NBA lIve 08 - a bit better but still flawed

ok, for those of you hardcore gamers out there - you know that NBA Live 08 was just released last week. NBA Live for those living under the computer rock - is a famous basketball title eversince the SNES/Genesis era. The current title was their answer to last year very dissappointing release (NBA Live 07) and to start things off - they didn't really do that much >_<

first of all my rants - what the hell did they do with the direct pass button?!?!? not sure if this can be configured on the options but for the longest time - direct pass is executed by holding down the R2 button plus any of the face button. Now you can let go of the R2 button and the ssytem will still wait for the corresponding face button - believe me, this sucks big time. Lets say you are on a fastbreak, controlling the PG running the middle, you see teammates both running ont he sides, you quickly press the R2 button to see whos runnign with you and wait if someone will be free, but as you are running you stutter step and gets a free lane towards the basket so you decide to let go of the R2 button and just press (square) for afree lay-up - then KABOOM, instead of a free layup, the system still recognizes your direct pass command and will instead pass to your teammates.

speaking of layups - people are missing a LOT of layups and close-to-the-basket shots which is really puzzling - and these are happening to superstars as well >_<. Guess you will have to tweak the settings first before you start a game.

some things that ticks me off as well are - people randomly stepping out of bounds even if they dont have the ball causing turnovers when you pass it to them and players not adjusting right away to called plays.

But there are improvements as well, first thing to notice are the rebounds - they are much better compared to previous installments. Though there are still instances where the ball is magically placed to the nearest jumping player.

the game is more simulation based (ala-NBA 2k8) and not arcady anymore - over-all , i will play this than 07 but still not the best basketball game.

other things to take note are the inclusion of FIBA teams like spain, france , etc which adds to addtional gameplay and value. I am playing the PS2 version so experince may vary with yoru consoles.

overall rating 3 1/2 balls.

hair, lens, soccer, recognition

weird ng title pero it actually sums up what heppened (or is currently happening) on my life this past few weeks. Ive been very busy lately with my project - nakakapagod pero nagsisimula pa lang ung project. Almost a year to go pa hehe

i bought a new lens from a fellow photographer here in Accenture - the exact specifications are 50mm f1.8 - ibig sabihin nyan, isang focus lang ung camera - hindi mo nazozoom-in zoom-out. unlike my kit lens na 17mm-55mm. the bigegst difference with this lens is the appeture of 1.8 - this means i have the liberty to shoot even on low light situations - like sa loob ng bahay, etc etc. Another good thing about the low apperture eh ung "boque" or ung sensitivity ng pagkablur sa picture. take a look at my sample picture.....



first of all... alam kong maganda ang pagkakuha ko hehe, anyways you will notice that i focused on his eyes and the blurriness can already be seen at his cheeks - ganun ka sensitive ung nabili kong lens when in comes to bluriness. ANG GANDA. un pa nman ang hilig ko - portraits.

soccer time is about to start and i think may game na agad kami this weekend - go SAINTSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (hopefully we can atleast make a goal this season haha)

i recently clipped my hair short - if you are familiar with semi-kalbo settings, i had it at ONE. it is just enough not to notice the bald spot creeping up my forhead - it really irritates me whenever i see it :( mababaw pero i soemtimes lose my self esteem when peopel notice it, anyways im planning to buy a shaver this weekend to manage my hair - tipid din in the long run hehe

and recognition - i am now heading the Rewards and Recognition team for DFG - which is now about 60+ big - bigla kaming lumaki >_< for the first time di ko na kilala ung mga ka project ko, i think yun ang problem pag lumalaki ang project.

i still hate myself for missign the fall out boy concert >_<