Nothing else splits the sports videogame fraternity, than 2 franchises going head to head each season. Very much like the Winning Eleven (Pro Evolution Soccer) vs. FIFA series.
The 2K Sports vs. EA?s Live for the basketball fans is very much the same thing.
First off, I?ll delve into NBA 2K9?
Graphically, it improves the dreadful 2K8 ?database-like? menu look. Though you will get lost within the multitudes of menus upon menus that change more or less every conceivable aspect of the gameplay.
And into the game, to the untrained eye, nothing much has really changed. There are a few reworked faces, which look a little better than last year?s effort. Also this year, there?s a ?film? like graphics filter which makes the game look more ?live-feed? sports presentation.
Though during certain cutscenes, like in between freethrows and between quarters, the framerate suffers a little
The animation as always is very, very good. However, there are some instances where the transition animations between moves, say for example, when going from a sprint dribble, then onto an isomotion dribble then back into regular dribbling can be a little jarring. But on the whole, it?s very good.
Now one of the big thing, as always with the 2K series, is the ?signature shot? animation that a lot of the superstars have which makes them stand out. And quite frankly, they are all pretty good.
Also there?s a few new ?signature shots? for free throws as well.
The new ones I?ve noticed for free throws, such as Pau Gasol?s and Kobe Bryant etc.
Along with the exceptional amount of individual detailing to the superstar players, the individuality also applies to the stadia, more specifically, the crowd chants to announcer calls, and free throw chimes. Compared to NBA Live 09, which doesn?t have as much individuality on the court. There being only one free throw chime.
I?ve shot quite a lot of airballs compared to NBA 2K8 (where in that, I?ve probably only shot 2 in total) and when that happens, the crowd will chant out ?airball!?
The atmosphere around the court is a lot better in 2K9 where you can really hear the crowd, compared to Live 09?s tepid effort.
The gameplay, which regular 2K?s will notice, is that it plays pretty much the same from what I can gather.
You can still blow wide open jumpers (although not as much as 2K8)
The superstar players (Kobe/ LeBron/ McGrady) pretty much own the rock, and as with the previous editions, they are pretty much unstoppable once they are on a hot streak.
Driving into the lane seems harder, since the AI packs the paint more so than 2K8
Also, you will be blocked a helluva lot more this time around, as a lot of the time I thought I just cleared the last man, until a power forward and centre from nowhere comes to swat you down.
One new manuever this year, is that when going for a dunk, you can hold the shot stick down longer to go from a dunk into a layup. Though not every player can do this. Be warned as if you hold the shot stick down too much, you will blow the shot completely where you will overshoot the jump and layup the ball on the underside of the rim, or even more embarrassingly, lay it up on the other side of the glass.
A new feature this season called ?living rosters? (which directly mirrors NBA Live?s 09 365 DNA) which will give you regular updates (whether it?s daily or weekly I?m still not sure on, until the regular NBA season starts) which will constantly update every players stats/ hot and cold streaks/ injuries, and roster changes. An interesting aspect with ?living rosters? compared to ?live DNA 365? is that, if a current superstar performs new signature dunk/ layup moves, it will be replicated within the game?
The 2K Sports vs. EA?s Live for the basketball fans is very much the same thing.
First off, I?ll delve into NBA 2K9?
Graphically, it improves the dreadful 2K8 ?database-like? menu look. Though you will get lost within the multitudes of menus upon menus that change more or less every conceivable aspect of the gameplay.
And into the game, to the untrained eye, nothing much has really changed. There are a few reworked faces, which look a little better than last year?s effort. Also this year, there?s a ?film? like graphics filter which makes the game look more ?live-feed? sports presentation.
Though during certain cutscenes, like in between freethrows and between quarters, the framerate suffers a little
The animation as always is very, very good. However, there are some instances where the transition animations between moves, say for example, when going from a sprint dribble, then onto an isomotion dribble then back into regular dribbling can be a little jarring. But on the whole, it?s very good.
Now one of the big thing, as always with the 2K series, is the ?signature shot? animation that a lot of the superstars have which makes them stand out. And quite frankly, they are all pretty good.
Also there?s a few new ?signature shots? for free throws as well.
The new ones I?ve noticed for free throws, such as Pau Gasol?s and Kobe Bryant etc.
Along with the exceptional amount of individual detailing to the superstar players, the individuality also applies to the stadia, more specifically, the crowd chants to announcer calls, and free throw chimes. Compared to NBA Live 09, which doesn?t have as much individuality on the court. There being only one free throw chime.
I?ve shot quite a lot of airballs compared to NBA 2K8 (where in that, I?ve probably only shot 2 in total) and when that happens, the crowd will chant out ?airball!?
The atmosphere around the court is a lot better in 2K9 where you can really hear the crowd, compared to Live 09?s tepid effort.
The gameplay, which regular 2K?s will notice, is that it plays pretty much the same from what I can gather.
You can still blow wide open jumpers (although not as much as 2K8)
The superstar players (Kobe/ LeBron/ McGrady) pretty much own the rock, and as with the previous editions, they are pretty much unstoppable once they are on a hot streak.
Driving into the lane seems harder, since the AI packs the paint more so than 2K8
Also, you will be blocked a helluva lot more this time around, as a lot of the time I thought I just cleared the last man, until a power forward and centre from nowhere comes to swat you down.
One new manuever this year, is that when going for a dunk, you can hold the shot stick down longer to go from a dunk into a layup. Though not every player can do this. Be warned as if you hold the shot stick down too much, you will blow the shot completely where you will overshoot the jump and layup the ball on the underside of the rim, or even more embarrassingly, lay it up on the other side of the glass.
A new feature this season called ?living rosters? (which directly mirrors NBA Live?s 09 365 DNA) which will give you regular updates (whether it?s daily or weekly I?m still not sure on, until the regular NBA season starts) which will constantly update every players stats/ hot and cold streaks/ injuries, and roster changes. An interesting aspect with ?living rosters? compared to ?live DNA 365? is that, if a current superstar performs new signature dunk/ layup moves, it will be replicated within the game?
Originally posted by Gamespot