Ncaa 2012 Observations

[relio95]

One of my boys got it early and posted the following info about the game.

PROS
*** PLAYING ON DEFAULT ALL-AMERICAN WITH NO SLIDER ADJUSTMENTS. SPEED THRESHOLD OF 40 (DEFAULT IS 50)

Defense is back in a big way! I threw 7 ints in 2 games. And they were my fault, no BS! This game may be much harder to play now after a 6 pack of adult beverages, LOL. After more games, about 12 to 14 games, I have only scored over 10 points I believe three times. The biggest margin of win for me was I took USC into the Swamp vs. Florida and beat them 52-21. That was my only lopsided win vs. the CPU.

On a related note: Zone defense really is fixed! Yay!
The lighting is incredible!
Weather affects things more: Played one rain game and see a lot of slipping, more fumbles



Jerseys show great wear and tear (mud, visible sweat stains, etc)



Fog looks really cool



Defenders drop less interceptions (which could be a con depending on your view LOL)



The kicker warming up scene is right (unlike demo)



Finally, FINALLY, they fixed the playcall screen so that when you get to 4th down the game does NOT automatically default to the special teams screen. Instead it is like any other down. I'm SOOOooOo glad this is finally fixed.



WR's fight for the ball more (still not as much as I'd like to see though)



I really love the gametrack recaps (is that what they are called) they periodically have throughout the game...more of this stuff please!!



QBs controlled by the CPU *DO* scramble on you if they are fast (didn't see any scrambling out of the pocket by the slower Notre Dame QB)



I saw the CPU HBs break some long runs and they didn't do the "cover the ball" nonsense



Definitely a lot more animations I've never seen before. Makes the game feel more fresh!



QBs who scramble get tired and go red VERY quickly..this will help stop cheesing it up with fast QBs IMO



You can get pressure with ONLY the front four now and get sacks more often with dominant linemen..



Under throws and overthrows happen, not too often with the elite QBs but a fair amount of time with the lesser ones..



Punt returns are improved, still too hard but I get the feeling we will be breaking them every so often



The pre-game show is now much more detailed, although only certain major teams have unique entrances.



CPU no longer always elects to receive when they win the toss.



The lack of suction in the game cannot be understated, it makes the game massively better!



3D grass is only in replays but looks really, super cool. Especially when runners kick up the divots!



CONS

Man to man sometimes has that "mirroring" feature we all hate. Had one comeback route picked off due to the psychic mirror (UPDATE: EA says this is fixed with the release day patch)



Still hardly any stats overlays at all - this definitely needs addressed for NCAA 13.



The stats overlays that do come up are easily mistakenly skipped over when you press a button. EA needs these overlays to come up independent of the default buttons. Make them only skippable if you press a specific button combination. I don't know how many times it's come up with my RB stats but I miss them cuz I am pressing a button to call a play.



Can't have any rain or snow with fog



Don't see much difference at all from light rain to medium rain to heavy rain.



Although uniforms get dirty the feel doesn't really get torn up much, the best you will see is some brown coloring in the middle of the field and it's rather subtle.



Linebackers still break up too many balls thrown beyond them (not as bad but still there) with a jump (used to be super jump, now just a jump it seems).



Michigan States uniforms are still too light



Lots of sacks in this game, I think cuz I'm so used to having all day in the pocket, this could be a positive though I think...may need to adjust pass blocking slightly up though..



On a related note, this game is BRUTAL on QBs...I had 3 OSU QBs injured in my game vs.Michigan...although I really think its cuz I'm pulling a Roethlisberger (holding onto the ball way, way too long)



When you hit pause and go through the menu some of the other menus appear below and/or to the left of the menu, doesn't seem to create any issues but looks weird (glitchy) (UPDATE: this is now fixed with the patch)



Wind only seems to affect field goals, not passing



What is this odd noise that appears after you pick a formation, then again when you pick your play?? Like a whooshing noise. this was in the demo. How can we get rid of this? annoying..(UPDATE: turn menu FX all the way down to kill this stupid sound)



Why does the controller rumble right after you break huddle each time?



I really liked the old way of picking plays, wish we had an option to go back to it.



Coach editing in regards to faces, hats, clothes seems fairly limited.



Playing on default sliders the CPU does not seem that great at rushing the ball



Saw the CPU QB throw the ball out of bounds right after the ball was snapped. No flag either. I have seen this at least a couple of times a game, needs fixed!!



Heard about 2 lines of new commentary I think in 2 games, still pretty lacking!



7 games with pass interference for offense and defense maxed and so far only one call for def. PI



CPU still punts terribly but not every time



Kick returns still seem nearly impossible though



I have noticed more false starts on the HOME team due to noise than the away team...odd...maybe it's just a coincidence though..



Occasional, slight slow down on kickoffs at times, very subtle though (Xbox)



They've reduced the highlights to 2 videos and 3 pics per game, ugh..



I am noticing too many pancakes on the line, both offensively and defensively, although more so it's my own guy on defense getting pushed down to the ground...



Still no flag on late hits and hits out of bounds...



Just noticed a glitch, the CPU QB ran for 13 yards, then for no real reason went into the passing stance and just stood there until he got creamed...



I notice virtually no difference in sound from large stadiums like OSU vs. Small team stadiums like ULM..



Stiff arm is still worthless..



Have seen no dynamic attendance at all in play now game blowouts - maybe this is dynasty only though..



Computer still not as effective running the ball as it should be, especially out of shotgun. Although it's not near as bad as in years past and is no gamekiller. Adjusting the offensive line and RB ability for the CPU about 10 notches in slider setting should alleviate this issue. Good to see EA is working on this as its evident but it still needs tweaked a little more IMO.



FINAL THOUGHTS: This game is addictive, as you can tel from the amount of time I've put into it alreadyl. Despite the flaws it's worlds better than NCAA 11! I'm going to give it a B+. EA really needs to work on the sound and stats overlays for next year. The commentary and audio presentation of crowds is the biggest sore spot for me about the game. Other than that though, on the field, it plays wonderfully organic now.

[Hoos]

Did you get to play with your VA Union team?

[ChampDizzle]

Did you get to play with your VA Union team?

Its Virginia St!

[LetsGoPeay]

Did you get to play with your VA Union team?

Its Virginia St!

Tony Collins!

[buckeye76]

I was able to grab the game this morning. I just played a game. I hate to review the game with a big patch coming on tuesday. I agree with alot of what relio's friend said. I played my game on Heisman. I did throw 2 picks, but thats not abnormal for me. It seems they have fixed the zone defense. I did play a bump n run on a play and got burnt bad for a td.... After one game, I really like it. I ll be back after I play a few more. The tackle animations are pretty sweet and running the ball is sweet when you follow your blocks and it opens up.

If your in Columbus today, VGMX has the game, about 10 copies of the ps3 version left. 1489 shrock rd (just past karl road if your coming from cleveland ave).

[The_Niddler]

If your in Columbus today, VGMX has the game, about 10 copies of the ps3 version left. 1489 shrock rd (just past karl road if your coming from cleveland ave).

I wish, would be awesome to play when I work from home tomorrow.
I am thankful for all the reviews though, since I am out of town till tomorrow morning. It is getting me hyped to play it.

Sounds like if I do not work on my passing game, my INT's will be through the roof this year!

[nick]

urge to drive 6 hours to Columbus rising... rising.. RISING... fading... fading.. gone

[The_Niddler]

If I was passing through Columbus Nick, I would pick up 2 and then meet you at the Canada border just a couple hours away from me, but sorry, I will be no where near CBus tonight.