NBA Live 2004

"Decent arcade game, terrible basketball sim"

This is my first review of any game, but I felt it necessary to start with NBA LIVE 2004. The reason for this is simple, I want it to be a warning for all gamers out there who enjoy playing basketball sims. Now I am an avid basketball fan and enjoy playing video games, however NBA LIVE 2004 is one game that I hate to play. I have broken the categories down to explain why I feel this way.

Graphics: 5/10 – Many of you may be asking why I gave this such a low rating, and the answer is simple; because it deserves it. There is nothing really pretty about this game, the colors are not as vibrant as ESPN basketball and the players faces look nothing like the real players, aside from the few superstars (Duncan, Iverson, McGrady) and those select few do not even look that good. The crowd is simply horrendous, they look flat and unanimated, and really don’t contribute anything to the game, the background might as well be black, that’s how bad they are.

Gameplay: 4/10 – This is where the game does absolutely nothing for me, and I cannot seem to come to any real rational reason as to why the majority of the people who play this game enjoy it. The game is stale and repetitive and lacks many fundamental keys to a good basketball game. The playbook is virtually nonexistent and the few that they do give you really do nothing. Basically you can take the ball with McGrady from one end of the court to the other and just drop step and dunk it. That’s the whole game, run, drop step, dunk. This brings me to the next problem, the drop step. It was a brilliant idea too bad the guy practically jumps from the three point line to the small arc under the hoop, and in the process knocks away three defenders. This move gives them a clear look at the hoop every time, and essentially gives them two points. The speed is relatively better, but is still off. The worst part of the game has to be the game modes. Everything up to superstar is entirely too easy, except for superstar. Superstar mode is incredibly hard, and its not hard because the computer is good, its because they are cheap. Teams will hit up to 20 three pointers a game, and make unblockable shots from inside the paint, all the while you are the only one playing any real defense. Your teammates will stand there while Iverson will shoot three’s over you and make every single one. Meanwhile you can’t be freed up to hit a three, and forget driving you will either get fouled (and it wont be called, forcing you to miss the layup or dunk) or blocked. Blocked over and over again in incredibly unrealistic style. This is by far the worst part of the game and will make you want to grab your PS2 system and slam it against the wall over and over again.

Controls: 9/10 – No real complaint here, they are easy enough to learn.

Overall: 4/10 – This game is fun if you enjoy beating the heck out of the computer on rookie, pro, or allstar, or just playing run and gun with your friends, but if you are like me and want a challenging basketball sim DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. You will just be angered by the unrealistic gameplay and want to throw the disc against the wall.

Buy or Rent: I say neither, but if you want to give it a try rent the game, but I still say it is a waste of 6 bucks.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 12/28/03