Official NCAA Impressions Thread (360, PS3)

[ODogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by callmetaternuts

I appreciate the feedback, i have no problem hearing im wrong or that i have made incorrect assumptions. I dont have the game and right now, im relying on you (and anyone else with it) to give me and the other OS'ers impressions. I appreciate it. Do you feel like in any game your D has a chance, or is it just when the CPU decides its gonna be a close game?

i'm not going to lie here, i do feel like the D is not as good as it should be (I don't agree with AA that it's dumbed down so much) but I think to answer your question it boils down to the teams. it seems like the teams makes a huge difference in whether your defense has a chance or not. I will say i have never gotten the feeling the cpu has decided it's going to be a close game or whatnot (aka the NBA Jam syndrome).

[ODogg]

ok now the CPU just kicked it off to me to start the 3rd over my head out of the back of the end zone. Who the hell said the sliders were broken?? cuz whoever it was they are sadly mistaken. i'm changing the kickoff power back to 85.

[ODogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by #85_on_a_mission

not to be rude but I love how you look at it as if that isnt a problem at all. Idk...its like everything in relation to this game you are very optimistic about. Its as if you are playing a completely different game. nevertheless...I enjoy your impressions though. I did last year and I can say the same this year. It just seems as if you exaggerate alot of stuff. I know it was certainly that way last year.

a completely different game? what have i said that's different than anyone else here that has had it earlier has said? i don't think i exaggerate anything.

also, i'm not optimistic about it, i've said there are issues, do you want me to recount them? you want negativitiy? here are the issues i have just so we are kosher:

1. the punt block play is nearly an automatic 30 yard return when you call it
2. the computer is too good at passing over the middle and often rapes you for short gains
3. no penalties even when maxed out
4. no field degradation
5. kick returns go too far out into the field of play
6. sliders aren't effective enough
7. roster bug when editing past 20 teams
8. presentation still blows totally
9. no progressive lighting
10. computer don't throw deep
11. computer is piss poor at clock management

even with all that stuff above being said I still am having fun with the game. i apologize though that i'm enjoying it and seem to be having fun, since it seems like i'm "overly exaggerating things" or whatnot.

[booker21]

quick question regarding Sim stats.
We all know by now, QB sims stats sucks big time. Does anyone tried super sim a game and see if stats are a bit more realistic?

thanks.

[Mercilezs]

Quote: Originally Posted by AuburnAlumni

Ok...My initial thoughts after playing for about 4 hours on Heisman, at varying slider levels. 1. Stadium Sounds are AWESOME. Simply awesome. CD quality music sounds GREAT in game. 2. The run game on Heisman is...in my opinion..a thing of beauty. I have no issues with it whatsoever. 3. Wide Open offense seems to mean DUMB defense and superhuman QBs. John Parker Wilson went 27-31 with 4 TDs and 2 INTs against me. That means he threw a TOTAL of TWO...that's T-W-O....incomplete passes on Heisman...against a 94 rated defense on 8 minute quarters (and one of those was dropped.) The pass defense AI is..in a word..."Sketchy". Zone, Man..it doesn't matter. There are times in the game where your DB will have great position and literally move out of position to allow a CPU WR to make the catch. Some examples of what I'm talking about.... Exhibit A. A simple pass into the flats. But notice Tray Blackmon, who is closing quickly to make the hit...literally turns around and runs away..for a split second. This allows the RB to easily make the catch and possibly gain some yardage. And no...at no point was I in control of Blackmon. EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video Exhibit B. Alabama..on their own 1 yard line, runs an end around with Julio Jones. Mike McNeil, the AU Free Safety, is strafing across the field as Julio crosses for the sideline. But does McNeil sprint for the corner...or attack Julio and try and make the tackle? Nope. He stops....yes...stops....and literally stands upright in the middle of the field, not once..but TWICE. This allows the other Bama WR to come over, block him, and the rest is history. EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video This is a major issue EA. Combining instances like this, with super accurate QBs and an admittedly (by their own guys) "neutered" pass rush can add up to some ridiculously offensive ballgames. This needs to be addressed IMO. 4. Punt coverage is "fair" but Kickoff coverage is absoluely, positively atrocious . Seriously...it's the worst I've ever seen in a video game. If you can't get back to the 40 yard line at least on every kickoff then, quite frankly, you suck. I took a KR back, on Heisman....in my very first game and no one was within 15 yards of me. 5. Jump the snap is alive and well. The worst feature ever to grace a football game (NO ONE DOES THIS IN REAL LIFE EA) happened...and yes I kept a sheet of paper and marked each time I saw "Jump the Snap" in the corner of the screen when the CPU did it... 27 times in an 8 minute game with Heisman settings at 65 awareness. 27 times. I've played a total of 5 hours, I do enjoy the game, but I have some very serious concerns. The Defense is almost non existent at times and quite frankly, disturbing plays like the ones I posted above have happened in every game I've played so far on Heisman. This was also with both CPU and HUM Defensive awareness at 65 .

Not trying to disagree here but...

The first video, perhaps the CB was looking for the receiver to continue deep but then the receiver immediately did an out pattern which may have gotten the CB's feet tied up, etc. after he bit on the fly.

The second video, it appears as if your safety has coverage responsibilites on the receiver outside. It appears he stops as the receiver is coming towards him while Julio is still behind the line of scrimmage. This leaves open the possibility of Julio throwing the ball. Once Julio passes the LOS, the safety starts running again.

Just a couple thoughts.

[#85_on_a_mission]

Quote: Originally Posted by ODogg

a completely different game? what have i said that's different than anyone else here that has had it earlier has said? i don't think i exaggerate anything. also, i'm not optimistic about it, i've said there are issues, do you want me to recount them? you want negativitiy? here are the issues i have just so we are kosher: 1. the punt block play is nearly an automatic 30 yard return when you call it 2. the computer is too good at passing over the middle and often rapes you for short gains 3. no penalties even when maxed out 4. no field degradation 5. kick returns go too far out into the field of play 6. sliders aren't effective enough 7. roster bug when editing past 20 teams 8. presentation still blows totally 9. no progressive lighting 10. computer don't throw deep 11. computer is piss poor at clock management even with all that stuff above being said I still am having fun with the game. i apologize though that i'm enjoying it and seem to be having fun, since it seems like i'm "overly exaggerating things" or whatnot.

Thanks...I feel better now knowing that the game isnt as perfect as you make it seem. Glad you are having fun though...and once again I enjoy your reviews...I just had an urge to hear both the good and the bad.

[J-Unit40]

Custom Stadium Sounds are SICK! Just sick!

I finally got my music transferred over from a flashdrive to my PS3 (thanks Stingmgt).

I just played a defensive battle in The Swamp...

UF 19
Auburn 10 (only TD was a fumble return)

[J-Unit40]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpartanPride

You are not playing devils advocate you are speaking the truth. Newsflash to some of the ill-informed...college football is a more offensive game. Scoreboard watch...consistently 35,40,45+ points in a host of games each week not to mention the wild 49-45 Pac 10 fiesta's we have grown accustomed to. People need to calm down. you want tighter games with less scoring wait for MAdden. I'm sure the same people will complain the game is too hard.

Bingo!! My only gripes with the CPU offense are the high completion %s and the dink and dunk type of passing game for every team. I want to see the deep ball on occassion.

[sj3981]

Thanks for the impressions all! Odogg, how often would you say the CPU quarterbacks post ridiculous completion percentages? Would you say it occurs during most games, or is their a good mix of bad games and good for the CPU?

[Village Idiot]

Got some game stats for you guys. Make of them what you will. 12-minute quarters (most likely too long, but it had a nice feel to it in the first half anyway); AA default with INT at zero.

Pur (CPU) @ Mich

Score: 7/32
Firsts: 9/25
Total O: 191/365
Rush-Yds-TD: 24-37-1/55-189-2
Compt-Att-TD: 24-35-0/24-32-1
Passing: 154/176
3rd: 2-15 (13%)/8-19 (42%)
4th: 0-3/1-1
RZ-TD-FG: 1-1-0 (100%)/7-3-1 (57%)
Turns: 1/1
Fum lost: 0/0
INT: 1/1
PR yds: 9/112 (just been fair-catching most of them; this number could easily have been doubled)
Penalties - yds: 0-0/2-10 (all penalty sliders are maxed)
TOP: 15:04/33:02

I actually like what I saw in this game. The better I get, the more comfortable I get, the more potential I see.

User punt returns being wide open roughly once out of every three is a big deal. Something needs to be done about it. Sliders don't help.

Also, the CPU quick-snap issue, as evidenced by the TOP stat above, is in full effect. They pretty much hike the ball at the exact same moment every play, which is pretty much right away unless they motion or audible. They never try to hard-count and ... well, it's just like the demo, in other words, even playing 12-minute quarters. That blows, imo.

Overall, though, I'm feeling better about the "too easy" comments I made above. The time you have to scan the field is actually pretty realistic; I'm just so used to basically running for my life I sort of forgot that it IS possible to have "all day" to throw. Keeping my cool in the pocket and making SIM reads (not just making the easiest throw, but the one that "feels" right) has made the passing game a lot more enjoyable.

I pretty much still blow at running the ball, so no comment there yet. Seems like it has potential to be pretty cool. That said, the guys look pretty damn stupid when you're not using the sprint button. They run straight up and down and it just looks silly. Oh well.

Defense, likewise, I'm just not sure how good I am yet to make a full assessment, but I'm not really having a problem getting pressure at all. (Damn, forgot to check sack totals. I wanna say I had five in the above game, and the CPU probably had like four.)

CPU never throws deep. We knew this, but it's starting to bother me. I played press coverage with no deep help almost the whole game and, well, you see the numbers.

CPU can't run at all on default AA (again, you see the numbers).

I'm in that 7.5 - 8.0 range right now in terms of an overall score for this game.