NBA Live 15

 Xbox One
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 51
  3. Negative: 12 out of 51
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  1. Oblong
    Nov 2, 2014
    8
    Let's get one thing right out of the way, the 2nd next gen iteration of EASPORTS hard court offering is a marked improvement over the prior. While NBA Live '14 wasn't a complete train wreck, it did leave a lot to be desired in the way of realistic game play and variety of modes to play. From what I've played thus far, NBA Live '15 corrects many of the previous deficiencies and provides aLet's get one thing right out of the way, the 2nd next gen iteration of EASPORTS hard court offering is a marked improvement over the prior. While NBA Live '14 wasn't a complete train wreck, it did leave a lot to be desired in the way of realistic game play and variety of modes to play. From what I've played thus far, NBA Live '15 corrects many of the previous deficiencies and provides a much more complete experience that I believe will keep me engaged much longer.

    While many consider the NBA2K basketball game the benchmark, I personally have been a longtime fan of the Live series and yearn to see it return to its greatness of the 1990's. What I really appreciate about the EASPORTS games are their continuity between titles making it easier for me to slip right into the action whether it be creating a pro or managing an "ultimate team". In NBA Live '15 I immediately became interested in these 2 modes aptly named "Rising Star" (create-a-pro) and Live Ultimate Team or LUT for short. Each are very familiar to Madden, NHL, or FIFA players and provide an excellent progression system to keep you engaged and wanting to play one more game to level up or earn coins for packs.

    Beside those single player modes I've also had the chance to play some head-2-head local matches giving me a fair amount of time to comment on the gameplay itself. The controls are responsive and it doesn't take long to get the basics of passing, dribbling, shooting, and defense down. That said, one early complaint is that the tutorials provide only the basics of offense and ignores teaching the more in-depth moves or anything about defending.

    I am hardly a top tier video game b-baller, in fact my deficiencies are one reason I gave up on the 2K series in 2013. On the lower level of NBA Live '15 I was able to hold my own though not necessarily dominate throughout. I'm not sure if it is game design or my own doing but I've seen very realistic "runs" where your team can get hot or cold providing a great ebb and flow to games. Never did I feel I couldn't come back if I played smarter nor did any lead feel safe. While this could be a result of my chosen difficulty level, I did find the AI logic somewhat suspect in the waning moments of a game by their shot selection and clock management. Yes, they do foul when needed, but they also will burn the clock on offense when behind.

    The graphics for NBA Live '15 are much improved over last year with players looking far more realistic and not having that "clay-like" appearance of the past. Crowds and the benches near the court look good and react accordingly as the game dictates. There is still some stuttering in some animations and a little bit of player sliding. I've seen some really cool animations, a fair number of reused ones from last year, as well as some things that may having you scratching your head not sure what you just witnessed. Overall the game itself does a fine job of mimicking something you would watch on ESPN right down to the scrolling halftime breakdowns of hot and cold players, top 3 plays, and more.

    I guess I can best summarize my time with NBA Live '15 as pleasurable but still yearning for more. EA has taken a big step in the right direction with this franchise but it may yet be another year or 2 before it has the ability to fully compete with NBA2K. In some areas, like properly functioning online play and accessibility for casuals, NBA Live is already a worthy option and deserves support to build upon. I can't quite fully recommend this game as a full price title even Though There Is enough content Now to deserve it. If you come across a deal it's certainly worth taking a chance on.    … Expand
  2. KidShowtime
    Oct 29, 2014
    8
    NBA Live took great strides in game play this year. Although, graphically 2K has EA beat (which is rare), EA has such a good handle on the game play; especially the passing and shooting mechanics.

    Initially, I was not a fan of the meter below your player indicating whether or not you are in position for a clear shot, but it was a welcomed visual cue once I got accustomed to it. I was    NBA Live took great strides in game play this year. Although, graphically 2K has EA beat (which is rare), EA has such a good handle on the game play; especially the passing and shooting mechanics.

    Initially, I was not a fan of the meter below your player indicating whether or not you are in position for a clear shot, but it was a welcomed visual cue once I got accustomed to it. I was able to take a quick shot without the need to estimate a player's distance from me.

    I am a huge fan of the menu system; it's quick, clean and very easy to follow. It makes getting in to a game quick and easy. NHL suffers from poor menu structure, and after having almost exclusively played that title for the past while, NBA Live's menu system was a nice change.

    Graphically, as mentioned above, I feel NBA Live lags behind a bit, when compared to 2K. The crowd seems a little too 'perfect' - meaning all of the crowd models are the exact same distance apart, and there's no variation in their distances between each other - or their seats. It might seem like a small detail, but it makes the crowd look like they're all lined up for an assembly, rather than about to cheer on their home team.

    Presentation looks very good, but I saw something I never thought I would complain about; 60FPS overlays. Even on Television, network logo transitions between game play sequences aren't THAT smooth - and the smoothness of the overlays in NBA Live actually take away from the "TV Broadcast" experience. It's an extremely minor detail.

    The new passing mechanics, combined with the quicker passing animations yield a fantastic team experience - and also gives the user some creativity. Alley-oops, picks and even Euro Jumps are quickly executed, and look rather smooth when pulled off correctly.

    Defensively, I have a grip with the 'swat' system - I could never seem to time it right. Fault of the game, or with me? I'm unsure - but it's worth noting that it could use some work.

    Foul calls seem to be bang on, and I'm happy with how they've been called in the 20+ games I've played so far.

    All-in-All, I think EA made a great step in the right direction with NBA Live 15. They still have some stiff competition, but you can't help but notice they are stepping up their game and bringing the franchise back to the front of the minds of Basketball gamers.    … Expand
  3. wargodaris
    Oct 29, 2014
    8
    Very good game! its not 2k yet but its a GREAT improvement from last year! The graphics are very good, most players are better than 2k, presentation is great and the gameplay is different from 2k and is also very enjoyable! I played all my 6hours trial and i think this year will be my basketball game! Hope EA do a great leap next year again and have a solid game!
  4. dleon247
    Oct 29, 2014
    9
    nba live did a great job this year. the graphics and mechanics is good. the gameplay is up to part also. they should add more customization for the my player and a scrimmage also.
  5. GameGuru
    Oct 30, 2014
    8
    Live 15 has it's swagger back. Is it a great game? Not yet, but it's polished. It has superior arena models to 2k. It has superior player models to 2k. It has much more fun gameplay then 2k, and in the end, gameplay is all that really matters. Tiburon did a fantastic job with this game. I can't wait to see what they do next year!
  6. rromero1
    Jan 31, 2015
    10
    WOW!!!!!!! This game is incredible!!!! Great game modes, good presentation, you can't beat Mike Breen and JVG Commentating! Should add slam dunk contest and other features but still better then nab 2k! This is a refreshing new basketball game!

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best Xbox One Game of 2014
53
#53 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2014
59
#59 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jan 6, 2015
    60
    While its core modes are shallower than the competition, NBA Live 15 is breezy and fun to play on the court. [Jan 2015, p.82]
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Dec 2, 2014
    40
    Boring. Abysmal. Buy NBA 2K15. [Issue#118, p.83]
  3. Gaming Age
    Nov 22, 2014
    83
    NBA Live may still not be the best virtual game of basketball out there, but it is certainly worth a look if you are hoping to change up your game, as it looks great, has tons of modes, and is fun to play to boot.
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