All,
Since tonight is the big night (for some of you anyways, some of you already have the game early as I did I know), I thought I’d share my NCAA 11 impressions.
First though, here is my EA page and under the media tab I have posted highlights of games:
http://www.easports.com/player-hub/media/360/Catch22
I’m not going to write a review but here are the pros and cons I can think of offhand:
PROS
1. Don’t skip the introduction video because I honestly think it’s probably the best EA intro video they’ve ever put out. It’s flat out awesome IMO. If this doesn’t get you ready to play, nothing will!
2. Graphics and overall look are a huge leap, like how Madden was from 09 to 10. HUGE.
3. You can get more sacks now using interior defensive linemen. You can even rush outside on a speed rush since the suction blocking is mostly gone now. I say mostly because on occasion you will still feel it.
4. CPU AI is much improved in you feel much more like you’re playing a fairly competent human. They still do stupid stuff sometimes but the difference from last year to this year is huge in AI improvement. CPU can often rush competently. I say often because sometimes they still can’t do squat but I’m wondering if part of that is the team matchups I’m taking. If the matchup is even or favors the CPU in regards to rushing they will be able to pound the rock. Just a note related to this, I lost 8 of the 11 games vs. the CPU (1 game was vs. a human).
5. Each game feels pretty unpredictable in how it will play out. Makes for less stale, predictable play.
6. The holes will really open up in the rushing game now which makes pounding the rock 1000 times better.
7. The difference in how the CPU runs the various teams really are astonishing. If you play vs. Navy they will run the option primarily and if you play vs. a hurry-up offense type team they will pass all over the place and play just like the real team.
8. Online worked lag free in the one game I played but then there was only me and another guy playing so you would expect it to. I got smashed too btw, 55-30. I was the Buckeyes and my opponent was Oklahoma. Also I had drank about 8 beers LOL. You still can’t choose your weather though and your opponent still doesn’t see your uniform changes.
9. The control of your player is finally, FINALLY back to the PS2 days IMO. Especially on defense, it doesn’t seem like the lag is there when you switch players. I am now actually able to user catch without fear of that lag causing me to miss the ball.
10. They did away with that stupid “CPU-throws-ball-right-as-you-sack-them” animation which robs humans of SOOOoOOo many sacks. Every blue moon they will get the pass off but 90-95% of the time you will now get the sack.
11. The CPU QB can run a screen now without it resulting in a 15 yard sack like in NCAA 10.
12. The introductions and cut scenes do a lot to make the game have “personality” again. You also get more random, little things like players jostling each other (in cut scenes) and stuff like we had on the PS2. The game feels more alive in general and like you’re in a little, virtual world and not so much like you’re sleepwalking through a game.
CONS
1. The biggest issue right now is there is a bug for play action screen passes which causes your QB to just run backwards forever until you hit the A button to get out of the animation. The first time it happens you will probably get sacked for about a loss of 20 yards. This is a known issue and will be fixed EA says.
2. The play call screen will take some getting used to and it seems to me it keeps defaulting back to ASK THE COACH but others say they don’t see that so maybe it’s just my imagination.
3. Takes some getting used to with the new controls as well, especially not using the right stick to juke. And not using the turbo button as well.
4. Still no dreadlocks
5. Still no user controlled celebrations. At least there is none, or very little of that “go celebrate with the mascot” crap this year though…
6. Still no head coaches anywhere to be found in the game.
7. Playbooks are better but still disappointing in regards to a good % of the plays are shared across teams. They have added some cool trick plays and other things in there though and maybe I’ve just not played with enough different teams
The bottom line is I felt as if last year Madden 10 was a really big leap from Madden 09. I feel like NCAA 11 is an even bigger leap than from NCAA 10. And quite honestly I feel like this is, by far, the best football game EA has released on the next-gen systems so far. The more I play it the more I like it. I’m astonished that when my first 4 or 5 games I lost and quite frankly it wasn’t even close (on All American). I mean the CPU just whupped my butt good man. And it wasn’t cheap stuff either, I just felt like a superior human beat me but it was the CPU doing it. My last few games have been more even and/or I won but I’m not sure if its because I’m getting better or if it’s just the match-ups I’ve been picking.
Oh and Fairdale told me today that he should have his roster set done by Wednesday (EA LOCKER: FAIRDALE KINGS). I think you guys will love the game. It’s fantastically addictive and the best NCAA ever from what I’ve played of it so far. I just wish I had more time to play is all!!!!!
P.S. – when you get the game I just wanted to let you know something that I've seen asked about and was quite annoying to myself when I got the game. You will see play art come up on the field a few seconds after you go to the line. This is the same as you see when you hit the trigger and bring up your plays only it does so automatically. It's highly annoying. Some people (including myself) may wonder if you need a new joystick or something. You don't. This is a "helper" EA has turned on by default. Just go to settings, game controls, helpers and turn off the "Show Play Art" option in the menu to get rid of this "feature".
Enjoy and hope to see you guys on the field sometime!!
-Shaun
