NBA Live 2005

"A game I just can’t like."

I've tried playing this game several times now. I just can't do it. I get too mad and upset with it, I loose my cool and have to shut it off. I have completed all of about three games since I've played it. Compared to EA sports other game I really liked, Madden, this game is a big downer. I really hate every aspect of this game, and for a few cool and interesting side features(which I only partially explored because my patience for this game is limited), this game sucks.

Start off with the overall playing of the game isn't that terrible. However, it is still really pathetic. For some reason when I was playing as Shaquiel O'Neal, I was somehow successfully stopped by Steve Nash on a lay up attempt, then again on a dunk attempt. I guess the foot height differential isn't too much. The camera is bad, doesn't switch fast enough or give you a real good angle. Almost all the camera angels are like this, except for a few. Maybe, it's just me but it is hard to enjoy the game play when constantly missing shots and loosing by increasing numbers.

The controls aren't the greatest thing, either. You really have to get use to how long to hold the buttons and you really have to be patient, especially if you are use to other basketball games. Shooting is very difficult. You don't have all the same passing options in this game as you do in the other games. I find it much more complicated to pull off fancy moves and such in this game, and I have yet to have a successful slam dunk.

The sound and graphics are the same as the rest of the game…..poor and upsetting, especially for a Play Station 2 game. The graphics look like they could fit the Sega Genesis, and the announcers and sounds are blurry and low. This isn't what you would expect on a new generation console like the PS2, but this is what you get.

I would like to warn people, that there may be some hype around this game, and there may be a lot of people saying how awesome it is. I strongly suggest that you go out and see for yourself instead of take someone else's word for it. I am glad I did. I would suggest that you go out and rent it before you buy it. Some people say this is the greatest game ever made, others say this game really sucks. I am one that say it really sucks. You may be different.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 05/12/05