NBA Live 2005

"Starts off well, but loses at full-time"

When I purchased this game, I had NBA Live 2004 with me for a little comparison.

Firstly, its great that they could include a Slam Dunk contest and a 3 point shoot-out contest. Good to see some alternatives for your own characters to get more awards and more success. That's about where it starts and then falls down badly.

At the inclusion of these extras, they had to make a compromise...the graphics. I loaded 2004 in and the players were smooth, motion was smooth, no grainy resolution. Load 2005, nearly the opposite. When looking at the free-throw line shots, the backboard and ball appeared not as smooth. The players motions were not as smooth. It left me feeling as though your commands were ahead of the action at times. It's great that they're attempting to get lifelike animation and players faces but I felt it didn't pay off.

It is great to see them attempt to alter the player creation and looks. I didn't like it though. Yes you have a range of choices like eyebrows, eyes, nose, ears etc, but I preferred the selections on 2004. Too much fiddling into what a player looks like, when you just want a look that can be done quicker. I tried to reproduce a character from '04 to 05, but he never looked the same. I couldn't get the face right or the hair.

From the player design, comes the Dynasty Mode. Good to see money used instead of points, but when I created 3 players, I couldn't get them on my team, due to the budget limit. This annoyed me the most. '04 allowed you to get your created players in your own team without restrictions. This won't even let you have a rating 99 player in your team unless you want to sacrifice a lot of money. Some might say its positive that you can restrict players and such like the real NBA, but I want a bit of fantasy too. The NBA news and Managers Desk is too much too. Ok keep up to date with emails, but do I have to wait for so long to get a reply about my player, whether I can recruit him or not? I preferred the instant recruit, without managers and all that rubbish.

Sound wise, I don't like hip-hop/rap. The music doesn't appeal to me, so I turn it off. For those who love it, it has plenty of latest artists performing. Commentators are good as usual, even if they are delayed in their comments. Commentary in the Slam Dunk and 3 point contests are good too. It gives you a feel that you're actually there watching, or participating.

But my biggest complaint is the graphics. You don't have to worry about plots or stories, its a no-brainer. However, I still prefer the smooth texture and graphics of '04. I'll probably be waiting for the Playstation 3 effort, provided they can continue to have all the extras and keep motion smooth and fast.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 10/04/05