NBA Live 06 Review (no fat)
 by EA Sports Platform: PS2 Genre: Sports |
ESRB Rating: Everyone Release: 2005-09-26 |
NBA Live 06 Features:
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Egamer's Rating: 8 / 10. Reviewed on: 2005-10-26 |
Game Description
If you are a basketball and computer gaming fan, NBA Live 06 is a game that you are going to want to seek out and try out. This is the sixth in the series of NBA themed basketball challenge games. With one major innovation to boost it, NBA Live 06 may not be the most real looking NBA title of the year but has provided some ingenuity.
NBA Live 06 Gameplay
If you enjoy a game that is founded on a more realistic basis, NBA Live 06 may throw you for a bit of a proverbial loop (in this case, literally as well as figuratively). The superstar powers dimension incorporated into the game convert the whole feel of NBA Live 06 into a more typical arcade fare as opposed to a more realistically based game of skill as well as action. However, on the other hand it helps differentiate the real superstars of the game from the mediocre players.
The game includes characters that are the best NBA players in recent memory. These characterizations make the game more interesting as you play along. Interestingly, the superstar powers associated with each of these real life players are exaggerated forms of the talents and unique skills that these individual players actually were known for during the time on the court.
One of the more compelling features of the game is the fact that you actually have to take the time and make decisions relating to the development of your own franchise. You hire an assistant and a scout to help you find the best possible players to boost the effectiveness of your team. The fact that you are responsible for the actual building of your team or franchise certainly adds an interesting and challenging element to this game that is not found in the earlier incarnations of the NBA Live games.
In addition to actually building a team over the years from scratch, you can play multiplayer games with up to 4 players offline and a 2 player game online. The Dunking competition returns with better moves and the commentary associated with it is genuinely interesting and witty.
NBA Live 06 Superstar Moves
The new feature of ‘Superstar Moves’ allows you to take advantage of truly unique and powerful animation controls. So, you have the ability to utilize what might be called “special powers” in other types of action games and you are able to perform feats on the court that the likes of the greatest NBA players would be jealous (Magical isn’t the right word -- but, Magic would be most impressed.)
Even while you’d think this feature would hamper the competition, you can be sure that the computer AI will use the moves as well and, at higher difficulty levels, you might actually feel pushed to compete. Similarly, you cant be sure that a Superstar’s dunk is always going to score or a superstar’s pass is going to reach its destination. If you are not careful about how and when you use these skills, you are going to end up giving the opposition some easy opportunities to pile up steals.
NBA Live 06 Visuals and Graphics
On balance the visuals and graphics associated with the game are developed decently. There is a recurring problem with lagging that occurs with some regularity throughout the game. While the lag situation is not so severe as to hamper play, it does constitute an unnecessary and annoying distraction.
The players on your team as well as the other characters that make appearances throughout the game are smartly crafted and detailed appropriately to remain interesting and actually rather believable. Animations like fist pumping etc are things that add to the game’s reality feel…even though it still looks arcade-ish in general.
The background scenery is basic in its construction but generally visually appealing and appropriate. However, the way the players move isn’t an area where the developers seemed to have given much though…they look more like sliding than running.
The graphics associated with the use of superstar powers actually are the most interesting of the visuals to be found in NBA Live 06, adding a bit of spice and dash to the otherwise routine graphic renderings. (Routine, yes, but appropriate to the game to be sure.)
NBA Live 06 Sound Quality
The sound effects related to the game are largely unchanged from prior editions of NBA Live. With that said, the sound effects and other audio features really have been solid since the introduction of this gaming franchise. While there is nothing uniquely introduced this go-around, the developer probably followed the saying ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.
The only real addition are some, rather interesting, sound effects associated with the superstar moves. These audio effects lend an element of realism to the game and add a sense of zest to the superstar moves that can be used throughout the game.
NBA Live 06 Summary
In short, if you like arcade style basketball, you’ll love NBA Live 06. But if your sports game choice tilts towards the most real looking and feeling NBA games, you’d do well to steer clear of this EA venture.
NBA Live 06 Cost
The game, for PS2, currently retails for $49.99 US at the time of writing.
If you enjoy a game that is founded on a more realistic basis, NBA Live 06 may throw you for a bit of a proverbial loop (in this case, literally as well as figuratively). The superstar powers dimension incorporated into the game convert the whole feel of NBA Live 06 into a more typical arcade fare as opposed to a more realistically based game of skill as well as action. However, on the other hand it helps differentiate the real superstars of the game from the mediocre players.
The game includes characters that are the best NBA players in recent memory. These characterizations make the game more interesting as you play along. Interestingly, the superstar powers associated with each of these real life players are exaggerated forms of the talents and unique skills that these individual players actually were known for during the time on the court.
One of the more compelling features of the game is the fact that you actually have to take the time and make decisions relating to the development of your own franchise. You hire an assistant and a scout to help you find the best possible players to boost the effectiveness of your team. The fact that you are responsible for the actual building of your team or franchise certainly adds an interesting and challenging element to this game that is not found in the earlier incarnations of the NBA Live games.
In addition to actually building a team over the years from scratch, you can play multiplayer games with up to 4 players offline and a 2 player game online. The Dunking competition returns with better moves and the commentary associated with it is genuinely interesting and witty.
NBA Live 06 Superstar Moves
The new feature of ‘Superstar Moves’ allows you to take advantage of truly unique and powerful animation controls. So, you have the ability to utilize what might be called “special powers” in other types of action games and you are able to perform feats on the court that the likes of the greatest NBA players would be jealous (Magical isn’t the right word -- but, Magic would be most impressed.)
Even while you’d think this feature would hamper the competition, you can be sure that the computer AI will use the moves as well and, at higher difficulty levels, you might actually feel pushed to compete. Similarly, you cant be sure that a Superstar’s dunk is always going to score or a superstar’s pass is going to reach its destination. If you are not careful about how and when you use these skills, you are going to end up giving the opposition some easy opportunities to pile up steals.
NBA Live 06 Visuals and Graphics
On balance the visuals and graphics associated with the game are developed decently. There is a recurring problem with lagging that occurs with some regularity throughout the game. While the lag situation is not so severe as to hamper play, it does constitute an unnecessary and annoying distraction.
The players on your team as well as the other characters that make appearances throughout the game are smartly crafted and detailed appropriately to remain interesting and actually rather believable. Animations like fist pumping etc are things that add to the game’s reality feel…even though it still looks arcade-ish in general.
The background scenery is basic in its construction but generally visually appealing and appropriate. However, the way the players move isn’t an area where the developers seemed to have given much though…they look more like sliding than running.
The graphics associated with the use of superstar powers actually are the most interesting of the visuals to be found in NBA Live 06, adding a bit of spice and dash to the otherwise routine graphic renderings. (Routine, yes, but appropriate to the game to be sure.)
NBA Live 06 Sound Quality
The sound effects related to the game are largely unchanged from prior editions of NBA Live. With that said, the sound effects and other audio features really have been solid since the introduction of this gaming franchise. While there is nothing uniquely introduced this go-around, the developer probably followed the saying ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.
The only real addition are some, rather interesting, sound effects associated with the superstar moves. These audio effects lend an element of realism to the game and add a sense of zest to the superstar moves that can be used throughout the game.
NBA Live 06 Summary
In short, if you like arcade style basketball, you’ll love NBA Live 06. But if your sports game choice tilts towards the most real looking and feeling NBA games, you’d do well to steer clear of this EA venture.
NBA Live 06 Cost
The game, for PS2, currently retails for $49.99 US at the time of writing.
The new feature of ‘Superstar Moves’ allows you to take advantage of truly unique and powerful animation controls. So, you have the ability to utilize what might be called “special powers” in other types of action games and you are able to perform feats on the court that the likes of the greatest NBA players would be jealous (Magical isn’t the right word -- but, Magic would be most impressed.)
Even while you’d think this feature would hamper the competition, you can be sure that the computer AI will use the moves as well and, at higher difficulty levels, you might actually feel pushed to compete. Similarly, you cant be sure that a Superstar’s dunk is always going to score or a superstar’s pass is going to reach its destination. If you are not careful about how and when you use these skills, you are going to end up giving the opposition some easy opportunities to pile up steals.
NBA Live 06 Visuals and Graphics
On balance the visuals and graphics associated with the game are developed decently. There is a recurring problem with lagging that occurs with some regularity throughout the game. While the lag situation is not so severe as to hamper play, it does constitute an unnecessary and annoying distraction.
The players on your team as well as the other characters that make appearances throughout the game are smartly crafted and detailed appropriately to remain interesting and actually rather believable. Animations like fist pumping etc are things that add to the game’s reality feel…even though it still looks arcade-ish in general.
The background scenery is basic in its construction but generally visually appealing and appropriate. However, the way the players move isn’t an area where the developers seemed to have given much though…they look more like sliding than running.
The graphics associated with the use of superstar powers actually are the most interesting of the visuals to be found in NBA Live 06, adding a bit of spice and dash to the otherwise routine graphic renderings. (Routine, yes, but appropriate to the game to be sure.)
NBA Live 06 Sound Quality
The sound effects related to the game are largely unchanged from prior editions of NBA Live. With that said, the sound effects and other audio features really have been solid since the introduction of this gaming franchise. While there is nothing uniquely introduced this go-around, the developer probably followed the saying ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.
The only real addition are some, rather interesting, sound effects associated with the superstar moves. These audio effects lend an element of realism to the game and add a sense of zest to the superstar moves that can be used throughout the game.
NBA Live 06 Summary
In short, if you like arcade style basketball, you’ll love NBA Live 06. But if your sports game choice tilts towards the most real looking and feeling NBA games, you’d do well to steer clear of this EA venture.
NBA Live 06 Cost
The game, for PS2, currently retails for $49.99 US at the time of writing.
On balance the visuals and graphics associated with the game are developed decently. There is a recurring problem with lagging that occurs with some regularity throughout the game. While the lag situation is not so severe as to hamper play, it does constitute an unnecessary and annoying distraction.
The players on your team as well as the other characters that make appearances throughout the game are smartly crafted and detailed appropriately to remain interesting and actually rather believable. Animations like fist pumping etc are things that add to the game’s reality feel…even though it still looks arcade-ish in general.
The background scenery is basic in its construction but generally visually appealing and appropriate. However, the way the players move isn’t an area where the developers seemed to have given much though…they look more like sliding than running.
The graphics associated with the use of superstar powers actually are the most interesting of the visuals to be found in NBA Live 06, adding a bit of spice and dash to the otherwise routine graphic renderings. (Routine, yes, but appropriate to the game to be sure.)
NBA Live 06 Sound Quality
The sound effects related to the game are largely unchanged from prior editions of NBA Live. With that said, the sound effects and other audio features really have been solid since the introduction of this gaming franchise. While there is nothing uniquely introduced this go-around, the developer probably followed the saying ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.
The only real addition are some, rather interesting, sound effects associated with the superstar moves. These audio effects lend an element of realism to the game and add a sense of zest to the superstar moves that can be used throughout the game.
NBA Live 06 Summary
In short, if you like arcade style basketball, you’ll love NBA Live 06. But if your sports game choice tilts towards the most real looking and feeling NBA games, you’d do well to steer clear of this EA venture.
NBA Live 06 Cost
The game, for PS2, currently retails for $49.99 US at the time of writing.
The sound effects related to the game are largely unchanged from prior editions of NBA Live. With that said, the sound effects and other audio features really have been solid since the introduction of this gaming franchise. While there is nothing uniquely introduced this go-around, the developer probably followed the saying ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it’.
The only real addition are some, rather interesting, sound effects associated with the superstar moves. These audio effects lend an element of realism to the game and add a sense of zest to the superstar moves that can be used throughout the game.
NBA Live 06 Summary
In short, if you like arcade style basketball, you’ll love NBA Live 06. But if your sports game choice tilts towards the most real looking and feeling NBA games, you’d do well to steer clear of this EA venture.
NBA Live 06 Cost
The game, for PS2, currently retails for $49.99 US at the time of writing.
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