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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Taking a page out of NBA Street Homecourt's book, NBA Live 08 introduces Quickstrike Ballhandling. This intuitive gameplay mechanic is mapped to the right analog stick and gives you the direct responsiveness you need to perform a full repertoire of ankle-breaking ball-handling moves that let you dominate on the perimeter. Pass the ball inside and win the battle in the post with all-new 'own the paint' post play for the big men down low. Use the new shot-countershot control to string together combos of fakes and shots to fool your defender into committing and create space for the game-defining bucket. NBA Live 08 introduces hot spots, where real NBA shot data is used to illuminate the locations on the floor where your players are most effective. Couple this with all-new signature go-to moves that capture the essence of the NBA's best, and you can now play the game on a console like you see it from the stands. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 90
PGNx Media
NBA Live 08 doesn’t add a whole lot of new modes, but the stronger gameplay goes a long way. The improved, more realistic gameplay, coupled with the excellent presentation package make NBA Live 08 a must-have for basketball game fans.
 83
Gaming Age
The game has tons of options; it looks and sounds fantastic, and with a minor quibble here and there plays a great game that walks the line of die hard sim and casual baller.
83
GameZone
A big improvement over NBA Live 07 (or 06, for that matter), offering some great features and cleaner gameplay. If you’ve been waiting for the next-gen iterations to catch up with the current-gen versions, then this is one to get.
81
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
EA have upped the game when it comes to sports this year. A huge improvement. [Dec 2007, p.85]
80
Armchair Empire
“Real” basketball takes the court once again in NBA Live 08, bringing a much closer to real-life representation of the NBA, and even the world hoops scene, to the Xbox 360.
80
Armchair Empire
“Real” basketball takes the court once again in NBA Live 08, bringing a much closer to real-life representation of the NBA, and even the world hoops scene, to the Xbox 360.
80
X360 Magazine UK
A more than worthy update to last year's blip. No b-ball fan will be disappointed with this. [Issue#25, p.100]
80
DarkStation
NBA Live 08 is just a much better all around game of basketball than last year's experience, and yet it's still not perfect.
80
Xbox World Australia
NBA Live 2008 is a considerably decent basketball game. EA's efforts this year are much more noticeable than previous outings, as the game reeks of realism.
80
Official Xbox Magazine
You might think calling NBA Live 08 "much improved" is a backhanded compliment, but its first two years on 360 really did leave it no place to go but up. [Nov 2007, p.84]
80
GameDaily
This year's game slam-dunks its predecessors, thanks to improved speed, more realistic player animations and most importantly, exquisite five-on-five play.
80
GameTap
Post play is not only a viable option this year, it's my preferred way to score, and I really can't remember the last time that was true in a basketball game.
80
Games Radar
While not perfect, it's immensely playable and just a bit more fun than its rival. Who woulda thunk it?
80
GamerNode
NBA Live 08 is in serious contention for Best Basketball Game this year. That just shows you how much improved 08 is after the disaster of 07. Who says EA doesn't listen?
79
Gamers' Temple
While not being a nothing-but-net caliber game, NBA Live 08 does score after a couple of friendly bounces around the rim.
79
MEGamers
If EA sports manage to fix a couple of issues in this game, NBA live 09 will surely be the game to beat next year. Until then though, play some more 2k8.
78
Gaming Target
With new additions, 38 player online leagues and a realistic experience, basketball on Xbox 360 doesn't get much better than this.
78
Game Over Online
NBA Live 08 is a good game. It's not a great game yet. It has plenty of problems, and I must say it's still not quite on par with the impressive basketball simulation that is NBA 2K8. But the gap has closed this year. It plays, looks, and feels better than last year, and if it keeps improving, we'll have the great NBA Live series of old.
75
Game Informer
NBA Live 08 is a vastly improved game that is nearly ready for primetime. With another year under its belt, NBA Live may be contending for the championship.
75
GameSpot
Thanks to significantly improved gameplay, NBA Live 08 is a good, solid basketball game.
74
Gamer 2.0
This shot definitely goes in, but not before taking a few lucky bounces on the rim.
70
Operation Sports
NBA Live 08 is a game for the casual NBA video game fan that just wants to play a basketball game that’s fun and easy to pick up and play. This year’s version is a big improvement over last year’s game and while it’s not the best basketball game on the market, it’s a fun head to head game.
70
Cheat Code Central
It is not quite ready for the big time, but at least it is not the Sam Bowie of video games like "Live 07."
70
GameSpy
It's the best-looking entry in the series by far, and the gameplay is finally coming close to what gamers are looking for from their at-home NBA experience. But as good as NBA Live is this year, it's still not taking home the championship.
70
Boomtown
A big improvement over last year. EA has put a lot of effort to get a well presented, well commentated game of basketball.
70
Video Game Talk
Offers fast, sleek-looking gameplay, as graphics are impressive in almost all regards.
70
DailyGame
Not a bad game, but not a great one either. Online modes and the loaded dynasty mode are sure to keep players busy for another year. A solid soundtrack fills out the smooth animations to make for a pleasing presentation.
70
NZGamer
The voice commentating is some of the best yet and when mixed with the highly detailed player models and animations, the game looks and feels like the real thing on your TV. Shame it just doesn’t quite hit the mark with the playability.
69
IGN
The bulk of the basketball still doesn’t feel natural with canned animations taking the control out of the user’s hands a bit too often. The game does have its shining moments though, and we’ll definitely be expecting next year’s game to return the series to prominence.
68
Electronic Gaming Monthly
So even though Live is lookin' better, it could still use more time in the gym. [Nov 2007, p.103]
65
Team Xbox
So it plays better than last year, but not by much. AI problems and new defensive controls take the player out of the b-ball experience.
65
1UP
While Live 08 is definitely looking better in every respect (gameplay, graphics, and online), the series still needs more time in the gym.
65
Worth Playing
EA games never fail to impress with the overall presentation on any of their sports titles, but sometimes it seems like that's all they were focused on when developing the game. Sadly, NBA Live 08 falls into this trap.
65
Console Monster
It’s fair to say that the game is a solid game of basketball that I’d recommend to basketball fans and those who are interested in getting into the game—so long as your expectations are a bit tempered.
65
PALGN
After last year's effort, it’s good to see the franchise back on track. There are still plenty of areas where it could improve and there is lots of refinement to be done, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.
60
Gamestyle
It all makes for quite a competent basketball game, but ultimately there’s little to draw in anyone who doesn’t enjoy the sport in the first place, unlike EA’s brilliant Fight Night Round 3, which was one of the best early Xbox 360 titles.
60
Official Xbox Magazine UK
Getting to grips with the new features of Live '08 is like watching a superb athlete trying to slam dunk a beach ball.
58
GameShark
If EA Sports can smooth out the gameplay, continue to improve ball physics, do something (please!) about the game’s load times, and hold onto their edge in the presentation department, they’ll have a game that can truly compete with "NBA 2k8," something that would’ve been unthinkable a year ago.
George S. gave it a1: Jargon J. gave it a9: Albert Z. gave it a9: Mike M. gave it a9: Adrian V. gave it a7: Joe A> gave it a3: P Funk gave it a10: |
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