The Gaming Tailgate's cdj has written the TGT community review of NBA LIVE 16. In the third year since returning, how does the franchise stack up to the franchise benchmark of NBA LIVE 10? Read on to find out.
If you enjoyed NBA Live 10 and were waiting for the franchise to return to that level, you will be very happy with NBA Live 16. It plays better and includes an Online Team Play mode, LIVE Pro-Am which consists of Summer Circuit (1-5 players versus CPU) and LIVE Run (human vs human teams).
LIVE Pro-Am games are quick (as short as seven minutes), fun, and addicting - particularly with friends. Personalizing the mode is the NBA LIVE Companion App & GameFaceHD which allow users to scan their face easily (and high quality) into the game. (You must have a relatively new/recent phone or device that can support the app.)
Continue on to read the entire review of NBA LIVE 16.
Users can earn Reward Points (used to unlock clothing, shoes, and tattoos from legendary artist Randy Harris to customize the look of their player) and Skill Points (used to improve the attributes of the player). Reward Points can be earned in any game mode. Skill Points are earned by playing LIVE Pro-Am games or Rising Star. You cannot purchase Reward or Skill Points with real-life currency - you must play the game to earn them.
The gameplay in the title may be the best it has ever been in franchise history. LIVE Motion has CPU-teammates moving away from the ball in a smart, realistic fashion. A new dribble hand-off mechanic adds another weapon to the offensive attack. Touch passes help users whip the ball around the perimeter quickly. An excellent Shot Meter, Defensive Assignment Indicator, and Offensive Playcalling Wheel are among the best in any basketball title ever. Off-ball controls help to make it more enjoyable to play without the basketball and are very helpful in LIVE Pro-Am and Rising Star. Needing improvement is the post-game, defensive help on penetration to the basket, CPU team play styles & AI, strategic elements, along with more animations and animation variety. The LEARN LIVE drills will help users become acclimated to the game's control scheme.
Visually, the game continues to improve behind the help of EA's face-scanning technology. Some players are dead-ringers to their real-life counterparts, however those who have yet to be scanned can sometimes put a dent into the visual realism. As in LIVE 14 & 15, EA has done a great job with the crowd audio and presentation using the ESPN license. The biggest need for improvements in presentation come in team celebrations (during and after games), the crowd going crazy during runs, and increasing the ESPN branding in presentation throughout all game modes.
Ultimate Team has improved by allowing users to keep multiple versions of a player in their Franchise, more Legends, throwbacks (past versions of current players), Short Term Players (allowing you to use for a specific number of games, no contract extension) and Specialists (required to play some challenges) with the goal of attaining Master versions of players.
There have not been any major additions or revamp to Dynasty Mode or Rising Star, which are the biggest downfall to the title. Scores for this title will be all over the map due to this fact. Those who enjoy and requested OTP will grade the game high. Those who prefer the single-player experience may want more from the feature set. A lack of roster editing will also be a complaint from the community.
* cdj is an EA SPORTS Game Changer and was able to preview and provide community feedback during production of the title. *
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