NBA Live 2005

"Fun, But Still Does Not Live Up To It't Potential"

I have been playing the NBA Live series for many years now. Year after Year I keep getting disappointed as they never seem to live up to there potential. For once I would like EA to put as much time as they do to their Madden NFL series. I was hoping that this tear would be that year with the addition of the All-Star weekend, but once again the game fell extremely short of it's potential.

Graphics: The graphics in this game look oddly similar to those of NBA Live 2004. NBA Live 2005 is steps behind their competition when compared to ESPN NBA 2K5. Though I will admit that they are slightly improved, as their faces somewhat resemble their real life counterparts. The bodies of the players are consistent with their real life counterparts. I just wish they would put as much time into the graphics of this game as they do to the graphics of there Madden series, which are by far light-years ahead of this game.

Gameplay: Most of EA's games are known for their gameplay, but year after year the gameplay in this game remains the same. I feel that the controls for this game are easy, perhaps to easy. Last years flaw was that the the "drop step" was too powerful, but now this year it's almost useless as most of the time you will be called for the offensive foul. I think the biggest flaw in this games is that it seems as though the players have vaseline on their body as it seems like they don't make contact with each other. You may find yourself walking right out of bounds just because the defender was standing right in front of you near the out of bound line.

Sound: Now if you are a fan of hip-hop then you will like the unique songs found in this game from artists like Young Buck, Lloyd Banks and many others. The commentary in this game is about as usual as it was in last years game.

Overall: This game is still fun, but you will find yourself asking what this game could have been had they put forth the time and effort, instead of just updating the roster and adding a few additions and calling it a new game. I think ESPN NBA 2K5 is the better NBA simulation game this year.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/05/05