As the release of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 approach, NBA fans are wondering which game to buy. Do I stick with the time-tested and trusted powerhouse in “NBA 2K14” or do I try the franchise that is attempting to make a comeback from in “NBA Live 14.”
Until the games actually hit stores in fall many will compare them, with “NBA 2K14” being the favorite. However, according to USA Today’s Brett Molina, there is one area in which “NBA Live 14” has the upper hand.
“Where NBA Live has an advantage is in visuals,” says Molina in his review of the game after trying it out at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
According to Molina, Cleveland Cavaliers star young point guard and “NBA 14” cover athlete Kyrie Irving, looks “highly realistic” in the game. “NBA 2K14” has gotten better in its graphics in the past few installments but still can still make some improvements. However, Molina also points out “NBA 2K14” graphics have not really been that much of a hindrance to the game’s success.
EA Sports is showing a bit of potential with “NBA Live 14.” They are using the new Ignite engine in all of their upcoming sports games and have used it to create “BounceTek” in "NBA Live 14."*
The jist of Ignite is to allow players to react in real time. According to “NBA Live 14” Executive Producer Scott O’Brien, BouceTek allows dribbling to become authentic since the ball actually leaves the dribblers hand every time he drops it. Before, said O’Brien during the game’s E3 presentation, “your hand was literally tied to the ball. Ball handling was completely unnatural and absolutely predictable. With BounceTek, we separate the ball from the hand in every single dribbling animation. This gives the player impressive control and authentic responsiveness.”
The game also features Court Q, which, according to EASports.com, updates players tendencies on the court based on data downloaded after every NBA game is finished. It will be interesting to see how accurate this feature is.
Gamers are still waiting for the release of “NBA 2K14” features. It could be that 2K Sports doesn’t have that many new features because they believed EA Sports would fail with “NBA Live” as they’ve done the past few years. On the other hand they could be just waiting for “NBA Live 14” to gain some momentum before they shut them down with a whole host of new tricks. (Let’s hope it’s the latter.)
“NBA Live 14” will release exclusively for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 this fall.
“NBA 2K14” will release for the next-gen consoles, in addition to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on October 1.
*This previously said "2K14" however BounceTek is only available on "NBA Live 14"
