Final Glimpse: Fight! Fight! Fight!
The final unveiling of Microsoft’s latest console came at the perfect time for fans of the gridiron sport, with Madden ’06 among the lineup of launch titles. Unfortunately, EA Tiburon’s college series wasn’t able to make that same transition. After a 2006 absence on the 360, NCAA Football is soon to make its long-awaited debut, where fans can once again sink their teeth into the college atmosphere that hasn’t been experienced since January’s spectacular Rose Bowl.
The next-gen debut of NCAA Football is built from the ground up, but while the physics between the current and next-gen versions of Madden ’06 are anything but similar, EA Tiburon’s NCAA Football won’t carry such a noticeable disparity from one platform to another. Furthermore, expect the physics to have a heavier feel, similar to how Madden for the 360 plays.
While all versions of the game will have a similar feel, this rendition isn’t entirely the same. Campus legend mode was unable to make the leap to the 360, so dynasty mode is the meat of the game. In this mode, players can manage their school team for 30 years. Nationwide recruiting will be available, but the depth of dynasty mode doesn’t manage to go as deep as its Xbox and PS2 counterparts, which may be disconcerting for next-gen owners expecting more, not less.
Aside from dynasty, there are also a handful of creative minigames. “Bowling” works just as it sounds. A team starts at the 10-yard line with two chances in each set to make it to the end zone. Every yard counts a point, so players will want to fight for every extra yard. If you reach the end zone on your first attempt in a set, a strike is awarded. If it takes two sets to reach the goal line, a spare is tallied. The scoring works just the same as if the action was taken to a bowling alley. “Tug of War” is also very indicative of its name. In this mode, opposing teams will start on the 50 yard line and vie for field position, trading between offense and defense after every play. Score more yards than the opponent, as the object here is to move the ball downfield until the end zone is reached. “Option Dash” sums up the list of games. Players start at the 20-yard line in this single player-only game and have 2 minutes to take the ball down field using only option plays. Properly performing various jukes and break tackles will increase your score, while fumbling the ball will reduce your points. As inventive as these games are, it’s a shame they won’t be accessible through online play.
Once the cleats are laced up and the whistle blows, players will notice a revamped play-calling system. Like last year’s Madden, plays can be sorted by formation, play type, key player, and ask Corso. But the revamped navigation is only half of it, as the amount of plays to select from has doubled. It’s no secret that playbook depth in past NCAA Football outings has been minimal, so the inclusion of more plays is a welcomed--and much needed--addition. All that’s missing now are gadget plays, which, strangely enough, will be included in the current-gen versions.
As does any sport, the game of football has many intangibles, from fatigue to injuries to momentum. With that considered, EA Tiburon has incorporated a momentum status bar, which will rise and diminish in accordance with team performance. Once the meter reaches its apex, players on the team will have an added oomph with whatever their responsibilities are. A linebacker, for instance, will have an added degree of speed and strength when running down a running back. A running back, on the other hand, will be lighter on his feet and break more tackles than he normally may have. Thankfully, the disparity between having momentum and not having any won’t be too extreme, as to keep the game’s simulation-feel intact.
Kicking in football games has evolved similarly with the way that free-throw shooting has in basketball. Gone are the scrolling balls and moving meters. Instead, kicking (punts, field goals, kick offs) is now performed with the right analog stick: pull back to initiate the animation and then push forward in accordance with the on-screen meter. The angle that’s made when pushing up on the stick dictates the angle the ball will travel. Execution isn’t the only factor, however, as timing is also very important. Waiting too long to push the stick may result in a blocked punt or a botched field goal.
NCAA ‘07 has more gameplay inclusions too, including jump-the-snap and fake snap. The Y button is used for jumping the snap, which is a resourceful addition for those who like to control a d-lineman on defense. Time it right and you’ll have a defensive player in great position for a sack or loss of yards; of course, slipping up will cost your team 5 yards. The fake snap option initiates a hard count from the quarterback and a quick pullback of the camera angle. It’s not necessarily anything revolutionary, but works as a great counterpunch for any opponent trying to abuse the jump-snap feature.
Online play will be where most players log in countless hours. It’s just too bad the intuitive minigames won’t be available. Nonetheless, there will be a plethora of achievements to unlock and periodic roster updates that you can download and save. In addition, a quick save option can be accessed any time by clicking the left stick, and nearly all managerial responsibilities can be saved from depth chart updates to audible settings.
NCAA ’07 looks amazing, especially on an HD setup. The game is robust with new animations, lush stadiums, lively crowds and mascots, and detailed player models. Added animations capture the many on-field subtleties that occur, with players vigorously blocking and moving about. The stadiums are massive and jam-packed with exuberant fans and enthused mascots. They play an instrumental role in delivering that college atmosphere and act appropriately to the on-field action. While not every stadium is an exact replica, some of the bigger venues exhibit an amazing degree of photorealism. Although, maybe the most impressive feat visually is the game’s use of real-time lighting. The sun moves accordingly throughout the game, casting accurate shadows and displaying lighting variances as the game progresses and the day grows older.
