This is an NBA Live game review for PlayStation and Xbox. NBA Live is one of EA's most popular video games. Each year, numerous basketball games are released but NBA Live's yearly version always seems to be among the front runners. 2010's edition is no different, with its quality graphics, user input, and animations, this very last version of NBA Live has received extremely positive reviews.
NBA Live 10 has bonus jerseys, a very first for these games. Vintage jerseys from the 80s and 90s were included as well as numerous alternate uniforms for many of NBA teams. Using bonus codes, even more jerseys and throwback shoes can be used. It is questionable if every NBA team will get new game uniforms but two bonus codes have been unlocked so far and more are probably coming. The animations in this version received a major overhaul too. The video game boasts faster and more fluid graphics that allow for ultimate play. Details like the in game graphics and basketball courts were made to appear extremely real. It is a little grainy when zoomed in on some screens but overall looks very well. Other less important things like the crowd and the athletes are more detailed too. Unlike the other game editions, this latest NBA Live console game has a much better background. The audience in the stands were programmed to appear more realistic and believable. Even the athletes in general were give more detailed and personal touches like their arm tattoos, various hairstyles, and other personal accessories. The different stars in this game were designed to be more simply recognized than past editions.
The game's controls were altered slightly so that it isn't necessary to control the players one hundred percent of the time. Using this auto mode can result in more turnovers though. For those who want to, it is quite possible to expand the control over the players.
The game play is simple enough so that even people who have never played a basketball game can quickly get the hang of it. Actions like shooting and passing are both single button functions. And both the Xbox and PlayStation controllers use the right joy stick to move the basketball players. Playing defense is simple as well, simply position your player near one from the other team and he will do the rest automatically. The update of the player DNA system from past games has significantly improved as well. The 2010 edition's DNA updates individual player's tendencies and attributes almost instantly. This year's game will also allow users to play real games almost as they happen in the real world. And with the NBA team's rosters and line ups updating instantly in the game, it makes for a much improved Dynasty Mode as well.
The soundtrack was updated and revamped for this version to include more current bands and artists. There are more songs this year and that cuts down drastically on the music's redundancy during the game and training mode. They were programmed to change and react to the beat of the games.
