EA Sports versus ESPN 2005

[spurspdx]

Okay I'm a previous poster but forgot both my username and password, so go figure...

But I want to take this opportunity and admit I bought both of these games today and spent a few hours testing them out.

SPURS BUYER BEWARE!!!
In ESPN 2k5 Devin Brown is someone completely else in the game!
Yes, his bio and picture is shown, but the player on the screen is someone different, and the commentary by Bill Walton (yes, you have to deal with him) says something like "10th yr veteran out of Oregon" after our Brown scores.
But "our Brown", again, looks like someone else but wears #23.

EA Sports 2k5 however is more accurate (and professional) with players and their bios.

I get the feeling when playing ESPN that it is not made too well...
BUT to its credit the graphics are much better than EA's. The players move very well with isomotion2 and have a realistic look.

ESPN's game is usually sold for a nice $20 and EA's is $40.

I don't like the feature in ESPN's game that seems to glorify the riches, misplaced pride, and ignorance NBA players so well possess (Ballers as an example). Your best player on the team wants to talk to you (you being the coach) and complain about not getting enough minutes, shots, etc. If you don't agree with the player he gets pissed off and leaves the room. Plus the team chemistry meter goes down!

Yea.. so that happens I guess in real life, but "do you really want that?" you should ask yourself.

The all-star game and weekend feature on EA is pretty good while ESPN's is non-existant. Kareem Abdul Jabbar finally plays in EA without having to find some hard to find cheat code.

I don't like EA's "boxed out" looking players, meaning the animation still needs improving compared to ESPN's... BUT its greatly improved from last years product in my opinion.

Ask yourself when making a decision for your next basketball gaming adventure these questions:

1) Did I get enough demo time at the store playing the product?
2) What is most important-- Excellent graphics but less features or Decent and improved graphics with a lot more features? (according to this gamers opinion)
3) Do you like Devin Brown as Devin Brown


You make the choice!! Have fun!

WOOPs, my apologies, I just realized there is already a video game discussion thread in the other forum... sorry.

[Trey]

moved

[SaSin2K4]

ESPN SERIES > LIVE


haven't played espn 2k5 yet, i get it today. I prefer the ESPN series over Live.

[SoapScumKills]

I concur

[Trey]

while the 2003 versions I agree with everyone, ESPN 2k4 wasnt "much" better then Live 2004...I had a bit more fun with it in little doses, but there was too much mucking around with both games (ie sliders etc) to try and bring out some decent game play

Live 2005 comes out first in Oz, so I'll probably end up with it first...but I'll get both so no dramas really :P

[Jason R]

10th year out of Oregon state? That would be Brent Barry. Maybe it was just a mix up?

I don't buy EA sports games btw.

And btw yes I do want arguments with my team. If Ron Artest is in my Pacers squad I expect him to throw a chair at me.

[SoupIsGood]

Originally Posted by Jason R

10th year out of Oregon state? That would be Brent Barry. Maybe it was just a mix up?

I don't buy EA sports games btw.

And btw yes I do want arguments with my team. If Ron Artest is in my Pacers squad I expect him to throw a chair at me.

I bought EA, I'm pretty pleased with it. I was a fan of ESPN last year, but EA seems to have fixed the little quirks wrong with it.

[spurspdx]

I'm serious... play ESPN and sub for Devin Brown. You'll see what I'm talking about. It is not him! In fact its an aged player who's bald.

[jcrod21]

Where did you get the games yesterday? I went looking and nobody had them, they said they would have them today.

[cool cat]

IGN ratings

ESPN 8.0
EA LIVE 8.9

[SaSin2K4]

Originally Posted by cool cat

IGN ratings

ESPN 8.0
EA LIVE 8.9

That ESPN review doesnt hold much water..... I am waiting for Gamespot's review and my own playing of the game in order to agree with it.

[spurspdx]

I live in Portland, OR and I bought the games yesterday to answer jcrods question.

I'd say one couldn't go wrong in getting both games. Its the little errors (and big ones like Devin Brown) in ESPN that make me wonder. Nesterovic has dark brown hair in ESPN but looks like himself in EA's. Whats really cool about ESPN's game is the player movement is natural. But in the end I'm giving the game to a friend.

[nanumanu]

I bought both games last year and was severly dissapointed with ESPN's slow gameplay. I don't expect the guys to be running around like on NBA Jam, but at least some speed people. Live wasn't that much better, but I could at least play it. The only good thing about ESPN was the mode where you could create a character and play one-on-one with other players. I forgot what it was called. Anyone know if that's in this years version?

I've had Live for 2 days now and it's growing on me. Honestly, I play the All-Star weekend mode more than anything. It's simply awesome. The dynasty mode is a moderate improvement over last year's. They still need to do a lot of work, nothing drastic really, just little things. Like when you're signing a free agent, I'd like to be able to sort by something other than their name.

That's just my two cents.

[Jason R]

Originally Posted by spurspdx

I'm serious... play ESPN and sub for Devin Brown. You'll see what I'm talking about. It is not him! In fact its an aged player who's bald.

Well all I'm saying is that the only player on our team who's ten years out of Oregon State is Brent Barry.

[Trey]

i like to add about the devin brown thing....in Live 2004, the picture for him wasnt him. It looked like Dee Brown, but a really ugly, distorted sorta look.

i havent read much about espn yet, its coming out late NOV here, and live is supposed to come a month earlier...so looks like I'll get live, copy it, sell it, and then do the same for espn

[cool cat]

I have played both a I can say they both suck. Go out and find the old live with T.Duncan on the cover because that one was funnier then both of these.

Both games have gotten progressively worst over the last few years.

[spurspdx]

Jason said:
"Well all I'm saying is that the only player on our team who's ten years out of Oregon State is Brent Barry."

That is a given, I understand that. You don't understand what I'm saying, however.
Bill Walton says "10th man out of Oregon" (where I happen to live) whenever Devin Brown scores, and when Brent Barry scores. Yes, real glitch (aside from Brown not remotely looking like Brown).

Good observation about the Brown picture in last years EA.

[SaSin2K4]

Gamespot review: ESPN 8.4
LIVE 7.9

[Boo Urns]

I can get Live for $20 if someone really wants it. I got the hook up at EA. I haven't played either, but I'll probably buy both Live on PS2 and Espn on xbox.

[JamesR]

Originally Posted by Boo Urns

I can get Live for $20 if someone really wants it. I got the hook up at EA. I haven't played either, but I'll probably buy both Live on PS2 and Espn on xbox.

Really? Hmmm...I'm interested. PM me.