NBA Live 18

 Xbox One
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
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  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 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.
  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. 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 toeA 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...… Expand
  3. jelly73
    Sep 18, 2017
    8
    Please read my review at : https://www.planete-nextgen.com/test-jeux-video/nba-live-18-retour-gagnant

    NBA LIVE 18 is the great return of EA in NBA, try it !
  4. 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's spotlight. NBA LIVE is better in every single way. I love it, plain and simple.
  5. NotoriouzWun
    Oct 9, 2017
    7
    If you read my NBA 2K18 review then let me start by saying, Lets be honest.

    This is the best version of live in a looooong time. Its not perfect, but its working its way to taking the throne.. I've given it a similar score to 2k18 but for opposite reasons. * The story mode is strange and feels like its been done before many times over. * Not the best gameplay mechanics, but    If you read my NBA 2K18 review then let me start by saying, Lets be honest.

    This is the best version of live in a looooong time. Its not perfect, but its working its way to taking the throne.. I've given it a similar score to 2k18 but for opposite reasons.

    * The story mode is strange and feels like its been done before many times over.

    * Not the best gameplay mechanics, but certainly better than the past.

    * Online team up action is much better thank 2K18. Servers are more stable and the experience is actually fun.

    * The skill tree is a horrible concept and too elementary for most players. I mean I get it Keep It Simple Stupid, but its too simple and most gamers aren't that stupid. Make it more diverse. I want to make my player into my style not a cookie cutter style.

    * No Clubs? What I love about NHL and FIFA is what I dont get in NBA Live (Or Madden for that matter although Squads is a good try). I want leader boards, divisions, created players with friends, the whole rim shaking experience. I can understand trying to get the game play right before doing this, but I feel it needs to be there in Live 19.

    *Scaling....Yeah when playing the court feels too small for the players where as this is something NBA 2k does right. I feel crowded in Live, like the court needs to be bigger so everyone fits without bumping elbows.

    *$60?! this still feels like a project and not a complete game. I would have been extremely happy at $40. Add clubs, better scaling, better game play, better character customization system, and id pay the 60 for it.

    So you want a basketball game? If you want a good online game, with decent mechanics, and a game headed in the right direction then this is it. If you want a good career mode and don't care about a grind in creating the best player you can then wait until this comes out in the vault on EA Access and play it for free.    … Expand
  6. birdland75
    Mar 31, 2018
    2
    If i never played nba 2k, i can give 7 but since i played 2k ...lol
    Roster difficult to update, no legend players, shot gaze is not accurate...just you need to have much upgrade...
  7. CenkAlp
    Jan 2, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = 0
    Oynanış = 8
    Grafikler = 7
    Sesler = 7
    Keyif = 7
    Atmosfer = 6
    Süre = 8
  8. Jason2k20
    Jan 27, 2018
    8
    This is the most fun Ive had with nba live since their pinnacle years from Live 04-06.
    The game is fun and feels great, pretty smooth gameplay.
    EA is known for their shoehorning their animations but Live 18 doesn't have that problem. You fail at a play its because you forced a shot.

    Recommend this over NBA 2k18 this year as this is a more fun game and half the price.

    8/10
  9. ElSeano89
    Nov 3, 2018
    4
    The chances are that if you buy NBA Live 18 as of 2018, less than 4 months since it's release, you are going to be getting it for a very, very low price in a sale out of a state of curiosity. With this in mind it isn't terrible value for the £10-£15 price range it is likely to cost you however the price of the game cannot excuse it's obvious failings especially when compared to NBA 2k18sThe chances are that if you buy NBA Live 18 as of 2018, less than 4 months since it's release, you are going to be getting it for a very, very low price in a sale out of a state of curiosity. With this in mind it isn't terrible value for the £10-£15 price range it is likely to cost you however the price of the game cannot excuse it's obvious failings especially when compared to NBA 2k18s vastly superior product.

    Firstly the games major focus is its MyCareer competitor entitled "The One" on the face of it this sounds like a decent idea and is the same rags to riches type deal your MyCareer in NBA 2k18 is going for. A large talking point you will have heard is that it is entirely possible to progress in this mode without having to buy skill points/xp and that you don't have to waste in game currency acquiring haircuts and shoes and the like. This is true however the mode itself is boring, repetitive and doesn't really inspire you to keep playing it. You begin playing a variety of games on famous streetball courts, then at the draft combine whereupon your performance determines your draft placement. The gameplay is much the same fare as MyCareer with in game milestones to meet for bonus points but this leads to the main downfall of the game that underpins everything else it tries to do.

    Live 18 doesn't look bad, graphically it can stand up to 2k18 but certainly not threaten to surpass it. Presentation is quite slick with the ESPN branding but that gets very old and very repetitive very fast. The main issue with this game is you only realize just how well animated 2k18 is when you come and play this, it's direct competitor. You never feel as in control of your player as you do in 2k, animations aren't very varied and they don't link smoothly together. As such there isn't much joy to be had in exploring different possibilities of breaking down a defense. A shame, I feel, because I still don't think a game has surpassed Live 2004 for fluidity, ease and satisfaction of dribble move controls, though modern 2k does come close.

    Generally the whole thing just feels like a budget NBA game when you've played 2k for any amount of time and whilst 2k has it's flaws and it does like grabbing your cash off you in microtransactions quite frankly those micro-transactions feel WORTH it if you're willing to pay them. There is a tangible difference as your player progresses that is visceral and enjoyable to see. Live quite obviously poured it's time and effort into The One and whilst it is enjoyable enough it doesn't grab you, make you connect with your character and keep you coming back like MyCareer does.

    If you're wondering why I'm focusing so much on those two modes it is because outside of The One, Live is unfortunately quite laughable in content. The franchise mode is literally as bare bones as can be. You cannot scout draft picks, can't really negotiate with free agents and so it feels quite honestly like exhibition mode but with a calendar view. Again, you realize just how in depth and nuanced the games opposition has become when you play this, little things like the trade finder or the CPU giving feedback as to trade offers. The absence of this simple things makes this games franchise mode feel incredibly, incredibly dated and the more I think of it, it isn't vastly different than the aforementioned Live 2004 in terms of depth.

    Mix that in with the fact that playing 5 on 5 on this game seems to exacerbate the fundamental flaws with the gameplay and ultimately you'll get about your moneys worth in time exploring this game and trying stuff out but I feel absolutely no urge to go back and see more of it.

    They didn't do a bad job. It looks good, it runs well, the presentation is slick but without much variety and the animations are lacking. It plays differently than 2k as you would expect and it's not exactly a bad different, it is a functional game but really when you compare it, as you must do, to its competitor it pales so much.

    If you see it on sale and are intrigued by what another NBA game will play like, if you have the low £10ish amount of money hanging around then by all means give it a try. You'll get 10 hours out of it just seeing what they do differently and you may take to it better than I did as it seems some people do but ultimately it is not possible or credible to claim that this game can compare to or better NBA 2k18.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Vandal
    Sep 9, 2018
    75
    Live 19 still has some gameplay and AI issues to fix, but it is an interesting options for those who want a more arcade approach to basketball games.
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  2. 4P.de
    Oct 18, 2017
    76
    The sabbatical that EA gave its basketball franchise was a year well spent. In certain aspects like presentation and fluidity on the court it still is inferior to Visual Concepts’ 2K series, but overall it is a big step forward in almost every area. I found myself spending a lot of time in NBA Live trying to become The One.
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  3. TheXboxHub
    Oct 12, 2017
    80
    Experts of the game will criticize the simplicity of the moves on offer and it is they which will want more of what the 2K game has to offer. But for me, as someone returning to the sport this Live 18 is as good an introduction to the genre, and the life it aims to promote, as you can get.
    Read full review
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