NCAA '09 impressions

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:43 am

All I can say is that I'm glad I don't read impressions threads much. I think I have a golden copy of NCAA or something. I've seen some of the strange AI crap with the players running away from you or running out of bounds, but don't see any of this super-QB stuff with receivers running crossing patterns. As Auburn on the AA defaults last night in an online dynasty, my opponent had 14 yards at the half. I think that the crossing routes and hitches SHOULD be easy to complete if that's all they're doing and the defensive scheme doesn't take it away. The CPU never going deeper than that is a problem, but I haven't seen that either. Usually when I'm calling something that takes away the short underneath crap, they'll hit something longer. I also tend to get a lot of pressure on the QB, with 3 or 4 sacks a game and a dozen hurries.

I don't know...I think I've just been having too much fun to really let the weird "hey I'll escort you to the end zone" runners bug me.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:50 am

TCrouch wrote:All I can say is that I'm glad I don't read impressions threads much. I think I have a golden copy of NCAA or something. I've seen some of the strange AI crap with the players running away from you or running out of bounds, but don't see any of this super-QB stuff with receivers running crossing patterns. As Auburn on the AA defaults last night in an online dynasty, my opponent had 14 yards at the half. I think that the crossing routes and hitches SHOULD be easy to complete if that's all they're doing and the defensive scheme doesn't take it away. The CPU never going deeper than that is a problem, but I haven't seen that either. Usually when I'm calling something that takes away the short underneath crap, they'll hit something longer. I also tend to get a lot of pressure on the QB, with 3 or 4 sacks a game and a dozen hurries.

I don't know...I think I've just been having too much fun to really let the weird "hey I'll escort you to the end zone" runners bug me.

I think the escort defense is the only thing that I find as a flow, but that doesn't happen every play. The game is still fun. LIke I said before, I think 95 percent of the game plays well. Also, disparity of teams this year is nice. Finally took EA 5 years to get this down.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:58 am

Inu went from 90 to 90-95 to 95 in a day. By the end of weekend this game will be 100 percent for him.

Looking at the game from the sidelines (no PS3 or 360), I'm glad I still have the original Xbox titles to play with. The special teams issues and CPU running out of bounds would be driving me nuts. Watching the videos has quelled my desire for a PS3 and/or 360 for now.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:03 am

I can't handle the pursuit angles and the sidelines logic. To have guys randomly go out of bounds like that is completely idiotic. Plus, Bill showed a lot of screwy stats on his blog, which would make it difficult to do something like win the Heisman -- one of the things I always loved about dynasty mode.

I don't doubt it's fun, but I'm not enough of a college football fan to look past the flaws. If they patch some of these issues I would consider it because I was looking for a change of pace from years of boring Madden.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:16 am

TCrouch wrote:All I can say is that I'm glad I don't read impressions threads much. I think I have a golden copy of NCAA or something. I've seen some of the strange AI crap with the players running away from you or running out of bounds, but don't see any of this super-QB stuff with receivers running crossing patterns. As Auburn on the AA defaults last night in an online dynasty, my opponent had 14 yards at the half. I think that the crossing routes and hitches SHOULD be easy to complete if that's all they're doing and the defensive scheme doesn't take it away. The CPU never going deeper than that is a problem, but I haven't seen that either. Usually when I'm calling something that takes away the short underneath crap, they'll hit something longer. I also tend to get a lot of pressure on the QB, with 3 or 4 sacks a game and a dozen hurries.

I don't know...I think I've just been having too much fun to really let the weird "hey I'll escort you to the end zone" runners bug me.

That's been my experience as well Terry. The kickoff stuff bothered me but changing the kickoff slider up to 65 it's no longer an issue. I'm having a ton of fun with this game in my limited play time.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:18 pm

A lot of the things mentioned here and elsewhere sound familiar. Problems which have plagued NCAA and EA football games in general for years.

One common complaint is lack of pass rush, so QBs have gaudy stats and you have these scorefests.

Then you have threads like this, which makes you think Madden will have the same old problems it's had for years:

http://www.operationsports.com/forums/n ... -09-a.html

Post by **Jared** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:21 pm

Terry,

What defenses are you running to stop the CPU hitting crossing routes and curls with regularity? I've been trying just about everything, and haven't figured out anything that can stop it on Heisman; primarily because my defenders seem to be giving huge cushions in nearly every kind of defense I play. Maybe I should drop down to AA for more realistic CPU offense?

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:25 pm

Jared wrote:Terry,

What defenses are you running to stop the CPU hitting crossing routes and curls with regularity? I've been trying just about everything, and haven't figured out anything that can stop it on Heisman; primarily because my defenders seem to be giving huge cushions in nearly every kind of defense I play. Maybe I should drop down to AA for more realistic CPU offense?

First thing you need to do is put your DBs in press coverage (Y and then down on the right stick or D pad not sure which). Second, is use your safeties to move up into the zone. If they aren't throwing deep, you don't need the over the top help. You can even double the WRs with your safeties, which does the same thing.

And no, I'm not Terry, but it's just normal football logic.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:31 pm

matthewk wrote:Inu went from 90 to 90-95 to 95 in a day. By the end of weekend this game will be 100 percent for him.

Looking at the game from the sidelines (no PS3 or 360), I'm glad I still have the original Xbox titles to play with. The special teams issues and CPU running out of bounds would be driving me nuts. Watching the videos has quelled my desire for a PS3 and/or 360 for now.

I'd say right now it's lik3 93.2 % excellent. I don't think this game will get to 100%, even with a patch. I did try some better teams last night like ND and FSU, and it's night and day the speed of those teams compared to the lesser teams.

Post by **Jared** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:04 pm

Yeah, I've been pressing the DBs and pushing safeties up, to minimal effect, and also trying double teams. The frustrating thing about double teaming is that often, both defenders will take the same technique, often leaving one side of the field open wide open. Also, maybe I'm completely screwing this up, but I haven't been able to get man lock to work.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:11 pm

I haven't bee having passing issue either. I lowered Human ACC to 40 which affects both sides. I've see nthe cpu throw deep every game, and I've been able to shut down the cpu passing attack at times.

I run a lot of cover two or cover one and I audible the safeties to inside and this covers a lot of the underneath stuff. The best thing is getting a good pash rush which I can do with an end, getting your hand up also helps as a d-linemen.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:38 pm

I think the game almost pre determines wether it will get a completion.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:41 pm

XXXIV wrote:I think the game almost pre determines wether it will get a completion.

I sort of get that feeling too at times with the game. It reminds me of NH08, where sometimes the cpu team will just play out of their skates and you know they are going to score no matter what.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:49 pm

Does anyone have "good" rosters?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:23 pm

I played two games last night on default AA and had the most fun I've had with NCAA in next gen. I started a PSU season but replaced the generic team on my schedule with Pitt. I won 20-17 on a FG with a minute left. Then I played a random Week 1 game and lost as Mich. State at Cal. Very few turnovers. Nothing odd at all.

It's going to take me awhile to make up my mind on this game. There's a 93.2% chance I'll keep it though.

nyisles16 · Post by **nyisles16** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:44 pm

I can't win on AA.. 0-3 with the Huskies, and each loss gets worse!

33-23 to the Ducks

51-17 to BYU

51-13 to Oklahoma..

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:01 pm

nyisles16 wrote:I can't win on AA.. 0-3 with the Huskies, and each loss gets worse!

33-23 to the Ducks

51-17 to BYU

51-13 to Oklahoma..

I think the keys to success on AA are: 1)Patiently weather the AI I will score no matter what storm. 2)Play conservatively when you feel that artificial tug. 3)Dont get frustrated and finally....4)pray

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:16 pm

If you're team is lesser rated than the cpu team, expect to get killed. So far that's been my experience.

Leebo : Wow, that's amazing that we're both exactly at the same point with this game. 93.2%.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:19 pm

There's a 93.2% chance that I think this year's NCAA is like NCAA 05 and 03 (The bad years).

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:21 pm

JRod wrote:There's a 93.2% chance that I think this year's NCAA is like NCAA 05 and 03 (The bad years).

Have you played it? If I read all those negative posts I'd think the same thing. Actually 03 was good. 05 was horrible. Don't make me defend an EA game

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:27 pm

The thing about the game that has annoyed me the most is that sometimes as a running play begins I dont have control of the RB...he seems to do whatever he wants.

Dont let the negative posts fool you. I like the game ...Its what we do here...tear the mothers up.

Ive only played one game online but it played very well.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:30 pm

Inuyasha wrote:
JRod wrote:There's a 93.2% chance that I think this year's NCAA is like NCAA 05 and 03 (The bad years).

Have you played it? If I read all those negative posts I'd think the same thing. Actually 03 was good. 05 was horrible. Don't make me defend an EA game

I've been playing it. EA did a lot of stupid things with the game this year. But my biggest complaint is the offensive side of the game. Granted it's college football but when powerhouses get together expect the games to be offensive minded. That doesn't always happen in the real game. I would have loved to see defensive slugfests.

Now you can stop cupcakes and mid-level squads but when two like teams take the field, the game is all about the offense.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:45 pm

I've just learned to take the advice from others on another forum. I'm treating it for what it is a videogame. When I took that route and not to take the game too seriously I started to enjoy it.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:00 pm

XXXIV wrote:The thing about the game that has annoyed me the most is that sometimes as a running play begins I dont have control of the RB...he seems to do whatever he wants.

Dont let the negative posts fool you. I like the game ...Its what we do here...tear the mothers up.

Ive only played one game online but it played very well.

This game has a lot of 2k in it. Sometimes your players get stuck in their animations making it hard to control them. And the way the players run with their butts hanging out is sort of like 2k.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:02 pm

I sort of get the feeling that the flaws in the engine dictated the whole offensive wide open game play marketing plan. As someone pointed out earlier, I have no doubt that next year will all be about the defense.

The game is fun, but not as good as I hoped - based on the demo. I just don't understand the 2 steps forward and one step back.

BTW, I downloaded DT Linder's rosters and uploaded them on my ID: kevinpars. I have dorked around in dynasty mode without having any issues with these rosters.