NBA Live 06

The default setup controls things rather nicely. This includes the mechanics of yester year along with the new on the fly coaching mechanic. The camera options limit depth perception thus making the game harder to play. Feedback is issued with each block and steal that occurs letting you know when you have swatted one into the stands or when you should look for a teammate to hook up with an outlet pass and an easy fast break lay-up.

As we all know you can’t have a great basketball game without realistic players. This feat is accomplished in some ways and left out in the rain on others. While the overall player models and musculature are amazing, the player faces vary in accuracy. Several you’ll be able to spot right on, while others you’ll have to wait until their name is called. The beads of sweat roll beautifully down the players face and body adding another layer of realism to the game.

The arenas are breathtaking sporting accuracy and amazing lighting. Unlike 2K6’s flowing player uniforms, Live’s jerseys show just enough movement to get by, but one of the things that really hold the players back from being incredible and compelling overall is that they don’t open their mouth once, exhibiting no emotion whatsoever. This doesn’t make sense in a game that is full of emotion. Now their mannerisms are life like but it looks as if they’re pantomiming. The coach on the other hand does open his mouth and is nicely executed in the game. You’ll constantly see him talk and use his hands to key a message to his players during a timeout. The animations in the game are slick and are the most realistic available today. Every dunk, block, and steal looks to have been optimized for an unexpected realistic experience I didn’t think would be there.

Often overlooked in games is the audio section. In NBA Live that certainly is not the case. In fact it is one of the leading contributors to the great atmosphere. Part of this is the commentary that is wonderfully done by Marv Albert and Steve Kerr. Every now and then they offer up one-liners that don’t pertain to the game, but a screw up on your part. This takes you out of the game for a second breaking up the immersion into shorter segments.

The game also features a nice soundtrack with artists such as: The Black Eyed Peas, Fort Minor, Chamillionaire, and Anthony Hamilton.

Final Word

Even though this game shows sparks of brilliance I don’t necessarily recommend the purchase of it due to the short list of features and slow pacing. However it’s those sparks of brilliance that can very well turn this NBA Live franchise into a juggernaut of a NBA sim in a year or two down the road. So hold off on your purses and check books ladies and gentlemen, and watch the development of this franchise closely in the following years.