I don’t know much about basketball. As far as I am aware, it’s a bit like netball, except that it features mostly 8ft tall men and not girls in short skirts.
It’s a sport I have paid minimal attention to and, as a result, my knowledge of basketball is equally minimal. I know that you can run around, while bouncing the ball and the aim of the game is to get the ball through your opponent's hoop.
A bit like Fifa 10, the game starts off on the training ground, where you take control of a player and throw a few hoops, allowing yourself to become familiar with the controls and the surroundings. Pressing start will bring up the main menu and from here there are a number of different modes available to you.
Firstly is the standard match mode. A basic feature in which you choose your opposing sides and just play the game.
Another mode is the Dynamic DNA – a feature which updates player statistics daily, based on events in the real world. This feature takes everything into account – injuries, trade, pretty much every major news story is covered. Naturally, this mode is part of the league mode.
Graphically the game is quite impressive. The animation is second to none and the characterisation of each player is what you would come to expect from an EA Sports game. The texture mapping is fantastic, with each player rendered nicely. You can even see the players sweat, and the polished floor reflecting their movements.
The developers have also done a great job re-creating the atmosphere of a major basketball match. While slam-dunking against the LA Lakers, I couldn’t help but notice the little things in the background such as the cheerleaders, photographers and members of the audience getting up and shouting.
Audibly the game is just as good. Adding to the arena atmosphere there are the cheers, the boos, the organ and the managers shouting. If there is one gripe it’s the commentary. It gets repetitive very quickly.
NBA Live 10 is a fast and intensive game that mirrors the sport perfectly. Unfortunately the game is let down by some rather questionable controls. While the running, passing and shooting are what you would expect from this type of game, the changing player mechanic is a nightmare.
Maybe I am used to playing football games, where you just press the button and you control the player nearest the ball, but with NBA Live 10 you have to hold down the LT button and press either A, B, X or Y to select which player you wish to control. By the time you have made your mind up the opposing side have scored!
With a bit of patience you can probably get used to this mechanic, but surely the developers could have though of an easier way of changing your player?
Your teammates also have a habit of being a bit, well, lazy for lack of a better word – a problem exacerbated by the changing player problem.
Despite all this NBA Live 10 is an entertaining little game, and if you are a basketball enthusiast it is well worth investing in.
Verdict: 7 out of 10
The good:
Good graphics
Dynamic DNA is inventive
The Bad:
Difficult controls
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