NBA Ballers: Chosen One Preview

by John Robertson on April 5, 2008 at 6:00 pm

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The latest installment of the NBA Ballers franchise is due to hit retail outlets later this month, in the form of NBA Ballers: Chosen One. It’s been two years since NBA Ballers: Phenom was released on the original Xbox and the Playstation 2, to a rather underwhelming reception. However, with Superman himself, Dwight Howard, gracing the cover art, hopes are high for a much-improved sequel.

What can fans of the series, and basketball games in general, expect from this latest outing?

A little business first– due to licensing conditions Midway and Electronic Arts are limited to releasing their “arcade” basketball titles every other year.

In essence the agreement means that Midway is able to release an NBA Ballers game in one year, with the following year being EA’s turn to release their latest NBA Street title. With this two year development cycle you’d think the games would benefit from extra attention and time.

Nonetheless, that didn’t stop EA’s first current-gen NBA Street title, Homecourt, from seriously lacking in the depth department (a lesson they still haven’t learned – here’s looking at you, FIFA Street 3).

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Shallow gameplay and a lack of options seem to be an all too common criticism of this genre. Chosen One seems to be attempting to break the cycle however, with a reworked story mode that promises to combine on-court performance with your superstar’s off-court celebrity lifestyle.

Your created character will need to take on the NBA’s finest in the ultimate tournament to be considered the “Chosen One”, all while partaking in a few off-court scenarios such as filming commercials and other glamorous events that are all part of the modern NBA player’s routine.

Character creation and customisation takes centre stage in Chosen One. As well as extensive options to alter your appearance, in terms of both physical features and clothing, you’ll decide who will accompany your player to the court, and just how you want to make your big entrance.

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Customisation also extends to your characters abilities. Defeating NBA superstars allows you to then add their special moves to your own repertoire as you see fit, giving you the ability to match your character’s abilities with your preferred style of play.

You are guided through the story mode by the legend that is Chuck D, who will interview players, comment on your progress and call the in-game action play-by-play. Hip-hop producer Just Blaze takes control of the soundtrack, with over thirty beats created exclusively for the game.

There are also 65 current NBA players in the game (including Nate Robinson– Go Knicks!), in addition to 15 former NBA stars. The wealth of talent on show is impressive in itself.

As well as the story mode, other game types include quick custom matches for 1 versus 1, 2 vs. 2 and 1 vs. 1 vs. 1, as well as online multiplayer competition. The game supports up to four players both locally, and to my understanding, online.

Two minigames have also been included: shoot-out, in which you attempt to make shots from designated places on the court for varying amounts of points, and the standard three point shoot-out.

The on-court action aims to be as in-depth as it is just plain over-the-top. A simple to pick up, yet in-depth skills and super moves system will allow you to take full control of the action.

By performing fancy combos and complex skills you will fill up your super meter. Divided into three sections, the super meter allows to you pull off devastating moves designed to both embarrass your opponent and pick up a few points in the process.

A small selection of these include handstands, break dancing and tripping up your opponent to use them as a vaulting platform. Think AND1 and then multiply the craziness a couple of hundred times and you’re nearly there.

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Graphically, as you can see from the screens, the game looks astounding. Animations look slick and crisp, and the details such as players faces and attire look like the real deal. With huge variety in the court locations and character customisation items, this should be a game you’ll not grow bored looking at, at least for a significant period of time.

NBA Ballers: Chosen One looks very promising, and the addition of off-court shenanigans seems to be a fun, humorous, and natural addition to the genre as a whole. Only time will tell if the game can avoid being labeled with the shallow tag, but Midway should be applauded for at least seeming to attempt to move the genre forwards. The game is due for release on April 21st in the US and April 25th in the EU, so look for a review then.

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