Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Smooth as silk fluid gameplay and animations are the stars of this show. Decent Next-gen graphics that cannot be fully appreciated unless on high-def. Those who say otherwise, must be kidding. There is no way the original Xbox or PS2 could handle such renderings. Renderings,animations, shooting and dribbling styles are practically personalized for every player. Each character looks remarkably like their real life counterparts (in a somewhat cartoon-like fashion) with a few scary exceptions mentioned in other reviews found here. It looks like a souped up arcade in the tone of graphics and powerful fluidness that plays strictly like a sim. And this is where the game falls on its face if you are coming off of Live.
The controls at first chance seem unnatural, clumsy and backwards. Pulling off jukes, crossovers etc is not controlled by the right-stick and who knows why. Instead the signature 2K Isomotion (fancy dribbling) as they like to call it is handled by holding down the right trigger (the one you are already using for running, turbo) and using the left-stick (yes, the one that you are already using for movement). Jabbing the left stick around in specified directions while holding the right-trigger will cause your player to perform crossovers, jukes and other various ankle breakers.
However, if you are like me and you are coming off of Live -- you'll continually find yourself going to the right stick to pull off such moves. Which instead shoots the rock as the right-stick is assigned to the shot-stick (isomotion for a variation of Js, post-ups, lay-ups and dunks). Imagine how frightening this can be at first for former Live players. I'm dribbling down the court with Nash, I go to pull a cross over on my opponent to give me some space to make a run yet instead (accidently hit the right stick) I fork up a brick well beyond the arch. Left astonished and with my pants down, the D grabs the easy board and goes for the fast break on the return. I want to stomp on my controller into pieces before the end of the first quarter of my first game.
Now, don't get me wrong -- the shot stick actually starts to make sense after a few disastrous plays but comes with a heavy learning curve. One that is very awarding when succesful and even more so if ever truly
mastered. But it'll take some time. Your first drained three with your favorite star (ie Nash for Cash)feels like an overwhelming accomplishment in itself. Remember, this game is a sim and a strict one at that. If you are looking for the easy ride and mediocre learning curve, look elsewhere.
This is the golf of NBA video games; Frustrating, demands devotion and will kick your a__ as soon as you think you have it figured out. But with great challenge comes great awards and that couldn't be any truer here. Each play down the court will have to be well planned and executed; this game leaves little room for error. The days of 2nd nature, almost thoughtless gameplay have been throw out the window. Live fans will shreak in horror as I have and will want to run the otherway. Give 2k7 some time, patience and little bit of effort to grow accustom to the controls and you may find this game more awarding than any other you played before it. The shot stick is very intuitive and maybe too much so for its own good. The days of one button for every type of shot are long gone. Yet realize the shot stick allows you (the player) to almost fully control exactly what your player executes that is very dynamic to each scenario. Instance: Take the ball down w/ Nash (ofcourse), I cross-over dribble (pushing the left stick in the opposite direction of my ball hand while holding the right trigger), open up some space, I lead pass (w/ the B button) to Marion who jukes left and spins right (Isomotion glory) and drives to the hole. Shaq comes to meet the drive to the hole, I pump fake with Marion (quick jab on the shot-stick) and throw a behind the back pass (Right trigger + A button) to Stoudemire who throws down a power dunk or reverse or cocked slam (fancy) based on which direction I throw the shot-stick while holding the right trigger. Or I could go for the layup by moving the shot-stick w/o holding the right trigger. Or throw it back to Nash, pull down on the shot-stick and release at the peak of his jump for the tri-facto.
Case in point, the controls are difficult to master but enable endless possibilities and that is where all the thrills and fun of this game come from -- but not without painful frustration to learn them.
Notes: Isomotion can be tough to chew, getting used to the left-stick to both move and perform isomotion jukes, dribbles will never quite feel like 2nd nature. Dunks and lay-ups are way too difficult to pull off,
I love the variety and options but missing easy buckets happen too often. Free-throws are intuitive as you use the shot-stick (pull down and release at the verge of forward momentum for a perfect shot, every player has his own unique style for shooting free-throws).
Update: You can use the X button for shooting, easy buckets in the paint, layups and dunking. The dunks, layups and post-ups are more straight-forward than fancy or controlled but if you want the sure-shot bucket in the paint, its usually best to go with the X button than over-complicating the situation with the shot-stick. The shot-stick comes in handy for tri-factos or mid-range jumpers as holding the right stick and then releasing at the peak of the jump feels more natural. It also comes in handy for wide open fast breaks when you want to devestate your opponents with the windmill, power slam, cocked slam or various other fancy dunks. The shot-stick is also useful if your in a scenario that calls for the reverse dunk/layup, tear-drop or various post-up moves (ie hook, fade).
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NBA 2K7MODEL- 39060VENDOR- TAKE-TWOFEATURES- NBA 2K7 Xbox 360 Voted best current and next-generation NBA hoops franchise by both press and gamers NBA 2K7 will continue its legacy of dominance this year on the hard court. The highly acclaimed Shot Stick -voted one of the best innovations of 2005 - returns with more responsive controls and new mechanics to master. Combined with incredible graphics including new sweat technology details and animating hair revamped post game and hundreds of new shooting passing and dribbling animations NBA 2K7 is poised for another run as the number 1 rated NBA simulation.* My NBA: Plays more like the real NBA than ever before with new player and team tendencies updated camera perspectives and new animations. * Real NBA Coaching: Take control of the floor with improved coach settings new team playbooks and on-the-fly substitutions. * 2K7 Soundtrack: Tribe Called Quest Mos Def E-40 Jurassic 5 and manyothers. * New Passing Control: Innovative new system allows pass fakes post passes and other ways to hit the open man. * The Association: Take total control of the deepest franchise mode in the business now with multiple team franchise 3 team trading progressive fatigue and season awards. -- SPECIFICATIONs ---------------------------------------ESRB Rating : E for EveryoneGenre/Category: SportsSystem: Xbox 360Number of Players : 1On-Line Compatible: No
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