'NBA Live 09' (PS3)

Also available on: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2
Genre: Sports (Basketball)
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: October 10, 2008

The term fanatic is synonymous with being extreme, passionate, and uncompromising. A sports fanatic definitely ticks these boxes, and would certainly want these qualities in the games they play. With the NBA league throwing stats around like the stock exchange, it's important that the NBA Live franchise has them in abundance. And it does, and then some. NBA Live 09 introduces 'DNA' player abilities and consistent roster updates, although it falls short of actually delivering fresh content you can play around with.

In line with other EA Sports titles, NBA Live 09 has added an ever-present practice court to slam a quick dunk or two before a game. This expands out to an Academy to practise complex situations - quick breaks, one-on-ones, and the new pick and rolls - while scoring points. While initially perfect for novices, it's rather unclear in presenting what the challenge entails, leaving it to a motormouth to verbally baffle you before you hit the court. It's made more difficult thanks to glitched scoring, and a lack of incentive for experienced players to actually use it. Despite the potential as a training ground or quick arcade fix for series veterans, its unplayability makes it a wasted opportunity.

Making a welcome return is the Dynasty mode - a manager mode with control over your team's staff and direction, as well as training players through the (flawed) Academy. It adds a little extra spice to the standard NBA league, and those not transfixed by this will be pleased by the expanded international roster. Unlike other EA titles, Be A Pro lacks any meaningful career options, but new 5v5 online matches give you the sensation of playing backyard b-ball with some buddies (providing you can find anyone online, which was difficult at the time of this recent-after-release review).

The wealth of extras make their way onto the court as well, although not with a great deal of success. Pick and roll gives control over the ball handler and a screening teammate, pressing L2 to draw them away from the defence and into the open, providing a simple and clean way to pass without interception. It's a much-welcomed move that will see frequent use throughout the season. Quickstiking, on the other hand, doesn't really work. Moving the right stick displays a bit of dazzle before running round players, but the difference in posture is subtle at best. In fact, you don't need it at all; the easiest way to get points is to just barge into the defence and go for the dunk. Rarely are there attempts to steal the ball past the 3-point line, which saves worrying about doing that (unfortunately effective) pick and roll business.

The new defensive moves are equally translucent, but aside from passing going astray from time to time (there are, what, only four players to choose from?), it's a breeze to play and easy to get results from. The hidden beauty of NBA Live 09 is its simplicity, an archaic experience coated in complex controls and terminology. A first glance of the control scheme will reveal two dozen commands that make no sense to the uninitiated, but even without going to the Academy, the game is completely playable. You can choose to just pass, shoot and block every match, or alley oop and pick and roll your way to NBA success. It'll satisfy those who adore the sport's hidden complexities, as well as those that think the height of basketball is putting an orange ball through an elevated basket.

What is certainly hardcore through and through is the presentation. The sheer amount of player stats and information will knock you off your feet, especially as it's all updated daily. NBA Live 365 updates rosters and a player form on a day-to-day basis, and unlike other EA Sports titles (FIFA 09) it works across all teams and modes. While this is not a complete game changer (it is after all subtly changing how players behave), it makes this year's edition worthwhile. Even better, you can rewind to previous matches in the season, player form intact, and rerecord those unsavoury results that haunt your memory. The updates also change player DNA - behaviours on top of their normal stats - that are represented in court plays by pressing L1 on the offence. But like most other additions to the actual gameplay this year, they don't really do much, and just shuffle players slightly to no real benefit. The daily updates make the package much better value, but ultimately it depends on how much you value them in the first place.

NBA Live 09 is up there as one of the best-looking titles on the PS3 - players are hyper-realistic, from glistening sweat to rippling, baggy clothing that jumps around with every dunk. The consistent sweaty look makes everyone look like they are made of wax, but Madame Tussauds would wish they made basketball stars look this good. Even the crowd looks vibrant and detailed, a surprise for a sports title, and really helps add to the intimacy of the court setting. Add in the encompassing sound of trainer squeaks and bench shouts, and you have a real authentic court in your TV. Twenty-second match loading times and pockets of slowdown aside, it's truly a sight to behold.

The double team of presentation and stats, on top of tried and tested gameplay mechanics, amount to a very attractive package. However, followers of the franchise might not see enough in this package to make the upgrade. Those who live and breathe roster updates will adore the torrent of information supplied to them daily, but the new gameplay elements are hollow promises or just plain broken. Sports fanatics and complete novices will both have a lot to dribble over, but casual NBA fans that don't care much for rosters would see more sense dunking tea biscuits than hoops this year.


> What do you think of the game? Share your views