NBA Live 16

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 76
  3. Negative: 23 out of 76
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  1. gymrat1206
    Sep 30, 2015
    10
    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 thisI 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… Expand
  2. JBHuskers
    Sep 29, 2015
    8
    NBA Live 15 was a huge step forward last when it improved upon a game that was really rough and had started from scratch. The community definitely saw the improvement and took it as EA SPORTS was committed to this game. For those who doubted this, welcome to NBA Live 16.

    Starting off with gameplay, I felt that 15 was just a notch below 10 (which I felt was the best in the series).    NBA Live 15 was a huge step forward last when it improved upon a game that was really rough and had started from scratch. The community definitely saw the improvement and took it as EA SPORTS was committed to this game. For those who doubted this, welcome to NBA Live 16.

    Starting off with gameplay, I felt that 15 was just a notch below 10 (which I felt was the best in the series). With 16, it is improved even further thanks to LIVE Motion where your teammates will move off the ball to create open looks and also help with the improved playcall screen. No longer do you have to freestyle it to be successful thanks to LIVE Motion. You can run plays and watch them work like magic if you execute them well. Speaking of the playcalling, when you run a play the art shows on the court of what you should do, and it is very intuitive and helpful in getting the most out of the play you call.

    The shot meter is what makes the gameplay true and accurate. You’ll have a shot meter that you’ll need to release your shot at its apex, but depending on where you’re at on the court and where the defenders are, you’ll get some great feedback in terms of text and a % chance that you’ll make the shot. The great part of the shot in the gameplay this year is if you’re in trouble at the apex of the shot, you can still try to get the shot off by releasing the button late to still give you a chance at the shot.

    There are also a couple of nice small touches in the game play such as the ability to do a dribble hand off, and some improvements to the pick and roll system to give you more control on the guy setting the screen as compared to last year where it was all timing based. Much like the playcall art is very intuitive and helpful, so is the indicator of who you are supposed to guard on defense. Your circle and their arc will match in colors and there will be a transparent straight line connecting yourself to the guy you’re supposed to defend that is not gaudy or gets in the way of the visuals of the game.

    The gameplay isn’t without its faults though. The biggest issue with gameplay is user control when going for a rebound. It seems like it is not responsive at all like it should be and you seem to either be stuck in molasses or stuck in an animation that prevents you from getting to the ball. The game could also benefit from a better post up option on both the offensive and defensive sides. A special control scheme for post play would go a long ways into make the game completely true.

    When it comes to additions this year, Live 16 knocked it out of the park with the additions of Summer Circuit and the return of Live Run. Summer Circuit allows you to team up with up to four other users to take on a series of challenges against a pro-am team. There are real life courts where these pro-am games are held, and they look amazing, especially Terminal 23 in New York. Each court has a set of 5 games and each game has a set of 3 challenges for you to complete. Completing these challenges will unlock gear for you to add to your player. Another great thing about Summer Circuit, EA will be adding more courts and challenges as the year goes on.

    There are a lot of options you can purchase with your Reward Points such as sleeves, armbands, headbands, various shirts and jerseys, shorts, and a TON of shoes. You can earn Rewards Points by playing anything in-game; which is really nice.

    Going back to Live Run, this was one of the most wanted items by Live fans ever since the franchise came out, and it works really well. There are no gigantic load times to get into it like MyPlayer was last year for 2K, and the games themselves run very smooth. The only thing that is lacking for Live Run is the ability to access all of your stats outside of comparing them to someone else in the lobby. I think being able to see how you perform with dozens of stat types would have been great to see.

    Unfortunately two modes that are still somewhat bare bones are Rising Star and Dynasty. The GameFaceHD does add a lot to Rising Star though as you’ll have more of a connection with your player, but the mode still pales in comparison to MyPlayer. Dynasty also seems to lack some punch, but does have a lot of things you can do with it such as set your rotation, see your players happiness and etc. I can understand these modes being on the backburner for being updated because it’s hard to get through a full season, but still it would be nice to have a reason to be able to play them.

    Overall Live 16 is what we can call the official return to the series for the masses. While 15 was great for us hardcore players, 16 is going to welcome back those past fans with mainly the return of Live Run and the addition of Summer Circuit. The total package is vastly improved and I would give it a solid 85/100.    … Expand
  3. DCeeMusik83
    Sep 29, 2015
    9
    EA Sports has definitely stepped it up this year with the game-play. Sure, 2K has leverage within this generation, but if EA continues to improve yearly, they can take the B-Ball crown once again. This year is a keeper, though!
  4. CoolvonraD
    Sep 30, 2015
    8
    With a all new 5v5 mode that plays great (read: runs smooth and servers do not go down *cough* 2k) and a very cool leveling system for your character within Rising Star/Live Run this is a fun title. So hype that the character can build his style and looks for online 5v5. 8/10 - will check out NBA Live 17' as well
  5. MGamer232
    Sep 30, 2015
    10
    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 forwardAs 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… Expand
  6. vikieinstein
    Oct 1, 2015
    9
    I have played the demo and i like the gameplay very much. I will buy this game now. I am not a fan of 2K NBA as I dont understand the gameplay mechanism as it mostly simulation based. Like you have to create the gameplays by real time circumstances like ball movement or fast play. But in NBA live, you can actually create this manually. I prefer trying the drills in NBA live 15 once whichI have played the demo and i like the gameplay very much. I will buy this game now. I am not a fan of 2K NBA as I dont understand the gameplay mechanism as it mostly simulation based. Like you have to create the gameplays by real time circumstances like ball movement or fast play. But in NBA live, you can actually create this manually. I prefer trying the drills in NBA live 15 once which is really helpful to make the moves.… Expand
  7. LukeG
    Mar 14, 2016
    10
    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 onA 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.… Expand
  8. AMAKONER
    Sep 29, 2015
    10
    This game is a huge step up from nba live 15. It really is a contender this year and I will be playing this over 2k. With reliable servers and good game modes such as ultimate team and rising star, this game really is great and I will really be enjoying it. The ESPN license also makes a good difference and makes it really look like an NBA game. My overall score would be a 8.5/10 but seeingThis game is a huge step up from nba live 15. It really is a contender this year and I will be playing this over 2k. With reliable servers and good game modes such as ultimate team and rising star, this game really is great and I will really be enjoying it. The ESPN license also makes a good difference and makes it really look like an NBA game. My overall score would be a 8.5/10 but seeing as 2k fans are gonna be hating all over this I have to give it a 10 to up its review score. Thanks EA for a finally good nba live experience!… Expand
  9. Iam313756
    Sep 30, 2015
    10
    Live is legit back this year..this is a GIANT LEAP from live 15...I cant even lie, the pro am mode is wildly addictive and extremely fun to play with friends..that mode alone has tremendous replay value. This is a great game for the casual sports fan easy, to get the hang of and have fun with.
  10. AgentICE
    Oct 4, 2015
    8
    NBA LIVE is back! Over the last three years, NBA Live has continued to improve, going from a game that was barely playable or enjoyable to one that has finally arrived. The game is definitely not perfect, but this is the first true year that I can see myself playing regularly. It is actually decent this year! EA is definitely moving in the right direction with the addition of new modesNBA LIVE is back! Over the last three years, NBA Live has continued to improve, going from a game that was barely playable or enjoyable to one that has finally arrived. The game is definitely not perfect, but this is the first true year that I can see myself playing regularly. It is actually decent this year! EA is definitely moving in the right direction with the addition of new modes including Pro-Am. I look forward to improvements in the years to come. Live is back!… Expand
  11. WTF360
    Oct 4, 2015
    8
    EA Sports released it's 3rd rendition of the NBA Live Series since the reboot, starting with NBA Live 14. While there are some things holding this game back as a true contender for the throne of Simulation Basketball, there were several HUGE steps in the right direction with this iteration that has me hopeful for the future.

    While the biggest addition this year came in the way of a    EA Sports released it's 3rd rendition of the NBA Live Series since the reboot, starting with NBA Live 14. While there are some things holding this game back as a true contender for the throne of Simulation Basketball, there were several HUGE steps in the right direction with this iteration that has me hopeful for the future.

    While the biggest addition this year came in the way of a highly addictive, Online Team Play mode called Pro-Am, there were several under the hood things that are the biggest keys for my enjoyment, being an offline gamer.

    We'll start off with Online Team Play. There is a mode called Live Run, where you take your created player or rising star player online to team up with 4 other players, to challenge a team of 5 other players. It's a true 5 v 5 online gameplay experience. It's a game to 21 by 2's and 3's. There is a grading scale that rewards you for playing your position and it rewards team play, vs rewarding ball hogs who are only out for themselves. The other mode, called Summer Circuit is my personal favorite. You can play it by yourself, or with up to 4 friends, and you take on teams of CPU opponents (who are intelligent and will make you pay for your mistakes), working your way through the ranks at courts like Rucker Park. You work your ways through the ranks until you encounter some of each courts most famous players, which is an awesome feeling.

    What makes these modes even better, is the New Game Face app that is extremely simple to use, and provides a crazy realistic look for your player. It took me around 3 minutes total to scan (using your Android or iOS phone), to having him appear in game. Like I mentioned, it's scarily realistic. You can then equip your player with different gear, from Nike, Jordan, Reebok, Adidas, etc.

    You can also use your player in Rising Star, which is Live's rendition of MyPlayer. Your stats & skills carry over from ProAm to Rising Star. Just having your face in the game in such great quality is a huge addition to the rising star mode. That, along with some new grading criteria does help this mode tremendously.

    With that said, the Dynasty and Rising Star modes haven't received the overhaul that they desperately needed. Thankfully, the gameplay improvements help carry these modes into being playable. Each team you come across feels more like the real teams/player tendencies than the past version. In addition to that, the team added Customizable sliders this year, which work pretty well, allowing you to tweak the game to your liking.

    There are still some improvements to be made, and modes to be overhauled before they can take their spot atop the Basketball Videogame World, but NBA Live 16 is definitely another step in the right direction, and a big one at that. If the game receives the same type of support as it has in the past, then the game will continue to improve throughout the year.

    I'd give it a solid 7.5/10, but since I can't do halves, I'll give it the nod for an 8.

    All in all, it's a great year to be a basketball gamer!    … Expand
  12. Clueminati017
    Oct 24, 2015
    8
    It's hard to compete against one company when it's best off staying in that certain gray area to build more, and like NCAA Basketball at the time with their mantra while attending the community day event out in EA Canada. "The Bigger; The Better". Do I believe this game can reach it's full potential instead of hitting a glass ceiling? Of course. A few takeaways I am seeing with the gameIt's hard to compete against one company when it's best off staying in that certain gray area to build more, and like NCAA Basketball at the time with their mantra while attending the community day event out in EA Canada. "The Bigger; The Better". Do I believe this game can reach it's full potential instead of hitting a glass ceiling? Of course. A few takeaways I am seeing with the game sticks out like the easy put back shots off of the rebound, and no body to body post game dominance. The easy put backs shots off of the rebound is a certain pain especially where I was playing against the San Antonio Spurs where Jimmer Ferdette can go 4/4 on put back shots, and the same goes for Courtney Lee of the Memphis Grizzlies while guarded. Having one new feature mode may not be enough for some people about NBA Live Pro AM; which I am quite pleased about it. The stop on the dime momentum killer close to the basket is a issue for me on a fastbreak where I want to finish either with a layup or an emphatic dunk; it sometimes create that zero gathering whether if it's off one foot or two feet. Meaning that you're sometimes not going to get that certain layup, but a jump shot instead. AI on defense sometimes can be dumb down where there's zero awareness whether if it's on a steal or protecting the basket. I see little maybe not less of spacing created during a triple threat stance. Lastly, not all big men are ball handlers outside of Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin just to name a few who actually played point guard back in high school before their growth spurt.

    Just like the old mantra I have said in regards of NCAA Basketball. "The Bigger, The Better". I see the potential to this game, and the edges and rough spots got to be smoothed out. I enjoy the game a lot, and I am crazy about LUT when it comes to the challenges and season. I do see this game building up more, and this is a incredible jump from NBA LIVE 14 and NBA LIVE 15. Patch it up some more, and bring back certain things that can help along the way like the old NBA LIVE Academy which I always said it helps. That was like Basketball 101 for some whom may not understand the fundamentals of the sport, but loves the game regardless. Go real in depth to the game, and just to add on more to what we are all witnessing. Look in certain archives or ask around the forums on what made LIVE fun? What is it that attracted people to the game, and what can we all do to make it the game like it was? Whether if it's FIBA; LIVE Run; LIVE Pro AM if you want to implement parts of NBA Street; once again LIVE Academy; more signatures; more accessories / more freedom to create our player; etc. You have to go big just like that mantra by reaching out more to the community who wants to see this game shine more within high standard not just hitting that line by saying good enough. Because good is never good enough, and not all games are perfect either. Although I see this game becoming better when it's in depth, and smoothed out most of all.    … Expand
  13. eosorno
    Mar 22, 2017
    8
    Creo que es una buena opción para juegos de simulación de Básquetbol. Es muy intuitivo y ofrece al usuario un modo "Carrera" muy libre para la toma de decisiones y desarrollo de juego. Creo que el concepto de "Ultimate Team" es sobre utilizado en todos los juegos de EA, al menos en este juego no era necesario.

    Recomendado para aquellos amantes de este deporte y tienen el EA Access

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. CD-Action
    Jan 12, 2016
    65
    Live 16 is a substantial step forward for the series and less demanding players will enjoy it, but it falls far short of NBA 2K. [13/2015, p.57]
  2. PlaySense
    Nov 6, 2015
    55
    EA tries to improve with a lot of modes and a new license, though the lack of gameplay depth returns with a vengeance.
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  3. SpazioGames
    Oct 27, 2015
    70
    A good step in the right direction for the series and definitely a more accessible game than its direct rival, but there's still a lot to be done to reach those levels.
    Read full review
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