ESPN NBA 2K5

Added October 17th, 2004 by sw0rd

Introduction:

Basketball has come a long way since the old-school days of the shorts that are half way up your ass, and the old school favorites. ESPN NBA 2K5 brings a whole new feeling to the basketball games you play on your favorite console. ESPN NBA 2K5 features some all new gameplay, revamped graphics, all new game modes, amazing AI, and just an overall great game. With its all new benchmark in Franchise gameplay featuring very unique simulation models and management of key team attributes including weekly training, player personalities, and team chemistry bringing an entirely new level of control to your NBA franchise. Along With the all new 24/7 mode, One of the most innovative features in sports games gets even bigger with it’s more than 100 new items, along with all new timed mini games, as well as a new respect system and multi-player games, you’ll be up all night playing this game!

Gameplay:

With a successful game last year, ESPN Video Games has brought you yet another NBA game, this time even better then ever. With some all new game modes, as well as a few new moves when your on the court playing against some buddies, or maybe even in the great new franchise mode, whatever mode fits you, you’ll find new features popping out at you left and right. Many things have been tweaked in the new NBA 2K5, such as the IsoMotion which is basically enhanced and intuitive Iso-Motion controls allow you to execute all your ankle-braking moves with more precision then ever. IsoMotion has been tweaked to react better to the defense. Other new features in NBA 2K5 are the Full Authority, which is a bold new advancement in simulating games for your franchise featuring a dynamic coaching system that enables you to dictate players match-ups and alter coaching strategies while full motion replays bring the in-game events and experience to life.

Enhanced 24/7 mode, with all new unlockables along with the innovative respect system adds some new flavor as you work your way to the top of the street ball kingdom, or world shall we say? Xbox Live! Yes ESPN Video Games once again sets the standard for the online NBA experience. NBA 2K5 includes online leagues, tournaments, and an advanced messaging system coupled with a buddy list that lets you keep in touch with your opponents at any time. The new and improved Player Creation. Design your player exactly the way you want him. Custom design his kicks to give him his own court style, along with loads of new gear such as shirts, shorts, sweat pants, hats, tattoos, and more!

ESPN Presentation, Featuring new cut scenes and visuals, as well as new studio and color commentary featuring the great, Bill Walton!

The franchise mode is a great addition to the game, and allows the user to select their favorite team, and go on the long journey to become the NBA’s best, the World Champions. Now we all know that’s where we want to be when playing a sports game, at the top of our game that is. Playing your cards right in this game, as well as studying the plays, and the way your team works, and just maintaining a steady team, will assure you a victory. Like everyone says, practice makes perfect. In Franchise mode, your best bet to become a champion team is to practice your team, and keep your team chemistry up. Hiring staff is always a big plus, but don’t go blowing your money on staff. Also listening to your players when they come to you with a question, and responding with a good answer, and not being a prick is a great way to boost your team chemistry. If you reply with an answer they don’t like, your team chemistry drops, which is not a good thing.
Graphics:

The graphics in NBA 2K5 blow my mind! Every year when a new sports game comes out the characters are beginning to look more and more realistic, which is getting to be a bit scary. From the shorts moving when you’re running to the great special effects when a replay comes on the graphics are just jaw-dropping. Characters are much smoother then last years game, along with other minor graphical updates. The physical modeling of each arena is just amazing, each corner is it great detail. The crew over at Visual Concepts sure know how to make a great basketball game look amazing. Although some problems with the crowd when playing a game, everything seems to look great. By problems with the crowd I mean blocky characters, although the crowd isn’t all that important, it’s still a plus to have some decent looking fans out there, but we gotta realize the crowd is basically just filler and not the core purpose of the game, I’m not complaining. Overall the graphics for NBA 2K5 are just plain outstanding! I couldn’t imagine what us in store for next years ESPN NBA title.

Audio:

Yet another plus in ESPN Video Games ESPN NBA 2K5, from the great color commentary from Bill Walton as well as some amazing sound effects, with this years new ESPN Game Sound the game comes alive, each move literally has an audio commentary for it. I couldn’t imagine the time spent in the audio booths over at Visual Concepts. The music in the game is great, and can become even greater if you decide to put your own tracks into the game. Tupac: Resurrection has been inputted into my copy of NBA 2K5 and I love schooling team after team while listening to Tupac on my surround sound stereo system. Overall I gotta say the audio for NBA 2K5 is outstanding! Love it!

Controls:

Controls for a game like this better be easy to learn, as well as easy use. Here is a list of the controls in ESPN NBA 2K5:

Offense:
· Left thumbstick – move player
· Right thumbstick – IsoMotion jukes
· Left trigger – back down
· Right trigger – turbo
· A button – pass
· B button – crossover, hesitation dribble
· X button – shoot
· Y button – hop step
· Black button – pass icons
· White button – play call, team strategy, call for pick
· Back button – timeout
Defense:
· Left thumbstick – move player
· Right thumbstick (click) – call for an intentional foul
· D-pad – play calling, strategy
· Left trigger – double team
· Right trigger – turbo
· A button – switch player
· B button – steal
· X button – block/jump
· Y button – take charge
· Black button – defender switch
· White button – play call strategy
· Back button – timeout
Replay:

I could play this game for hours upon hours, and in fact, I’ve done that. With the 24/7 mode you’ll be glued to your chair, couch, ground, or whatever it may be you sit your ass on when playing video games for along time. With over 60+ games in the franchise mode alone you’ll be playing this game for hours. Along with the 24/7 mode, you can add another mass amount of hours upon that. Replay value for NBA 2K5 is great, While purchasing this game only a few days ago, I’ve become attached to the whole “basketball” scene. Like I said, Replay value for NBA 2K5 is huge!

Summary:

In the end, ESPN NBA 2K5 is by far the best basketball game of the 2005 year. From its great revisions to the gameplay, along with the revamped graphics, tweaked IsoMotion, and many other features this game is a hit! With the game being at a jaw-dropping price of only $20 USD I don’t see why you wouldn’t get your lazy ass up and go give this game a shot. This game is great! Period! Get it now!