NBA Live 2002
We hit the court with EA's latest
When EA brought the NBA Live series to the PS2 last year, the game improved drastically in terms of visuals, but unfortunately the overall gameplay suffered. The game lost some of its tight controls, and several integral gameplay modes, such as the franchise mode and the three-point shootout, didn't make it into the PS2 game. Fortunately, after playing a 75-percent-complete build of the game, we're pleased to report that several of those issues have been addressed. NBA Live 2002 now includes a full-featured franchise mode, new and more realistic dribble and dunk animations, and an intuitive new interface.
Still, despite all of the additions and enhancements, the gameplay and graphics in NBA Live 2002 are based closely on last year's game. In terms of gameplay, NBA Live 2002 retains the series' familiar control scheme. Either the analog or the D-pad on the PS2 Dual Shock can be used to control the player. As with last year's game, the analog control is a little slippery, so it's easier to control players using the D-pad. NBA Live 2002 also affords the player a variety of moves on both the defensive and offensive end. On offense, players can perform several different crossover dribbles, spin dribbles, and stutter steps. More complex moves such as the alley-oop pass, for example, are now easier to execute, because they are assigned to the L2 button on the PS2 controller and can be performed anytime a teammate is cutting to the hoop. On the defensive end, the controls remain essentially the same as in last year's game.
Where the game has improved appreciably is in the dribble and dunk animations. The dunks, in particular, are executed with much more authority in NBA Live 2002 and are accompanied by post-dunk animations, such as off-balance landings and a variety of taunts. Perform a two-handed dunk with Shaquille O'Neal, for example, and you'll leave the rim rattling for a few seconds. Particularly impressive dunks are accompanied by slow-motion replays, which are shown in letterbox format and feature impressive blur effects. In addition to the new dunk animations, there are also a handful of new crossover moves. However, much like in last year's game, you will not be able to control the direction of dribble moves, because they are performed depending on the situation and the player's proximity to defenders.
Graphically, NBA Live 2002 is a cut above last year's game, managing to improve virtually every visual aspect. The 3D modeled player faces, which were hit or miss last year, are more realistic. The overall player models have also been revisited. The players' physiques have smoother joints, and their tattoos and accessories are modeled more accurately after their real-life counterparts. However, there are some graphical issues that will hopefully be addressed before the game's final release: The frame rate staggers noticeably, particularly when the pace picks up during a game, and there is some clipping during replays. Regardless, NBA Live on the PS2 continues to be the most visually impressive basketball game available for the system.
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