Ah, the ESPN NBA 2K
franchise, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways: I love how each year
Visual Concepts seems to tighten all the things that worked in last year’s
game. I also love how the controls feel so responsive and the action moves
around so fluidly that you almost forget that this is a genuine NBA sim. Yes, I
love the ESPN NBA game and that’s not easy to say because EA Sports has a
very attractive and engaging brother by the name of NBA Live 2005. So
who will win the heart of ball fans like me? Who has what it takes to sweep you
off your feet and prove themselves to you this year?
Last year’s entry came in
strong and introduced a small number of new features that worked so perfectly
that they make a comeback in this year’s game. You’ll find all your favorite
modes once again like Street Mode, only this year you’ll have some cool choices
such as player match-ups and crazy locales such as a basketball court in the
middle of the Egyptian ruins. You’ll even find 24/7 Mode, one of the coolest
modes ever to be introduced. 24/7 Mode has you creating your own baller and
putting him through some one-on-one competitions with known players to earn
items (e.g. jerseys, headbands, the shiny bling etc.) and improve your
attributes to tighten your game. The best part is that you can play offline and
online and since this mode uses the console’s internal clock different events
open up depending on the time of day.
Franchise mode, on the
other hand, has been reorganized and in its place is Association mode.
Association basically centers on the personalities that make up the NBA and as
it takes you and your favorite team through the serious competitions that make
up the sport’s seasons, you’ll come to know what it’s like to deal with a team.
You’ll still be negotiating trades and see to weekly training and other duties
that befall management, but this time a player will walk into your office every
week and bring up a concern or offer a suggestion. Each player has a
personality type and in this game there are four types. A Type 3 (we’re talking
a huge ego here) like Kobe Bryant, for example, might walk in and ask you to
concentrate on him because he’s the team’s superstar. Based on how you handle
each situation, your players will react in different ways and many of them will
even start eyeing another team that’s been interested in him.
Remember the IsoMotion
feature? It’s back this year and the improvements are only minor. IsoMotion2
basically tightens crossovers and up-and-under moves in the post. Forcing
turnovers on defense feels a bit better now that there’s more crossover
options. The hop and spin steps are available making for some realistic
offensive plays. You won’t need it much, that is, unless you play the game on
hardest difficulty setting. You’ll find that the computer-controlled opposing
team is a lot smarter and make plays that actually make a lot of sense. It’s
refreshing to see a NBA game that’s great at matching-up players accordingly and
that allows you to do the same. All this adds up so some pretty cool features
but I’m nitpicky when it comes to my basketball game so I wish I saw more
improvements in this respect.
The game, you’ll quickly
find out when the game first loads, takes advantage of the PS2 HDD (Hard Disc
Drive) for when you take the game online. No doubt there will be downloadable
content as well as updated rosters. Using a Broadband or Analog connection, the
game runs smoothly and you can also use a USB headset to chat with your
opponent. You can even play the 24/7 mode online, defeating someone’s created
character for recognition and well as items.
Graphically, ESPN NBA
2K5 is a gorgeous-looking PS2 game. The visual improvements the franchise
seems to make each year are impressive indeed and this year the game looks
amazing. For one thing, the arenas are just far more detailed and the fans are
starting to look a lot better as well. Yet it’s the players that steal the show
because they’re starting to look a lot more like the real thing than a
caricature that’s somewhat baring the likeness of, say, Shaq. Yes, the sharp
details in the graphics have improved and I just can’t stop admiring them. I
guess I have a sweet tooth for eye candy.
The hip-hop flavor
continues to be of the eclectic variety that mixes electronica beats and it
works wonderfully during the menu selection screen. You might just even love
the way it’s cataloged in an easy to access jukebox. Yet when it comes to arena
sounds, nothing beats the detailed sound effects of sneakers squeaking, the ball
slamming down on the glossy court and the foot-stomps of dozens of pumped up
fans that cheer loudly. You’ll love the ESPN televised presentation as the logo
swooshes across the screen and sideline reporter Michele Tafoya catching
reactions from the coach as well as players. Yet what you won’t love, and I
guarantee it, is the commentary team of Bill Walton and Bob Fitzgerald. Walton
makes some pretty absurd comments and observations throughout the game. “You
have to love the ball handling of the master of hoops,” Walton says of Yao
Ming. Master of hoops? Who is this guy and why is he ruining the commentary?
At least you can lower the volume on the commentary.
So it comes down to the
final minute, two major NBA basketball titles we’ve turned to year after year
because they bring us the best ball game in town are competing for your
attention. When it comes to a fluid game of basketball with a great overall
presence, ESPN NBA 2K5 reins supreme this year. EA’s game has a lot
going for it but it’s Sega’s game that provides a better basketball sim complete
with some great improvements in all the right places. If you can afford both
then by all means pick them both up (Sega continues the $20 price tag for all
their major sports titles) but if you have to buy just one then NBA 2K5
is the one to own.
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#Review |
Gameplay: 8.0
The newly enhanced IsoMotion works
just a tad better than last year but it still has a way to go, fortunately the
rest of the game plays like a dream and the 24/7 Mode is even more awesome than
before. Association mode isn’t bad either, that is, if you’re into dealing
with the big NBA egos of players like Kobe Bryant.
Graphics: 8.5
Somebody get me a napkin, please.
I’m drooling all over my PS2 controller looking at these sharp graphics that
make this the most attractive basketball game this year. I mean, have you seen
the arenas? Have you seen how detailed Iverson and other favorites look? Must
. . . stop . . . the drooling.
Sound: 7.5
It’s hard not to love a game that
uses the ESPN brand to it’s fullest and that’s exactly what ESPN NBA 2K5
does. I love the sideline reporting and I love the sound effects that go along
with the flashy ESPN graphic but I have to say that Bill Walton and Bob
Fitzgerald just doesn’t cut it for me. They’re awful! At least the sounds of
the rowdy fans and arena sounds are really good . . . good at drowning out the
horrendously useless commentary.
Difficulty: Medium
The AI has been beefed up as well
and you’ll find it pretty hard to break through the defensive plays of teams
like Pistons. Although the courts don’t see as much traffic as you do in NBA
Live 2005, you still have your work cut out for you. Try this on the
hardest setting for a really unique challenge.
Concept: 8.5
They’ve beefed up the ESPN
presentation in a majority of Sega’s recent sports titles and while it’s not as
great as ESPN NFL 2K5, what’s seen here will surely make a fan’s day.
There are also a dozen new additions this year . . . yay! Oh, and did I mention
that 24/7 Mode totally rocks?
Multiplayer: 9.0
Still one of the best online
experiences, ESPN NBA 2K5 doesn’t run into any problems this year and
using either a Broadband or Dial-Up connection will result in a silky smooth
multiplayer game. You can even talk trash using a USB headset.
Overall: 8.5
Not that the great price tag has
anything to do with it but my money is on ESPN NBA 2K5 this year. EA’s
NBA Live 2005 is good, no, better than good it‘s excellent. Still, when
it comes to dominating the court there’s just no beating all the goodies NBA
2K5 has to offer.
