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Now
I know everyone who has been following the NBA Live series stayed up the night
before it was released with visions of slam dunking going through their minds.
Okay, maybe not everybody, but I sure was. I spent the day before reading the
newsgroups for feedback on initial reactions to the new game on the block, and
more importantly, how it fared up against a now formidable In The Zone. To say
that I had high expectations for this game is an extreme understatement. Well I
have honestly put at least 100 hours into this game, so now for the review.
Ah,
the wonders of multimedia, they blow us away the first time, but after that we
all seem to skip past that long-loading intro. But even still, the intro is
excellently executed. In fact at the local mall, Electronic Boutique had a new
GTE Television set up running the demo of the game with the intro, and
maintained a large crowd oohing and ahhing. It is very well done, and gets your
mouth watering for this new version of the all time best basketball game series.
(Please do not even think Double Dribble was)
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When
I first started playing, I did not like the way the players stood with their
hands and arms out, like robots. I was just about to agree with the writer of
GamePro, or GamePlayer I forget but whoever he was, he really trashed this game,
but then something happened. I was playing with the Lakers and Nick Van Exel
had just missed an off balance shot and I saw Elden do something that I've seen
in the actual game. After the automatic replay played, I was left quivering in
a state of shock. He had actually jumped for the putback, missed and came down
on the rim hanging to get his position back and then finally dropping to the
floor. The animation was perfect!!! This inspired me to play with the camera
views a little more until I found a view that resembles watching an actual
basketball game so much that I sometimes forget that I'm playing a game. The
players swivel on one foot, pump fake, fall down, get up, follow through on the
free throws, sky hook, reverse jam, reverse layup, etc.... You have to see it
to believe it folks.
The other residual effects are excellent, the
courts are masterpieces. The players have faces!! and more importantly distinct
facial features. The player select screens are flawless, and about 99% of the
players have actual pictures, the rookies have their draft day pictures.
Overall, a 1000% improvement and I cannot wait until they master the motion
capture and allow the player to stop a layup in the middle for a no-look pass.
(just like the 16-bit era).
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The
sounds are excellent, Ernie Johnson does the intro for each game , and he even
serves as the PA announcer for the game. Some of the bonuses are that he names
all of the players, and he even uses a lot of variety in his inflection. For
example, when the Lakers are at home, he yells Shaaaaaaaaaquillllllllllle
Ooooooooooneeeeeeeal, but when the Lakers play somewhere else, he merely says
shaquille oneal... All together a nice touch.
The dunks, and swishes sound true to life, and the shoe squeaks are
there for you purists. I enjoy how the PA announcer announces the foul, and the
perpetrator and even announces what foul that is. The only drawback is if they
can accomplish this, why can't they cue the crowd to cheer when a star player
for the opposing team fouls out? Oh well, maybe next year. In between games,
the music is excellent. EA went all out on their background music, which sounds
very professional. Not some 2 second loop that plays over and over. And unlike
ITZ2, there is no national anthem.
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Oh
my, this game will be played by basketball fans until the CD is smokin and the
PlayStation is skipping, period. The quick plays, the option of controlling
individual defensive pressure, the defensive matchups, the calling for screens,
its all in there.
You can autosub like before, but I prefer to
actually sub myself, and you don't have to wait for the game to load for that.
(see ITZ2) You can create players, and their name appears on the jersey. So
for the bulls, I recommend that you take #24 guard's ratings, and #3 forward's
ratings and create your own #23 Michael Jordan, and #4 Charles Barkley.
The
options of creating players even extend towards, facial features, facial hair
color, and positioning of hair parts. This is the game's best feature as
always. Especially if you are fortunate to have competitive friends who can
push you. I suggest that you master the pick and roll, and turn random double
teaming off and you should not lose, period.
The AI is very
intelligent, in fact I just started a new season after umpteen amount of
exhibitions, and I am 3 - 3 with The Lakers, I don't know if I should be
thankful, or continue my frustration of overtime victories.
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This
game is pure genius. I can't wait to have yet another game. Tekken2, Madden
97, and Triple Play'97 must feel jealous and neglected since the new kid on the
block entered my life. I say, get this game if you like basketball, In The Zone
2 is cool but I think the overall playability and full season stat tracking
dominates the appearance of ITZ2
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ANDRE |
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GRAPHICS: |
Brilliant |
If
you are a fan of basketball, don't hesitate to buy this sports sim. If you are
not a fan, then try out NBA Live 97, it might just convert you. |
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SOUND: |
Good |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Brilliant |
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OVERALL
9/10 |
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JIM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
A
very competent game that improves on previous basketball games and will appeal
to "stat" freaks everywhere. |
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SOUND: |
Good |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Good |
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OVERALL
9/10 |
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