I dont know what cats see in Live… I cannot pumpfake for shit… just run and gun…

Why is Bruce Bowen the most dominate player on the demo?

I’ve played 3 games of the Demo. 1 as the Spurs and 2 as the Cavs and I have seem him shoot once and that was when I was using the Spurs. I only shot because I wanted to see his form. I did enjoy trying to play defense against Bron with him but I was able to score on him when I was the Cavs.

I think that his dominance in your demo is most likely due to whatever level the Demo is on.

Anyone know what level its on?

*** The Positives ***

+ The A.I. offense shines in the sense that if you leave an opposing openent open, they will simply burn you.

+ Rebounding. Very smooth, probably the best in any NBA title to date.

+ Crowd Interaction. They seem to react accordingly to the game situation. Even though the demo was short, I’d like to see if they react any differently in the 4th quarter in a close game

+ Cut Scene Animations. I think this is what is biggest deal maker for 2K8 fans and what makes the game feel like “real nba basketball”. Yes these animations do draw you in. Little things like players getting daps at the free throw line, or after a free throw was made, Big Z going up to Lebron and offering him some strategy. 2K8 is probably the best at creating emotion in the game of basketball.

+ Menu looks a lot better, more readable, shaper. Hopefully the navigation menu takes a more traditional and conservative approach in the released version of the game compared to last year.

+ Bonus points for scuff marks on the floor.

+ Layup animations very fluid, but many times are too slow. I understand this is a give and take. You make it too quick, you sacrifice the fluidness of it.

+ Dunk animations (see above)

*** The Negatives ***

- Why is Bruce Bowen the most dominate player on the demo? He hits 3’s way too easily and his basic cross overs leave Lebron in the dust. I hope this is fixed, otherwise he’ll become the most exploited player in the game. (I played this demo many times, and it was sad watching Drew Gooden go double team on Bruce Bowen while leaving Tim Duncan open on the post)

- Sliding. I don’t like seeing Lebron (AI) crossing the ball over 3 or 4 times 10 feet away from the basket and sliding. This to me makes the game feel arcadish

- Players steppin over the line with inbrounds plays. Little stuff like that kills me. 2K8 pays so much attention to little non-interactive details yet allows this to happen? In the NBA this would be a violation.

- The graphics. Some people say they are great, some people say they are ugly. Depends on what you’re comparing it to. A 2K8 will say they are great, but they are comparing it to last years version. If you compare it to Live, yeah it’s going to lose. I’m comparing it to Live’s graphics, simply because I know the technology is there to make players look like their real life counter parts.

********* Summary *********

2K8 appears to be a very solid basketball game. Definately a pickup and go title for any player, while at the same time catering to 2K veterans. The game engine is very similiar to all the previous titles, for some this could be a good thing, for others it could be a bad thing. Compared to Live 08…I belive both games are even. Where NBA Live is weak, 2K8 is strong and vice versa.

I am happy that both titles are bringing their A game. Good competition from these two competitors = better games for its fan base. 2K8 and Live 08 both have great games, after last year both games being about average and one being the lesser of two evils. Just my two abe lincolns.