Unrealisic computer cheating fest

User Rating: 4.8 | ESPN NBA 2K5 PS2
This game could have been DECENT if the computer cheating wasn't the only way the cpu can keep the game close and most of the time even SCORE AT ALL! The cpu AI is so bad it will discourage you from even trying to force some fun out of the game. At least it did for me.

Most of the things the cpu does will make you furious and suck all the intended fun outta the game. Just knowing the cpu can score whenever they want and you cant do a thing about it no matter how you play "defense" completey ruins any sense of competition or enjoyment.

What kind of things am i talking about that the cpu does? Brace yourself. If they want to score, they will, regardless of any effort you put forward. Perhaps they will just keep getting the offensive rebounds UNTIL THEY SCORE...you can block 10 in a row, or give great defense, doesnt matter a bit, they will get 10+ rebounds untill they finally score. Rebounding in general is a vacuum cheat fest, position dont matter, timing dont matter, boxing out is totally random if not totally missing, if cpu wants it it will suck into their hand regardless of anything. You will find defense usually dont matter. Blocking shots, fun, great way to stop offense right? get momentum on your side? In espn 2k5 its 90% of the time just a guaranteed easy score for the offense. HOW? 90% of your blocked shots will go directly into the hands of another offensive player, now matter of their position. Then they immediatly score. Works every time. Vacuming is a huge part of the cpu's stradegy is you can call it that.

They use every cheat in the lame book. You will find yourself missing a wide open perfectly executed 3 ball, getting 4 guys back on D and having the cpu rush at you with 2 guys running. 4-2 easy stop for defense, they should slow down and set up the offense? Not in this game. You will stop the ball, 2 other of your teamates will stand around and do nothing, your guy back will run directly away from the 2nd cpu player cutting right to the basket for a simple lay-up. Its so obvious the cpu is cheating you cant enjoy any of it. The cpu controlles all your teamates and they use it to their advantage plenty during every single game! You cant control all 5 of your players at one time but you will need to in this game.

They never get a justified score. Rarely will they take wide open peremeter shots. A lot of times they will be bringing the ball up the court and throw it full court to a player off screen who is standing in the paint and he will turn and score. Works every time. As you read earlier all they need is the will to score on a "fast break" numbers of players dont matter because your teamates will be braindead and WORK AGAINST YOU.

The cpu is horribly bad in this game, its so abvious and frequent in its cheating that this game resembles a bad joke more than a basketball sim. There are many more ways the game cheats but ill spare you.

The rest of the game consistes of terrible, slow, crossover animations which the cpu controlles so, of course, they take it when they want despite anything of relevace to reality. (worst post player can rip allen iverson any time). Bill Waltons pathetic, terrible, self rightious commentary thats almost as annoying as the gameplay itself. Horrible street modes. I played 24/7 against about 20 oponents and simply drove right past them every single time i touched the ball. So that got old quick (cheating is present in street although not AS much). Decect graphics. (a lot of people say the players models look great, i have to disagree with that). Association mode with training that makes no sense and is incredibly lame. Some of the worst dunk animations imagionable, and only a few. A soundtrack that will make you laugh more than vibe with the music.

I realize most ppl are playing 2k6 by now or live but i had to write this review. A lot of people gave it good ones and gamespot apparently loved it. Having not played live for years I say this: ANYONE WHOS THINKING OF GETTING THIS GAME DONT DO IT!! IF SOMEONE WANTS TO GIVE IT TO YOU......DONT EVEN TAKE IT!