I still remember way back when I first played NBA Jam for the Sega Genesis back in 1995. I was only five then, so I didn't know any better. The game was good, but it wasn't great because of the fact that it didn't have the basketball feel to it, and I was yearning for better. I later stumbled upon NBA Live 1998, and it still was an improvement, but lacked many features that were in its system. I have played every single basketball game that came out this year from the major companies. I still have yet to have a game that really blew my mind away, until I got my hands on the newest edition of the ESPN NBA series from the very talented folks at Visual Concepts and Take-Two Interactive, and all my previous thoughts were dissapearing. But before I bore you any longer, I must insist on going deeper onto the subject.
Graphics:
To tell you the truth, I have never liked ESPN NBA graphics, mainly because its smudgy, and looked like it always is rushed because there are many lacking qualities to some All-Stars' faces.
Honestly, this game is a very needed improvement from the NBA 2K4 game, but I still must say that indeed the visuals appear smudgy and quite a bit bland once you look at it. Although I still think ESPN has always done a good job in recreating the fans, they still need to add more than just three different skin tones and only about ten or eleven selections of faces, but that is just my opinion. I still believe that NBA Live 2005 dominates this category, but I will say this: If NBA 2K5 can improve on the simple pleasures here, NBA Live 2005 better step up. This one won't win any awards, but it certainly is better than most sports games out there, and it still enjoyable nonetheless.
Gameplay:
This is where, along with Multiplayer, this game really shines. The Association is a brilliant addition to this series, putting you in the hot seat, determining your team and making the difference between a 60-22 record, or a 22-60 record, and I believe that ESPN couldn't have made it any better.
24/7 I also like, which shows the "basketball" way from going from the bottom to the top. They offer training, and have you play against some of the best people of this NBA generation, ranging from San Antonio's Tony Parker, to many more, even you can create your own player. Sure I still think there are a few kinks that need to be adjusted, but a very fine performance indeed.
Other modes are sidetracked, but if you want even more enjoyable experiences that will keep you busy for hours upon hours on end, then you might want to check those out for reference. I just stated the basics.
Sound:
I just want to say this to get out of the way: the sound here in NBA 2K5 is very questionable in performance. On one hand, I like then way ESPN made the hardwood noises, fan cheers, in-game music, menu music, and shooting music, but on the other hand, ESPN needs to have more "work ethic" involved, and what I mean by that is having a more energetic feel to it, which is exactly why NBA Jam for the Genesis and NBA Live 1998 where only good...not great. There is no real playoff atmosphere in this game until the fourth quarter, even if it is only a one-point lead. Other than that, ESPN need a very fine job indeed.
Replay Value:
I still play this game with my brother often, who is, even though is rarely here, a pretty good player. But, anyways, if the Association will keep you busy for a few months...if 24/7 can keep you busy for a few weeks into a month or so, and the other options and features that are sucked into this game, and I haven't even stopped there yet, then I must take this single-line quote from IGN, "It is the most complete hoops game on the market." If they say this will take a year out of your life playing this then they mean it.
Multiplayer:
Like I said not long earlier, I continue to play this game with my brother almost every week, and it is very competitive. Sure there has yet to be a game still, even after this one, that needs playoff feel, but this game isn't by all means the worst game I have ever played, and my apologies to any one who might have thought that when reading this section of this review. But, back on the subject, there still is some choppy bits here and there, and hearing the same type of music every time you make a three-pointer, and jogging back to the other part of the court tends to get irritating, this is still a very enjoyable experience.
Closing Line:
There still has yet to be a stunning hoops game, and there probably won't be a game like that anytime soon, but if you are a hoops fan and certainly don't have the patience to wait that couple of years, ESPN NBA 2K5 by Visual Concepts and Take-Two Interactive will make a run for your money.
Buy/Rent Factor:
Buy If Hoops Fan.
Rent First If You Haven't Played Any Hoops Games Before.
Final Ratings:
Graphics: 4.1/5.0
Gameplay: 4.6/5.0
Sound: 3.9/5.0
Replay Value: 4.4/5.0
Multiplayer: 4.5/5.0
Overall = 21.5/25.0 = 4.3/5.0 = 86%
Graphics:
To tell you the truth, I have never liked ESPN NBA graphics, mainly because its smudgy, and looked like it always is rushed because there are many lacking qualities to some All-Stars' faces.
Honestly, this game is a very needed improvement from the NBA 2K4 game, but I still must say that indeed the visuals appear smudgy and quite a bit bland once you look at it. Although I still think ESPN has always done a good job in recreating the fans, they still need to add more than just three different skin tones and only about ten or eleven selections of faces, but that is just my opinion. I still believe that NBA Live 2005 dominates this category, but I will say this: If NBA 2K5 can improve on the simple pleasures here, NBA Live 2005 better step up. This one won't win any awards, but it certainly is better than most sports games out there, and it still enjoyable nonetheless.
Gameplay:
This is where, along with Multiplayer, this game really shines. The Association is a brilliant addition to this series, putting you in the hot seat, determining your team and making the difference between a 60-22 record, or a 22-60 record, and I believe that ESPN couldn't have made it any better.
24/7 I also like, which shows the "basketball" way from going from the bottom to the top. They offer training, and have you play against some of the best people of this NBA generation, ranging from San Antonio's Tony Parker, to many more, even you can create your own player. Sure I still think there are a few kinks that need to be adjusted, but a very fine performance indeed.
Other modes are sidetracked, but if you want even more enjoyable experiences that will keep you busy for hours upon hours on end, then you might want to check those out for reference. I just stated the basics.
Sound:
I just want to say this to get out of the way: the sound here in NBA 2K5 is very questionable in performance. On one hand, I like then way ESPN made the hardwood noises, fan cheers, in-game music, menu music, and shooting music, but on the other hand, ESPN needs to have more "work ethic" involved, and what I mean by that is having a more energetic feel to it, which is exactly why NBA Jam for the Genesis and NBA Live 1998 where only good...not great. There is no real playoff atmosphere in this game until the fourth quarter, even if it is only a one-point lead. Other than that, ESPN need a very fine job indeed.
Replay Value:
I still play this game with my brother often, who is, even though is rarely here, a pretty good player. But, anyways, if the Association will keep you busy for a few months...if 24/7 can keep you busy for a few weeks into a month or so, and the other options and features that are sucked into this game, and I haven't even stopped there yet, then I must take this single-line quote from IGN, "It is the most complete hoops game on the market." If they say this will take a year out of your life playing this then they mean it.
Multiplayer:
Like I said not long earlier, I continue to play this game with my brother almost every week, and it is very competitive. Sure there has yet to be a game still, even after this one, that needs playoff feel, but this game isn't by all means the worst game I have ever played, and my apologies to any one who might have thought that when reading this section of this review. But, back on the subject, there still is some choppy bits here and there, and hearing the same type of music every time you make a three-pointer, and jogging back to the other part of the court tends to get irritating, this is still a very enjoyable experience.
Closing Line:
There still has yet to be a stunning hoops game, and there probably won't be a game like that anytime soon, but if you are a hoops fan and certainly don't have the patience to wait that couple of years, ESPN NBA 2K5 by Visual Concepts and Take-Two Interactive will make a run for your money.
Buy/Rent Factor:
Buy If Hoops Fan.
Rent First If You Haven't Played Any Hoops Games Before.
Final Ratings:
Graphics: 4.1/5.0
Gameplay: 4.6/5.0
Sound: 3.9/5.0
Replay Value: 4.4/5.0
Multiplayer: 4.5/5.0
Overall = 21.5/25.0 = 4.3/5.0 = 86%
