NBA Live 18

What to Know

Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 24

Skip It

Description coming soon. VSG issues MetaMeter Scores and recommendations for games with 15 critic reviews or greater.

Skip It

Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 24

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 24

A summary of the critical opinion for this game will be provided after release or a minimum of 15 reviews have been aggregated.

Where to Play

** VSG may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Critic Reviews for NBA Live 18

Reviews

High Score - 80/100

Low Score - 60/100

Miguel Concepcion (GameSpot)

7/10

“EA Sports’ basketball series returns from a one-year hiatus with new features that outshine its traditional modes.”

Read full review

Owen Good (Polygon)

7/10

“NBA Live 18 is best for a very personal brand of basketball, focusing on a created superstar and the moves that make him stand out in a game that skews more toward individual play than teamwork.”

Read full review

Ben Vollmer (IGN)

6.5/10

“NBA Live 18’s simplistic and fluid mechanics make for an approachable game of NBA, or WNBA, basketball. But for all that it does well on the court, elsewhere it fails to live up to its potential. There are plenty of side modes, but few have the depth or interesting new ideas to be worth getting invested in.”

Read full review

**Read all 24 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (24 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
Areajugones	Cristian M. Villa	7.5 / 10	09-20-2017	Despite lacking content in some of its game modes, like Franchise or Ultimate Team, Electronic Arts manages to deliver a very solid basketball game focused on “The One”, where players will be able to become a legend whether it happens on the NBA, the streets, or perhaps even both. Also, the addition of the WNBA helps in order to give some uniqueness to its possibilities.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	William Schwartz	4 / 5 stars	09-11-2017	The extra time that EA took with NBA Live 18 apparently turned out to be the for the best. This is definitely the best game they’ve put out in a while, and they’ve built a solid foundation for the franchise moving forward.	Read review
Cheat Code Central	Lucas White	4 / 5 stars	09-14-2017	Ultimately there’s a ton of content in NBA Live 18 for basketball and NBA nuts. While it doesn’t have something comparable to Madden’s Longshot, making it more accessible and distinct, there’s still a ton here to do and enough variance that different kinds of players will probably find something to latch onto. For me, it was The One for sure, with its hodgepodge mix of RPG elements, character customization, and a more casual style of play. When I ran into issues, it usually felt like I had the deck stacked against me in a nasty cocktail of RNG, tough opponent AI, and bumbling teammate AI all working together to take my pride down a notch. A more integrated set of learning tools would have been nice, but the game is simple enough at the beginning to make ergonomic, video game language-style sense, which is a plus compared to the much more complex stylings of Madden or NHL. There’s an uphill battle for this one to stand up to the NBA 2K Juggernaut, but it has a chance this time for sure.	Read review
COGconnected	Garrett Drake	70 / 100	09-22-2017	After a two year development cycle, I was hoping for a bit more from two of my favorite modes.	Read review
Digital Chumps	Nathaniel Stevens	8 / 10	09-22-2017	Controls aside, NBA Live 18 is better than expected and shouldn’t be overlooked.	Read review
EGM	Michael Goroff	7.5 / 10	09-14-2017	NBA Live 18 has improved in almost every way over its predecessor, making a strong case for its continued existence. However, a lackluster franchise and a sense of been-there-done-that with that other basketball series puts Live 18 one step behind the competition.	Read review
Forbes	Brian Mazique	6.7 / 10	09-12-2017	There are some promising base features in place from a gameplay, conceptual and presentation standpoint, but it’s still not where it needs to be.	Read review
Game Informer	Matt Bertz	7 / 10	09-25-2017	Still lacks the depth of its rival, but The One mode gives Live a destination mode worth building upon	Read review
GameSpot	Miguel Concepcion	7 / 10	09-26-2017	EA Sports’ basketball series returns from a one-year hiatus with new features that outshine its traditional modes.	Read review
Generación Xbox	Gaizka	7.7 / 10	09-24-2017	The extra year of development and the implementation of Frostbite has help this leap foward that NBA Live fans long await. There’s still some things to be improved, but it’s a very amusing game for all fans and it captures the essence of NBA.	Read review
God is a Geek	Chris White	7.5 / 10	10-02-2017	Whilst it may not be the complete package, it does a lot right and has a new and sturdy foundation to build the future of the series on.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	José L. Ortega	74 / 100	09-22-2017	NBA Live is a great first step for recovering the right way, but there is still a long way to go before reaching the level of NBA 2K franchise.	Read review
IGN	Ben Vollmer	6.5 / 10	09-19-2017	NBA Live 18’s simplistic and fluid mechanics make for an approachable game of NBA, or WNBA, basketball. But for all that it does well on the court, elsewhere it fails to live up to its potential. There are plenty of side modes, but few have the depth or interesting new ideas to be worth getting invested in.	Read review
IGN Italy	Francesco Destri	7.8 / 10	09-19-2017	NBA Live 18 has the main merit of overcoming the predecessor both in gameplay and controls, but it still lacks something to make it a top level title.	Read review
IGN Spain	Ángel Llamas	7.6 / 10	09-22-2017	Unfortunately, NBA LIVE returns through the back door.	Read review
NZGamer	Tony Hsiang	7.4 / 10	10-11-2017	A marked improvement from previous iterations, and a solid game that shows promise.	Read review
PlayStation LifeStyle	Tyler Treese	8 / 10	09-20-2017	There’s no denying that there are rough edges, but one thing Electronic Arts has nailed is the feel of playing a pick-up game. It’s a slightly less technical title than its competitor, but it offers up a far better single-player experience. If you’re looking for something fresh, or just want to play as Diana Taurasi, then you can’t go wrong with picking up NBA Live 18.	Read review
Polygon	Owen Good	7 / 10	09-18-2017	NBA Live 18 is best for a very personal brand of basketball, focusing on a created superstar and the moves that make him stand out in a game that skews more toward individual play than teamwork.	Read review
SpazioGames	Marco Bianchi	7.5 / 10	09-19-2017	Nba Live 18 is a good game, far from the best of the genre, but enojyable and improved from the last chapter. If you aren’t familiar with this kind of games, this could be the game for you.	Read review
Sports Gamers Online	Philip Varckette	7.5 / 10	09-15-2017	Some questionable physics and occasionally poor animations also hinder what is overall an impressive leap ahead for EA and its basketball series. While it’s not gonna take over the competition, the game has its own strengths in which to build. NBA Live 18 has finally become a worthy option for those looking for a change of pace.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Aran Suddi	7 / 10	10-11-2017	NBA Live 18 is a good basketball game. It’s not something that will blow you away, but good enough if you’re looking for an alternative. The One is a solid create a player mode that is easy to get into, with levelling up the player far from being a chore, but NBA Live 18 lacks depth in the other modes and the AI could do with improving. EA has work to do if it wants NBA Live to reach the reputation it once had, but that goal seems to be in reach.	Read review
TheXboxHub	Gareth Brierley	4 / 5 stars	10-11-2017	Experts of the game will criticize the simplicity of the moves on offer and it is they which will want more of what the 2K game has to offer. But for me, as someone returning to the sport this Live 18 is as good an introduction to the genre, and the life it aims to promote, as you can get.	Read review
We Got This Covered	Charles Blades	3 / 5 stars	10-04-2017	While NBA Live 18 doesn’t reinvent the basketball sim, it creates a foundation to give the series a second chance within the already competitive genre.	Read review

** Learn more about how to become a MetaMeter-approved Critic.

Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

NBA LIVE 18 introduces THE ONE, an all-new, dynamic career experience centered on your player, your choices and your legacy. Create your unique player identity and select a role on the court along with signature abilities and traits, only you can pull off. Embark on your quest to be the greatest basketball player on the planet in The League and The Streets with, or against other players in solo, co-op and multiplayer challenges delivered through LIVE Event content. Dominate the court with innovative one-on-one gameplay arming you with an arsenal of all-new moves for each position with unprecedented control and responsiveness. Put your new-found skills to the test as you manage and build your favorite team in Franchise and Live Ultimate Team. Follow no one, Be The One.

RELEASE DATES:

DEVELOPER(S):

PUBLISHER(S):

GENRES:

SERIES/FRANCHISE:

GAME MODES:

GAME ENGINE:

DLC:

BUNDLED IN:

DIRECTOR(S):

PRODUCER(S):

DESIGNER(S):

PROGRAMMER(S):

ARTIST(S):

WRITER(S):

COMPOSER(S):

LINKS:

AGE RATING:

Detailed Information

GAME MODES:

GAME ENGINE:

DLC:

BUNDLED IN:

DIRECTOR(S):

PRODUCER(S):

DESIGNER(S):

PROGRAMMER(S):

ARTIST(S):

WRITER(S):

COMPOSER(S):

Developed by EA Tiburon. All titles, content, brand names, trademarks, logos, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. © All rights reserved.