Recently, I’ve been playing a lot more NBA Live 19 wondering why I haven’t been playing it since the release. I’ve always been a 2K girl, you couldn’t get me to play Live ever again. Well, maybe for a few pairs of kicks, but even torture couldn’t get me to play! I’m happy to say that there is definitely room for NBA Live in my life from here on out. If NBA Live can input just a few things from the 2K franchise, it would come out on top with no doubts. Here’s how they can do it for NBA Live 20.
1. Smooth 2K Gameplay
2K’s gameplay is sensational to me. Perfect game pace and it also feels light and easy to move. This is where Live needs to improve. While playing, the controls feel heavy and stiff. I can move, but it doesn’t seem fluid enough. The controls are a little off, whereas with 2K, it’s much easier to complete dribbles and other shot-creating moves. If NBA Live can come up with a better system, this would help them tremendously.
2. More of a Storyline for “The One”
Now, when it comes to actually building your player and leveling the player up, NBA Live is winning in this area. There’s no microtransactions that occur which is amazing. I don’t have to worry about buying “VC” to upgrade my player. Here, you play for XP to earn points to level up your player. You also choose “Icon” paths to help enhance your players abilities to the level of an NBA Star. While all of this is good, it could be better when it comes down to the story.
There is no story which doesn’t fully keep me engaged with what’s going on. There’s text messages and social media posts about you, but you don’t have a voice. Your character isn’t interacting with any other players which to me, takes away from the experience. If NBA Live could come up with more of a story, rather than just text messages this game would be great. More interactions over reading all those messages, would help the team compete with 2K
3. Women Characters and WNBA Archetypes
Although I’m happy that Live made the breakthrough first, there’s so much more that needs to be done. I started the game creating a female character to then be met with disappointment. I thought I was going to be able to destroy teams in the WNBA, but I was only left to street ball. In addition to this, when choosing your “Icon” path, you could only choose NBA players. It would be awesome if I were able to choose a WNBA player since I made a female character. There are so many great WNBA players who archetypes would be perfect for me to choose from, so hopefully this can make the cut sooner than later.
4. More Swag
2K is on top when it comes to making your player drippy. I have several characters and they all look flee. What I do like about Live is through your gameplay you earn separate VC for shopping. Live has BAPE! All we need are more brands and a better variety of kicks and it’s on! I need to cook players, while I look flee, lol. Please update this!
In all NBA Live has a great streetball aspect to the game that I’ve fallen in love with. I literally do not miss the 2K neighborhood with its lag and cheating. They are winning with the streetball inclusion at major streetball venues. With that being said, if Live can incorporate all of this, I believe they’ll be contenders of the basketball game title. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.