NBA 08 review

Sept 27, 2007

Sometimes, less is more. Other times, less is, well, just less. And in the case of NBA 08, less is definitely not everything we were hoping for. While Sony's PlayStation brand-exclusive series has historically trailed its counterparts on the court, the PS2 versions have sported a detailed career mode called The Life for two years running. These basketball soap operas have easily become some of our favorite guilty pleasures. Unfortunately, the PS3's NBA 08 still has no Life, nor any semblance of a multi-year franchise. Even if the fundamentals rocked hard - which they don't - we'd be complaining loudly that we need more from it in order to tear us away from the superior competition this season. Simply put, that ain't gonna happen.

Enough about what's not in the game - what about what did made it onto the disc? NBA 08's claim to fame this season is twofold. First off is an RPG-style character builder, allowing you to create a hoops Frankenstein and slowly transform him from a clumsy doofus who's all knees and elbows into a rampaging, inside-outside dominator that makes Kevin Garnett look like a J.V. waterboy. We have to admit it's pretty darned addictive, especially since you're able to pile up credits toward your progeny and scads of unlockables when playing each area of the game, from meaningless exhibitions to online grudge matches and the host of mini-games.