Featured Books & Games

Reviewed by Rick Tittle
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Do you feel the chill in the air?  Yes, as we change back to standard ("stupid") time and bring more darkness into our lives, it is also a reminder that our indoor sports are upon us once again.  Thus, it is time we start hoopin’ it up, hardwood style.  Yup, the Association is back!  And with a new season of half-court buzzer-beaters and ugly neck tattoos, we also find a very good video game on our shelves, sporting the moniker of NBA LIVE ’10.  Electronic Arts reminds us that "if it's in the game, it’s in the game," and they do not disappoint with this annual title.

When it comes to basketball games, I’ve recently found little to differentiate between the 2K franchise and the EA titles.  They both had pretty graphics and engaging storylines.  They each included off-the-court variances upon which to build a character.  The ubiquitous mini-games also were par for the course.  But this year I think EA has taken a step forward and grabbed the winner’s tape in this perennial tete-a-tete.  NBA LIVE ’10 is the best basketball video game out there, folks. 

Why?  Firstly, the animations have greatly improved.  The players and overall action is much more fluid than in previous incarnations.  No more herky-jerky blocky stuff, which is good, since the NBA is most athletic of any team sport.  The defense has also received a major upgrade.  Gone are the days of dominating through single-handed heroics.  If you try to juke your way to the hoop and slam dunk with every possession, then be prepared to have your shot rejected or having the ball stripped.  This really helps the realism because in the past the AI defensive players performed like they were at the All-Star game, with lethargy and indifference.  The passing is better on the offensive end, too.  Your best player has easier access to the ball because you can highlight him more effectively.  That is, unless he parks himself with one foot out of bounds, which annoyingly happened a little too often.  Most of the time it’s not called by a ref, so I guess it’s all good, right?

I also liked the Adidas Live Run (so it has a sponsor – get over it) where you can go online and play with 9 other folks in a “real” game.  There was a little bit of noticeable lag at times but nothing horrendous, and the online presence is something I’m sure EA will tweak as we go along.  It’s the closest way to play ODST with basketball players.  At least that’s the way I’m looking at it.
The Dynasty Mode is where you will plan your team’s season and do all the wheeling and dealing in the trade and free-agent markets.  The crowd has also been upgraded to react in a more realistic way and gets more amped up as the game goes on.  And if you’d like to play with some guys whose names are hard to pronounce, you can try out the FIBA Championship option.  You know, with the funky key and all that.

So, all in all, this title does not let us down.  It’s a solid 8.  Swish!