This is an NBA Live game review for PlayStation and Xbox. NBA Live is one of EA's most popular video games. Each year, numerous basketball games are released but NBA Live's yearly version always seems to be among the front runners. 2010's edition is no different, with its quality graphics, user input, and animations, this very last version of NBA Live has received extremely positive reviews.
NBA Live 2010 featured additional jerseys, a first for the franchise. Throwback jerseys from the 1980s and 1990s were added in as well as several alternate ones for a number of teams. Using special codes, even more uniforms and shoes can be unlocked. It is unsure if every team will receive new game jerseys but two codes have been announced so far and more are likely to come.
The graphics in this game received a massive overhaul. The game features quicker and smoother animations that allow for maximum play. Items like the lights and courts were designed to look very realistic. It's a bit grainy when enhanced on plasma screens but generally looks extremely well. Other less important things like the crowd and the athletes are more detailed too. Unlike the other game editions, this latest NBA Live console game has a much better background. The audience in the stands were programmed to appear more realistic and believable. Even the athletes in general were give more detailed and personal touches like their arm tattoos, various hairstyles, and other personal accessories. The different stars in this game were designed to be more simply recognized than past editions.
The game's controls were altered slightly so that it isn't necessary to control the players one hundred percent of the time. Using this auto mode can result in more turnovers though. For those who want to, it is quite possible to expand the control over the players. The game play is simple enough so that even people who have never played a basketball game can quickly get the hang of it. Actions like shooting and passing are both single button functions. And both the Xbox and PlayStation controllers use the right joy stick to move the basketball players. Playing defense is simple as well, simply position your player near one from the other team and he will do the rest automatically. The update of the player DNA system from past games has significantly improved as well. The 2010 edition's DNA updates individual player's tendencies and attributes almost instantly. This year's game will also allow users to play real games almost as they happen in the real world. And with the NBA team's rosters and line ups updating instantly in the game, it makes for a much improved Dynasty Mode as well.
This games's soundtrack was improved and changed to include more modern singers and groups. This year's game has a lot more tracks, which significantly cuts back on the repetition of songs during the dynasty mode and games. The tracks were even programmed to react to the tempo of the games to get the user more involved.
