NCAA Football '07 VG

[EmbassyRow]

Anyone picked this up yet?

First impressions: The new running controls are ultra-sensitive to the XBox directional pad, making a simple change in direction impossible (turns it into some juke move instead).

The already-terrible kicking meter has been made even worse.

A solid defensive backfield with any team? Forget it. The AI just doesn't seem to be very, well, intelligent.

...then again, I could simply be the worst gamer in the country. Highly possible.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

I played it at Toys R Us today. It sucks, I hate it. Too hard.

 

[Jeff Gluck]

I've bought the annual version of this game for the past few years, but I'm not sold on this one. '06 wasn't much better than '05, and I really didn't care for the Heisman mode thing. So I might just stick with '06 and keep the $50.

 

[Dude]

I went out and bought it. The kicking got some taking used to, but it's doable.

I really like how you can cycle through the defensive players pre-snap now. Just hold in the circle button and cycle through which player you want with the directional pad.

The expanded playbooks are nice. It was kinda frustrating running Texas Tech's offense and Air Force's an there not being too many differences.

So far so good.

 

[Brookerton]

Each year I alternate from getting Madden and NCAA. This year I'm supposed to get NCAA, but I think I'll test it out before I buy it.

 

[HoopsMcCann]

this is my favorite day of the year. usually get a case of beer, new ncaa order a pizza nad have a great day

i'm still out of town, so i'm only going to pick up the psp version today and then get my ps2 version when i get back home

i almost considered getting rid of my psp last year when i found out they weren't doing an ncaa -- and then decided to keep it when i found out they would this year

 

[Cosmo]

Embassy ... you get the XBox 360 version? Anybody have the PS2 version? I'm so tied up the next two weeks that it would be silly for me to buy this game now, but I'll probably check it out soon.

 

[Tiger16]

Picking mine (ps2) up this evening.

 

[Prep_desk_junkie]

getting mine today, as soon as I get off. Im actually in favor of the game getting difficult. I usually lose interest when it is too easy.

 

[dixiehack]

This is one of the most frustrating days of the year for me. Why oh why can't they release this game for PCs?

 

[Hustle]

For the first time in a few years, I've done no prep on the game and have no idea what to expect.

I'll look at it now, maybe I'll get it. Not sure at this point...though the reviews here push me more towards non-committal status.

 

[CitizenTino]

I've got the PS2 version. First game I've bought where you can set it for an actual 16x9 widescreen and not just a stretched 4x3. Kinda nice, especially in the passing game, because you can see more of the field. I really don't like the first-person perspective on kick returns. Very disorienting.

I stick with the classic control scheme, so it's hard for me to say anything about the new controls, but the kicking meter isn't that bad once you get used to it.

 

[EmbassyRow]

Embassy ... you get the XBox 360 version? Anybody have the PS2 version? I'm so tied up the next two weeks that it would be silly for me to buy this game now, but I'll probably check it out soon.

Lord, no. I can't afford that console (yet).

 

[Madhavok]

I'll rent it and rip it to my xbox. I"m stoked.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

I've got the PS2 version. First game I've bought where you can set it for an actual 16x9 widescreen and not just a stretched 4x3. Kinda nice, especially in the passing game, because you can see more of the field. I really don't like the first-person perspective on kick returns. Very disorienting.

I stick with the classic control scheme, so it's hard for me to say anything about the new controls, but the kicking meter isn't that bad once you get used to it.

A first-person view on kick returns? Isn't that what the 2K series for the NFL did?

I think I'll go out and rent this a few times before I buy it...If I even buy it. Heck, this weekend I went out and rented EA's Head Coach and hated it, took it back and rented Madden 06 and I can't stand that. Is it unamerican of me to hate Madden?

 

[Jeff Gluck]

The more reviews on here, the better. It'll help me decide to buy it or not.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

A first-person view on kick returns? Isn't that what the 2K series for the NFL did?

I think I'll go out and rent this a few times before I buy it...If I even buy it. Heck, this weekend I went out and rented EA's Head Coach and hated it, took it back and rented Madden 06 and I can't stand that. Is it unamerican of me to hate Madden?

Yep, the 2K series did that. When you played a season, you wouldn't be in first person view. But you could play a whole game in first person, even as QB or RB.



And I think I've bought Madden once since I got my Xbox. And that was about 7-8 months after it came out when it was on sale at Target for $18.

 

[EmbassyRow]

I changed my mind on the kick meter. Upon further review, it's actually much easier.

But the first-person kick/punt returns are absolutely terrible. You can't see where your blockers are, where the seam is, etc.

Also, why do the teams have '06-'07 rosters, but '05-'06 head coaches? For example, Kansas State has its roster for this season, but Bill Snyder is clearly still the head coach.

 

[SnoopyBoy]

I agree on the first-person kick returns. I used to love returning kicks to see the whole field and all, but now you pretty much just run ahead and don't know where you're going. Awful. Kick meter is OK once you get the hang of it.
Also, why even have extra points. They're impossible to block without cheat and they're impossible to miss. It's a waste.

 

[The Q Man]

I picked this up yesterday. Quite frankly, I'm very impressed. The Heisman Mode is gone, replaced by Campus Legend mode. This is much-expanded (you have to do all the actual drills, i.e. run the 40, passing skeleton, option attack, etc.) and then it gives you points to build your player prior to choosing a school
Also much more in-depth in season. You can choose whether you want to study for school, study your playbook or attend a social event. You also pick a major, which in and of themselves are hilarious. You can major in Mascots, ESPN, etc. You have to answer questions about these things in order to become an academic All-American. Kind of fitting I thought.
As for the game play, I was very pleased. We complain about the first-person kick returns, but what does a real kick returner see? He sees a swarm of his team's jerseys and a swarm of opposing jerseys and just prays that he finds a seam.
Still getting used to the controls, particularly cycling through the players on defense.
And as for the graphics, is anyone else impressed. I'm still playing on a lowly PS2 and I was struck by how much better this looks than the '06 version.