Close to the true NBA operation, but unfortunately again with bugs and other flaws

First, a couple of things that caught me quickly unpleasant:

- A large bug in my view - that would have been easily avoidable - is the frequent disappearance of the player Indicators indicating which player is currently controlled (possibly named). Is enormously disturbing particularly in the defense and jeopardized the score in tight games. This happens both in Quick Play and in Dynasty Mode, mostly if you have already finished about half of a game. After which action exactly I could not narrow down the problem occurs, has something to do with the number and the type of substitutions made the one as in the past can now make by pausing or by a Quick Control example during time outs. About the Problem Board is also reported in the official EA, why not noticed during beta testing and was corrected is beyond me. Apparently, the buyers are once again the true beta testers. I can only hope EA brings it quickly a patch out.

- The loading or starting of games takes partially unbearably long (about compared to previous PC versions). I do not know how much data will be there shoveled from the DVD to the hard drive. EA tried to cover up by the insertion of small ten-second ESPN Trivia questions with 4 possible answers (where the player XY went to college, who scored this or that record, ...), but after about the tenth consecutive annoying question it simply. The load times are completely different and for some unknown reason, sometimes it takes 4-5 questions (30 seconds) and sometimes perceived 3 minutes to a game starts. This applies to the games you start in Dynasty Mode as well as for the games to start the main menu.

- There is no 1 on 1 mode more, formerly particularly well suited to train 1st movement and it quickly to start a little game and 2. a player in a duel to try before you or him in Dynasty Mode by a Trade as FreeAgent acquires. For the "Training" you only have an in semidarkness stadium half an NBA team in frontal view with a player available (in the German version default Dallas / Dirk, but you can change).

- The roster and free agents are once again how unfortunately to be expected at the level of anno dunnemal (about August) for example, on ESPN and NBA.com and would also again without pictures of all the rookies or foreigners already available. And there is again no announcement if they will be, for example, update over Xbox Live or you are active in various forums and even "patch" must. Particularly embarrassing and downright tragic: Among free agents, a player the Timberwolves emerges who has come in the meantime, in a car accident to death.

- Smaller unforced errors nervous again in the very positive overall impression of the graphics, for example, depends depending on the camera angle / -zoom the ball seconds stupid floating in the air when it is thrown by the referee the player in free throws (at least in real life that were so, this Animation has probably saved although the referee can be seen in other settings on the sidelines). Well, in previous releases, before coach with pink heads without texture, that was even more annoying ;-)

- Stadium sounds and speakers are in relation to the comment often indistinct / silent and thus arouse little emotion.

- Neutral I would rate the game controller via the controller, the assignment of the keys is a matter of taste and has worked for me partly relieved and partly difficult. I have eg some difficulties to come fast enough from a defensive posture on the Y button for block, and Intentional Fouls (left arrow) you meet in the hectic times slightly accidentally on the central XBox "key ball". And how I have not yet figured out, for example, in the situation an opponent twice without the defensive settings display cumbersome. The new free-throw control is used to, but interesting dissolved in a movement and, if necessary, automatically via the eject button possible.

Positive I would evaluate:

- Game control has become much more lifelike and designed for 5 against 5 without the silly total Favour / highlighting of "Superstars" with skills (and own icons) can make them if necessary quasi invincible under the basket or pass with one touch on every opponent , So rather for friends of simulations of arcade battles. At 10 minute quarters length and "All-Star" strength I achieve presently eg very realistic game results.

- All-Star Weekend is still included and an interesting change, but is clearly in the background. The focus is clearly on the Dynasty that more than the usual team management (treatment, training, scouting, contracts, etc.) has been extended to some potentially interesting aspects such as team chemistry and appointment scheduling for off-court activities. How does that I can not refrain really affect the success or the development of a team.

- Trades are more realistic and are more often rejected even at really fair offer, and one can no longer so easy to get a much better player by offering 2 or 3 "Luschen" for it. Even free agents react angrily if one does not comes to meet them and have contractually then later lost interest to switch to this club. These settings are saved apparently separated, so can not be reset so easy when you're in a "dirty".

- In particular, the cutscenes seem thanks to the great graphics almost as television pictures and let the players 'real' work (emotions, typical movements, etc.)

- Comments by Marv Albert and Steve Kerr as always very entertaining and most well-suited also to the situation. Of course, certain sound bites rather quickly be repeated (for players like Shawn Marion is at least twice in each game confirmed to have such a funny-looking litter, one argues about the sense and nonsense of 3 second rule or offensive fouls, etc.).

- As with a real televised game or the Fouls score certain players appear in the current batch in a small ticker on the top left or by insertions example. At first I was afraid that bugs quickly, but it's actually very useful to quickly get an indication of "Foul Trouble" or particularly effective or ineffective players without having to pause only.

- Soundtrack is as almost always good. At first I found the songs this time rather inconsequential, now I like a few pieces of very good.

- Spectators and arenas are more animated, lit and textured, and no longer seem so unreal.

A final judgment is still pending, but those were the things that struck me after a short season so. Some problems can and will hopefully improve EA yet (only the annoying bug and load times cost a star in the rating). Otherwise try by yourself if you even with these limitations fun because the makes this series still.