Official NBA Live 18 Impressions Topic

[Andrew]

As always, we've got a whole section to discuss the game, so you don't need to keep all the conversation here. However, a central topic for quick impressions and discussion never seems to go astray, so...here it is!

I ended up staying up quite late to play the game and get some initial impressions, and I need to turn in and get a few hours sleep. For now, though, I've posted some quick initial impressions over on my Twitter. I'll expand on them after some kip.

[[Q]]

How did you get to the bulls? I got drafted by Dallas, but I wouldn't mind staying there, especially with LA taking Ball

[Izzy Snow]

How did you get to the bulls? I got drafted by Dallas, but I wouldn't mind staying there, especially with LA taking Ball

Not sure exactly how to do it but you can basically request to get traded and all you do is pick your team destination and the cpu will manage who they will trade for your rights.

[Andrew]

One of the first messages you get when you begin The League part of The One is your agent saying he's got a potential trade lined up, which allows you to choose to go to another team. Unlike previous games, you can choose any team, not just your designated favourite/preferred team.

[bigh0rt]

This game looks awesome. May have to shell out the dough and get it. Wasn't intending on getting a basketball game this year, but at the price point I may go ahead.

[[Q]]

I'm working on unlocking a trait that requires a certain rating for shooting off the dribble and mid range shooting but I don't see a way to raise it yourself. Does it just go up over time or what?

[jay-r]

I own both nba live 18 and nba 2k18 on ps4, but currently I've spent 5x more time on nba live 18 than on nba 2k..I really hope that live will improve even further gameplay wise, because graphic/presentation wise I love it a lot . Not to point exact areas, but overall for me its seems more eye candy than 2k18.
Its so cool that not only nba live is back, but its back with such decent effort. Job well done already!

[mp3]

I also think the crowd atmosphere is amazing this year too, the arena looks alive and in tune with what's happening at that point in the game.

[StyxTx]

I own both nba live 18 and nba 2k18 on ps4, but currently I've spent 5x more time on nba live 18 than on nba 2k..I really hope that live will improve even further gameplay wise, because graphic/presentation wise I love it a lot . Not to point exact areas, but overall for me its seems more eye candy than 2k18.
Its so cool that not only nba live is back, but its back with such decent effort. Job well done already!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you spend more on Live than 2k?

[bigh0rt]

I own both nba live 18 and nba 2k18 on ps4, but currently I've spent 5x more time on nba live 18 than on nba 2k..I really hope that live will improve even further gameplay wise, because graphic/presentation wise I love it a lot . Not to point exact areas, but overall for me its seems more eye candy than 2k18.
Its so cool that not only nba live is back, but its back with such decent effort. Job well done already!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you spend more on Live than 2k?

More time, not more money.

[Dee4Three]

I own both nba live 18 and nba 2k18 on ps4, but currently I've spent 5x more time on nba live 18 than on nba 2k..I really hope that live will improve even further gameplay wise, because graphic/presentation wise I love it a lot . Not to point exact areas, but overall for me its seems more eye candy than 2k18.
Its so cool that not only nba live is back, but its back with such decent effort. Job well done already!

I like the look of Live from a broadcast perspective. Up close 2k wins by a lot, but when I am actually playing the lighting is just far superior on Live. 2K18 has a dead feel to me because of the lighting and the lame crowd.

[[Q]]

Does anybody know how the objectives work in pro am tour? Do you have to get all 15 objectives to earn the crate? That's a lot of work for one item. Or maybe you get all items in a crate. No idea

[mp3]

I own both nba live 18 and nba 2k18 on ps4, but currently I've spent 5x more time on nba live 18 than on nba 2k..I really hope that live will improve even further gameplay wise, because graphic/presentation wise I love it a lot . Not to point exact areas, but overall for me its seems more eye candy than 2k18.
Its so cool that not only nba live is back, but its back with such decent effort. Job well done already!

I like the look of Live from a broadcast perspective. Up close 2k wins by a lot, but when I am actually playing the lighting is just far superior on Live. 2K18 has a dead feel to me because of the lighting and the lame crowd.

Ive found that nba live 18 upped it's game alot this year when it came to making arenas feel alive with the flow of the game which is something that I thought 2k17 lacked, atmosphere.

They have even brought back alot of the real custom arena sounds that seemed to of faded away in nba live 16.i was using the magic last night in Orlando and it sounded (and looked) alot like the real thing for most parts.

[jay-r]

Ive found that nba live 18 upped it's game alot this year when it came to making arenas feel alive with the flow of the game which is something that I thought 2k17 lacked, atmosphere..

Totally agree. In my opinion that is one of the main reasons to justify the argument that this year they have closed the gap with 2k, and that’s why we hear mostly positive reviews. 2k has been slacking / resting on their laurels way too long simply relying on its superior game-play, which they still manage to fuck up from patch to patch, while ignoring parts of the game where live is better. Not sure if that’s the right word but already with NBA LIVE 18 demo I felt that I am a playing a more “lively” game overall with the legit presentation, lighting, espn, sounds, crowd, and even with some awkward animations, impossible shots being successful way to often and other issues, I still had more fun than frustration playing it -> cool areas/parts of the game overshadow its flaws

[mp3]

Some of the gameplay flaws could be tweaked by updates or even slider adjustments, I would of liked roster management but if they keep regular updates and keep adding content I think il be happy enough sticking with just Live this year.

[Andrew]

I agree. As I said in the Live vs. 2K thread, elements such as animations and physics might come down to the engine, but player tendencies, ratings, and sliders (including the inaccessible sliders in modes where they're set for us, like The One, Ultimate Team, and online play) could resolve a lot of issues like high shooting percentages in the paint, and too many inside shot attempts in general.

[Izzy Snow]

I agree. As I said in the Live vs. 2K thread, elements such as animations and physics might come down to the engine, but player tendencies, ratings, and sliders (including the inaccessible sliders in modes where they're set for us, like The One, Ultimate Team, and online play) could resolve a lot of issues like high shooting percentages in the paint, and too many inside shot attempts in general.

Nice new profile avatar there Andrew

[Andrew]

Made me laugh, even if I do think the story is pretty corny overall.

[Izzy Snow]

Made me laugh, even if I do think the story is pretty corny overall.

Better watch that tone before someone flames you! Bwahahahahaha!

[mp3]

I don't care if I get flamed the mycareer story lines put me off playing it every year. I preferred it when you had to grind it out in the Dleague

[Izzy Snow]

I don't care if I get flamed the mycareer story lines put me off playing it every year. I preferred it when you had to grind it out in the Dleague

I buy basketball games to play basketball not GTA lol! That whole run the neighborhood crap made me cringe especially at how the people at the NYC even reacted. Like really? Were you really THAT excited?

[mp3]

I said it a few years ago but why do you have to be from the hood every year? Why can't you be from a good background with great SaT scores? In fact why can't you spend VC on hiring a tutor to get into a better school?

[[Q]]

I don't care if I get flamed the mycareer story lines put me off playing it every year. I preferred it when you had to grind it out in the Dleague

Hey some people don't play for the stories they play for the Barbie dress up portion

I said it a few years ago but why do you have to be from the hood every year? Why can't you be from a good background with great SaT scores? In fact why can't you spend VC on hiring a tutor to get into a better school?

Lol NBA 2K19: Jeremy Lin Asian American Edition

Prelude has you going to Harvard and trying to keep your grades up as a student-athlete

[StyxTx]

I own both nba live 18 and nba 2k18 on ps4, but currently I've spent 5x more time on nba live 18 than on nba 2k..I really hope that live will improve even further gameplay wise, because graphic/presentation wise I love it a lot . Not to point exact areas, but overall for me its seems more eye candy than 2k18.
Its so cool that not only nba live is back, but its back with such decent effort. Job well done already!

If you don't mind me asking, how did you spend more on Live than 2k?

More time, not more money.

Ok. I misread it.

[Andrew]

Made me laugh, even if I do think the story is pretty corny overall.

Better watch that tone before someone flames you! Bwahahahahaha!

So biased.

[Solaris Phase Two]

I just got the patch 1.03 for live anyone got the patch notes?

[Andrew]

Doesn't look like any have been released yet.

[Solaris Phase Two]

Doesn't look like any have been released yet.

Meh I guess i can wait. I really want to play franchise. But no trades happen so i have to wait. It looks like a really interesting mode btw

[Cpt(K)]

I do like the game, but one of the only complaints I have is the way most Live Run 5v5 matches feel. Everyone's sprinting around, and possessions last like 5 seconds before a shot goes up: Usually by someone already over 90 overall rating, ha-ha! I guess it's just players capitalizing on others errors, but sheesh. In addition to this, in a local game (not online) the input seems to hesitate. It could deliberately designed, because I've noticed I'm able to quickly "cancel" certain animations. The most common being when passing out of a shot. There's a threshold that must not be passed for it to happen of course, otherwise you'll chuck up a horrible shot anyway.

[Solaris Phase Two]

There isn't a way to scout in franchise at all. I just simmed a season. No trades unless i manually did it. And no scouting whatsoever

[Dee4Three]

I do like the game, but one of the only complaints I have is the way most Live Run 5v5 matches feel. Everyone's sprinting around, and possessions last like 5 seconds before a shot goes up: Usually by someone already over 90 overall rating, ha-ha! I guess it's just players capitalizing on others errors, but sheesh. In addition to this, in a local game (not online) the input seems to hesitate. It could deliberately designed, because I've noticed I'm able to quickly "cancel" certain animations. The most common being when passing out of a shot. There's a threshold that must not be passed for it to happen of course, otherwise you'll chuck up a horrible shot anyway.

Yes, the delay is obvious on many of the animations. It would be great if they patched that, the feel is everything.

[Andrew]

Stoked that they've actually got my name in the game this year.

phpBB [video]

No more picking "Beasley" and making the best of it!

[[Q]]

I just got the patch 1.03 for live anyone got the patch notes?

Alternate "statement" jerseys are now available. Also seems to play a little slower.

[mp3]

Stoked that they've actually got my name in the game this year.

phpBB [video]

No more picking "Beasley" and making the best of it!

I think your contribution to the nba live community may have a little something to do wit that maybe?

[mp3]

I just got the patch 1.03 for live anyone got the patch notes?

Alternate "statement" jerseys are now available. Also seems to play a little slower.

Adding them extra jerseys didn't half make a difference to visual satisfaction from the game imo

[Andrew]

I'm definitely flattered if I influenced it in any way. Of course, there is always journalist Ian Begley.

[cavs4872]

Anyone else completely overthrow simple entry passes into the post? It's like half a bad pass, but the post player makes no effort to catch the ball.

[mp3]

Passing needs to be looked at, there are far to many turnovers off simple passes

[[Q]]

It's definitely improved, but I still cringe every time a post player is being fronted. I send a quick prayer and then I hope it doesn't get passed right to the defender

[mp3]

The one thing I always loved in Live 16 was being able to drive and kick but 60% of the time it results in a turnover. A little fine tuning there end is needed.

[Andrew]

It's a scenario where the lob pass should be a little more successful. Not to the point of cheese, ideally, but as a means of trying to get it past the defending who is fronting.

[cavs4872]

So finally got around to pick up the game for about $24 from Best Buy with GCU, played one ranked match and absolutely loved it. Does anyone like this game as much, if not more than 2K?

That being said, can you disable auto-timeouts/subs in online H2H? Is there a way to call timeouts without using the pause menu?

[Andrew]

I'm definitely liking the improvements in this year's game. I do feel a bit let down by the modes though, particularly Franchise.

[mp3]

The only mode I care about is franchise mode and it needs work, cpu trades and basic roster management needs to be patched in. By roster management even just being able to change jersey numbers would be a big plus.