Unfortunately the flaws found in gameplay (especially for the AI) penalize the final score, but thinking only two years ago about a 7 for an episode of the series was pure science fiction.
New game modes, game mechanics and a nicely balanced game rhythm are the best novelties for this new NBA Live entry. Poor AI, some quirky-controls and minor technical flaws are in too, though.
A must game for Basketball and sports fans. I play online almost every day. 5 on 5 is unreal and the competition is fierce! The Critics have no idea what they are talking about. One of the best value games ever when you consider the hours I have played it. Don't listen to the critics, create your player to be whatever you want, grab your headset and get online, else you are missing out on the most fun, trash talking, school yard experience, online. I can't believe more people are not online and hope no-one is listening to the critics and not trying this.
I had to write a review after seeing 0s from people who never even played the game, going off of fake social media stories etc. Play this game, learn this game, and you will respect this game, like or not. Taking everything into consideration, i give Live 16 a 7 to 8. It just needs more innovative depth, but the game is extremley fun and deserving of at least a 7.Live 16 shows that this series isnt going anywhere and will just get better and better. Get used to it folks
There's nothing so terrible about it that you'll regret ever having picked it up — there are no Jesus Bynum moments, in other words — but it's doubtful you'll have much fun playing it either.
There’s not much positive to NBA Live 16 apart from the unique menus and the well-conceived game modes. Gameplay is borderline crippling, leaving the final product on the whole incomplete. Uneven growth keeps this year’s outing from being justifiably on anyone’s radar.
As a casual gamer, i like to be able to play a game and have fun without having to need to have the brain of an actual athelete. I love sim, but i wany to have fun as well, and i find a great balance of that with NBA Live. Though thier offline modes leave some to be desired, i cannot stop playing online Pro am, mostly when i have a team of like minded players. Great job EA, looking forward to nex year
In regards of NBA Live 16, the game defintely stepped up in the mode areas, and made much needed key refinements in the gameplay area to help it build up even more in regards of creating that progressively organic, basketball gaming experience. While it's not where it truly needs to be yet, there's no denying what has been done here and there's some solid gems that if built upon going forward, will boost this title to be a true titan in the gameplay realm. I'm basically covering the aspects of the game that I play.
Pro Am/Summer Circuit - This is a mode that's been requested to return for the longest time and I'm glad to say that it's FINALLY back and better than ever. The key is to play fundamental ball here. Can't just spam the same move and treat it like it's And1 or like in past 2k titles. Especially if you play with friends in the same mindframe. Summer Circuit presents a legitimate challenge against the CPU. They capitalize on your mistakes and will fundamentally find the gaps on offense using all the proper tools to get to the rack or create an open shot opportunity. Love that about the mode and is very refreshing to see in a basketball game online mode. As far as the Pro Am, it's definitely best that you play the mode with like minded players as it'll be very challenging to play with randoms that usually are playing for themselves and take the fun out of the mode. Overall, this mode is the strongest aspect of the game, especially with the best quality in my opinion of how you progress via "sweat equity" by playing the game and not via monetary purchase. Plus the Gameface HD FREE app captures your face better and easier than any other method out there (take note 2k).
Gameplay - In regards of the gameplay mechanics, I love the "Live Motion" player movement in the game. The contextual movement throughout the court with the respecitve player footwork and how virtually every bump, press, shoulder rub, screen, etc. are all visually depicted respectfully and you barely feel as if your player is losing control or moving unrealistically. This especially looks very nice when it comes to the plays called and the flow shown on the court as well. Very fluid, without too many hiccups and very little over animation going on. The shot meter with the various release points is a nice and much needed addition as well along with the new playcalling wheel too. Makes it systematically easier to call plays, whether you press the bumper for the chosen play or hold it down and select your own play for the specified player or the type (ie: screen, isolation, post up plays).
While there are more individual and sequentially tied animations to depict the post, jumpers, layups, rebound/putback/block attempts, and dunks are nice to see, the animations still feel rigid to a modest degree and still lacks the logical fluidity needed to truly put it on the competitive level of 2K basketball. Going forward, logical fluidity and minimal control loss need to be the focal points for the game to truly advance and truly represent the hashtag #RiseTogether.
I'll end it with this point, even though this game will get slept on by many, this game does present a legit challenge by the AI whether you play any of the modes in the game. There's also solid basketball fundamentals to be enjoyed and appreciated too (spacing the floor, logically sound defensive rotations on screen situations, legit job on shot closeouts from screens as well, plus with the add-on of sliders now, tuning the in-air collision frequency adds more of a dynamic when driving to the rack in traffic, especially with the improved ball tangibility (still not as dynamic like 2K16 has, but it's better than 15). Also, getting to the paint needs to be more challenging as it's still too easy to score in the paint and need more active hands on the passing lanes as well. Also need more erroneous passes, and need manual passing options (ie: lob, bounce pass) along with the signature dribble animations/styles for the current players as well.
Like I said, the game isn't where it truly needs to be, but it's undeniable about the true progression made here. Just need to keep the development course going on strong with the updates throughout the year and what Live 17 would have in store at that point.
Bought this game instead of NBA 2K16 this year. I am having a lot of fun with the create a player portion of the game. The graphics are good, but do drop during certain times throughout a game. I have played a couple of games online and the games are close and lag doesn't seem to play a major issue. I have had a few glitches; first, Joakim Noah is missing his shirt and the middle section of his body. There is a player on Denver that this also happens to. It doesn't effect the game play, but it is still a glitch. I do not regret buying this game and would do it again instead of NBA2K16.
I've been playing NBA live games for years and unfortunately, '16 is one of the worst in the series. Primarily because it's missing two key components to any sports game: The ability to trade players, and edit other players' stats, especially if you want to play Tip-Off mode, the mode I choose the most often. This is a big downfall compared to '09 - the last game I played that had both of those features - and other sports games such as Madden NFL '16.
As a non-gamer (one whose only background is arcade games 25 years ago) I thought a basketball game would be a fun time-waster. In stead it's a total waste of time. There are no instructions, help files apparently assume you already understand mysterious things like coins, collector cards (how do you collect anything essentially in a computer?), stamina, card packs, sets, "sniping", "level up" (no explanation what a "level" is) etc. Worse yet, after some difficult, barely explained control operation "tutorials" (that don't explain *why* you're doing them) you end up stuck in an endless loop of one dribble and shoot drill - select "play again" and you play again" - elect "continue" ****, you play again...against NOBODY. I still haven't found anything that resembles a game - or even a different drill. I got a bunch of things with player names and a team info "thing", some "coins" and I think another item - but I can't find them and can't use them. Oh, and player names are mostly so obscure even a rabid fan like me doesn't recognize most. After more than an hour screwing around aimlessly I searched the web - and there are NO beginner directions and no tutorial, plus ones by users all assume you understand games.. If you don't know much about modern games forget it.
SummaryLIVE Pro-Am is a fast-paced way to Rise Together with your friends. Pro-Am features LIVE Run and Summer Circuit, two online multiplayer modes that let you compete on iconic indoor and outdoor courts across North America. Play 5-on-5 street ball in LIVE Run. Meet NBA greats on the courts that made them famous in Summer Circuit.