NBA Live 18 Reviews
The extra time that EA took with NBA Live 18 apparently turned out to be the for the best. This is definitely the best game they've put out in a while, and they've built a solid foundation for the franchise moving forward.
There's no denying that there are rough edges, but one thing Electronic Arts has nailed is the feel of playing a pick-up game. It's a slightly less technical title than its competitor, but it offers up a far better single-player experience. If you're looking for something fresh, or just want to play as Diana Taurasi, then you can't go wrong with picking up NBA Live 18.
Controls aside, NBA Live 18 is better than expected and shouldn't be overlooked.
Ultimately there's a ton of content in NBA Live 18 for basketball and NBA nuts. While it doesn't have something comparable to Madden's Longshot, making it more accessible and distinct, there's still a ton here to do and enough variance that different kinds of players will probably find something to latch onto. For me, it was The One for sure, with its hodgepodge mix of RPG elements, character customization, and a more casual style of play. When I ran into issues, it usually felt like I had the deck stacked against me in a nasty cocktail of RNG, tough opponent AI, and bumbling teammate AI all working together to take my pride down a notch. A more integrated set of learning tools would have been nice, but the game is simple enough at the beginning to make ergonomic, video game language-style sense, which is a plus compared to the much more complex stylings of Madden or NHL. There's an uphill battle for this one to stand up to the NBA 2K Juggernaut, but it has a chance this time for sure.
With so many modes, any fan of the NBA Live franchise will have a great time. Putting hours into the career mode you can get lost while building your team up to be the next Chicago Bulls (Pippen and Jordan era) and along with the amount of time you can spend playing Ultimate Team. NBA Live 18 has something for everyone. So in conclusion a great comeback for the flailing NBA Live series actually brings this game back into the upper echelons of basketball games. Yes the company is still few and far between, but as with FIFA and PES, each game seems to be pushing each other ever closer to perfection. Are we there yet? Not quite, but its certainly getting close.
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.
NBA Live 18 has the main merit of overcoming the predecessor both in gameplay and controls, but it still lacks something to make it a top level title.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The extra year of development and the implementation of Frostbite has help this leap foward that NBA Live fans long await. There's still some things to be improved, but it's a very amusing game for all fans and it captures the essence of NBA.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Unfortunately, NBA LIVE returns through the back door.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite lacking content in some of its game modes, like Franchise or Ultimate Team, Electronic Arts manages to deliver a very solid basketball game focused on "The One", where players will be able to become a legend whether it happens on the NBA, the streets, or perhaps even both. Also, the addition of the WNBA helps in order to give some uniqueness to its possibilities.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Whilst it may not be the complete package, it does a lot right and has a new and sturdy foundation to build the future of the series on.
NBA Live 18 has improved in almost every way over its predecessor, making a strong case for its continued existence. However, a lackluster franchise and a sense of been-there-done-that with that other basketball series puts Live 18 one step behind the competition.
Nba Live 18 is a good game, far from the best of the genre, but enojyable and improved from the last chapter. If you aren't familiar with this kind of games, this could be the game for you.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Some questionable physics and occasionally poor animations also hinder what is overall an impressive leap ahead for EA and its basketball series. While it's not gonna take over the competition, the game has its own strengths in which to build. NBA Live 18 has finally become a worthy option for those looking for a change of pace.
NBA Live is a great first step for recovering the right way, but there is still a long way to go before reaching the level of NBA 2K franchise.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A marked improvement from previous iterations, and a solid game that shows promise.
Still lacks the depth of its rival, but The One mode gives Live a destination mode worth building upon
NBA Live 18 is best for a very personal brand of basketball, focusing on a created superstar and the moves that make him stand out in a game that skews more toward individual play than teamwork.
EA Sports' basketball series returns from a one-year hiatus with new features that outshine its traditional modes.
NBA Live 18 is a good basketball game. It's not something that will blow you away, but good enough if you're looking for an alternative. The One is a solid create a player mode that is easy to get into, with levelling up the player far from being a chore, but NBA Live 18 lacks depth in the other modes and the AI could do with improving. EA has work to do if it wants NBA Live to reach the reputation it once had, but that goal seems to be in reach.