NCAA Football 11

[toonarmy]

Hey, I've played 'em all...except last year's, because I was so tired of the same ol' thing. This ain't the same ol' thing...

Last year's was a lot harder for me, but I only made it though 3 seasons, with version 09, I played almost 10.

I agree. I wasn't going to buy 11 based on how much of a joke the AI was, but after seeing what the patch allegedly fixed I bought it on launch day. I have played this game pretty much nonstop since Tuesday other than sleeping and eating. I do not know how anyone can possibly lose on All-American. I can use a crap team and beat the likes of Bama and USC without any problem. There are some cool things about the game, but overall something is going to have to be done to the wreck of the AI. Heisman level is also a mess because the user's defense is too good and the CPU has a really hard time scoring. The coverages are incredibly messed up, which I think contributes to much of the problem. Running is fun, and run defense is generally pretty decent, other than a fast QB being able to rape it at will on the QB run.

I tried the game online and it was sort of fun except that even when you choose the right defensive plays a skilled gamer can take advantage of the crap AI and exploit the secondary fairly easily, resulting in a back and forth offensive-fest.

The control in 11 is good, and running the ball is much more fun than in 10. There are certainly some improvements in that area. I'm sure some slider sets will come along that will improve the offline component, so I will be looking out for those. I'm also holding out hope that EA releases a second patch that actually fixes the AI as advertised.

About everyone I know is having the same experience as me with the game, which is reassuring because after reading the love-fest with the game over at OS I was wondering if I was missing something. EA made some positive steps with 11 (control, animations, running game, player graphics), but took some steps back as well. I think I will hang onto it a bit longer and see if EA improves the AI with a patch and/or someone comes up with a magical set of sliders that makes the game more realistic.

[Naples39]

Apparently fairdale kings roster is complete and available by searching that xbl tag. All names for all teams entered. I hope to try it tonight.

[toonarmy]

Has anybody else had a problem connecting to EA's servers? Every time my game starts (which has admittedly on been 3 times) I get a message saying that EA's servers are not available. I then try to connect to Xbox Live so I can input my code and I get the same message.

I couldn't get on last night, and have not been able to today either. Online was fine before that. It really sucks because the rosters are now done and I cannot even get onto the EA servers to get those. Some people are getting on fine, while others are having no luck.

[Rodster]

Hey, I've played 'em all...except last year's, because I was so tired of the same ol' thing. This ain't the same ol' thing...

Last year's was a lot harder for me, but I only made it though 3 seasons, with version 09, I played almost 10.

I agree. I wasn't going to buy 11 based on how much of a joke the AI was, but after seeing what the patch allegedly fixed I bought it on launch day. I have played this game pretty much nonstop since Tuesday other than sleeping and eating. I do not know how anyone can possibly lose on All-American. I can use a crap team and beat the likes of Bama and USC without any problem. There are some cool things about the game, but overall something is going to have to be done to the wreck of the AI. Heisman level is also a mess because the user's defense is too good and the CPU has a really hard time scoring. The coverages are incredibly messed up, which I think contributes to much of the problem. Running is fun, and run defense is generally pretty decent, other than a fast QB being able to rape it at will on the QB run.

I tried the game online and it was sort of fun except that even when you choose the right defensive plays a skilled gamer can take advantage of the crap AI and exploit the secondary fairly easily, resulting in a back and forth offensive-fest.

The control in 11 is good, and running the ball is much more fun than in 10. There are certainly some improvements in that area. I'm sure some slider sets will come along that will improve the offline component, so I will be looking out for those. I'm also holding out hope that EA releases a second patch that actually fixes the AI as advertised.

About everyone I know is having the same experience as me with the game, which is reassuring because after reading the love-fest with the game over at OS I was wondering if I was missing something. EA made some positive steps with 11 (control, animations, running game, player graphics), but took some steps back as well. I think I will hang onto it a bit longer and see if EA improves the AI with a patch and/or someone comes up with a magical set of sliders that makes the game more realistic.

So you, like JRod are not that impressed with this version. Can you compare it to NCAA 09 (the AI) because that's what I currently have and have been playing. I still haven't picked up NCAA 11.

[sportdan30]

I still don't get the AA is too easy, but whatever. I guess my skils are pretty piss poor, but I'm having very competitive games.

[toonarmy]

Last year's was a lot harder for me, but I only made it though 3 seasons, with version 09, I played almost 10.

I agree. I wasn't going to buy 11 based on how much of a joke the AI was, but after seeing what the patch allegedly fixed I bought it on launch day. I have played this game pretty much nonstop since Tuesday other than sleeping and eating. I do not know how anyone can possibly lose on All-American. I can use a crap team and beat the likes of Bama and USC without any problem. There are some cool things about the game, but overall something is going to have to be done to the wreck of the AI. Heisman level is also a mess because the user's defense is too good and the CPU has a really hard time scoring. The coverages are incredibly messed up, which I think contributes to much of the problem. Running is fun, and run defense is generally pretty decent, other than a fast QB being able to rape it at will on the QB run.

I tried the game online and it was sort of fun except that even when you choose the right defensive plays a skilled gamer can take advantage of the crap AI and exploit the secondary fairly easily, resulting in a back and forth offensive-fest.

The control in 11 is good, and running the ball is much more fun than in 10. There are certainly some improvements in that area. I'm sure some slider sets will come along that will improve the offline component, so I will be looking out for those. I'm also holding out hope that EA releases a second patch that actually fixes the AI as advertised.

About everyone I know is having the same experience as me with the game, which is reassuring because after reading the love-fest with the game over at OS I was wondering if I was missing something. EA made some positive steps with 11 (control, animations, running game, player graphics), but took some steps back as well. I think I will hang onto it a bit longer and see if EA improves the AI with a patch and/or someone comes up with a magical set of sliders that makes the game more realistic.

So you, like JRod are not that impressed with this version. Can you compare it to NCAA 09 (the AI) because that's what I currently have and have been playing. I still haven't picked up NCAA 11.

I do not remember enough about the AI in 09 to be able to give you a detailed and honest answer. I can say that the feel of gameplay and control in 11 is the best in the history of the series, including 09 and 10. And in terms of difficulty there is no way I whooped up on the CPU in 09 or 10 like I am doing in 11. This year's AA feels in difficulty more like Varsity in past versions. I refuse to spend massive amounts of time trying to balance sliders, so I will wait and see if anyone comes up with something good that corrects difficulty and AI issues in 11. If that can happen then this game will be given new legs for me.

[Rodster]

I do not remember enough about the AI in 09 to be able to give you a detailed and honest answer. I can say that the feel of gameplay and control in 11 is the best in the history of the series, including 09 and 10. And in terms of difficulty there is no way I whooped up on the CPU in 09 or 10 like I am doing in 11. This year's AA feels in difficulty more like Varsity in past versions. I refuse to spend massive amounts of time trying to balance sliders, so I will wait and see if anyone comes up with something good that corrects difficulty and AI issues in 11. If that can happen then this game will be given new legs for me.

That puts it into perspective. I'm not very good at these types of sports games and I find the AI to be competitive in NCAA 09 (varsity). But if AA is like Varsity then it shouldn't be a problem for me. I'll just turn it up a notch.

[Naples39]

Difficulty is not an issue for me in this game, and as a matter of fact I'm about ready to give up trying to run the option. It's one thing to get stuffed on it, but it's just pointless and no fun when you QB can't move. Most option plays begin with an option to hand off to the FB, and by the time the QB is pulling away from the FB in this game he's almost always getting hit. Sometimes you can barely pitch it away, but the pitch is too soon and your running back who receives the pitch is lucky to get back to the line of scrimmage.

I tried with Georgia Tech versus some awful team on AA just to see if it's a talent thing, and even then the QB was being hit immediately. I broke a few long runs, but those were purely broken plays instead of properly executed plays.

Even worse, a lot of pass plays still begin with the FB handoff option, and 75% of those plays, my QB is sacked before I can even bring up the passing icons.

Pretty disappointing that running a true triple option is basically impossible in 11. Guess I'll have to try some other crazy offenses like the spread and stuff, but my main interest in NCAA over Madden is not just running pro style offenses.

[TCrouch]

I played a game with Navy running the triple option all night. If you're getting hit, they know you're going to be rolling with the option and are just bringing the house. Hold the button to hand off to the fullback a few times and back them off.

It's entirely possible to run the option offense. It's just if they know it's coming they keep sending pressure off the edges and destroy your QB before you can do anything. If you see the OLBs acting like they're coming, just hand off to the fullback instead. Eventually you'll back them off and then you'll have the opportunity to open up the option some more.

[vader29]

With the named rosters I started an offline dynasty last night on AA with 8 minute quarters and was ahead of Utah 24-3 going into the 4th quarter and was trying to run time off the clock but they ended up stuffing me on three straight drives and scored two quick tds to pull within a touchdown before they threw an int that allowed me to hold on for the win. Had a play where my running back was stood up by two defenders and one of my linemen came up from behind and helped push the running back forward for another yard, thought that was pretty cool. Using default settings I'm seeing between four or five penalties per game, have had a few roughing the passer calls myself from my linemen.

Fun stuff, definitely the best college game in a long while for me.

[Naples39]

I played a game with Navy running the triple option all night. If you're getting hit, they know you're going to be rolling with the option and are just bringing the house. Hold the button to hand off to the fullback a few times and back them off.

It's entirely possible to run the option offense. It's just if they know it's coming they keep sending pressure off the edges and destroy your QB before you can do anything. If you see the OLBs acting like they're coming, just hand off to the fullback instead. Eventually you'll back them off and then you'll have the opportunity to open up the option some more.

I'll give it another shot, but the problem I've seen isn't OLBs coming around, but DTs busting straight up the middle.

[dbdynsty25]

I can definitely tell the difference between teams, at least on AA...lol. I played FC-West in my Miami dynasty and won 98-0. Then went into Ohio State and BARELY won 27-21. I was up 24-7 at half and literally did nothing in the second half but scrounge up another field goal. It was fantastic.

A couple of times I threw passes that thought they'd get batted down by DBs and LBs with their heads looking the opposite way, but like they should, the ball just dropped into the hands of the receiver. That sh*t never happened prior to this year. This game is just damn fun...tho it still takes too long. 7 min. quarters shouldn't take over an hour to play.

[TCrouch]

7 mins takes me 45 mins on average, but I set my gameplan to Tempo: Conservative pretty early in the game. It helps speed it up a bit.

[bdunn13]

I wanna play!

[JRod]

So you, like JRod are not that impressed with this version. Can you compare it to NCAA 09 (the AI) because that's what I currently have and have been playing. I still haven't picked up NCAA 11.

Whoa...whoa whoa. I said I didn't like locomotion. I didn't say go to the point where I said I was or wasn't impressed with the game.

I have it on 9 minutes and it's too many.

[Aristo]

I played a game with Navy running the triple option all night. If you're getting hit, they know you're going to be rolling with the option and are just bringing the house. Hold the button to hand off to the fullback a few times and back them off.

It's entirely possible to run the option offense. It's just if they know it's coming they keep sending pressure off the edges and destroy your QB before you can do anything. If you see the OLBs acting like they're coming, just hand off to the fullback instead. Eventually you'll back them off and then you'll have the opportunity to open up the option some more.

I had a game against an option team where I started figuring out how to start stuffing them by keying on the run based on which HB went in motion. The CPU then began burning me by passing out of the option to the opposite side of the field. And it did, indeed, back me off from over-committing.

I just thought it was cool that the game seemed to adjust. Of course, it might have just felt that way, but I suddenly felt like I was in a good game of cat and mouse.

[Aristo]

Using default settings I'm seeing between four or five penalties per game, have had a few roughing the passer calls myself from my linemen. .

I played an online game against a friend last night, and he was called for several holding calls, but I didn't commit any penalties. But when mentioning to him that it was odd how he was getting so many penalties, he admitted that he had set his OL in the gameplan to hold blocks longer, which runs the risk of penalties.

I think it would be interesting if the gameplan could be utilized like sliders to help create more realistic results. Is there a way to adjust the gameplans of CPU teams in a dynasty? It can have an effect on how teams play far beyond just penalties, but how often a team gets INTs, forces fumbles, and gives up big plays.

By the same token, if you are aware of what your opponent is doing, there ought to be some good ways in which you can exploit the the vulnerability he has exposed himself to. Hopefully this will not become a way to cheese the game, but actually a great way to improve on the chess match.

[kevinpars]

You guys can complain about the bug post on Operation Sports all you want but imagine having a tight game in Dynasty in week 2 between FSU and Oklahoma. I am playing as FSU. Winning 16-10 with about 3.5 minutes to go in the 4th. The Sooners score - but MISS THE EXTRA POINT!!! I am pumped about my chances until we go to the kickoff and it is FSU WHO IS KICKING OFF TO OKLAHOMA.

Sorry, but after investing the time in a tight game and then ending up losing because of a lame bug (the Sooners scored a FG off the ensuing possession and ended up getting a turnover on the next FSU possession) I am glad to have somewhere to post the specifics of the bug. Maybe it will be fixed in a patch. We are not talking about teams wearing the wrong unis or some such garbage but a nasty bug in a game i spent 60 bones to purchase.

A bug like this is like going to a movie and having the reel break 5 minutes before the end of the movie and not getting your money back. It is not whining to find an issue with a problem like this one.

In all the years of playing video game football, this is the first time i remember giving up a TD and then kicking off. I am glad OS has an efficient way of reporting things like this bug.

[Naples39]

I am finding a groove with an option offense. Ironically, the key for me has been to run far fewer triple option plays. Instead mix in a lot misdirection handoffs, sweeps, QB delays, speed options, with the occasional play action. With the locomotion running/tackling this year, an improved run blocking, it's all very satisfying to put together a long drive.

I also started a dynasty and doing much better than expected, though I've only played crap teams so far. Hopefully the fun keeps up.

Also, where are these options to settings like conservative game pace or hold block longer? I don't see them under strategy settings.

[Zeppo]

Also, where are these options to settings like conservative game pace or hold block longer? I don't see them under strategy settings.

When you are in the playcalling screen, you can toggle over to the 'coach's choice' section. In there, you hit the X-button I think that would be labelled 'strategy' or 'gameplan' or some such. That's where all the toggles they introduced last year are accessed, such as 'go for big play' and 'holding blocks' and so on, for which you can select normal, conservative or aggressive. Among them on the offensive side of the ball is 'tempo' and if you choose conservative it'll 'chew clock' which works pretty much like accelerated clock in Madden.

[ScoopBrady]

Still haven't had a ton of time to play this but what I have played I have enjoyed. I was finally able to log in to the EA servers. I guess it was a problem with my account. I went to EASportsworld.com and updated my account yesterday morning and last night I was finally able to log in. Fairdale Kings' rosters are awesome!

[Teal]

Fairdale Kings' rosters are awesome!

Yes...yes they are. That cat rules!

[Murph]

The off-season in Online Dynasty mode is TEDIOUS when you're only using one human player. It forces you to wait 20 minutes in between each little activity like graduating seniors, tranfer requests, etc.

[tjung0831]

Almost picked this up but my MLB 10 the show disc cracked and now is no longer playable so I picked up a new copy of the show at the reduced price of $40. Im gonna stick with the Show unti NHL 11 hits the shelves. No football games for me this year. I spent $100 plus on the Show this year...not many games I would do that for.

[Murph]

The off-season in Online Dynasty mode is TEDIOUS when you're only using one human player. It forces you to wait 20 minutes in between each little activity like graduating seniors, tranfer requests, etc.

It turns out that this is intentional. According to a poster over on OS, EA posted a message on the news link stating that they had to do this to help the servers. The message stated that over time that the delay will be reduced or removed.