NBA Live 16 Critic Reviews

Unfortunately the flaws found in gameplay (especially for the AI) penalize the final score, but thinking only two years ago about a 7 for an episode of the series was pure science fiction.

NBA Live 16 has a lot of promise but only comes in a little bit above average at its current state. Hopefully EA Sports provides gamers with an October patch or else the game will fall well below the ranks of its highly touted expectations.

A good step in the right direction for the series and definitely a more accessible game than its direct rival, but there's still a lot to be done to reach those levels.

NBA Live 16 takes a small baby step forward with the franchise, but there are still core gameplay elements that need to be smoothed out before it can be a championship caliber game.

Being a basketball game that works most of the time isn’t enough. Not being up to par with its stellar rival is forgivable, but Live also lacks a point of distinction that justifies its existence to basketball fans. Without that, it ultimately may not earn a contract extension.

NBA Live 16 is a step in the right direction for the franchise. There are some good new additions and the atmosphere of the game is fantastic. However, the mediocre gameplay ensures no enjoyment for the gamer.

New game modes, game mechanics and a nicely balanced game rhythm are the best novelties for this new NBA Live entry. Poor AI, some quirky-controls and minor technical flaws are in too, though.

Live 16 is a substantial step forward for the series and less demanding players will enjoy it, but it falls far short of NBA 2K.

NBA Live 16 isn’t a very good game but at least the series is moving forward, albeit slowly.

NBA Live 16 is just a wannabee, a small step forward solving technical and gameplay mechanic issues, but two steps back from its main competitor in the genre. It's playable aspect has stagnated, and the new mechanics are aimed for the online features, with many things to enjoy.

NBA Live 16 feels like a game that has a lot of good pieces but it’s still looking for its James, Bryant, Durant or Curry to help get it to the next level. Until they find it, NBA Live will continue to be a middle of the road game of basketball.

NBA Live 16 is the best game in the series since Live 10, but that’s not saying much.

NBA Live 16 can only go so far with clumsy controls holding it back.

NBA Live 16 has a lot of really solid pieces that are starting to come together. These disparate parts still need smoothing out and the game itself still has room to improve, but those looking for a more arcade-like NBA experience with a variety of modes should enjoy what the game has to offer.

NBA Live 16 can't compete against NBA 2K16 but it's the first step in the right direction for the brand, after two terrible years.

At least NBA Live is finally starting to deliver. When the franchise made its return three years ago, it seemed more obligatory return than quality game, was a basketball game that lacked polish. And here in 2015, the Live series is still very obviously finding its way, still not rivaling 2K’s NBA franchise.

It's a little step up from NBA Live 15, but EA's basketball series still has a lot to improve.

It’s good to know that EA Sports doesn’t forget this historical franchise. NBA Live 16 has some promising fundamentals for the future, but it fails in many aspects: shooting system, AI, modes, animations… You can’t have a franchise under construction forever.

While NBA Live 16 is still a slightly better game than what EA Sports has produced over the past couple of years, it still doesn't even come close to feeling like a complete package. The gameplay is fundamentally flawed, mainly with the inaccuracy of the AI and shooting system, and the presentation needs sprucing up, especially in terms of commentary.

NBA Live 16 has a few new modes and features that help elevate it above last year’s offering, but that’s practically a footnote when you consider how the game flubs some of its basic controls and AI.