NCAA 2006 impressions thread

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:19 pm

GTHobbes wrote:I guess with me, I even got really bored with something as simple as the way the guys broke the huddle in EA's football games. In VC's game, they seemed to change that over the years, so guys would break the huddle and stumble to the line differently....they'd even line up in their stances on the OL or DL differently from one another.

You mean like in NFL 2K4, where the offensive tackles would be in the up position at the line on EVERY f*cking pass play, tipping off pass before the ball was snapped every time?

Hey, I love Sega football as much as the next guy, but Sega had just as many, and probably more, screwups with its football games the last five years as Madden.

I enjoyed Madden last year despite its dry atmosphere, and I'm really digging NCAA 06 so far.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jul 15, 2005 10:21 pm

kevinpars wrote:With both MVP and NCAA being fun games, I feel better about my hobby lately. I would argue that neither of these games is exactly a sim, but they both have lots of variety and solid presentation that make them very enjoyable to play.

NASCAR 2005 has the exact same qualities. EA is getting into a groove of delivering enough realism to satisfy all but the most hardcore while making the game pretty fun to play. "Old school" fun with decent amounts of realism and solid, fairly bug-free programming.

It's a pretty good combination.

Take care,
PK

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:31 am

HouOilers wrote:I rented both the ps2 and xbox versions of this game last night. The xbox version plays faster than the ps2 version. It almost feels like its at a frenzied pace but thats maybe because I played the ps2 version first.

In the ps2 version, when I went back to pass, I did have some time to view my receivers before passing the ball. On the xbox version, it seemed like I had less time to do this since the linemen got to me faster. it seemed like the Corners and Safetys moved much faster to the ball on the xbox version. I dont know if the faster pace of the xbox version is a good thing or a bad thing.

As for slowdown, no slowdown at all on the xbox version. I had some slowdown on the ps2 version in one of the games I played. It happened only during 1 running play up the middle but wasn't too bad.

I liked using the juke stick on the xbox controller better than the ps2 controller. I had better control juking on the xbox while on the ps2, I would want to juke left but it sometimes read up and my player did that freeze thing.

I played both verison now after tonight. I got to agree with you about the xbox version being faster and I think it's a good thing. It feels more like your' playing a 2k game, got to make the quick read or your gonna get sacked. The ps2 pace of the game is more like ncaa2004 and I guess it's not that bad of a thing.

Your right again about the controller too. The Xbox controller when using the analog is much more responsive. When using the analog on defense, I can get off my blocks at the dline better than the ps2 one. Maybe thats why some people are seeing a faster pass rush on the xbox version over the ps2 version?

As for graphics, the player models on the xbox version just kill the ps2 version. They are so much bigger and bolder looking. Actually the ps2 version looks like they made the player models smaller. The nitpick I always had about EA games on xbox was the grass textures, well they still aren't as good as ps2, but they are close.

One thing about the ps2 version, the load times aren't that bad. Getting to play a game isn't that bad as I thought it would be. Not as fast as xbox but berable.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:34 am

This is a damn fun game. Just wish you could sim to the end of game or have an in-game save.

Played a Race for the Heisman as a scrambling QB for USC and just beat the sh*t out of Hawaii, who ran 4-and-5-wide the entire game. They continued to throw at the impact safety on USC, who ended up with three picks.

Then played as Minnesota at home against Penn State. Dominated the first half, exploiting some WR vs. safety matchups and running effectively, then got spanked in the 3rd quarter. PS has a dominating LB who shut down my running game in the second half. Then, on a 3rd and short late in the game, Maroney broke it for 70 due to the CPU crowding the line.

This has to be the smoothest and most fluid EA football game yet.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:05 am

I dont know what it is but it seems harder to play D on the ps2 version. I dont know , maybe its just me. My dlinemen on the xbox version and db's react faster to the ball on my button presses, whereas in the ps2 version they have a tougher time getting to the qb or ball.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:56 am

Weaver2005 wrote:I dont know what it is but it seems harder to play D on the ps2 version. I dont know , maybe its just me. My dlinemen on the xbox version and db's react faster to the ball on my button presses, whereas in the ps2 version they have a tougher time getting to the qb or ball.

I guess so...as Miami I just went 1 for 17 throwing...for -3 yards in a 31-17 win against Clemson. LOL...I ran for 190 yards and Devin Hester was a monster with an INT for a TD and a Punt Return TD as well. If I play a good team, I'm going to get destroyed if I can't complete a pass.

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:28 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Weaver2005 wrote:I dont know what it is but it seems harder to play D on the ps2 version. I dont know , maybe its just me. My dlinemen on the xbox version and db's react faster to the ball on my button presses, whereas in the ps2 version they have a tougher time getting to the qb or ball.
I guess so...as Miami I just went 1 for 17 throwing...for -3 yards in a 31-17 win against Clemson. LOL...I ran for 190 yards and Devin Hester was a monster with an INT for a TD and a Punt Return TD as well. If I play a good team, I'm going to get destroyed if I can't complete a pass.

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:38 am

TRI wrote:

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.

^
bullshit

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:23 am

Weaver2005 wrote:
TRI wrote:

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.
^
bullshit

Depends on whose throwing, whos receiving and whos covering...

I think this game is just plain FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:23 am

TRI wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:
Weaver2005 wrote:I dont know what it is but it seems harder to play D on the ps2 version. I dont know , maybe its just me. My dlinemen on the xbox version and db's react faster to the ball on my button presses, whereas in the ps2 version they have a tougher time getting to the qb or ball.
I guess so...as Miami I just went 1 for 17 throwing...for -3 yards in a 31-17 win against Clemson. LOL...I ran for 190 yards and Devin Hester was a monster with an INT for a TD and a Punt Return TD as well. If I play a good team, I'm going to get destroyed if I can't complete a pass.

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.

TRI:

We get it: You hate EA football. Really, we do. No need to interject that opinion in 34 different flavors into every football gaming post.

Love,
Baskin Robbins

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:28 am

pk500 wrote:
GTHobbes wrote:I guess with me, I even got really bored with something as simple as the way the guys broke the huddle in EA's football games. In VC's game, they seemed to change that over the years, so guys would break the huddle and stumble to the line differently....they'd even line up in their stances on the OL or DL differently from one another.
You mean like in NFL 2K4, where the offensive tackles would be in the up position at the line on EVERY f*cking pass play, tipping off pass before the ball was snapped every time?

Actually, that particular "problem" did not bother me at all... Don't get me wrong, PK, VC didn't make a perfect football game in any respect. But IMHO, they were getting there a helluva lot quicker than EA, who's been doing this now for a helluva lot longer.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:35 am

To each their own, GT. But that problem absolutely ruined 2K4 for me. You could call a defensive audible every time you expected run and saw the offensive tackles in the up position because a pass was coming EVERY time.

What fun is that? It was almost as if the CPU was saying: "Here, we're going to pass even though it's a running down. Go ahead and audible so you can stop us."

That was one of the bigger flaws I can recall in Sega football this decade.

Take care,
PK

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:43 am

I understand what you're saying, and I remember a lot of people complaining about the problem. I played 2k4 online a lot, and it wasn't a problem there because you could keep your opponent honest by mixing in some draws and audibles. Honestly, in real life, most OTs do stay at the line in the UP position on all third down pass plays. VC goofed in 2k4 by having them do it for most (I can't remember if it was actually all) pass plays.

But even that "goof" was a good thing, IMO, because none of the football games I had played to that point even tried to get that minor detail in the game. (Does EA have UP linemen in their games these days? I don't know.) If my memory serves, VC got it right the next year (2k5) which goes to my point that VC was working toward the perfect football game quicker than EA. Other people who really dig franchise mode and the innovations EA has made there might tend to disagree.

P.S. And sorry for the OT threadjack...

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:43 am

The only time deep passes were even remotely close to money for me was in my MN-Penn St. game. State rarely left a 4-3 set, so I started putting my best receiver in the slot, so if they went man, I had either a DB or LB on him. Ate them up when they did that. In zone coverage, it was not money.

The passing game just clicked for me last night in that game. I completed about 55% of my passes and that is about where it should be for MN (although the QB is so freaking overrated in the game). Sure, I had some big plays, but I also had a lot of slants, screens, and outs...ended up with 1 TD and 1 INT.

Passing is all about matchups, soft spots in zones, and blitz/coverage recognition--and this game, at my skill level right now on AA, has it nailed.

At this point, I'm also very happy with the dropped passes. Yes, there are drops, but it seems like the players are often starting into their post-catch moves when the drop happens.

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:08 pm

Weaver2005 wrote:
TRI wrote:

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.
^
bullshit

It is not bullshit. I have played about 30 games now online and offline and throwing the bomb may not be a money play, but they will get completed 75% of the time.

Last night I got my first taste of helplessness with this game when a guy completed 3 straight hail marys for tds against me. He had 4th and 27 on his own 20 and called hail mary. I called Dime prevent because it usually works against the deep ball in every other game. The guy, without hesitation, threw to the guy in the slot and I had two guys on him and I decided I would not intervene and let the CPU make the play. Result? TD. So I get the ball back and put together a decent drive and score and make it 7-7. He gets the ball back and calls Hail Mary on 1st down. I called prevent again and he went back to the same guy. This time I hit the B button and switched to the front guy and tried to swat the ball. Result? TD. So now I'm really feeling helpless, but I'm pissed as well. I get the ball back and call Hail Mary on first down. I just chuck the ball to my fastest receiver. Result? TD. The guy then pauses the game and types up "LUCK". So I type back, "So I guess yours are skill?"

I kick off again and again on first down, he calls hail mary. This time I called Dime - Cover 4 or something like that and the result? TD. After that I just quit. I've taken 45-3 beatings and not quit, but it was obvious this guy wasn't there to play football so I just quit. The only difference between this guy and the rest of the guys that play the game is this guy does it every down while most everyone else will only do it 2 or 3 times a game. I don't blame people for going to it because it is the closest thing to money in the game. Why bother with the short passes that aren't going to get caught anyway when you can go deep and almost guarantee a completion.

So Weaver, tell me how to stop the bomb, my friend.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:48 pm

Badgun, try blitzing next time. QB's in this game are much less accurate under pressure. I was in the same situation last night with less than 30 seconds to play and a 1-point lead. My opponent had no time outs left and needed to go deep. Running wasn't an option (oh, I crack myself up). I put pressure on the qb and held on to my 1-point lead. Since the deep ball needs time to develop a blitz will usually get through in time.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:10 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:Badgun, try blitzing next time. QB's in this game are much less accurate under pressure. I was in the same situation last night with less than 30 seconds to play and a 1-point lead. My opponent had no time outs left and needed to go deep. Running wasn't an option (oh, I crack myself up). I put pressure on the qb and held on to my 1-point lead. Since the deep ball needs time to develop a blitz will usually get through in time.

Yep, blitzing does wonders in this game.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:15 pm

Blitzing may make your defense more successful in those situations, but I'm interesting in realistic football, too. I want to call Prevent in Prevent situations and have it work, not figure out some arbitrary rock-paper-scissors playcalling scheme that doesn't mimic real football.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:16 pm

Badgun wrote:
Weaver2005 wrote: So Weaver, tell me how to stop the bomb, my friend.

Take control of the DB and play defense, it is very easy unless you have terrible hand /eye skills.

If you don't want to control the DB, then blitz. Pressure equals bad throws in this game.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:20 pm

FatPitcher wrote:Blitzing may make your defense more successful in those situations, but I'm interesting in realistic football, too. I want to call Prevent in Prevent situations and have it work, not figure out some arbitrary rock-paper-scissors playcalling scheme that doesn't mimic real football.

There's an old saying in football. Playing prevent defense only prevents you from winning.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:30 pm

MizzouRah wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote:Badgun, try blitzing next time. QB's in this game are much less accurate under pressure. I was in the same situation last night with less than 30 seconds to play and a 1-point lead. My opponent had no time outs left and needed to go deep. Running wasn't an option (oh, I crack myself up). I put pressure on the qb and held on to my 1-point lead. Since the deep ball needs time to develop a blitz will usually get through in time.
Yep, blitzing does wonders in this game.

Blitz while trying to use the analog button to hit, boom, caused a few fumbles too... I don't have the success with the long bomb some people are having though.

FatPitcher · Post by **FatPitcher** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:55 pm

ScoopBrady wrote: There's an old saying in football. Playing prevent defense only prevents you from winning.

So NCAA teams usually blitz in long yardage situations instead of putting more backs in coverage, right?

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:03 pm

FatPitcher wrote:
ScoopBrady wrote: There's an old saying in football. Playing prevent defense only prevents you from winning.
So NCAA teams usually blitz in long yardage situations instead of putting more backs in coverage, right?

Yup prevent didn't work in NCAA 2004 and some of the Madden games either.

Then again, the blitz didn't work that year either.

Madden 2005 was pretty solid with the prevent, even getting decent pressure with the 3 or 4 man rush.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:19 pm

Do players get tired in this game? I adjusted players to go out when they go below 85%, but unlike years past, I don't see my second string RB very often. Has it been toned down or broken? Any thoughts??

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:39 pm

Badgun wrote:
Weaver2005 wrote:
TRI wrote:

Throw bombs, the CPU cannot defend deep pass plays. The fly route is gold in this game.
^
bullshit
It is not bullshit. I have played about 30 games now online and offline and throwing the bomb may not be a money play, but they will get completed 75% of the time.

Last night I got my first taste of helplessness with this game when a guy completed 3 straight hail marys for tds against me. He had 4th and 27 on his own 20 and called hail mary. I called Dime prevent because it usually works against the deep ball in every other game. The guy, without hesitation, threw to the guy in the slot and I had two guys on him and I decided I would not intervene and let the CPU make the play. Result? TD. So I get the ball back and put together a decent drive and score and make it 7-7. He gets the ball back and calls Hail Mary on 1st down. I called prevent again and he went back to the same guy. This time I hit the B button and switched to the front guy and tried to swat the ball. Result? TD. So now I'm really feeling helpless, but I'm pissed as well. I get the ball back and call Hail Mary on first down. I just chuck the ball to my fastest receiver. Result? TD. The guy then pauses the game and types up "LUCK". So I type back, "So I guess yours are skill?"

I kick off again and again on first down, he calls hail mary. This time I called Dime - Cover 4 or something like that and the result? TD. After that I just quit. I've taken 45-3 beatings and not quit, but it was obvious this guy wasn't there to play football so I just quit. The only difference between this guy and the rest of the guys that play the game is this guy does it every down while most everyone else will only do it 2 or 3 times a game. I don't blame people for going to it because it is the closest thing to money in the game. Why bother with the short passes that aren't going to get caught anyway when you can go deep and almost guarantee a completion.

So Weaver, tell me how to stop the bomb, my friend.

I had someone try this against me the other night, in the one random game I played. After I picked him off on 3 consecutive hailmary attempts he quit.