Exceeding the quality of 99% of the video games available (on any console), NBA 07 tells an entertaining, well-paced, well-written story. Cheesy dialogue was not accepted. Therefore, it's not included. Facial expressions – an area so many games butcher – actually exist!

Characters frown. They get angry, and show a real sense of emotion. You'll spot the tension in their eyes, and the wrinkles in their cheeks. It's really incredible. I've seen impressive face work from cartoon-style games like Kingdom Hearts and Jak & Daxter. But with the exception of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 (and the upcoming Final Fantasy XII), I can't think of any PS2 games that offer anything beyond a stiff face with lifeless animations.

NBA 07's story centers on two familiar stars, The Kid and Big W. Both are playable and have unique stories to keep you interested. The Kid is still his old, angry, arrogant self. He's constantly at odds with Big W, who doesn't have the time to care. He's got more important things to worry about.

The game starts with Big W trying to cope with his son's mysterious (initially) illness. He visits often, donning his NBA Cares t-shirt, pacing the room until an eventual discussion with the boy's doctor. Like any worrying parent, he's never satisfied with the doctor's assurance that they are doing everything they can. He's also never able to fully keep his composure. This worsens when the son's condition takes a dive, leaving the viewer with only one indication – that tragedy must be around the corner.

Meanwhile, The Kid continues arguing with teammates, pretending to be the number-one star. He hates it when anyone else wants to step ahead. He also isn't too fond of teammates who don't have as much faith in him as they used to.

The latter story isn't as interesting as Big W's sorrowful tale, but it's just as important. The two meet up frequently to argue, to convey their dislike for each other, and to play a game or two.

Speaking of playing, there are a few amusing scenes that gamers are sure to get a kick out off. The game you're playing – NBA 07 – is actually in the game. While playing it, The Kid is seen holding what appears to be a Dual-Shock 2 controller. But guess what: it's wireless. Back in the 90s that's the kind of thing developers would have done to avoid an extra, unnecessary piece of animation. But NBA 07 doesn't skimp on graphics, and with today's technology, there's no need to forgo something as basic as a wire. Therefore it could only mean one thing: he's got a PlayStation 3!

I'd love to tell you the real significance of the game within a game, but that would spoil one of the surprises. A surprise that actually relates to gameplay, and involves a situation where the player will perform actions very similar to those performed by real athletes. It's over fast, but you gotta see it.

The voice-overs and dialogue are the best part. You could look away from the screen, listen carefully, and still be entertained. This game features real actors, with a story written by real writers. It's like a basketball role-playing game. I'll bet you didn't even think such a thing could exist.

Green Means Go, White Means Rebound

NBA 07 continues to be more of an arcade game than a straight simulator. The shot gauge is back, indicating when and when not to shoot. It’s slightly more forgiving this time around. If you’re an experienced NBA 06 player, the difference won’t seem that great.

The controls are still loose and arcade-like – a plus in some areas, a disappointment in others. There were times when I’d run past my target (in a mini-game), and times when I’d unintentionally run out of bounds after stealing the ball.

NBA 07’s biggest gameplay change revolves around the rebound. When a shot gets botched, players can now order their teammates to grab the ball and push it into the net. You’ll know it’s time to do so when a white circle appears on the court. More often than not the circle is very close to the net, and the only way the rebound will work is if another player is in that circle when the shooter misses.

Scenario, Scenario

NBA 07's The Life Vol. 2 takes a look at what it is to be an NBA all-star. The game goes inside the lives of two fictitious NBA players, creating an unusually compelling story.

Of course, you can't call it a game without adding some play. The Life Vol. 2's version of "play" is not that far from the first. You'll encounter many timed scenarios, mini-games, one-on-one duels, and other b-ball events. The scenarios include (but are not limited to):

• Take the lead into the half

• Don't let opposing PG score X amount of points

• Don't let opposing PG disc more than one assist

• Score more points than SF/PG

• Make field goals with SF/PG

• Dish three assists

• Score two three-pointers

There are training games where words are verbally and visually called out to announce your objective. Players will run through an obstacle course a number times, shooting hoops and throwing passes in unorthodox ways. (You have to push the analog stick up and toward one corner to get the pass icon to line up with the pass hoop.)

Those of you who played The Life Vol. 1 will be glad to hear that Vol. 2 has thrown away the cheap requirements of last year’s game. The objectives are identical in some cases, but they don’t require you to be 100% successful. They require you to accomplish something, which is likely to please some and disappoint others.

If my goal is to "dish a few assists" and "score a few three-pointers," my job ends when that's done. I can leave the game and return after the clock has run out. Only when a point-specific goal (such as "win the game") is involved must you stick around.

There’s no doubt that this is better than being forced to complete objectives that are cheap and lengthy. But at the same time it kind of diminishes the first-time challenge. You can re-play missions and complete more challenging goals to unlock bonuses. Or you can shoot to unlock everything the first time through. It’s a secondary element in both cases. Unless you strive to complete all of them every time, you’re not going to feel like the game provided that great of a challenge – especially if you finished The Life Vol. 1.

If you've played NBA 06, you don’t have to speculate about the content of NBA 07. The game is still quick, making it a couple tenths more impressive than NBA Live 07. But its gameplay is repetitive and mirrors that of the last edition – minus the cheapness. What we’re left with is a game that’s entertaining at times, but is not nearly as rewarding as the story that’s being told.

Gameplay: 6.9
Slightly more satisfying than NBA Live 07. It’s faster, more intuitive and more entertaining. Both would’ve been better suited for the arcade, not at home as a simulator. Neither are full-fledged simulators. They’re both lenient on physics and realism. This year, NBA 07 is the game that does it better.

Graphics: 8.5
There are two sides to NBA 07’s visuals. The first is the gameplay, which looks pretty good. The other is the story, which involves some of the best character interaction, animation, and facial expressions created in a PS2 game. You’ll be impressed, no question. I can’t wait to see what the artists do with PlayStation 3.

Sound: 8.5
NBA 07’s voice acting is top-notch. The interesting “pump you up” sounds (loud, thumping drums; controller vibrations when the clock is about to run out, etc.) are cool as well. The rap music is repetitive and lackluster, and eventually sounds like it’s all running together. Your musical preferences will determine whether or not you’ll like the soundtrack before you pop the game into your PS2. But there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll be impressed by the story.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Last year’s game was just plain frustrating. NBA 07 cuts the fat, creating a less stressful experience.

Concept: 9.0
I feel weird giving the game’s concept a 9 for its story. But all things considered, this is pretty groundbreaking. It’s entertaining, well-acted, well-written, and features polygonal character designs with real facial expressions and emotions. You’ll actually care about the cast, a rarity in any title that isn’t labeled “RPG” or “a Hideo Kojima game.” Heck, I’ll even go as far as to say that this story is more entertaining than any of the basketball flicks I’ve seen. With more and more games going to the big screen, maybe that’s where The Kid and Big W will end up.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Again, NBA 07 is marginally more entertaining than NBA Live 07. It’s all in the game speed. I have an equal number of issues with both game’s control style, but NBA 07’s quickness can’t be denied. This is the faster game.

Overall: 7.0
All technical issues aside, NBA 07’s only drawback is that it doesn’t have the long-term playability of the top games in other sports genres (World Tour Soccer, Hot Shots Golf, the Gretzky series, etc.). The Life Vol. 2’s mini-games become tiresome once they start to repeat. Multiplayer is fun in pieces – a game here, a game there. This is not, however, the kind of game you’ll play all day.