NBA Live
has been a staple in EA Sport’s catalog of sports titles for some time now, and
the 2006 entry to the franchise marks its debut on Microsoft’s next generation
console, the XBox 360. While NBA Live 06 launched with the XBox 360, the game
was actually released on other current generation consoles a few months ago at a
$40 price point. Unfortunately, for those holding out for the $60 360 iteration,
the game doesn’t exactly deliver the next-gen basketball experience that they’d
hoped for. Instead, NBA Live 06 on the XBox 360 is somewhat of a rushed chop
job, with fewer features than it’s current generation counterparts. The Dynasty
mode is gone, as are the slam-dunk contest and the innovative freestyle
superstar controls. For those looking to get the next-gen basketball game, you’d
be better off waiting for Live 07.
So,
let’s start with the positives. Live 06 on the XBox 360 still delivers a fun
exhibition game, with very smooth controls (I still love the alley-oop button)
and some great AI. The game is pretty easy for newcomers to pick up and play,
and the freestyle stick makes it fun and simple to control your player across
the court. The game’s AI is quite good, responding to your techniques and
implementing some cool teamwork elements, like setting up screens against your
defense and so forth.
However,
that’s about where the good stuff ends. The game lacks depth, especially when
compared to 2K Sports’ NBA 2K6. Plus, the Dynasty mode has been completely
nixed, along with the fun slam-dunk contest, arguably some of the best elements
of other versions of the game. Also the freestyle superstar controls are gone.
With all of the cuts, Live 06 on the 360 feels like little more than a gussied
up version of Live 05.
The
newly implemented free throw system is also another mind-boggling issue. The
system (which requires you to move the right thumbstick down and up in order to
make a shot) is damn near impossible to do correctly, resulting in many missed
opportunities for free shots. This is especially frustrating since the opponent
AI will never
miss a free throw.
Live 06
can be quite beautiful at moments, with some great looking character models and
some impressive looking dunks. Unfortunately, the rest of the presentation
leaves a bit to be desired, with some robotic animations and poor framerates.
While it looks pretty good on first impression, the overall aesthetic isn’t at
all an indication of what the 360 can do.
The
sound presentation is actually very good, and certainly the highlight of the
game. The EA Trax soundtrack is a mixture of some great hip-hop cuts from
Jurassic 5 and several other great artists. The commentary is also quite good,
never sounding disjointed or out of place.
NBA Live
06 is a prime example of a game being thrown out of the gate to make a system’s
launch. While the game does initially provide some nice eye candy, the lack of
features (even when compared to other versions on technologically inferior
systems) makes this a tough game to recommend.
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Gameplay: 6.5
The gameplay in
NBA Live 06 has it’s high points, like a smooth control scheme and some nice AI.
However, the game feels more like NBA Live 05 than it does the current gen
versions of Live 06, as some new key features like freestyle superstar controls,
the Dynasty mode and the fun slam dunk contest are sorely missing.
Graphics: 7.0
Graphically, NBA
Live 06 certainly has its high points, like great character models and detail
(like sweat) and some really good dunk animations. However, most of the
animations look robotic and unnatural, and the framerates are all over the
place.
Sound: 9.0
The sound is one
area that Live 06 does right. The hip-hop soundtrack works well with the game,
and the commentary is spot on.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 5.0
As a next-gen
game, it’s pretty baffling that Live 06 actually delivers less than its prior
generation versions.
Multiplayer: 6.5
Live 06’s multiplayer elements, in terms of the online and on a single XBox 360,
are mired by its gameplay shortcomings.
Overall: 6.0
Live 06
on the 360 comes out of the gate as a rush job in order to make the system’s
launch, and is ultimately a disappointment, one that surely doesn’t warrant its
$60 asking price. Wait for 07.
