NBA Live 16 Review: Gameplay Videos, Features and Impressions

Ask any NBA general manager how long it takes to build a contender, and the honest among them will say years, which sounds about right for the video game realm as well given the path of EA's NBA Live series. 

After watching from the sidelines from 2010-2012 as the competition grew in might, it's Year 3 of the rebuilding phase for the former video game juggernaut with Tuesday's release of NBA Live 16.

The simple verdict? It's a step in the right direction for the rebounding franchise, and one worth the attention of fans. Like any rebuild, though, there's always more than meets the eye.

Graphics and Animation

The Live series has made strides in the graphics department over the years. Considering adapting to next-generation consoles isn't the easiest task, patience has always been a requirement. 

In a word, NBA Live 16 looks solid. EA went all-out with the face-scanning technology. Paired with better lighting and an attempt at expressions, the most recognizable names in the Association come to life well in close-up shots. That said, the game's coverboy, Russell Westbrook, isn't the easiest to identify.

Those close-up shots steal the show. Every player isn't rendered perfectly, but the lighting, sweat and attention to detail brings things to life.

It's when things get moving that Live struggles.

Most players still move identical to one another on both ends of the court and the familiar hiccup animations are still there. There are creative new animations underneath the basket, and while players show emotion in close-ups running down the court, things get chippy when the camera pulls away.

There are strengths. Players' heads track the ball and others around them. Defenders even look around while playing on-ball defense to stay on the lookout for a screen. The cartoonish nothing-but-net shots are a thing of the past, too.

A high point of the series last year was the detailed arenas. Those make a return and stand out once again, especially with EA taking the scanning technology to the task.

As a whole, this area is pretty representative of the total package—an encouraging performance and a step up from last year.

Gameplay and Realism

Graphics aside, the NBA 2K series has made it so fans care more about gameplay than anything else, which is how it should be. 

NBA Live 16 makes strides in this area, too. The post game feels fluid and players move realistically to help.

Perhaps the most notable addition is the presence of a shot meter that reveals the percentage a shot will fall, and even goes so far as to point out the why and how of a shot missing. If a user shoots with a center from behind the arc uncontested and the execution is perfect, the chance still rides on the player's three-point shooting percentage. It's a breath of fresh air after years and years of players getting confused as to why certain shots miss and others look great.

Realism is where things get iffy for this year's edition. One can spam the turbo button and get into the paint for a score quite often. It's true playing against the AI, too.

Rebounding is another struggle that feels almost random. To make matters worse, and this falls into the gameplay realm, too, hitting the button for a rebound or to attempt a block creates a noticeable delay more often than not.

These hiccups can interrupt a game that otherwise flows well and is quite a bit of fun to play. For example, it's sometimes easy to escort an AI opponent right out of bounds to force a turnover.

The negatives in no way outshine the positives, but they do stick out.

Sound and Presentation

Most figure to have a love-hate affair with NBA Live 16's sound and presentation. 

On one hand, EA knocks atmosphere and broadcast-esque transitions out of the park with the ESPN license. Pair it with the realistic arenas, lively crowds that react realistically, including in the postseason, and it's a nice total package.

The announcing team also provides some excellent analysis more often than not. It's the timing which will confuse. Passing to LeBron James in the middle of the first quarter shouldn't produce a "to James!" sound bit, nor should the announce team praise a defense's performance as one of the best he's seen in a 10-4 contest.

The sound levels on some of the announcing can come off too high, too, creating noticeable gaffes in an otherwise smooth area.

Again, graphics look solid and the game feels right, but for every nice bit of realistic on-court chatter and crowd reaction, there's an odd piece of announcing or unrealistic shot celebration from a player to remind folks this is a video game, after all.

Modes and Options

NBA Live 16 comes at fans with two new features in this area that are worth a look. 

GameFaceHD isn't a revolutionary idea, but it does allow fans to throw their face on a created character and get on the hard court. The app, found on a phone's respective app store, works pretty well, and the on-screen results look realistic enough if one suddenly transformed into an NBA player.

Live Pro-Am is an interesting new direction for the series that could draw fans in just for it as opposed to the on-court NBA action.

There are two game modes under the umbrella: Live Run and Summer Circuit. The former is a classic five-on-five pickup game played to 21 points where all involved use their created player.

Summer Circuit has more of a co-op feel, as a player and a team of friends travel the globe playing AI teams of increasing difficulty. It's a fun way to burn time with friends, especially because the proper atmosphere and attention to detail mentioned above finds its way into legendary street ball courts such as Rucker Park, Terminal 23 and Venice Beach.

The usual modes exist, too, with dynasty making a return. Ultimate Team and other online modes are also back in the fray, and in limited testing the servers hold up well, although the usual noticeable delay in an online match seems to persist.

Overall

NBA Live's third effort on next-gen consoles shouldn't go unnoticed. 

It's quite clear each aspect of the game stands on an upward trajectory with obvious things to iron out in future iterations. It's a leap behind the competition still, of course, but it's almost to be expected for a franchise that had to take years away from the game.

At its best, NBA Live 16 flows incredibly well with smooth back-and-forth action at venues spanning the globe and most times details look great in the process.

The problem, still, is the perfect flow often stutters to a full stop with an immersion-ruining hiccup in presentation, play or performance.

There are outstanding ideas and a quality overall package underneath the surface making a solid framework to put the Live series back atop the food chain if the rebuilding process continues at its current trajectory.

Graphics and Animation: 7.5

Gameplay and Realism: 7

Sound and Presentation: 8

Modes and Options: 7

Overall: 7.4