NBA Jam: On Fire Edition - Impressions Thread

[JaoSming]

So far I've played one quick game against the CPU on Real AI difficulty, a bronze level Road Challenge, and an online game.

Overall the gameplay is a lot better than my Wii and iPod version of last year's Jam. Seems you actually have to get some momentum to dunk which adds some strategy to the game. Animations and graphics look great.

Online I think there was lag, it didnt seem as responsive but I think the game counteracts it by loosening the shot timing restrictions. I was up big on the person I played, so I started the Razzle Dazzle a little bit. It's kinda like teabagging in Halo, so stupid but fun.

Yea, IMO, it's a must buy. If you like arcade games, or want a cleaned up version of last year's game, it's at least a must try. Add me on 360 if you get it.

[Andrew]

Up for a game? Haven't been able to try online yet.

[JaoSming]

sure thing if you're still on

[JaoSming]

that was awesome The game against you didnt seem laggy at all, like I said, just a little less responsive.

Then the co-op game, man, we killed 'em, and could have won by more if I didnt start dicking around. Teamwork > Wade fer 3! Wade fer 3! Wade fer 3!

[Andrew]

Absolutely. In terms of lag, things are MUCH better this year, like you said it's more a case of the controls being a little less responsive. They were a little less responsive still when we had the four player co-op game going but still very much playable and a whole lot of fun. Jumpshots weren't a viable option online last year, they've made some very welcome tweaks this year and even with the slight delay on the controls, it's not much trouble to knock them down as well as you can offline.

Yeah, I was loving our teamwork in the co-op game, it was a blast. Once we figured them out and started shutting them down, we got on a roll. Next time, let's take the Celtics.

As for offline play, I've been pretty impressed so far. It's nice to actually be challenged, there are a few cheap moments which I'll discuss in detail later but not quite so much as previous iterations of Jam. Really liking what I'm seeing so far.

[[Q]]

can't compare it to the last version, but as an avid player of NBA Jam: TE, I'm very impressed with this new version. a few things i wish they had:
injuries- so the substitutions actually matter. didn't they run slower when they had too many injuries?
being able to shove a falling or shooting opponent- something that you were able to do before
fire/team fire- before you were able to nail 3s with whoever you wanted when they were on fire. not so much anymore. what's the point of fire in this version? to play better defense?

[Andrew]

I agree, there's still little reason to substitute and I've never had the CPU sub on me yet. It's nice to have those extra players so that you can adjust for different matchups, but unless you make a bad choice before beginning the game you'll probably be sticking with the same lineup all the way through. The injury level from TE is something I'd have liked to have seen.

Fire does affect your ability to make shots, but just as in the originals it doesn't guarantee success. It still gives you unlimited turbo (which helps at both ends) and allows you to goaltend shots without a violation.

[shadowgrin]

being able to shove a falling or shooting opponent- something that you were able to do before

Probably removed that for gameplay balance since you can cheese those moves and also negate the shooting improvements they did.

fire/team fire- before you were able to nail 3s with whoever you wanted when they were on fire. not so much anymore. what's the point of fire in this version? to play better defense?

cheesing azn.

[JaoSming]

The one thing I truly hate about this game is the controls and lack of customization with them

please, anyone, tell me a basketball game that uses O/B as steal, please.



...but it's still tons of fun

[Rukawa_11]

I think the game is so much fun to play!

The road mode are great, with a lot of challenges

[[Q]]

One thing I thought they did really well was implementing elements from Live 10 like authentic arena sounds and signature shots.

[JaoSming]

and the team name's clashing like they did on ESPN

[Andrew]

I also like what they've done with the presentation this year. Given the style of the game, they don't need to go realistic with it like 2K have done with NBA 2K12 and EA should do with their next sim title, but it's nice that they jazzed it up a little bit.

[Rukawa_11]

One thing I thought they did really well was implementing elements from Live 10 like authentic arena sounds and signature shots.

I perceived this just today hehehe good noted!

One question: the Time Is Money DLC, have a exclusive add-on or just unblock contents of the game?

[JaoSming]

it just unlocks everything

[Rukawa_11]

Hmm, sooo to me is just waste of money on PSN...

I'am thought something new come with the patch, thanks for the explanation!

[Andrew]

It's basically just for those who want to unlock a bunch of stuff early. If you've got a save file from last year's game then you get the 15,000 JAM Bucks as a head start, otherwise you get JAM Bucks every game you play so if you enjoy the game and continue to play it, you're going to unlock all that stuff fairly soon anyway. Decent idea that THQ also did with their WWE game last year, but probably unnecessary for most people.

[JaoSming]

played online tonight...ugh, it's just shoving and 3's (probably thanks to the lack of timing for 3s)

I gotta figure out what constitutes an "open 3" and contested, and figure out why Westbrook always threw down Garnett while I was dunking yet KG couldnt push him down on his dunk attempts.

I started running with Bird/KG in hopes for 3s and shoves/blocks, still much to learn.

[[Q]]

well, bird is pretty unstoppable online because it's hard to shove with the lag and he always gets open for 3s, so i've been raped by Bird/McHale, Bird/Allen, and Bird/Nash teams. he has the ability to knock people out of alley oop attempts.

[Andrew]

Posted my full review here:
http://www.nba-live.com/?p=1682

[TGz Champion]

The Only thing is Three pointers are 2 easy. players with a 3point stat of 5 can still make it, when timed right.

[shadowgrin]

You are aware that the ratings are from 1 to 10, so a player with a 5 for 3-point stat is already good enough?

[Andrew]

Indeed. A rating of five indicates a player is average or decent in that area, so it's not unreasonable to be able to shoot threes reasonably well with a player rated five in that category.

[TGz Champion]

@shadowgrin

well I guess.I this Guy played online and he was like 20 of 22 from the 3 point line smh. and I've seen Centers make 3 pointers to lol.

Overall: The game is alot of Fun

[[Q]]

well you'll REALLY like it when someone plays as ray allen & larry bird and rapes you from beyond the arc