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 2010 featured additional jerseys, a first for the franchise. Throwback jerseys from the 1980s and 1990s were added in as well as several alternate ones for a number of teams. Using special codes, even more uniforms and shoes can be unlocked. It is unsure if every team will receive new game jerseys but two codes have been announced so far and more are likely to come. The game's graphics also received a massive overhaul. It features smoother and quicker animations that allow for a more maximum play. Items like the courts and lights were designed to look more realistic. When enhanced on a plasma screen, the game is grainier but overall looks extremely well. Other smaller graphics like the background and the players are more detailed as well. Unlike previous installments, this year's NBA Live game has a much more realistic background. The members of the crowd were designed to look more real and lifelike. Even the players themselves were give more exact and personal details such as tattoos, hairstyles, and other accessories. The basketball stars in this edition were made to be more easily recognized than previous ones.
The controls of the game were slightly altered so that controlling the individual players 100 percent of the time isn't necessary. This auto mode can sometimes result in more turnovers during game play though. It is possible for the control over the players to be expanded if you want to though. The game is easy enough so that even users who have not played experienced a sports game can easily understand it. Things like shooting the ball and passing it to fellow players are both one button actions. And nearly all of the console controllers employ the right pad to control the basketball athletes. Playing on the defense is easy too, just position your athlete by one from the opposite team and it will take care of the rest on its own. 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.
This games's soundtrack was improved and changed to include more modern singers and groups. This year's game has a lot more tracks, which significantly cuts back on the repetition of songs during the dynasty mode and games. The tracks were even programmed to react to the tempo of the games to get the user more involved.
