NBA Live 15
Hoops sim makes upgrades but still needs more time in gym.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
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NBA Live 15
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that NBA Live 15 is a standard simulation of professional basketball. Players choose one of the NBA's 30 teams, then guides them to victory in single games or toward multiple championships in dynasty modes. Players also can create their own budding superstars and lead them to glory. Controls are mildly complex, but players are automatically placed in a tutorial to brush up their skills and have the option to keep practicing. Nike, Adidas, and ESPN feature prominently, and there's unmoderated multiplayer, so kids could be exposed to inappropriate comment.
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What’s It About?
NBA LIVE 15 is a simulation of the professional basketball league. Players step on the court and enjoy hoops in a variety of ways. There are standard exhibition games, as well as dynasty modes in which players can control a team for one or several seasons, managing rosters and leading them to championships. Or, if you like an individual approach, there's a Rising Star mode, where you create an athlete and guide him to professional success. The game also boasts challenges tied to the real-world NBA season. For example, if an athlete pulls off a significant feat during the season, players can try to match or beat that feat in the game.
Is It Any Good?
Although NBA Live 15 has made great strides since the previous iteration (NBA Live 14) -- from improved physics to higher-resolution graphics for player appearances -- it's tough to recommend it when the superior rival NBA 2K15 offers so much more. That said, the broadcast presentation sponsored by ESPN gives the feel of a real-live NBA game, and controls are simpler compared to NBA 2K15, which could make the transition smooth for players new to video game basketball. But NBA Live 15 still struggles to accurately showcase the flow of the game through its animations. Players look stiff and almost robotic at times when they switch between moves. It's not as frequent here as in the previous version, but it's still notable.
NBA Live 15 also misses some little touches, such as not recreating every single player's shooting style. It also lacks the subtle nuances in Dynasty mode that add an extra tinge of realism, such as choosing whether or not to fly your team via private jet to conserve their energy during long road trips. Although NBA Live 15 has done a lot to improve, its lack of depth and inability to portray fluid player movements relegates it to the bench.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how well NBA Live 15 compares to real-world basketball. What does the game get right or wrong?
Discuss consumerism in sports games. Does including corporate and clothing logos add to a game's realism? Why, or why not?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Subjects: Language & Reading: following directions, Math: subtraction, Hobbies: sports
- Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: decision-making
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Release date: October 28, 2014
- Genre: Sports
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- ESRB rating: E
- Last updated: January 15, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
NBA 2K15
Stellar pro hoops franchise slam-dunks with added modes.
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NHL 15
More features would improve solid but mildly violent game.
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FIFA 15
Family-friendly soccer sim with advanced graphics, physics.
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Madden NFL 15
Family-friendly Madden packs defensive punch for this year.
For kids who love sports
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