Basketball Games category - statum71's Blog

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Why Are Multi-Player Dynasties Being Neglected?

Posted on November 18, 2008 at 12:40 AM.

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When 2K Sports announced that they were discontinuing their College Hoops series, I'm one of the many who were HIGHLY disappointed. Now, I know it wasn't a perfect game, but I liked a lot of things about it. To name a few things: the gameplay (same engine as NBA 2K), the College Hoops weekly Show, and last but not least...multi-player dynasty.

College Hoops (as well as NBA 2K) may only allow you to control up to a certain number of teams, but you could still play any game you want within the seasons.

When I read that EA was going to try and "win over" the College Hoops fans I decided I would be open minded. Even though I wasn't a March Madness fan. The more I read, the more excited I got. I couldn't wait to see what they would do different.

But now that NCAA Basketball 09 has released, it is a major letdown to see that the dynasty-user part of the game is indeed a carry over from March Madness instead of a "win over" item from the CH2K series.

I can't help but wonder if the multi-player dynasty will EVER be a default item in sports games. NCAA Basketball 09 (while a fine game) only caters to one type of gamer when it comes to dynasty mode. And that is the fan who wants to play the game through the eyes of a coach. With all due respect to coaching, I don't wanna coach. I wanna enjoy the season as if I worked for a TV network. Going all over the country and always attending the "happening" game.

Even if the season mode only allowed one user, you could still make it a multi-player dynasty if you could play WHATEVER game you wanted. If I selected Duke as my team, who's to say I wouldn't wanna check out UCLA and Arizona? Or when the tournament starts; "make like" CBS Sports and jump from region to region enjoying all the best games. I know a lot of gamers like the whole recruiting thing and all that. But there are some of us who couldn't care less about that part of it. Some of us like multi-player dynasty or open schedule playability to enjoy the season with friends. I have buddies who gather every Saturday at one house and play through the college football season together and have a BLAST!!!!

Thats what makes NCAA Football have a model dynasty in my eyes: the gamer can play the season mode however they wish to. As one school, as long term coaching project, compete against friends, or you can play all the best games like I do and enjoy the season from a spectator standpoint.

I don't get it. EA's games are so cool (believe me I'm not a EA hater). But year after year all their games, except football, come out with single player dynasties. Lord knows I would lose my mind if they took that away from football. I just love it that I can play Cowboys-Redskins and then jump right over and play Jets-Patroits or Steelers-Browns at the Dawg Pound. Thats what the NFL is all about! Each game affects the whole league. Same with college...Auburn-Alabama, USC-Notre Dame, Florida-FSU. If its on ...then its ON!!!!

There have been some great games that had that one hangup:

NHL (EA series): One team dynasty... only play your own games.

MLB 08: The Show: Two player dynasty... only play your own games. (two helped, but I still got tired of Yankee and Met games)

NCAA Basketball 09: One team dynasty... only play your own games.

Nascar: One car season...

Top Spin 3: One player career mode... (at least open up the tournament mode)

Tiger Woods, FIFA Soccer, Fight Night, you get the picture.

Even the wrestling series, SmackDown vs. Raw, only lets you wrestle your own guys matches in career mode. You think we might eventually get bored with the same team, same race car, same golfer, same boxer, same wrestler or same tennis player for a WHOLE season or career? Let me answer: YES!!!!! And no, exhibition play doesn't do the trick. Neither does starting another season or dynasty.

WE WANT FLEXIBILITY!!!!!!!!!!! Think we'll ever get it once and for all???

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Category: Basketball Games

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

EA Hoops better...but still not in 2K range

Posted on November 11, 2008 at 01:32 PM.

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Ok we all have opinions I know. I've read all the comments about bugs, glitches and online problems (which I don't care about). But when I personally judge a sporst game it comes down to first things first:

Does this game give me the feeling that I'm controlling a TV broadcast? Graphics, sound, and presentation are the foundation as far as I'm concerned.

While I must say the two demos for NBA Live 09 and NCAA Basketball 09 are better than the previous two versions of each game; I STILL can't help but feel like NBA 2K9 is much better basketball game than both of them.

From Kevin Harlan's voice to the way the crowd responds. From player emotions to the wide shots of the arenas. Put it like this: I can play a 2K basketball game and the person in the next room could easily think I were watching TNT.

Just my opinion, I won't get too deep.

Category: Basketball Games

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