NBA '07 - PS2 and PSP
- August 09, 2006 00:00 AM PST
NBA Action, it's fantastic! Another edition of The Life and other new gameplay features round out the newest installments of Sony's NBA series.
NBA '07 - PS2 and PSP
Last year's NBA 06 was a bold move for the PS2 platform and for the sports genre as a whole. Instead of re-upping its yearly basketball game (though Sony had been out of the basketball game for a few years), as so many publishers do (cough... EA), Sony went with a different approach, wrapping a story around its game of roundball. Called "The Life" mode in NBA 06, the purpose was to present gamers with more than just Heat vs. Mavericks. Players were provided with the chance to play as an upcoming NBA star and to undergo all the drama that goes along with it...sans the drug problems, I think. Moreover, the game presents you with situational objectives that challenge you to, say, win a tied game with two minutes left on the clock.
NBA '07 takes the personal viewpoint of the NBA further in Life Vol. 2, focusing more on the rivalry between the Kid and Big W. Now, you'll get to play as both characters, and because they play different positions, their goals will be quite different. The Kid is more focused, while Big W scenes are more arrogant. You'll have set goals during game situations, but there are also dynamic goals that flash during play.
On the gameplay side, there are some noticeable upgrades to the engine. First off, a huge A.I. overhaul makes everything much more realistic. In this way, fast breaks are much more aggressive and feel fluid. Rebounding has also been given a nice upgrade. Instead of last year's automated feel, there are now "hot spots" that signify the best place to snag a board. To that extent, there are new "smart shots" that are similar rings on the floor that let you know when and where there's a good time to take a high-percentage shot.
For the PSP, Sony is again going with a strong mini-game formula that includes lots of fun and quick NBA-themed experiences such as pinball and Pop-a-Shot. Of course, there is the standard NBA 5-on-5 play, as well as a new game called Conquest. The game is like a mix of 3-on-3 hoops and a board game, challenging you to take over teams in each city, which looks to be very in-depth.
