Customer Reviews

NBA Live 2002

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(31)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I gave NBA Live 2001 3 stars last year. I didn't recommend buying the game period. No franchise mode, no rookie drafts, no salary cap, etc... Well all of that is FINALLY in NBA Live. It looks like they listened to all the customer gripes and put all these great features that games like Madden have been doing for years.

The graphics and gameplay are very similar to last year's game. There are subtle improvements in terms of the dribbling and dunk animations. The analog controls are a bit awkward, and I've found the d-pad to be better. They've paid attention to physical detail a bit more. For example, big centers will leave the rim rattling after a dunk. Also, you may land a little off-balanced at times after a monster dunk. Facial features and other subtle things such as unique hairstyles and tattoos are more accurate this time as well. They have a replay system similar to Madden 2002 where it goes letterbox every now and then.

The REAL improvements though are in the franchise mode. The fact that there is a legitimate one is a bonus. Now, instead of just signing whoever from the free agent pool, you must now take into account salary cap points. The better the player and the longer he's played, the higher his salary cap points. This pretty much means you have to strategize and sign who you want wisely, instead of just going for anybody and stocking a dream team. Plus, there's a rookie draft every season like in Madden with extensive scouting reports.

There is of course the practice mode and one-on-one game features from past versions. Overall, this game is a definite buy and the best NBA game out there to date. The game controls could be a little better, but they finally gave the gamers the features they've been asking for and they did it comprehensively. Put the money down and get this game. They've finally done it right this time.

I love NBA Live. I really do. Yet if EA Sports keeps putting out subpar products like 2002, I'm going to stick to playing Live 2000 on the PC (by far still the best ball game ever, on any platform). Why is this game a disappointment?

1. Control. Wishy-washy. Lack of precision. Long, stunted animations (most are cool looking, but useless). The control is better than last year's, but that's like saying food poisoning is better than Malaria.

2. Gameplay. The rebounding equation is still as follows: Computer will get 5 rebounds to your one, no matter if you have a team with Rodman, Chamberlain, Russell, Shaq, etc. The computer players still behave like blocks. That means that driving around players is very difficult. Even Iverson can't consistently get by Matt Geiger. Matt Geiger!

3. Horrid camera angles. I know NBA 2K on Dreamcast introduced the wonder that is a "behind the player going upcourt" camera angle, but enough already. There are basically 4 angles in this game, each with some minor zoom options. All but about 2 are useless. Those pretty ads on TV? You can't use or even see half those shots/angles.

The good: Yes, there are some good aspects. Graphics are solid, as is sound and the addition of the franchise mode.

Rent first, and wait for 2K2 to hit the PS2 in February.

I gave NBA Live 2001 3 stars last year. I didn't recommend buying the game period. No franchise mode, no rookie drafts, no salary cap, etc... Well all of that is FINALLY in NBA Live. It looks like they listened to all the customer gripes and put all these great features that games like Madden have been doing for years.

The graphics and gameplay are very similar to last year's game. There are subtle improvements in terms of the dribbling and dunk animations. The controls are a bit awkward using the analog, and I've found the d-pad to better. They've paid attention to physical detail a bit more. For example, big centers will leave the rim rattling after a dunk. Also, you may land a little off-balanced at times after a monster dunk. Facial features and other subtle things such as unique hairstyles and tattoos are more accurate this time as well. They have a replay system similar to Madden 2002 where it goes letterbox every now and then.

The REAL improvements though are in the franchise mode. The fact that there is a legitimate one is a bonus. Now, instead of just signing whoever from the free agent pool, you must now take into account salary cap points. The better the player and the longer he's played, the higher his salary cap points. This pretty much means you have to strategize and sign who you want wisely, instead of just going for anybody and stocking a dream team. Plus, there's a rookie draft every season like in Madden with extensive scouting reports.

There is of course the practice mode and one-on-one game features from past versions. Overall, this game is a definite buy and the best NBA game out there to date. The game controls could be a little better, but they finally gave the gamers the features they've been asking for and they did it comprehensively. Put the money down and get this game. They've finally done it right this time.

I've been a fan of Live for years but haven't really been wowed by the upgrades since the jump from '98 to '99. First off, in 2002 it's way to easy to score with a to big man going to the basket. In any game I play against my friends for instance Kings vs. Blazers, Webber will have 40 points and Wallace will have 42. Dunks are basically automatic so it kinda takes the fun out of it. For the most part defense is also pretty nonexistent. Gameplay wise I think March Madness is by far the superior game. In MM your players actually run the fast break with you, and the computer actually has trouble catching you when you get out and run, where in Live Shaq can catch you when you're running the break with Iverson, and your players usually stop just within the 3-point line. Also the AI is much better in MM, with the computer knowing when it needs to rush it's shot and when to milk the clock, where in Live the computer holds the ball regardless of the situation. It's amazing that these two games are made by the same company. Combine the two games and you possibly have the best basketball game ever!

This game plays very well in my opinion. Graphics are great, the control is very easy, and they've added franchise mode. Jump shots seem easier to nail once you've found the perfect release point.

However this game has some flaws to it. In franchise mode their are no Free Agents to sign. There are no ages on the players. The overall franchise mode just is not as in depth as the Madden series. Also when you're playing on Superstar level which is the only really competitive level, the computer cheats like CRAZY. The computer steals the ball from you just by breathing on you. You're almost garaunteed to avg. 20 turnovers a game. And if you're leading in the 4th qtr with about 2:00 minutes to play, that's when the computer really starts cheating. They won't let you get a defensive rebound, thus allowing the computer to jack up 3 point attempt after 3 point attempt until they make one. They start pushing you off the ball with hard checks which should be fouls so they can steal the ball back. And to top it all off the computer players all of a sudden are twice as fast as any of your players. Even if you're using turbo they'll run you down with ease.

It's a good game with good gameplay when the computer's not cheating.

I've played NBA Live ever since the beginning in 1995. EA Sports has done an excellent job with the franchise, but I must say that I'm very disappointed with this game. This game is garbage compared to what I was used to. There's no such thing as a fast break because whenever you run down court with a player, like Allen Iverson, any CPU player can catch up to you and prevent the fast break, even if they're supposed to be much slower, someone like Ben Wallace. Where's the realism in that? Other complaints are, the buttons don't react quick enough, the computer only shoots outside shots (unless it's wide open), and rebounding is impossible in the game. I wouldn't buy this if I were you. EA Sports and the NBA Live Franchise just lost a long time fan.

I've seen this scenario before from EA Sports. By the time they get their NBA Live series to reach everyone's expectations, a new game console comes out and they have to start all over again! If everyone recalls the history of the series, the last few versions of NBA Live on the Sega Genesis RULED! But then the Playstation came out and they, again, struck out in their first two outings on the (then) new console. Today, it's the same scenario, different console. Indeed, if the NBA Live Series was a rollercoaster, it would be the best thrill-ride on earth with all its peeks and valleys! EA Sports has been at this long enough that you'd think they'd be able to get it right the first time! But, true to form, they continue to release subpar products, even with one of the most powerful game consoles EVER in their corner!
This game is truly bad!!! Don't be fooled by the heavy marketing during real NBA games on TNT and TBS! It still doesn't make this a good game! It's barely even worth renting! I can't wait for EA Sports to get their act together so I'm abandoning the series for Sega's line of B-Ball games. Don't fret, fellow B-ball fans! If the PS2 version of NBA 2K2 is anything like the Dreamcast version, we're all in for a real treat! Sorry EA Sports, but at least you've still got Madden!

The fact that EA added a Franchise Mode, cleaned up some of the graphix and added new animations is awesome. On the bad side of things the transition game is pretty lame. Another problem is that the computer likes to shoot every shot as close to the basket as possible. Shooting from outside yourself doesn't usually pay off either so it becomes a pound it into the post or dribble to the hoop contest too often. By far the biggest problem though is the poor programming for rebounding. Not only does the ball hit the floor 90% of the time but defensive rebounders make no attempt at all and walk toward the ball while offensive rebounders run for the ball. You end up with more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds almost every game and that is just plain stupid. Playing with the ability points for rebounding does not change anything either since they seem to have no effect except for simulated games. There is still some fun to be had with this game but cut out the bugs before you add more features next year.

Matt The Pirate

NBA Live 2002 beats the competition for all PS2 games except for Street which is quite possibly the best game for PS2. This ads much more detail in Tatoo's, hair, and quite possibly best in my opinion...Shoes. The Graphics are improved and the gameplay is more natural. Franchise mode is a HUGE improvement and let's you control your Fav. NBA team for 10 years. Overall this game is very good. If your lookin for a new sports game it's worth the cash and is the Madden of B-ball. I hope my opinion helps you decide yes or no for the game.

Having been an old fan of Madden and a new fan of NHL 2002, I expected a lot from NBA live 2002. For the record, the last Vdieo b-ball game I got into was NBA live 95. Unfortunatly for me and most basketball fans, this game is seriously flawed.

As expected, the graphics are very good and deserve to be briefly mentioned. And the game can be fun to play a couple of times with a friend. The first problem with the game is that it is basically a dunking contest. After upping the difficulty, because I was absolutly CRUSHING every team that I played (I upgraded to the third level of play out of four), I still left the game with feild goal percentages in the lower 90s. The AI is so poor that every single play can be a coast to coast dunk. I even had Shaq running the floor against Allen Iverson.

As any avid NBA fan also knows, the illegal defense penalty was thrown out this year allowing teams to play zone style defenses. EA did remember to take out this penalty, yet they did not actually take advantage of the rule. Teams still play AS IF zone defenses were illegal. In case its not obvious, this is a SERIOUS programming flaw.

Furthermore, rebounding is very difficult, by the time that the controller actually responds to your command to select the player closest to the ball and make him jump, the defense has already gotten an offensive board against you. Furthermore, your teamates do little to help in crashing the boards. I was playing as the Lakers and Shaq only got one board through a couple of games (yet he could steal the ball from any point guard that he faced, go figure).

Don't get me wrong NBA live is pretty fun. Its great having Kobe score seventy points in a twelve minute game, but only once or twice, not EVERY game. My advice is to wait till sega releases their NBA game, I expect it to be far superior, even though I am a diehard EA fan.