NBA Live 18

About

"NBA Live 18" is a sports game that allows both single and multiplayer experiences. The game introduces "THE ONE," an innovative career mode featuring player creation, role selection, and signature abilities. With stunning visuals, players can dominate the court in various modes, including The League, The Streets, Franchise, and Live Ultimate Team, with responsive one-on-one gameplay and all-new moves. Adhere to conditions and restrictions outlined on EA's official website.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 140 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The graphics and player animations are significantly improved, providing a more realistic feel to the game.
The career mode, especially 'The One', offers a fun and engaging experience with a focus on player progression without the grind of microtransactions.
The game is easy to pick up and play, making it accessible for casual gamers and those looking for a break from more complex titles like 2K.

Shooting mechanics are inconsistent, with players frequently missing open shots, which can be frustrating.
The AI can be unresponsive and poorly programmed, leading to unrealistic gameplay experiences.
Many game modes, including franchise and WNBA, lack depth and customization options, leaving players wanting more.

gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
40%
25%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its improved graphics and realistic physics, while others criticize it for being choppy, unrealistic, and frustrating due to inconsistent mechanics and AI behavior. Many players find the gameplay fun and enjoyable, especially on defense, but note that it can feel repetitive and requires further refinement. Overall, while there are significant improvements, there are still notable issues that detract from the experience.
- “Excellent game... good graphics... great gameplay!!”
- “The graphics are better, the gameplay is equipped with a physics system that makes everything feel more like the real thing and the variety is much deeper.”
- “Gameplay is extremely fun and realistic in NBA 18.”
- “Purchased this to play online but gameplay online is very choppy, constantly stops and then fast forwards and you have no control.”
- “Gameplay online kinda sucks too, too many things that are unrealistic and make no sense, timing on jumpers can be almost perfect and you still miss... meanwhile star players hit ridiculous layups against double teams, but scrubs miss wide open layups.”
- “Trash, mechanics are all messed up, AI is stupid and the controls are even worse.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many users praising them as "awesome" and noting significant improvements over previous years, particularly in realism and variety. However, some players criticize the graphics as poor and choppy, indicating inconsistency in visual quality. Overall, while there are standout moments of impressive visuals, the game still faces competition from other titles in the genre.
- “The graphics are better (not as thin and narrow as the last couple of years), the gameplay is equipped with a physics system that makes everything feel more like the real thing and the variety is much deeper.”
- “The game play is excellent, graphics top notch and the strategy options superb!”
- “And the graphics are amazing.”
- “Poor graphics, choppy gameplay.”
- “Graphics aren't that good and online is broken most of the times and it's rarely addressed.”
- “Truth be told, I actually think the graphics in Live are a lot better than 2K's cold fish models.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The story is praised for its personalized and down-to-earth approach, avoiding racial stereotypes and excessive product placement. Players appreciate the narrative's flexibility, as it allows for player-driven decisions both on and off the court, with a more streamlined delivery through text messages rather than lengthy cutscenes. Overall, it is considered a significant improvement over previous iterations, particularly 2K's story mode.
- “What I love about this story is that it is your story; it's down to earth and not filled with racial stereotypes, mass product placement, unfunny long cutscenes, and awful currency grinds.”
- “As you progress through the story, the narrator and NBA personalities chronicle your journey as you make decisions on and off the court.”
- “They aren't dictating your game at all, just repeating the comeback kids story.”
- “Also gone are the painful cutscenes from 2K that force your player into a certain personality and narrative path; instead, all the story is delivered through text messages.”
- “It gets two stars because the story mode is way better than 2K's story mode.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, users express concern about potential cash grabs and increased microtransactions, particularly in comparison to franchises like Madden and 2K. However, there is a positive note regarding the absence of microtransactions in the current game, making it a refreshing alternative for players frustrated with the monetization practices of other sports titles.
- “Also, no microtransactions as far as I can tell.”
- “I just hope they don't try to incorporate some of the cash grabs that Madden or even 2K have been up to.”
- “Then last year they started making the move to emphasize microtransactions even more.”
- “But if you are a disgruntled 2K player fed up with microtransactions and legacy issues, Live 18 provides a worthy diversion and is a solid game to put Live back in the conversation for viable basketball video game franchises.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised, with users noting it as the best soundtrack they've experienced in basketball games, even surpassing that of the 2K series. Many players enjoy the soundtrack so much that they play the game primarily to listen to the music.
- “The soundtrack for Live is the best soundtrack I've heard for all the basketball games I've played in 2K.”
- “In fact, the soundtrack is so much better than 2K's that I play it more to hear the music.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the reduced emphasis on grinding in this game, finding it more accessible and enjoyable to pick up and play without the need for extensive time investment or virtual currency spending.
- “But far easier to pick up and play without having to waste time grinding and/or spending VC.”
- “Perhaps not as visually refined as 2K18, but far easier to pick up and play without having to waste time grinding and/or spending VC.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the humor in the game for its relatable and down-to-earth storytelling, avoiding clichés like racial stereotypes and excessive product placement. The humor is noted for being genuine and not reliant on lengthy cutscenes or tedious gameplay mechanics, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- “What I love about this story is that it is your story; it's down to earth and not filled with racial stereotypes, you being a stereotype, mass product placement, unfunny long cutscenes, and awful currency grinds.”