NBA Live 18

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. Hobby Consolas
    Sep 22, 2017
    74
    NBA Live is a great first step in recovering the right way, but there is still a long way to go before reaching the level of the NBA 2K franchise.
  2. Worth Playing
    Oct 23, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 feels like it can be a competitor to the NBA 2K series. The game still needs some work in the presentation department, and while the streamlined modes may be pleasing for players who can feel overwhelmed with options, the available modes can feel pretty bare-bones. The gameplay is solid most of the time, and The One is a pretty good way to do a story mode, even if it doesn't have the writing depth. NBA Live 18 is now a decent alternative, and as long as EA Sports can keep up this momentum, it has a good chance of putting up a tighter fight next year.
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Oct 11, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 is a good basketball game. It’s not something that will blow you away, but good enough if you’re looking for an alternative. The One is a solid create a player mode that is easy to get into, with levelling up the player far from being a chore, but NBA Live 18 lacks depth in the other modes and the AI could do with improving. EA has work to do if it wants NBA Live to reach the reputation it once had, but that goal seems to be in reach.
  5. PlaySense
    Oct 4, 2017
    70
    Decent and accessible, but still not exactly a proper contender to NBA 2K18's basketball-shaped throne.
  6. GameSpot
    Sep 26, 2017
    70
    Between the WNBA matches and the position variety of The One, NBA Live 18 succeeds--albeit barely--as a viable alternative to NBA 2K18.
  7. Game Informer
    Sep 25, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 still doesn’t match or best NBA 2K18’s deep feature set, but this year does show progress. The stable online matches, interesting career mode concept, and adequate if arcadey gameplay all point to a more promising future for EA’s most struggling sports franchise.
  8. 3DJuegos
    Sep 25, 2017
    70
    Not the best basket sim out there but a good one. Another step forward for this beloved franchise… but not the big one.
  9. COGconnected
    Sep 22, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 is a step in the right direction.
  10. Polygon
    Sep 18, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 is best for a very personal brand of basketball, focusing on a created superstar and the moves that make him stand out in a game that skews more toward individual play than teamwork. But the spare treatment given to the rest of the big modes of play make this a pick-up-and-play basketball game that walks the line of being arcadey in some spots. Those who enjoy player management and building out teams will not find much to love in NBA Live 18, but at least the gameplay is solid throughout, and fans can actually talk about what this game can expand on next year without wondering if there will be a next year.
  11. IGN
    Sep 19, 2017
    65
    NBA Live 18’s simplistic and fluid mechanics make for an approachable game of NBA, or WNBA, basketball. But for all that it does well on the court, elsewhere it fails to live up to its potential. There are plenty of side modes, but few have the depth or interesting new ideas to be worth getting invested in.
  12. Eurogamer Italy
    Oct 25, 2017
    60
    NBA Live is far from perfection, but it shows the sparks of the future arcade contender of NBA 2K.
  13. We Got This Covered
    Oct 4, 2017
    60
    While NBA Live 18 doesn't reinvent the basketball sim, it creates a foundation to give the series a second chance within the already competitive genre.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 122 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 122
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 122
  3. Negative: 37 out of 122
  1. FrankyBones
    Sep 16, 2017
    8
    I came back to Live after playing the demo. I was very impressed with the gameplay and even more so, the 5v5 pickup games at all theI came back to Live after playing the demo. I was very impressed with the gameplay and even more so, the 5v5 pickup games at all the historical street ball courts. They learned a lot from 2Ks past games and improved on a few areas. This years Live puts 2K18 to shame. All anyone needs to do is try both game's demos. See for yourselves. It's sad too because I loved 2K16 & 17. I don't know why they went the route they went with. It's almost as if EA and 2K switched staffs.

    They also don't pick you apart with micro transactions to further your created player. The facial recognition app also works great. Something I could never get to work with the 2K series. Another thing that impressed me is the inclusion of the WNBA teams. There is something for everyone to like.

    My only complaint right now is the game has crashed a few times and the sound is off a little. Nothing that can't be fixed in audio settings but still annoying. The announcers also repeat a lot of the same phrases. Sometimes more than once a game. I hope they fix this. The way madden 18 updates their commentary.

    I'll leave it to the "pros" to describe all the different modes and features. I just wanted to make my 2 cents heard, coming from 2K back to live. It's been years since I've picked up an EA basketball game.

    Remember don't believe the hype or hate. TRY the demos! That's all you need.    … Full Review »
  2. Trax6267
    Sep 15, 2017
    10
    Games a 7-8, only putting a 10 to offset the 0's.....still people really? You cant just copy and paste the same old complaints from the past 5Games a 7-8, only putting a 10 to offset the 0's.....still people really? You cant just copy and paste the same old complaints from the past 5 years anymore. The people are speaking. Just go to Twitter and search #NBALive18 and see if the masses think that the game still looks and feels like a gen 3 game. You will see the complete opposite - with more and more people jumping back to Live as 2K continues to sink its own ship. Play yourself, dont let any other opinion affect yours because in the end, Live is back and there is nothing they can do about it.… Full Review »
  3. SinceDa90s
    Sep 16, 2017
    8
    Got Live18 on launch day and Gamestop didnt even have it on the shelves with 2k18, just sitting on the floor behind the counter. Ive playedGot Live18 on launch day and Gamestop didnt even have it on the shelves with 2k18, just sitting on the floor behind the counter. Ive played Live since a kid in 03 and switched to 2k in 06-07 when it was taking over. I switched back to Live18 this year and Live18 is bringing back the good ol days… Full Review »
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