• Posted October 7th, 2008 at 00:02 EDT by
• 11 Comments

Review Score

NBA Live 09

PSU Review Score

8.0

Avg. user review score:

7.2

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Summary

NBA Live 09 delivers a respectable game of basketball in a series that has displayed questionable quality in recent years. I see even brighter days ahead for EA Canada's basketball title.

We like

• Live 365 is revolutionary
• Animations are authentic
• Online clubs keeps gamers coming back

We dislike

• Textile animations are ridiculous
• Passes are sometimes inconsistent
• Game-changing computer comebacks happen far too often

See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings

(continued from previous page) ...very frustrating moments. Players still take shots at the back of the backboard as well, which take place a handful of times per game, which is another unrealistic total.

For every downfall, there's a positive. This year, EA Canada chose to greatly flesh out the standard features. Live 09 offers a robust Dynasty mode that will let you start your season right before the 2008 NBA draft. This allows you to draft the players you think your team should have to begin with. Following in the footsteps of game modes, Live also offers users the opportunity to practice in their new NBA Academy. The Academy features progressive challenges based around team exercises and individual drills. This is where you’re going to notice the responsiveness of the controls the most. Making cuts has never been more natural.

Other offline modes of play include the FIBA World Championship, which enables gamers to take their favorite country into the tournament to win gold. Be A Pro mode which is at the same progression as FIFA’s was last year, meaning you only get to utilize an already experienced pro player. Finally, NBA All-Star Weekend wraps up these modes and continues its flashy change of pace breakaway from the standard basketball game. Users can still take part in the three-point competition, slam dunk event, rookie challenge and of course, the All-Star game itself.

Online users can experience a very in-depth style of play. Clubs, which are becoming the norm for EA Sports, have made their way to the basketball court. Clubs allow you and your friends to show others worldwide who the true dream team really is. You’re also capable of teaming up with four other players in a 5-on-5 basketball game. While other standard modes exist, these clubs will likely take precedence.

The newest and brightest feature of NBA Live 09 is NBA Live 365. Live 365 gives games that are connected to the internet the opportunity to download daily reports and statistics that will change the way the game plays. This system takes the statistical averages of what each real life NBA player is currently producing and embodies them inside the virtual DNA of each baller. This offers up and overall more authentic experience and allows players that are running hot in real life to play hot in the game. Player DNA is a revolutionary step forward in basketball games, and I won’t be surprised when it starts popping up in other sports titles from EA.

Visually speaking, Live 09 suffers in certain areas. Textiles (clothing) seems to wave and bounce around even if a player is standing still. Even when a player is moving, however, the wave of the clothing makes the whole affair look quite ridiculous. Last time I checked, hurricane-style winds don't enter buildings. On the bright side, the player faces are very polished and they look just like their real-life counterparts. Menu screens are just more of the same standard EA Sports presentation, which is perfectly fine. The atmosphere of the crowd is above average and the play-by-play announcing is top notch.

When it all boils down to it, NBA Live 09 is a great example of a series on the rise and it gives fans of the sport and franchise something incredible to look forward to next year. Until that point, Live falls shy of being the premiere basketball title, but it came far closer than anyone expected.