EA is back for another attempt at next-gen basketball, but unfortunately the results are pretty much the same as last year. There are a lot more modes this time around, but the gameplay leaves a lot to be desired. It is certainly better than Live 06, but can’t stand up to the unstoppable basketball juggernaut that is the NBA 2K series.
Quick Hits
- Title: NBA Live 07
- Platform: Xbox 360
- Publisher: EA Sports
- Developer: EA Sports
- ESRB: “E” for Everyone
- Genre: Professional basketball
- Pros: Nice graphics; lots of modes
- Cons: Framerate issues; gameplay feels slow and clunky
Features and Modes
Unlike last year where EA only delivered about 1/3 of the features that the other versions had, NBA Live 07 gives you a lot more bang for your buck. In addition to the quick play, season mode, and online play we had last year, we now have a full dynasty mode and All-Star Weekend which includes the three-point shootout, slam dunk contest, and the All-Star Game itself. The dynasty mode includes everything we have come to expect such as hiring assistant coaches to help improve the team, drafting new players, and all of that jazz. One feature I am very glad to see (and have to say I’m disappointed it hasn’t appeared in any other next-gen sports game) is that you can set the game up with two computer participants so you can sit back and watch.
Gameplay
EA
And it is a good thing that feature was included, because Live 07 is quite a bit more fun to watch than it is to play. New to the gameplay are freestyle superstar controls, which are activated by moving the right analog stick through specific motions. There are several different types of superstar (high flyer, scorer, playmaker, etc) and different skill levels assigned to each player, so even if two players are both playmakers, a level 3 player can do fancier moves than a level 1 player. These freestyle controls actually do add quite a bit to the overall experience and make the game look and feel more like a real NBA game because they are more than just fancy spin moves and impressive dunks. The rest of the gameplay – you know, passing and shooting and playing defense – isn’t so good. It just feels slow and clunky and rather unresponsive. It just isn’t smooth, and if you are used to playing other basketball games, Live 07 feels pretty horrible in comparison. On the plus side, you have more camera angles to choose from than last year, which is a major improvement.
Graphics and Sound
Graphically, NBA Live 07 is a very nice looking game. The player models are incredibly detailed and look just about perfect. The animation is also very good, which makes the freestyle controls really stand out. One big problem, though, is that the framerate is very unstable. It doesn’t slow down so much as to be unplayable, but sometimes it looks like the players are trying to fight their way up the court against a stiff breeze or something. It isn’t smooth or consistent, and that is a big issue.
The sound is very good all around. Decent music, good sounds on the court, and the commentary is particularly good. Occasionally the announcers will break the third wall and actually acknowledge you as the player (usually when you make a bad play), which is pretty nifty.
Bottom Line
EA
Overall, NBA Live 07 is a better game than Live 06, but it still isn’t very good. They added a lot more modes, dumped the cruddy camera angle, and added in the freestyle moves, but the gameplay overall wasn’t really improved and that is the biggest problem. The game looks and sounds great, but that just isn’t enough to make you fork over $60 for this, particularly when the competition’s game is so much better. I can’t recommend it for a purchase, but give it a rental if you want to see how it stacks up against 2K for yourself.
