NBA Live 18

 Xbox One
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. NZGamer
    Oct 11, 2017
    74
    EA have a vested interest in seeing the NBA Live franchise land at the top of the basketball simulation sub-genre. While this year's iteration doesn’t quite get there, they’ve made a big enough leap for people to take notice, especially given the much lower price point than NBA 2K18.
  2. SomosXbox
    Sep 28, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 isn’t an opponent of NBA 2k18 but a more than worthy alternative for the casual players or for those who want a more arcade-ish gameplay. The game is a step forward from the last entrances of the series; EA has to keep working hard.
  3. GameSpot
    Sep 26, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 is a welcome return for EA's basketball series, but doesn't come close to matching the greatness of NBA 2K11 or 2K16.
  5. 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.
  6. Sporting News
    Sep 11, 2017
    70
    NBA Live 18 is closer to being a really good game than many would have anticipated, even after a year off for the series. It offers refreshingly simplified and genuinely fun gameplay with an excellent career mode. Deficiencies in other areas of the game hamper its appeal as a total package, making it difficult to recommend as more than an alternative to its competition, but it's still important to recognize this may finally be the turnaround year that NBA Live has been seeking since the current console generation began.
  7. Forbes
    Sep 11, 2017
    67
    NBA Live 18 has a lower price point than most major sports video games, and that's a good thing because it simply doesn't offer all of the features that other sports titles do. There are some promising base features in place from a gameplay, conceptual and presentation standpoint, but it's still not where it needs to be.
  8. 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.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
68
#68 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 50
  3. Negative: 19 out of 50
  1. UltimateGuy
    Sep 16, 2017
    8
    A surprisingly good game considering EAs attempts in the past. The movement is iffy as players feel a bit heavy in my opinion. This is made upA surprisingly good game considering EAs attempts in the past. The movement is iffy as players feel a bit heavy in my opinion. This is made up for by the career mode and Ultimate Team which are good modes. I think it is the better than its competitor and it is the first time EA has outdone 2k in the NBA series in a long time.… Full Review »
  2. Mavillain
    Sep 16, 2017
    7
    A vast improvement and definitely the best NBA Live entry since Live 10, EA has found it's footing with an enjoyable career mode in The One.A vast improvement and definitely the best NBA Live entry since Live 10, EA has found it's footing with an enjoyable career mode in The One. With gameplay improvements, Live has set a solid foundation however odd animations still exist with lesser variety and the franchise mode is sadly shallow. With some patches and further improvements, Live 18 could become a viable option standing toe to toe with 2K for the first time in years...… Full Review »
  3. JoshKennedy
    Sep 23, 2017
    10
    It is my belief that this is the best basketball game on planet Earth right now. It is an incredible injustice that NBA 2K' has taken it'sIt is my belief that this is the best basketball game on planet Earth right now. It is an incredible injustice that NBA 2K' has taken it's spotlight. NBA LIVE is better in every single way. I love it, plain and simple.… Full Review »
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