NBA Live 18

NBA Live 18 is a real positive step forward for the series. The extra time EA gave Tiburon to make things better paid off. You get a solid experience with a good amount of modes that will keep you glued. The skills tree alone will keep you going in the game. The controls of the game are the only downer of the release, and it’s not all the controls, as they need some tightening and tweaking. Controls aside, NBA Live 18 is better than expected and shouldn’t be overlooked.

There’s no denying that there are rough edges, but one thing Electronic Arts has nailed is the feel of playing a pick-up game. It’s a slightly less technical title than its competitor, but it offers up a far better single-player experience. If you’re looking for something fresh, or just want to play as Diana Taurasi, then you can’t go wrong with picking up NBA Live 18.

Ultimately there’s a ton of content in NBA Live 18 for basketball and NBA nuts. While it doesn’t have something comparable to Madden’s Longshot, making it more accessible and distinct, there’s still a ton here to do and enough variance that different kinds of players will probably find something to latch onto.

The extra time that EA took with NBA Live 18 apparently turned out to be the for the best. This is definitely the best game they’ve put out in a while, and they’ve built a solid foundation for the franchise moving forward.

Unfortunately, NBA LIVE returns through the back door.

Normally, of course, solid wouldn’t be a descriptor you’d apply to the best basketball game of the year. But when the alternative is the hot steaming garbage that is NBA 2K18, solid will more than do. It may be a tainted victory for NBA Live 18, but after years of being second-best, they deserve applause for eking out a win this time around.

NBA Live gets better every year. The One mode is pretty interesting, and if you’re looking for a more accessible approach to basketball, this can be your game.

NBA Live 18 is a pretty good game, but just misses an 'oompf'. The game looks amazing, but besides The One, there aren't any other interesting modes.

Electronic Arts returns to the court with a good basketball game. Despite some mistakes and a lack of options in some of this modes, The One is a fantastic career mode that contains hundred of hours of fun. The Canadian company finds its way to the comeback, and we expect it will result in a few seasons.

Despite lacking content in some of its game modes, like Franchise or Ultimate Team, Electronic Arts manages to deliver a very solid basketball game focused on “The One”, where players are able to become a legend whether it happens on the NBA, the streets, or perhaps even both. Also, the addition of the WNBA helps in order to give some uniqueness to its possibilities.