NBA 2K8 demo impressions

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:28 pm

I just picked this up at Best Buy. I'll post some impressions later if I get a chance.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:35 pm

Waddupcouzin wrote:
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.

I agree completely. Live feels like a fun basketball game, but 2K8 feels like the NBA. Live can't touch 2K8 (yet) in terms of how realistic it models the NBA.

However, that probably won't matter to some. It may not be as realistic as 2K8, but it's a fun game that seems to have the fundamentals down, and will be a breath of fresh air for those who are tired of the 2K engine.

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:18 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I just picked this up at Best Buy. I'll post some impressions later if I get a chance.

Leebs, you picked up 2K8?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:47 pm

Waddupcouzin wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:I just picked this up at Best Buy. I'll post some impressions later if I get a chance.
Leebs, you picked up 2K8?

Yes. I think it's the first time I ever bought a game early. I'm taking my kids out to play now and then I'm going to watch the Steelers so I probably won't play much before tonight though.

macsomjrr · Post by **macsomjrr** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 10:13 pm

Quick question. Is that cell phone strength looking symbol under the players supposed to show how likely they are to make a shot? If so I love it! I'm gonna gamefly this one for sure.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 12:01 am

macsomjrr wrote:Quick question. Is that cell phone strength looking symbol under the players supposed to show how likely they are to make a shot? If so I love it! I'm gonna gamefly this one for sure.

Yeah, it seems pretty cool. Changes colors too, but there is absolutely nothing in the *very* short manual about that or when you are playing defense and your defensive icon flashes in the middle.

I've been a big fan of the 2K series the past few years and this is a bigger upgrade than I was expecting. The graphics don't seem as sharp, but I think the framerate is better and the animations are superb. One of my favorite things about the game is that all the players are instantly recognizeable in both appearance and style of play. The AI is really good. I've only touched the foul sliders (getting plenty of fouls and free throws...yeah!) and knocked the shooting percentages down a tad and everything is great so far.

I never really pay attention to the vibration function in games, but this has to be the best use of it in a team sports game. You feel it on dunks, tipped passes, physical play, free throws, etc and the great thing is that it's varied.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:57 am

While playing the nba demo for the past week, I switched to 2k. Maybe it was the change of pace, but now I really like the 2k demo. Live was fun but it sort of got boring for me and now 2k's little nuances are pretty neat.

I'm not going to buy 2 bball games but it would be nice to have both.

Diablo25 · Post by **Diablo25** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:36 am

IF I get an NBA game it will, more than likely, be NBA2K8.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:54 am

I was planning on getting both Live 08 and 2K8 but Live is getting ripped over at OS so I decided to only go with 2K8 another year.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:58 am

I can't wait to pick up 2k today (hope hope). And I don't watch 2 NBA games a year. Maybe I'll run with the hometown Hawks and see if I can turn them into a winner.

Edit: Bummer in a way to hear about the good use of vibration. I was all set to pick this up on PS3 (I liked the six axis foul shooting in the demo and the free online) but now may have to rethink that decision.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:10 am

I own both systems and I played both demos. IMO the 360 looked a tad better and the nice use of rumble sealed the deal for me.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:46 am

Prior to selling the PS3, I played the heck out of 2K8 on there. I'll definitely miss the free throw shooting using the six axis controller. That was the best use of the controller since owning the PS3. That said, rumble is fantastic on the 360 as previously mentioned. It gives me the gamer a more immersive feel. I do believe rumble will be implemented in the PS3 game once the new controller comes out. I remember reading a list of games that will include rumble, and 2K8 was one of them.

I do agree with Rodster in regards to 2K8 looking a bit better on the 360. It has a more cleaner look to it and the players and coaches look more life like. Also, the atmosphere feels more alive if that makes more sense. But, both look great IMO. I keep reading how much better the retail version of the 360 looks compared to the 360 demo. Leebo, do you agree with this assessment?

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:00 am

GTHobbes wrote:I can't wait to pick up 2k today (hope hope). And I don't watch 2 NBA games a year. Maybe I'll run with the hometown Hawks and see if I can turn them into a winner.

Edit: Bummer in a way to hear about the good use of vibration. I was all set to pick this up on PS3 (I liked the six axis foul shooting in the demo and the free online) but now may have to rethink that decision.

I am going to do the same

(running with the hometown Hawks).
I can't wait to play with my man...Al Horford and A.C. Law. I am disappointed the Hawks didn't make any moves though to trade some of their excess forwards. They still are one player away from being a solid team, IMO.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 11:03 am

sportdan30 wrote:I keep reading how much better the retail version of the 360 looks compared to the 360 demo. Leebo, do you agree with this assessment?

I never played the demo. I had 2 hockey games and Halo eating up my gaming time. I've purchased every 2K game since the series started appearing on PS2, so it was a no-brainer for me regardless.

The retail version looks good, but not great IMO. Animations are superb, but there is a hit to the clarity compared to 2K7. I prefer the better animations. Player and coach faces are much better, although some are better than others.

I forgot to mention the sound, which is very solid. Very realistic crowd noice which changes based on the game situation. It's cool to hear the "thundersticks" on FTA.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:18 pm

Leebo33 wrote:
sportdan30 wrote:I keep reading how much better the retail version of the 360 looks compared to the 360 demo. Leebo, do you agree with this assessment?
I never played the demo. I had 2 hockey games and Halo eating up my gaming time. I've purchased every 2K game since the series started appearing on PS2, so it was a no-brainer for me regardless.

The retail version looks good, but not great IMO. Animations are superb, but there is a hit to the clarity compared to 2K7. I prefer the better animations. Player and coach faces are much better, although some are better than others.

I forgot to mention the sound, which is very solid. Very realistic crowd noice which changes based on the game situation. It's cool to hear the "thundersticks" on FTA.

Leeb....start a impressions thread and lets get this party started

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:32 pm

ok i take everything back i said about this game, it's soooo deep compared to live. Live is nice and great to pick up and play, but 2k has a lot of cool things in it, the little things really add up to make it a nice game.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:59 am

One thing I have found out early about this game is that you MUST run plays to be successful in this game. If not, it'll be a frusturating experience.

fanatic · Post by **fanatic** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:27 am

sportdan30 wrote:One thing I have found out early about this game is that you MUST run plays to be successful in this game. If not, it'll be a frusturating experience.

Very true.

I also think the off-the-ball controls are a big help too. Just hold down LB and use the directional pad to cycle through who you want to direct.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:09 pm

IGN Reviews are up for both games. They hammer 2K8 and hammer Live even more. Basically, they've decided that the Lock-on feature breaks the game and, if what they're describing is true, they're probably right.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 12:34 pm

I don't even know how to utilize the lock-on feature or what it's even used for. The manual is crap.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:11 pm

Well, it can't break single player because you could just choose not to use it.

spooky157 · Post by **spooky157** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:22 pm

Maybe the IGN just played at the default level (Pro?) and this is something that is an issue at that level. I don't like the idea of the lock-on feature myself but I thought defending guards with bigs is a little too easy in every basketball game ever made.