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NBA LIVE 2005
It seems that every year EA Sports puts out the latest in their NBA franchise, there’s a lot more to play for. What I mean by that is that after years of dominating the virtual hardcourt, EA has been watching ESPN and Sega’s 2K franchise evolve into a force to be reckoned with. After a solid outing last year, NBA Live 2005 continues the franchise’s delicate balance of what I like to call ‘arcade-flavoured simulation basketball.’ In previous years, Live had become somewhat of a comical rendition of the NBA with outrageous scores and a lack of defensive options. That changed significantly last year with an overhaul of everything from the AI to the control scheme. The name of the game this year is most definitely “Freestyle.”
But the coolest new feature has to be All-Star Weekend with the 3-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest. EA poured a lot of ambience into these two events, and it’s hard not to get into it once you start playing. This is one of those features that is perfect for a party atmosphere because it’s all about who can put on the best performance. A slick set of dunk moves are at your disposal through a series of button combinations, and even some dunks that might be impossible in real-life are pulled off here. As per usual, the overall visual and audio presentation is fantastic, with great sounds on the court, a very realistic portrayal of the crowd and excellent play-by-play by Marv Albert and Mike Fratello. The game’s soundtrack isn’t bad, but it takes a back seat to all the sights and sounds throughout the game.
NBA Live 2005 is a solid effort by EA and one that a lot of hardcore and occasional basketball fans alike will likely enjoy. The All-Star Weekend segment is definitely a huge addition and the Slam Dunk Contest will probably be the most popular aspect of the game. |
Publisher: Rating: 9/10
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