Could be the most improved sports game of the show.
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/514/514636p1.html
May 12, 2004 - So far this year, the biggest jump in gameplay from one year to the next has got to be MVP Baseball. But if the early look at NBA Live 2005 is any indication, EA's hoop game might give MVP a run for its money.
If you look at last year's game, the two main complaints were the game's graphics and the constant collisions that slowed down the action. This year, not only did the game receive a complete graphical overhaul from the Nike's to the headbands, but the spacing has also been improved to make sure the gameplay is as smooth as the players running the floor. The new graphics engine involves everything from body types to body styles to individual animations. Play as LeBron and watch as he soars through the air, cocks the ball back for style, then sails right past the defense for a dunk. The slick animation showcases the individualities of each player and how you'll be able to distinguish moves from The King and his rookie counterpart, Melo.
An improved version of 10-man mo-cap has also been incorporated to provide the proper spacing, proper perimeter, and proper sliding of the defense. Last year, when you brought the ball down the left side of the lane, there might be three defenders collapsing on the ball, slowing the action as the triple team tried to strip the ball. In the new game, the proper players will slide over position to stop the ball while the rest of the players keep their positions away from the ball. For example: In a game of Cavs/Lakers, Boozer took the ball down low, beating Malone along the baseline. Shaq slid over guarding the hoop, while the perimeter players held their spots to guard against the kick back. Last year if this happened, you would've had Shaq, Kobe, and Fox all on Boozer's ass, completely grinding the flow of the game to a hault.
The other big addition is the ability to manually tip the ball instead of simply going for the rebound. You can tip the ball against the glass to keep it alive, try to tip it back in from a distance, or jump in and try for a tip slam. One play I tipped the ball three consecutive times, then finally tipped it in. It was reminiscent of Dennis Rodman down low, getting into position, then doing anything a Worm can do to keep the play alive.
Online, the game is going to be on both the PS2 and Xbox Live, and will even include leaderboards this year to help distinguish the champs from the chumps.
As a wise man once told me (actually he told me on the show floor), when you meet a girl, the first thing you notice isn't her personality. You're attracted to her looks first, then you look for depth. Same holds true for video games. You need to be drawn in by the looks, but if that's all the game offers, it's dumped after the first date.
Luckily for NBA Live, not only did the game receive an extreme makeover, it's also added depth to the gameplay, something that will keep ballers around long after first the initial attraction.
-- Jon Robinson