Fast Break- NBA Live 10 Review

2009 has proved to be a watershed year for Electronic Arts’ sports games.  So far, each of this season’s offerings- from Tiger Woods, NCAA Football, Madden NFL, and NHL have added significant play modes, polished presentation, and honed artificial intelligence to create a stable of unmatched diversions. Each game’s proficiency was the result of making substantial improvements on an already robust title.

One EA athletic series that has often narrowly eluded prominence has been NBA Live. Last year’s title advanced the franchise by eliminating some of the arcade-inspired leanings and rigid animation sequences that have plagued past versions. Although progress was evident, Live 09 still compared inadequately against its principal peer, NBA 2K. This year, that match is considerably closer as NBA Live 10 shows a comprehensive range of improvements.

One of the principal limitations with many basketball titles is that seasonal games can feel strikingly similar. Last year’s addition of Dynamic DNA into Live alleviated some of the uniformity from matches, and this year it’s been enhanced. Now, the system has been embedded into Dynasty mode, allowing gamers to follow teams through the season, and capitalize on players’ hot streaks. A team’s shooting percentages and driving tendencies habits will be modeling into each game, thereby altering  play style. It’s a great feature that we expect will be integrating into most sports titles.

Gamers accustomed to right-stick showboating and grinding their way through the paint will undoubtedly have to rethink their offensive tactics in Live 10. While the sporadic post shot can still send players juking past defenders with highlight-reel precision, most frequently, boorish drives will lead to turnovers. Additionally, passing has been augmented with a handful of nuances. By tapping the right bumper (R1 for PS3 owners) teammates will scramble to get open, or by holding the button down, players have direct control over the intended pass recipient.  Players can also engage freestyle passing with the left trigger, to throw a pass in one direction while moving in another, to flaunt their offensive proficiency.

While the gameplay is habitually solid, there are moments that can reveal Live 10’s seams. Players inexplicitly step out of bounds far too often and still miss ‘gimme’ shots with worrisome frequency. While the title’s mo-capped animation are especially vibrant, at times players feel locked into an excessively long sequence. Celebratory sequences help capture star’s players personalities, but gamers should be able to jettison the animation routines at will.

Both Steve Kerr’s adept color commentary, along with Marv Albert’s exuberance contribute to Live 10’s skillful sense of immersion. While each of the analysts will infrequently recycle a phrase awkwardly, hearing Albert call out an alley-oop as it’s simultaneously happening on the court can be thrilling. Likewise, Live’s visuals can be equally rousing; virtual athletes are superbly rendered, from authentic tattoos, realistic faces, and convincingly intricate uniform textures. Audiences have been given a similar devotion to detail. It’s quite amazing to see them sway, stand and beat thunder sticks together. Team and stadium specific sounds were also well integrated; I heard the Staples Center’s celebrated organ at home, while chants of “Beat L.A.” badgered me on the road.