PlayStation 2
Released in 2007 by EA Sports
Grade: C+
Late in its PS2 cycle, NBA Live continues on with its free-flowing, high-scoring ways. This game is a breeze to pick up, but without the potential for satisfying realism, it’s not going to hold your attention for long.
Where it falls in the series
This is the eighth of nine NBA Live games on PS2, and it coincides with the first release on PS3. The closest relative that I’ve reviewed so far is NBA Live 2005, which gets the same C+ grade but for different reasons.
Praises and gripes
It’s hard to tell exactly what EA was going for with this game. On the default settings, it’s loose and up-tempo. It’s easy to score and there aren’t many stoppages. The game is best enjoyed with a care-free, fun vibe. However, there are sim-heavy elements awkwardly tossed into the mix. Players get sucked into each other’s bubbles, which looks nifty the first time you see it, but happens so often it becomes annoying. There are tons of plays available, but you can only have four in your arsenal at a time. The free throw system forces you to finagle the analog stick, which feels out of place considering the rest of the game uses simple, traditional controls.
You might see the expansive gameplay sliders and wonder if you could dial in a grounded, realistic take on NBA basketball, but I assure you … you can’t. This game just doesn’t have the solid mechanics and smart AI to make it happen. Shots in traffic feel like a crapshoot. The dribbling maneuvers are spastic. CPU-controlled players make bonehead passes. Passes in general don’t have enough zip. Offensive plays unfold unnaturally and sometimes unfairly.
The game isn’t a total mess. It’s fun in its dumbed-down way, allowing a lot of quick strike opportunities and a lot of driving to the basket. The basic controls are very easy to handle.
It looks decent and the arenas buzz with energy, although the commentary by Marv Albert and Steve Kerr gets annoying quickly. There are plenty of options and game modes, including a slam dunk contest, three-point competition, and 1-on-1.
Its gameplay innovations might make you scratch your head, but you can still have some fun with NBA Live 08.
Published July 30, 2023