Customer Reviews

ESPN NBA Basketball 2k4

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

First of all, let me say that I own both NBA Live 2004 and ESPN NBA, and that hands down this game is the better one of the two. It's a very solid hoops game, but it still has some problems.

The GOOD: Amazing graphics. Accurate player faces for EVERY SINGLE player in the league! The graphics blow Live away it's not even funny. The control also feels less frantic and more precise than Live, and the ISOmotion control, while clearly ripped off from Live's Freestyle, works pretty well. The 24/7 mode, which allows you to build a baller and play a variety of mini games and contests, is fun and addictive. It's not perfect, as some of the objectives are frustrating or boring, but it's a neat innovation that some lesser companies would sell as a separate game! The depth of customization is amazing, especially in terms of gameplay sliders, meaning the game can be as arcady or realistic as you like. The passing is much improved, and the commentary is decent. Tons of unlockables (teams, gear, courts) make this game addictive as well! Overall, a great game.

The Bad: Camera angles. So many developers overlook this, the most fundamental presentation element of any game. 2K3 had virtually infinite camera angles, since you could customize angle of elevation, zoom, etc for each camera. This year, we have... 5, and they all stink. You get to choose between "behind the player" and a couple of utterly useless "sideline" angles which give you no depth perception at all. Limited customization of your player is also a downer, given the attention to detail elsewhere. There are only a handful of faces and skin-tones, and they're pretty generic.

The Ugly: Some Isomotion moves feel out-of-control and result in you turning the ball over. I can't stand the stats layout, it feels pretty kindergarten.

Wish list for 2K5: More camera angles, more ESPN content like post-game interviews/player of the week extras, more player model customization, more intuitive menus.

I can't believe I'm saying this but this is one the most overhyped games I've ever played. Please understand, I am not a mindless EA fan. You know, the ones who think everything EA puts out (Madden or Live) is the greatest thing since sliced bread. No, I'm a devoted sega sports fan. That's probably why I can't believe how mediocre this game is. The first thing is that is missing is the scrimmage mode (where you can practice your plays), its gone. Speaking of plays, if there are any I haven't seen them. It is inexcusable to make a simulation game without plays (Triangles, Box, etc.) Play names are being shown, but how are you supposed to know what the hell it is. All they show for example is "postup 21". But there are no diagrams to show how to properly run the play. Also, the camera angles are terrible. In last years game you could tweak the camera to get a little closer to the action. NOT THIS YEAR. The angles look like your sitting in the nose bleed seats of an arena. Don't get me wrong the graphics are very good, but you don't get see how good unless cut scenes are being shown. The 24/7 mode in contrast is very entertaining. Building your own player and taking him through different experinces is a blast. Earning points for completing tasks (Block shots, layups, free throws etc.) can be very fun. The free throws have been changed. It's a little tough at first, but it gets easier. When it comes to this game, like I said, to me it's overhyped. It really hurts to talk about this game this way. Mainly because I had been waiting so long for this game to be released. I'm not telling anyone to go buy NBA Live (Live 2004 isn't a great game either), but be warned, ESPN NBA isn't all they said it was. If you want the best b-ball game, either keep 2k3 or go buy 2k3. Here's something else I can't believe, I think I definitely going to buy Microsofts game. It may at least have a real basketball sim feel to it. P.S. Tom Tolbert, don't quit your day job. Yours truly, a very dissappointed sega fan.

This game is just amazing, from the movement of the uniforms, to the animations, to the best gameplay I have ever played in a basketball game, I mean, hands down this game is number one. The graphics were a HUGE upgrade from last years 2k3 Every player model is perfect (cept for Kobe's Tattoo) I mean SPOT ON. I also think the effect of the jersey swaying and moving when going in for a dunk or a lay-up is sooo sweet. The gameplay is outstanding, I absolutely LOVE the ISO-Motion It really adds so much to the game. The commentary isnt the best, but it isnt the worst either. Tom tolbert does an okay job being that its his rookie year in video games. But the crowd and music is awesome. I Love the AI difficulty, that rocks. everything else is good too. Like the 24/7 mode, I found it okay, maybe i just need to play it more. Thats all I have I give it a 9.8 out of 10

Like many other basketball fans, I patiently waited for ESPN b-ball to be released so that I could play b-ball online. I purchased ESPN the day it came out and I am very frustrated with the controls of this game. Even on the easiest setting it is almost impossible to juke the AI. Sometimes even when the there is an obvious opening, your player can't go through it. Its almost as if he hits an invisible wall and gets pushed out of the lane. Posting up doesn't work any better. As soon as you try to roll out of the post, the AI just jumps right in front of you and you don't make any progress. The graphics are excellent and ESPN does a really good job in its presentation and commentary. The 24/7 mode will have you pulling your hair out because your player will start off with the absolute lowest attributes and the only way to get better is train right? Well, it is very difficult to play NBA players with a scrub and win. You are given challenges to improve your player but if complete the challenges but lose the game, your player gets nothing.

The online play is a big plus but I HIGHLY suggest you rent this one first because the actual gameplay hurts what should have been an oustanding game.

I got this game last christmas and I've had trouble
putting the control down. The new 24/7 mode is a good
addition. You go around courts play different kind of
games.... One on one, Two on Two, no turbo and all kinds
of things. It does at times get alittle repetitive and
annoying.. But once you have finished it you will feel
like it was a good accomplishment.

The graphics are pretty decent... But there are alot of
options on this game. I've always liked the sliders but
better than the standard EASY, MEDIUM, HARD stuff. You
can adjust everything from the shoot percentages to the
steals and even double teams and such. The players move
up and down the court depending on what you have the
options set on. You can slow the players down which tends
to lead to lower scoring games or go full blast to turn
it closer to arcade. The one thing that bothers me is the
lack of runable plays. You have 4 standard offenses and it
feels like it was dumbed down for the bandwagon fans to be
able to operate it. When facing the computer on harder
levels the lack of plays makes it alittle together and
sometimes turns the game into one on one trying to beat
your man. Another thing that gets on my nerves is that
you can't make adjustments to the Bobcats roster. WHY???
I don't think you can even pick the franchise in franchise
mode. Speaking of the franchise mode, it's fairly good on
here... Depending on which team. I choose the Lakers do to
the big cap they have. A big problem is the contracts. One
thing I don't like is that you can't re-sign FA's until
they're contracts is up... That really gets on my nerves.
The other modes are pretty much run of the mill.

Pros:

-Lots of options

-24/7 Mode

-NBA draft workout thing is cool

-Decent one on one mode

-Good legends teams

-Iso Motion
good detailed players

Cons:

-Post game is mediocre

-Can't adjust the Bobcats team in any way

-Can't re-sign players before contracts are up

-If the computer steals the ball from you it counts
as two turnovers instead of one

-Lack of plays. Sorry, some people like more than 4 lousy
plays.

I just got my Xbox and this ESPN basketball game a few days ago, and although it's fun, I have to say that it's not quite as good as the EA NBA Live 2004 game. I've played the EA game on my brother's Playstation 2 and found the game-play to be a LOT more fun and dramatic.

The ESPN only has one shoot button, whereas the EA game's 2 buttons allows you to shoot a jumper or go for a dunk. Also, the freestyle stick in the EA game is much more functional. With ESPN, 3 out of 4 times when I use the "iso-motion" stick i get called for charging. That's a load of c---. Why is it there?

Another thing I like about the EA game is that the camera gets in closer to the action. With the ESPN game I don't feel as involved in the action. I feel like I'm in the stands.

I also prefer the audio on the EA game. The commentators are more verbose and excited. (And the music is better.)

Overall, the ESPN is a good game, but it just seems a bit more clunky than the Electronic Arts NBA Live game. So my recommendation: spend your cash on the Electronic Arts ball game.

Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. That's exactly what I said from the first time I even heard of this game to the most recent time I played it, and I'm sure I'll be thinking it in the times I'll be playing it in the future. There is just one tiny little flaw that truly doesn't matter at all - they didn't give 'Melo his, oh, what is it, 60-something tattoos. But like I said, it truly doesn't matter at all. Listen to me. Those other guys who put in bad reviews - they don't even know what a video game is if they don't like this game.

Ok lets get real here. Before you read this please understand that I've spent an unbelievable amount of time on Sega basketball games in the past. That's why I know so much about it because I used to play it so much. With that said, it's obvious that sega sports (now espn) was just in a hurry to rush this game out. Your supposed to improve on games not make them worse. Sega's last title NBA 2K3 was way better than this garbage. They completely overhauled this game just to make it more arcadish. You used to be able to square up and strafe when playing defense by pressing the left trigger.....not anymore. Now it's impossible to keep anyone out of the paint. You can just run a pick and roll all day. This is why the computer will get 50 assists a game on you. And it can't be stopped.
Another reason it appears they rushed this game is because there aren't near as many camera angles as there used to be. Now your forced to go with what they have instead of customizing it yourself.
The graphics are starting to get cheasy now. The only time the players look good is during cut scenes.
The only reason they put the isomotion moves in this game is because they wanted to try to copy NBA Live 2004 which came out first. Your teammates don't help you rebound. The characters start dribbling between their legs for no reason and won't stop, then you turn the ball over. A lot of the NBA players & rookies are missing, and it only allows you to create about 10 players. The game sliders don't seem to have any affect on the game. I put the shooting sliders down all the way for the computer and they were still hitting shots from all over the place! When you pass the ball the receiver of the pass jumps up in the air for no reason messing up your offense. When there's a loose ball, your teammates don't rush to it, but the computer sure does.
Now then, I'm not here to promote any basketball video game. Personally, I've tried all the new basketball games, and they all stink! My advise, wait until next year and see if they improve, because they are not worth your $$. But if you must, then NBA 2K2 & 2K3 are still the best. (Even though there are a few problems with those too, I enjoyed those two a great deal. Peace......

Let me start off by saying the camera is excellent period.
For those persons having difficulty with the camera then the follow cam is the way to go, it follows you from the back court and moves with you until you reach the half court. Graphics excellent, the more you play the more you will be amazed. I was playing with the Lakers and when they showed devean george's face he looked exactly like his real life counterpart with the green eyes same face and everything. Gameplay excellent but the controls take alot of getting use to if you are a beginner at the 2k series. Since you draw alot of charges with the isomotion, all you should do is press back on the right analog stick. The player movements are not stiff like some other reviewers said, the only thing i saw stiff about the game was the movement of the nets, you don't get that swish like in nba 2k. The freethrow system i have found to be easy, it takes only about 1 minute to get use to. Lineup the left and right trigger in the center to make a basketball shape then you will see the lines on the side turn white, when the ball moves up it will turn red, press the ball in the center of the shape. Sound is excellent with a tv broadcast style fans should be easily attracted to this title if you watch nba on espn fridays you will notice the commentators sound just like there real life counterparts. The passing game is put together very well, the passes are accurate and not like live's passing system while on a fast break they just stop and pass it to their teammate, in espn they would do a behind the back or around the neck pass. You even have the ability to throw a alleyoop to your man while he is running towards the rim. The only slight problems with this game is their is not much of an offensive playbook,but their is a lot of plays on defense. If you are a player that see the court well then this won't be an issue on offense.The other problem is this year they didn't put the player introductions in the game but that's not major because they show cutscenes where the players prepare for the game. If you don't have this game in your collection go get it. I'm not saying live is a stupid game, i'm just saying you should get this because it looks, feels, and plays like a more realistic game.

I know the game isn't even out yet, but from what I've seen from video's and from reading previews, this game looks to be the NBA game to get this year. EA has had a strong hold on the market for some time and it's good to see that there is someone else stepping up and giving us a new way to look at NBA games. Personally, I think EA has not done a good job with the NBA games lately and I'm glad the competition has stepped up. The player animations are looking great and the amount of detail and love put into the game makes this one worth it.