NCAA Football 09

[MillerTime]

The game comes out tomorrow. You can give your impressions on the game or ask questions about it if you don't have it yet or are still on the fence about getting it.

I haven't seen much video on the game this year, but I did see a few clips of it on ESPN this morning and was not impressed. The gameplay looked slow and still has the same old tackling animations. On top of all that, there is a major bug in the game that causes the game to crash when you edit rosters.

First and foremost, many NCAA gamers are worried about how NCAA freezes when trying to edit rosters, making the whole process very difficult, if not impossible. Adam Thompson, lead gameplay designer for NCAA responded to user's concerns, "CDJ linked me a video. This is a soft crash (one or two doesn't matter to us if we have video... that was just to determine based on text)."

"This is a nasty bug, and I promise on Monday I will make sure it is known. Hopefully we can figure out what happened and get it patched."

Fairdale Kings, a popular roster editor on the 360 platform confirmed the problem happens across both platforms, as he is now stuck on his thirteenth team and cannot proceed because the game crashed on him thirteen times in a row.
X-Box 360 owners still have rosters to look forward to thanks to PastaPadre having a set available in his locker which gamers can download. As for PS3 users, there is a possibility they may not get rosters until after the game is patched.

Here is the article for the rest of the impressions.
http://www.operationsports.com/feature.php?id=590

[MillerTime]

Gameplay Impressions thread
http://www.operationsports.com/forums/ncaa-football/255355-official-ncaa-impressions-thread-360-ps3.html

Bugs/Glitches thread
http://www.operationsports.com/forums/ncaa-football/255462-official-bugs-glitches-thread-ps3-360-a.html

[TBFreak2002]

in the gameplay impressions thread, downloading pastapadre's roster for 360 was mentioned. how do i do that? detailed instructions would be helpful!

[The12thMan]

Op Sports!! Thank you. I had forgotten what the website was and that was it. :)

[Legacy]

I'm debating whether or not to pick up the Wii version tomorrow.

I haven't heard much in the way of news about it, so I'm unsure if I'm going to grab it or wait.

[MaSHoe?]

I enjoyed playing the demo, but I will not be buying the game this year. I will be renting it through gamefly and keeping it for like a month. Which is good because I will barely play it once madden comes out.

[VickIsOverrated]

pastapadre took his rosters out of his locker but you can still download from the gamertag EArosters com .

...make sure you have the space there.

[kickstand]

No. Personally, I'll wait for Madden. While it's bound to have some bugs, at least they implemented foot plant control. I still feel like I'm playing Blitz with slower characters and more proportionally shaped bodies in NCAA.

[Pirate4Life]

PastaPadre's rosters had a huge bug in them, they're gone now.

DT Linder (GT: earosters com *note the space PSN: psxsportscom *No space) has rosters made from scratch that are guaranteed to work. The 360 ones are up now (if EA brought its servers back up) and the PS3 ones are supposedly almost done with a release on wed. or thurs.
Do NOT edit the rosters BEFORE you start your dynasty. That's what caused problems. Start your dynasty, then edit.

As for the game itself, cool new jukes, lots of offense, impossible to play good defense, icing the kicker is possible and after all that, it's the same as 08.

[BucsBoy24]

PastaPadre's rosters had a huge bug in them, they're gone now.

DT Linder (GT: earosters com *note the space PSN: psxsportscom *No space) has rosters made from scratch that are guaranteed to work. The 360 ones are up now (if EA brought its servers back up) and the PS3 ones are supposedly almost done with a release on wed. or thurs.
Do NOT edit the rosters BEFORE you start your dynasty. That's what caused problems. Start your dynasty, then edit.

As for the game itself, cool new jukes, lots of offense, impossible to play good defense, icing the kicker is possible and after all that, it's the same as 08.
What did they do to the defense? I have never been able to dominate offensively and always destroy the opponents on defense. And is the running game better?

[MillerTime]

The game is ok. 7/10

Positives

Realistic player models
Better passing game
More moves to elude defenders
Better stadium atmosphere
Animations link smoothly together


Negatives
Some of the worst "Mario running" in a football game ever
Most players look sluggish when running
Opponents QBs will go Jake Delhomme on you on third down
The running game still looks stupid
Strafing on defense is different and will take time to get used to

[Legacy]

I bought it for the Wii. Tiburon really needs to get off their ***** and do a decent tutorial or instruction booklet for the game, because some of the moves/pre-snap options aren't explained. I had to randomly press buttons to figure out how to flip plays.

I played a mascot game, which was fun. One thing I noticed is that the seconday has a knack for flying out of nowhere and Superman-ing every lose pass in the continental US. I threw 7 interceptions in the first half because my receiver got jacked up as he was going for the ball, which made the ball fly through the air. Maybe it's just the fact that the mascots all have 99 ratings in every category. I'll have to see how it works with normal teams.

The controls are a mega-***** to get ahold of, though. I resorted to just airing it out because I couldn't figure out how to control the trick moves well enough to get around defenders.

[caddy&clayton]

I played a couple games in dynasty. Seems pretty good. Gameplay is much more solid and the camera is great, unlike last year where you could hardly see recievers more than 10 yards down the field. Tackling animations are way better for the most part, but there are still plenty of instances where you wi tap someone and they will go flying to the ground the other direction. There are major improvements in running game, kick returning game, and punt returning game. The only problem with this is sometimes it's TOO much of an improvement, especially in borh return games. Passing is much more realistic in terms of route-running and defensive AI. QB accuracy has been darastically improved, but, much like the return game, may have been too much of an improvement. After two games, my QB's completion percentage was 75%.

There were two things I was dissapointed about. For one, it is still almost impossible to get a good rush from your front 4. Also, CPU offensive AI can be very dumb at times. While it doesn't happen quite as often as it did in the past, it still is not uncommon for the CPU QB to throw a 2-3 yard dump pass to a RB who runs directly out of bounds. Fortunatley, this almost never happens to the user's team. Also, the CPU has no clue when to call timeouts at all, which makes defending the two minute drill feel a little cheap.


Overall, this is a fun game and probably the first truly good next-gen football game (or at least EA football...I never did try All-Pro 2k8).

[Legacy]

For one, it is still almost impossible to get a good rush from your front 4.
Are you kidding? That's one of the easiest aspects of the game. Just recruit a good end and manually rush with him. I had almost 70 sacks in a single season with Selvie in last year's version exploiting that.

And, yes, it was on Heisman difficulty. I also modified my schedule so I was playing tough teams like USC, Texas and Ohio State.


I've been playing a bit with the Wii version and I'm pretty disappointed with it. I have no idea why EA Sports continues to have their franchise games dumbed down for the Wii. The console was marketted as a fun console for all ages, but EA Sports can't seem to get past the "kids only" garbage.

I can't figure out why, either, because they did some really good ports of existing games for the Wii without completely wrecking them. The Godfather, for instance, is excellent on the Wii.


Oh, and whoever thought it would be ok to not correctly model the stadium for the Wii version should be shot. Beaver Stadium looks nothing like it does in real life.

[BucsBoy24]

Same here with the front four last year at least. It would absolutely destroy the offensive line

[Pirate4Life]

Are you kidding? That's one of the easiest aspects of the game. Just recruit a good end and manually rush with him. I had almost 70 sacks in a single season with Selvie in last year's version exploiting that.

And, yes, it was on Heisman difficulty. I also modified my schedule so I was playing tough teams like USC, Texas and Ohio State.


I've been playing a bit with the Wii version and I'm pretty disappointed with it. I have no idea why EA Sports continues to have their franchise games dumbed down for the Wii. The console was marketted as a fun console for all ages, but EA Sports can't seem to get past the "kids only" garbage.

I can't figure out why, either, because they did some really good ports of existing games for the Wii without completely wrecking them. The Godfather, for instance, is excellent on the Wii.


Oh, and whoever thought it would be ok to not correctly model the stadium for the Wii version should be shot. Beaver Stadium looks nothing like it does in real life.

C'mon... Wii can hardly afford to have the same graphics as 360/Ps3.
And yeah, it's easy to say "it's for all ages" but seriously, you know the "real" games are on the two bigger consoles.
Don't kid yourself.

[Legacy]

C'mon... Wii can hardly afford to have the same graphics as 360/Ps3.
And yeah, it's easy to say "it's for all ages" but seriously, you know the "real" games are on the two bigger consoles.
Don't kid yourself.
Who gives a flying crap about graphics? Honestly... I still play text-based RPGs. As long as I can tell what's going on, I'm fine. The Wii's graphics don't bother me one bit.

There are still games I'd rather play on the Wii. The Godfather, for instance, is an excellent game on the Wii. I can't stand shooters on the 360 and PS3. The analog aiming is atrocious.

[Pirate4Life]

Who gives a flying crap about graphics? Honestly... I still play text-based RPGs. As long as I can tell what's going on, I'm fine. The Wii's graphics don't bother me one bit.

There are still games I'd rather play on the Wii. The Godfather, for instance, is an excellent game on the Wii. I can't stand shooters on the 360 and PS3. The analog aiming is atrocious.

Wait, you just said the stadium didn't look up to par??? That was all I was referring to. You were upset about how EA was dumbing down games for Wii???

[Legacy]

Wait, you just said the stadium didn't look up to par??? That was all I was referring to. You were upset about how EA was dumbing down games for Wii???
What I meant by the stadium is that the model used for Beaver Stadium is completely wrong. It's not the graphics that are the problem.

[Pirate4Life]

Got it...

[UCLABUCSFAN]

It makes me angry that App State's 58 overall P is an impact player, while Armanti Edwards at 85 overall with 92 speed is not. Im not sure what's up with that.

[MillerTime]

It makes me angry that App State's 58 overall P is an impact player, while Armanti Edwards at 85 overall with 92 speed is not. Im not sure what's up with that.

Damn, that's redunkulous. He should definitely be an impact player for them.

[DeLandBucFan]

Picked this up yesterday. Haven't had a chance to play much, but from the 3 minutes I spent on it last night, I'd say it's decent. Not mindblowing or groundbreaking or anything like that, but decent. It will probably be the last time I buy an NCAA game from EA though. Every year it seems like the same game with different numbered players on your roster.

[UCLABUCSFAN]

Damn, that's redunkulous. He should definitely be an impact player for them.

Yeah, I know. It ****ed me off, but Im mostly playing as BYU and UCLA. Im not mormon though haha.

[FSUbuccaneer06]

It makes me angry that App State's 58 overall P is an impact player, while Armanti Edwards at 85 overall with 92 speed is not. Im not sure what's up with that.
i think its just how they play for that team. the P plays on a crappy team, but plays well for them. edwards plays on a good team with a hard schedule, but also plays well.

it could also be a comparison to other players skill on the team. edwards has more skill around him, so in turn has to be more impressive to "stand out" from the rest of the team

[BucsBoy24]

i think its just how they play for that team. the P plays on a crappy team, but plays well for them. edwards plays on a good team with a hard schedule, but also plays well.

it could also be a comparison to other players skill on the team. edwards has more skill around him, so in turn has to be more impressive to "stand out" from the rest of the team

I think Edwards is the QB on App. State

[FSUbuccaneer06]

oh. ****. i feel really dumb now.

[UCLABUCSFAN]

oh. ****. i feel really dumb now.

Haha, sorry about that. Should've mentioned that.

[MillerTime]

It makes me angry that App State's 58 overall P is an impact player, while Armanti Edwards at 85 overall with 92 speed is not. Im not sure what's up with that.

What console did you get the game for? I got it for the 360 and can't find any division 1-AA teams.

[UCLABUCSFAN]

What console did you get the game for? I got it for the 360 and can't find any division 1-AA teams.

PS2. They didn't do any upgrades, basically just a roster update.

[FSUbuccaneer06]

im debating getting either madden or NCAA this year for 360. not sure which one to get yet. what i've seen from both so far is they are both games with great graphics. i'll probably rent them, then choose.

[MarleyMon81]

I just picked it up yesterday for 360. I used to buy it and Madden each year, but haven't picked up NCAA for a few years.

Can anyone tell me how to find the FCS (formally D II) schools on team select for quick game?

[njdshady2001]

I just picked it up yesterday for 360. I used to buy it and Madden each year, but haven't picked up NCAA for a few years.

Can anyone tell me how to find the FCS (formally D II) schools on team select for quick game?

They eliminated those teams from the game beginning last year I believe. They dont even have the DI AA in it anymore.

[UCLABUCSFAN]

They eliminated those teams from the game beginning last year I believe. They dont even have the DI AA in it anymore.

It's in the PS2 version. That's lame if they got rid of them.

[MillerTime]

It's in the PS2 version. That's lame if they got rid of them.

They did get rid of them on current gen. That's why I asked you what console you had the game for when you were talking about Armanti Edwards because I couldn't find any division 1-AA teams on the 360.

[UCLABUCSFAN]

They did get rid of them on current gen. That's why I asked you what console you had the game for when you were talking about Armanti Edwards because I couldn't find any division 1-AA teams on the 360.

Shoot sorry, I meant to respond to that earlier, but I got distracted. Yeah, they made the D-1aa teams way better this year. They aren't all D+ or whatever they were last year. App State has two C- and a C on offense.

[skulldog06]

Shoot sorry, I meant to respond to that earlier, but I got distracted. Yeah, they made the D-1aa teams way better this year. They aren't all D+ or whatever they were last year. App State has two C- and a C on offense.

Which console are you playing on? PS2?????

[UCLABUCSFAN]

Which console are you playing on? PS2?????

Yeah.

[skulldog06]

I wonder if the 360 version allows you to change your players' names and numbers along with their accessories in dynasty mode???

Does anyone know????

I hate having a left guard wearing the number 2.

[DaBucsDaBest97]

I'm pretty sure you can do that. Try looking underneath Team Mangement or something.

[MillerTime]

I wonder if the 360 version allows you to change your players' names and numbers along with their accessories in dynasty mode???

Does anyone know????

I hate having a left guard wearing the number 2.

Yes, you can edit everything.

[pennstatesaint]

bought the game today but wont get my ps3 until friday. I haven't played a college game since the ps1. so i should be in for a surprise with graphics, gameplay, etc... Cant wait to see it on my 72" dlp.

[BucsLJohnson34]

Fun game.. my buddy brought it over. I didn't realize how good Penn State was looking this year.. I'm excited.

[skulldog06]

I like this game. The gameplay is pretty damn good.

The one thing I hate is how freakin tedious the recruiting is in dynasty mode.

I wish the makers of this game understood that some people actually have to work for a living......:mad:

[MillerTime]

This is the first football game that I actually had fun with in a couple of years. I just finished Campus Legend with my WR Furious Styles and exported him to Madden 09. My team won the National Championship all 3 years I was there. I ended up getting WR of the year all three season while winning the Heisman my final two. I also broke every receiving record at my school.

Furious Styles #81
6'4" 207 lbs
99 speed, acceleration, catching and elusiveness
96 route running
91 jump

[Buccs99]

Ill be trading in ncaa 09 this week for madden....but before i do, i had to create a cornerback because everyone loves making wide outs.....the ultimate shutdown corner. also have a DT that i finished campus legend mode with.

[Jakopo]

Review for PS3

I finally got back to the US and bought the game a couple days ago.

I think it is a solid game. Gameplay is slowly getting better - although the skating, or should I say "running", is still pretty bad.

It didn't take nearly as long as it usually does for me to find my slider settings for fairly realistic games. Interceptions were still way too high...through 10 games I had picked off 43 passes. Running was tougher than it used to be mainly because OL blocking seemed to suck -- defenders would immediately disengage their blockers as you ran through a hole. Blitzing is worthless as LB's can't even get near the QB let alone hit him. I had something like 7 sacks in 10 games -- I don't take the DE like many do (too easy and not as fun for me). I'm having a hard time passing vertically (other than the two or three "go to" plays that always seem to work). Icing the kicker is stupid and way too effective (nice one EA -- it seems like you don't learn when you try to put something new in -- as usual, you go way over the top).

The pregame kind of sucks -- hasn't really changed in ages -- they don't even show the key players anymore. The crowd and atmosphere in game kind of suck too.



Overall, 7/10. The thing that saves this and makes it a worthwhile upgrade over last year is the on-line dynasty mode.

[skulldog06]

UPDATE: I am 1-7 online (XBOX Live). I am horrible at this game.

I can normally sustain a good long drive, but I always seem to try a pass over the middle which ALWAYS gets picked.

You better get used to throwing passes in the flats and establishing a great ground game, or you will suck miserably like me.

Any suggestions?????

[Jakopo]

UPDATE: I am 1-7 online (XBOX Live). I am horrible at this game.

I can normally sustain a good long drive, but I always seem to try a pass over the middle which ALWAYS gets picked.

You better get used to throwing passes in the flats and establishing a great ground game, or you will suck miserably like me.

Any suggestions?????


Passing on this game is a lot easier than running IMO. That being said, I find it really hard to pass downfield consistently. I run a ton of "drag" or "crosses" out of 4 and 5 wide -- basically use it as a running game. My top receiver will have 10 catches, 110 yards (95 of which is YAC). As you mentioned I have found that the HB on flats and the angles is a good option for a 6 to 10 yard pass. The one thing I never throw are "slants" because they get picked off way too easy -- even when it seems like your guys is open. My running game is primarily out of the spread option. Screen work better in this game then they ever have. I also like 5 to 10 yard play action passes to tight ends on outs and curls.

I do think the key is patience. 10 to 15 play drives aren't unusual for me.

Good luck!