself from the other in the looks dept. Live's players look at little weird to me though...like their heads are too big for their bodies or something.

Rodster wrote:I'm leaning on just getting Live this year. I'm viewing it the same way as I did NHL 07 last year. Sure it wasn't the most accurate Hockey game but it was more fun to play than NHL 2K7. I've played both demos and i'm just not feeling it with 2K8 this year. Part of my problems with it are things they should have fixed already like shirts and shorts disappearing and the wobble/robotic effect when the players animation are being reset. It looks sloppy especially when this is a last gen engine on the 360 they are using.

NBA Live 08 feels fun if I can use that term. I like the presentation and the game is pretty decent. I played 2K8 and it felt like the developers were taking the safe route just like EA does with Madden.

Live 08 tries to be a good game but as long as i'm having some fun with it that's all I care.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:16 am

Just my opinion, but to me there is no comparison here...2K8 is the better demo. Live has made a nice jump and is fun but it can't match the true sim gameplay of 2K8. Plus, as mentioned above, shooting with the right stick is very enjoyable. I'll be getting 2K8 if I get an NBA game this year.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:32 am

Yeah, I don't get it either Jack. While I think Live looks a little cleaner, 2K is just more responsive, has much better animations, and more realistic gameplay.

I'm glad though Live is once again putting out a respectable product. It's nice to have choices when it comes to the NBA b-ball games.

grtwhtsk · Post by **grtwhtsk** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:57 am

I liked both demos. I'm going to gamefly both, and then make my final decision on which to buy (if I buy either).

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:30 pm

Maybe by more fun it means more fresh. Also, 08 to me is more polished than 2k8. I'm sure 2k8 has probably more of the realism, but I've found the 2k8 series to be very boring to play. 2k8 seems like the same game as 2k7 to me. maybe I'm just tired of it. But 08 is just something new. Also, the gameplay is silky smooth and just like how the whole thing is put together.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:39 pm

I'm still not getting it? What specifically is "more fresh" or "more polished" about Live? Sure Live08 is better than Live07, but what
exactly is more fun or fresh than playing 2K? Can you be specific?

Inuyasha wrote:Maybe by more fun it means more fresh. Also, 08 to me is more polished than 2k8. I'm sure 2k8 has probably more of the realism, but I've found the 2k8 series to be very boring to play. 2k8 seems like the same game as 2k7 to me. maybe I'm just tired of it. But 08 is just something new. Also, the gameplay is silky smooth and just like how the whole thing is put together.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:44 pm

I guess I really need to spend some more time with the Live 08 demo. I played it for 10 minutes when I first downloaded it and didn't see anything there that would make me want to come back. I played the 2k8 demo on the PS3 last night for 15 minutes and thought it had a TON of potential, though I've always liked 2k's game in the past. It was almost like controlling a TV broadcast, which is what I'm usually looking for out of a good sports game. I don't know, maybe it's just me and some more time with Live could change my opinion, but I doubt it.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:02 pm

JackB1 wrote:Why is Live more "fun" than 2K? A few of you have said in comparing the 2 demos, that Live was just more "fun". Could any of you elaborate what makes it more fun? I tried both demos again last night and don't get it. 2K seems to have much more solid gameplay and defensive AI. I also love shooting with the right stick and find it hard when playing Live to use the right stick for dribbling moves and then pressing a button to shoot. It feels awkward. There isn't really anything groundbreaking new with either game. The graphics are nice on both, with neither one really distancing itself from the other in the looks dept. Live's players look at little weird to me though...like their heads are too big for their bodies or something.

Rodster wrote:I'm leaning on just getting Live this year. I'm viewing it the same way as I did NHL 07 last year. Sure it wasn't the most accurate Hockey game but it was more fun to play than NHL 2K7. I've played both demos and i'm just not feeling it with 2K8 this year. Part of my problems with it are things they should have fixed already like shirts and shorts disappearing and the wobble/robotic effect when the players animation are being reset. It looks sloppy especially when this is a last gen engine on the 360 they are using.

NBA Live 08 feels fun if I can use that term. I like the presentation and the game is pretty decent. I played 2K8 and it felt like the developers were taking the safe route just like EA does with Madden.

Live 08 tries to be a good game but as long as i'm having some fun with it that's all I care.

That's pretty easy to sum up. First off the presentation and graphics in Live are great. The commentary and player intros look and sound awesome. Live 08 has a more fun approach when it comes to the controls. It doesn't take practice to become comfortable with Live's controls, they are very intuitive. I have never gotten used to the isomotion controls in the NBA2K series they just feel plain awkward to me.

IMO why I like NHL 07/08 over NHL2K07/08 is what I mentioned above. Presentation, commentary, easy to learn controls, plays a fun hockey game.

NBA2K7/8 feels sterile as it wants to be ultra realistic which for the most part it is, but the commentary and controls don't match the game play as well as some of the non-play animations still look robotic.

I plan on getting NBA2K8 and Live 08. I have played more of the Live 08 demo than I have of the 2K8 demo. Most of the impressions I have read regarding 2K8 makes the gameplay sound amazing but Live 08 just plays a fun game of Basketball as it tries to nail the basics and give you the player a fun Basketball game experience.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:17 pm

I actually liked some aspects of the NHL 07 demo. There was no force field for one thing so with the quick Dallas guards, you could actually crossover and get to the hole. Now if all guards are like that, then it's probably lame but being able to go to the hole at will wasn't necessarily a money play because I think a big man could come and defend it. But I've not tried the full game so I'm not sure.

Tried the Live 08 demo once. Force field galore. Maybe I have to really learn the trick stick or whatever but Live has always had force field.

Will have to try NBA2K but the rep on that is dunks galore from either driving or low-post shots are money?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 2:57 pm

The only major difference in the controls I see, is that Live has that "freestyle" control in the right stick and 2K has shooting with the right stick. I think shooting with the stick is more "fun" than pressing a button.
Other than that, what's so more intuitive about Live's controls vs 2K's?
True, the isomotion takes a little getting used to, but other than that, the controls seem very intuitive to me? Also, why did Live take away the steal with the right stick on "D"? All you can do now with the stick is put your hands up or take the charge?

Rodster wrote: Live 08 has a more fun approach when it comes to the controls. It doesn't take practice to become comfortable with Live's controls, they are very intuitive. I have never gotten used to the isomotion controls in the NBA2K series they just feel plain awkward to me.

I'm not trying to argue...I'm trying to understand why Live is "more fun"?
All these "more fun" comments are pretty vague, IMO. I also prefer NHL08 to NHL2K8 for the "fun factor", but I don't see the same comparison with Live to 2K? It seems like apples & oranges to me.

IMO why I like NHL 07/08 over NHL2K07/08 is what I mentioned above. Presentation, commentary, easy to learn controls, plays a fun hockey game.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 3:32 pm

I still don't have a working 360, so I haven't had a chace to play either, but is it really that big of a deal if someone prefers Live for whatever reason?

I don't care for a true sim in hoops games, so a lot of 2k's nuances don't really do as much for me as they do for the more serious NBA gamers. I just want a fun, easy to learn game for those times I'd prefer basketball over hockey or football.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:00 pm

Dave wrote:I still don't have a working 360, so I haven't had a chace to play either, but is it really that big of a deal if someone prefers Live for whatever reason?

I don't care for a true sim in hoops games, so a lot of 2k's nuances don't really do as much for me as they do for the more serious NBA gamers. I just want a fun, easy to learn game for those times I'd prefer basketball over hockey or football.

That's why it's great to have choices. It's amazing how bent out of shape people get because someone favors a particular game or heck, even a console!

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:07 pm

JackB1 wrote: what's so more intuitive about Live's controls vs 2K's?
True, the isomotion takes a little getting used to, but other than that, the controls seem very intuitive to me?

Everything !

Isomotion is like trying to remember every button combination in WE. If I want to to a fancy move in Live I use the right stick that's it. If I want to do a fancy move in NBA2K I have to look it up then try and perform that maneuver in the game. Like I said Live 08's control while not as in depth as compared to NBA2K get the job done much easier for me than Isomotion. The 2K faithful who put time into learning it have gotten use to it. I still can't get the hang of it since it was introduced in 2K6. In other words Isomotion is not for everyone.

And because Live simplifies the experience more than NBA2K it becomes more enjoyable to play at least for me. Add a kick ass commentary, graphics and top notch EA in game presentation and the whole experience is more enjoyable than 2K8.

I still plan on getting both but I still think Live will get more play time for me.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:22 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
greggsand wrote:For the NBA 08 fans ENJOY!!! lol....

http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/sports/nba0 ... id=6180012
I don't know one NBA 08 fan. That series has a long way to go. But, no worries at all. The NBA 2K8 demo on the PS3 rocks hard man! A definite first day pick-up Greg.

I love the 2k series. glad to hear it!

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:26 pm

Ok, this is the best way I can describe the demos :

Live : Feel like I actually have the ball in my hand and am dribbling. Very smooth motion and great control.

2k : Feel like I am 300 pounds and slow as a turtle. Everything just feels so sluggish in the game when compared to how smooth and fast live moves.

I guess Live is like Magic's Lakers while 2k is more like Ewings Knicks.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:04 pm

Anyone recall the Live games on the Genesis?

Seem to recall they were much more responsive than the demo I tried.

Hell even the PS1 Live games were like that.

Even with the force field which has always been present.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 7:07 pm

One thing that's very annoying is the skating in the 2K demo. I tried the PS3 today and must say since I own both consoles I prefer the 360 version. The graphics look slightly better, less jaggies and it has rumble. But the PS3 version is still nice.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:53 pm

I love the PS3 demo. I'm not a basketball fan but this will be a day 1 purchase for me. I just wish I had some allegiance to an NBA team.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 2:19 pm

GTHobbes wrote:I love the PS3 demo. I'm not a basketball fan but this will be a day 1 purchase for me. I just wish I had some allegiance to an NBA team.

Just go Lakers baby!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 3:47 pm

GTHobbes wrote:I love the PS3 demo. I'm not a basketball fan but this will be a day 1 purchase for me. I just wish I had some allegiance to an NBA team.

I'll most likely run with the Bulls as I'm a big Hinrich fan from the KU days.

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 9:19 pm

Rodster wrote:
JackB1 wrote: what's so more intuitive about Live's controls vs 2K's?
True, the isomotion takes a little getting used to, but other than that, the controls seem very intuitive to me?
Everything !

Isomotion is like trying to remember every button combination in WE. If I want to to a fancy move in Live I use the right stick that's it. If I want to do a fancy move in NBA2K I have to look it up then try and perform that maneuver in the game. Like I said Live 08's control while not as in depth as compared to NBA2K get the job done much easier for me than Isomotion. The 2K faithful who put time into learning it have gotten use to it. I still can't get the hang of it since it was introduced in 2K6. In other words Isomotion is not for everyone.

And because Live simplifies the experience more than NBA2K it becomes more enjoyable to play at least for me. Add a kick ass commentary, graphics and top notch EA in game presentation and the whole experience is more enjoyable than 2K8.

I still plan on getting both but I still think Live will get more play time for me.

Completely disagree with your comments on isomotion. 2K's isomotion has been completely redone. You don't have to remember any button combinations this year at all. A simple flick of the stick can get you by a defender. Of course you have to take into account what player you're using and the person defending you, but Isomotion has been seriously simplified!

WCO81...2K8 is far from a dunkfest...In years past, I'd give you that. However, you can play the demo and maybe see two dunks. What they've done this year is include alot more body contact without fouls, thus allowing for really good defensive gameplay this year. In years past most b-ball games never took into account the bumping and contact that went into driving the post or just in basketball period. This is the first game that I have seen get that correct. Contact does not always mean a foul and this game get's it right.

Plus the fact of feeding the ball to the post! If a teams offense runs from the inside out, this has never been implemented correctly except in Inside Drive. Once again, 2k gets that right this year. I've played the Live08 Demo and Parker takes over the game like Jordan. It's like Tim Duncan isn't on the team! I played the LIve Demo for about 2 weeks and there were tons of games Duncan didn't even get the ball! As I stated in a beforementioned post, Live has made some strides, but it's missing alot. I would give it another two years, and I think they (Live) could have something serious.