While most critics claim that the Madden football series
has the largest sports gaming fanbase in the world, one can’t
help but think that the NBA Live titles have garnered quite a
following as well. Since it’s early days on the Genesis,
Live has consistently been the top hoops game on any platform.
There have been the challengers, like 989’s NBA Shootout
franchise, but every year EA Sports has come out on top. As a
result it’s a no-brainer that we’re seeing the basketball
EA Sports iteration on the PS2 as well – after all, what
could possibly be better in this world than a PS2-enhanced
b-ball game?
Hardly anything, in my book.
Not to be outdone by last year’s NBA 2K from Sega, a game
that raised the bar in basketball video games, EA is at it
again with PlayStation 2, to take back their crown of the
court. Can it succeed? If EA Sports can produce a game that is
worthy to stand up against EA’s own Madden PlayStation 2
game, then the answer is a definite yes.
Though the early screens may not show quite as much detail
as the Madden PS2 game did, NBA Live is not to be out done in
the visual department. Using high poly count player models
that utilize cyberscan technology for incredibly detailed
player heads and lifelike skin textures, the transition
between real life and video games is smaller than it has ever
been. Stadiums as well are getting the treatment, as Live 2001
will have incredibly realistic stadium environments. The
benches, like the sidelines in Madden, will have animated
players and coaches, plus the crowd will be packed with
details as well. Coaches arguing calls, encouraging teammates
and other little emotions will be on full display too. These
will involve varied player interactions, post-goal reactions
and multiple post-game celebrations, to top it all off.
Like Visual Concepts and their hoops game NBA 2K1, EA
wanted to implement a new post game for Live 2001. Now the
game puts complete and total control in the gamer’s hand, as
the inside game will be expanded upon for a much greater
variation. You’ll be able to bump and back your defender
down to the basket, then present you with multiple post moves
to execute, such as an up and under lay-up, fade away jumpers
and the classic sky hook. If you can break that opponent’s
defense and swerve to the whole, powerful dunks will be on
hand to really lay down the authority.
EA’s not leaving the audio behind, either. A new approach
to speech captures the essence of the interaction between the
play-by-play and color commentators, so the instances of
hearing the two booth guys talk about completely different
subject should be extinct. Bob Elliot’s new in-depth play
analysis should help the commentary team provide more
intelligent and relevant following of the game at hand. As for
the soundtrack, Live 2001 will keep with the same hip-hop
beats of Live 2000, and now will feature the voice of pop star
Montel Jordan.
With all these refinements and polish, Live 2001 looks to
be nothing short of basketball heaven. The impending release
date is only two months away, so the final stages of this game
will be nearing completion any time now. If EA lives up to
everything that is promised with the final product, then NBA
Live 2001 could possibly turn out as the greatest basketball
game ever created.
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