Summary
The best basketball simulation available.
The Good
NBA Live 2000 is a very good game. The graphics seem to have reached the point of perfection. The design is simply amazing - the players' faces look very similar to the real people, in some cases the resemblance is striking (like in the case of Scottie Pippen, for example). I recommend playing this game on a fast computer, and, what's more important, with at least 32 MB graphic card. The animation is great - all the movements, dunks, passes, dribbling, the expression on the faces - all is very natural and convincing.
Maybe the best thing about NBA Live 2000 is the computer's AI. There are four difficulty levels, and the highest level is indeed very, very difficult. Even the middle levels require lots of training and learning the moves - exactly like in a real basketball. Defence is especially difficult and realistic - don't even think of leaving your opponent alone. Even the easiest level still look like real basketball, and not an arcade game. Your victory can be achieved only after working hard and, most importantly, never losing the concentration.
Another great thing about NBA Live 2000 is the realistic psychology. If a player misses a shot, he'll be nervous. According to his personality, he'll either try forcing the shots and missing even more (or getting warmer and scoring, if he's really a great player), or he'll stop trying and wait for better opportunities. Nothing is automatic here. And there's a team psychology, like in real life. Some teams have better concentration than the others, some fight harder and some seem to give up after the opponent's successful attacks.
I liked very much the custom team modus. I created lots of players and teams, and creating a face was one of the biggest enjoyments in this game.
The Bad
I have four complaints:
1) The worst thing was the reaction of the team after having won or lost. What is this?! No jumping, hugging, celebrating the victory? No angry, disappointed faces? The players just walk off, and only in the last game of the playoffs they seem to show some emotion. A very annoying flaw.
2) The commentary was pretty bad: uninspired, repetitive, nothing like the real NBA commentators.
3). The music played during the games wasn't too similar to actual NBA music.
4) My favorite player, Clyde Drexler, was just missing! I couldn't find him in any of the teams!
The Bottom Line
If you like basketball simulation, this one is for you.
