ESPN NBA 2K5

"Great Basketball Game"

I've played both ESPN 2K5 and Live 2005 and I have to say I like this better. There's some new things and and its pretty cool.

Gameplay- 9/10
The gameplay is pretty good. There aren't many new things that you can do but that isn't really that bad. The controls are pretty easy to learn if you're new to ESPN, [] to shoot, X to pass, Analog Stick or Directional button to move, and O and Right Analog Stick for IsoMotion.

Graphics- 9.5/10
The graphics are AMAZING. Seriously, the skin on the players look amazing. You can see it shining. That's all I can say because there's nothing more to say about the graphics.

Sound- 8/10
The commentary is pretty good, and there are a lot of in-game songs by Abstract Rude, Blackstone, J.Boogie, and Romanowski. They get kinda repetitive, but it doesn't matter to me.

Presentation- 9/10
Great presentation, the halftime and end of game things are cool, and that's about all.

New Features- 8.5/10
There aren't many new features, but the new things are good. There are more items in 24/7 mode, and there's the new Full Authority mode in The Association, and there is a new team chemistry system and you can talk to your players. In Full Authority mode, you can dictate player matchups and alter coaching strategies and watch highlights of what is happening. You can also play multiplayer 24/7. There is also weekly training in The Association. It would have been cool if they would have had the All-Star Weekend, but they don't. I don't play online, but you can also play 24/7 online.

Replayability- 9/10
There are over 100 new items in 24/7 mode and you can unlock bobbleheads and teams by doing things in games, so the replayability is good.

Final Recommendation-
I'd say buy it. It's a great game, but there are a couple bad things, but there are more good than bad. So go ahead and buy it. You'll have fun.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/15/04