     |
|
NBA VIDEO GAME COMPARISON: NBA 2K8 vs. NBA LIVE '08NBA 2K8
5 STARS (OUT OF 5)
NBA 2K8 is indubitably the most professionally assembled NBA video game available today. This inspiringly innovative game play system makes for jaw dropping dunk contests, net splashing shoot outs, and intense gameplay. The experts that assembled this game obviously know what they are doing. For example, nearly every player has his own unique shot, it is easy to differentiate between the running style of two different players, and different players use distinctive crossovers depending on their skill set and personal flair. Options include a quick game, regular season, playoffs, custom tournament, online play, dynasty, dunk contest, three point shootout, Rookie-Sophomore Game, All Star Game, practice, situations, create a player, create a team, fantasy draft, and many more. The unbelievable assortment of game types and features in NBA 2K8 only add supplementary depth to the game. Where it won me over is on the basketball court in heated battles with both the computer (outstanding Artificial Inteligence System) and friends. The various difficulty levels keep it interesting when playing against the computer. For all the thumb-cramping, palm-sweating, heart-throbbing action involved in a simple exhibition game against a friend with a similar skill level, this game is well worth its price. You will be blown away by the majestically realistic life-like play of each player. LeBron James plays in the game in the precisely same way in which he dominates in real life. If you like basketball and video games, you MUST BUY this thrilling game. I promise you will not regret it!
3 STARS (OUT OF 5)
NBA Live has been failing miserably in recent years as an NBA video game. Last year’s version had such pathetic gameplay and graphics that many (if not the majority) of the previously loyal Live fans were ready to divorce E.A. Sports after wasting their money on NBA Live 2007. Don’t think for a second that the creators of NBA Live didn’t take this utter and complete failure and turn it into motivation. The developers went back to the drawing board and made the collective decision that enough is enough.NBA Live implemented a new system that improved low post moves, hot spots (each player shoots a higher % from various spots on the floor), ball handling, rebounding animations, lock on defense, and go to moves (just imagine the Kobe Byant fadeaway or the Iverson crossover). Although the effort is certainly there for NBA Live ’08, the result is practically the same; the game fails to even come remotely close to competing with NBA 2K8. The players’ movement is so choppy and unrealistic that even your legally blind grandfather would tell you that the players appear fake. The graphics as a whole are not too shabby, but the playability of the game is unimpressive at best. However, if you are a casual NBA fan, I would suggest that you buy NBA Live ’08 because its learning curve is much smaller, it is more flashy, and its almost arcade like gameplay makes for more breakaway slam dunks and no-look passes.
|
