Give me the rock!

No, no, no, not talking pro wrestling – this is about basketball, and the only professional-based hoops title to hit the personal computer this year. Yep, time to hoop it up NBA style.

EA Sports has brought the excitement of the NBA to the PC with the latest release of NBA Live 2004. While the game sports some rather nifty innovations in the controls, it is not without a few turnovers – and those begin in the installation process.

This is a two-disk install, and the game had numerous problems transferring files from the second disk – all connected to the render\xteam.** files.

So what’s really new about the title this year? Try two different shot options, and the ability to adjust your shot in midair. The game, which can be played with either a gamepad controller or the keyboard, will enable you to shoot or dunk – there are two distinct keys for either shot selection. Further, if you are popping that J and an opponent gets in your face, you can perform a few aerial acrobatics to get the shot off around them.

All the best NBA players do it, and now you get to as well. The game plays out in several modes – you have the season, dynasty, playoffs, and a one-on-one. You can even practice your game. In the dynasty mode, you can take on the role of general manager and coach and manipulate your team down through the season.

Other game features include the ability to control players away from the ball, enhanced control elements, improved AI, and the option to sign up for an EA Account and compete against others through your connection.

When it comes to the AI, be forewarned, this game plays tough, and smarter. Previous versions of the game used to allow players to annihilate defenses with the ease of a blender on a soft tomato. This was somewhat reminiscent of the perception of the NBA many years ago when it really didn’t matter if you played defense well, just as long as you outscored the opponent.

The sound of the game is very good and smooth.

The game control options do allow for keyboard and gamepad style controller, but do yourself a favor and plug in a controller. The keyboard controls will increase the difficulty rating of this title.

Sporting the arenas of the NBA, this game is stunning graphically. The players move individually and the animation is remarkable. The sound of the game is also very good.

This is a game about the action of the floor, and EA Sports has done a good job of realizing that in the game. Stepping up the defensive AI is great simply because it forces gamers to play both sides of the ball. This is not about blasting up and down the court, the one who takes the last shot wins. This is about intelligent shot selection, moving away from the ball, and bellying-up on the offensive opposition and forcing bad shots or turnovers.

The install woes were eventually corrected, but it did take several tries to do so.

If you are looking for a high-flying, jaw-dropping NBA game for the PC this year – well, you have no true choices. This is the only game in town, but it is worth the price of admission for fans of the sport and gaming genre.

This game is rated for Everyone.

Gameplay: 8.9

The AI is wonderful and the fact that you can move players away from the ball really adds to the cerebral part of the game. Hey, these guys have the athleticism, you provide the brainpower. This edition makes it about ball movement, not just dumping the rock into Shaq on the low post every time down the floor.

Graphics: 9

The game looks terrific and the reflective surfaces and authentic arenas add to the flavor of the game.

Sound: 8.7

A tad repetitious but still very solid.

Difficulty: Medium

This is a game with challenge, and much of that is credited to the defensive AI.

Concept: 8.8

While there have not been wholesale changes, the game has been tweaked in certain areas to provide a more in-depth game experience.

Multiplayer: 8.5

You will need an EA account, and the game does have some good online support. There is more unpredictability in playing against another human, but whereas you have the chance to win in single-player games, there are a lot of NBA Live juggernauts out there who enjoy the opportunity to rip newer players. If you go online, you’d better bring game.

Overall: 8.6

Installation woes aside, muddle through all that and there was a solid, well-designed game waiting. It would have been easy to throw out a repeat of last year’s title considering there is no competition, but it is nice to see that EA Sports has actually improved the game. Well done, and a lot of fun.