NCAA Football 2008 Impressions

[theknub]

as a side note, i have been reading across some forums regarding the game (was looking for some info on being a legend). it seems a lot of 360 owners have been expereiencing jitter/jutter on video and frame rates drop to singles digits. while i haven't experience this on ps3, it seems it is a 360 issue.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by theknub

as a side note, i have been reading across some forums regarding the game (was looking for some info on being a legend). it seems a lot of 360 owners have been expereiencing jitter/jutter on video and frame rates drop to singles digits. while i haven't experience this on ps3, it seems it is a 360 issue.

Wow, that sucks. I certainly haven't seen anything like that here!

Maybe this game is a touch slower than what I'd like but it's been stable, consistent, and I'm certainly happy enough with it.

[seanjohn21276]

I finally played a complete game against my cousin and was pretty impressed with the gameplay. I had to get used to the controls considering I was used to Madden and playing games on the 360(I might call it the 180 from now on considering it only worked half the time for me) because I got rid of my PS2. The graphics were pretty as well.

[emk4ou]

Is anybody having trouble with running the ball? I bumped up the Run blocking AI to 90% because it was so ridiculous and my QB just got tackled before he could hand the ball off to the running back...out of I-form...running the ISO...with a lead blocker. Am I missing something? Because it seems like the people at EA didn't even give this a test run. By the way, I'm playing with Oklahoma (one of the best OL's) at home against Utah State so it's not like I'm playing with some trash team trying to upset USC.

[theknub]

Originally Posted by JTK

Wow, that sucks. I certainly haven't seen anything like that here!

Maybe this game is a touch slower than what I'd like but it's been stable, consistent, and I'm certainly happy enough with it.

i haven't either. i did have one lockup when my roommate and i were playing earlier today. one of those weird, wtf things after a play when the playcalling menu just froze but the clock kept going and same with music. the system didn't freeze though, just the game. i'm with you that the gameplay and controls may be a hair slow. but, i guess you could also call this human. it can't be an arcade game that throws the ball the instant you hit a button or jukes or cuts the second you move the trigger.

Originally Posted by emk4ou

Is anybody having trouble with running the ball? I bumped up the Run blocking AI to 90% because it was so ridiculous and my QB just got tackled before he could hand the ball off to the running back...out of I-form...running the ISO...with a lead blocker. Am I missing something? Because it seems like the people at EA didn't even give this a test run. By the way, I'm playing with Oklahoma (one of the best OL's) at home against Utah State so it's not like I'm playing with some trash team trying to upset USC.

no, no problem whatsoever. i created a legend player and ended up at 'sconsin (beat the buckeyes JTK ) and have been running circles behind their trash line (IMO).

[supersix4]

I bought it for 360 and havent had any frame rate issues.. I love the game just wish it had the roster updates like mlb2k7 had for updating players Owell

[JTK]

Originally Posted by theknub

i created a legend player and ended up at 'sconsin (beat the buckeyes JTK )

That's the only way it'll happen.

...and have been running circles behind their trash line (IMO).

Lots of trash talkin' there in fantasy land.

[Pilam69]

This is NOT an ad.

If you want to play the game with the "real" players names go to www.maddenmania.com and you can download a file which you can then load onto your PS3 that will allow you to play games with the players real names. The announcers work and everything, it is AWESOME to hear your favorite player's name and know it is actually that guy. No more fake names for my guys or having to go rename everyone myself.

BTW, this is PS3 only as far as I know so go eat it 360 owners.

I just threw a pass from Alex Brink to Michael Bumpus and it was great. WSU players for those of you who care.

I freaking love this game, best NCAA ever. Recruiting is amazing, stadiums are awesome (anyone notice that the stadiums all have a "visitor" section now?).

Awesome.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by theknub

i'm with you that the gameplay and controls may be a hair slow. but, i guess you could also call this human. it can't be an arcade game that throws the ball the instant you hit a button or jukes or cuts the second you move the trigger.

This seems to have been the trend for the past decade to make sprost games more realistic in simulation terms. Games 20 years ago were "more responsive". Sometimes it's hard to decide if it is a flaw or totally intentional. I know all of the hockey games have gone this route since the days of NHL 95 when you tried to score 20 goals per game with Teemu Selanne.

[Blu-Ray Buckeye]

Originally Posted by Pilam69

This is NOT an ad.

If you want to play the game with the "real" players names go to www.maddenmania.com and you can download a file which you can then load onto your PS3 that will allow you to play games with the players real names. The announcers work and everything, it is AWESOME to hear your favorite player's name and know it is actually that guy. No more fake names for my guys or having to go rename everyone myself.

BTW, this is PS3 only as far as I know so go eat it 360 owners.

I just threw a pass from Alex Brink to Michael Bumpus and it was great. WSU players for those of you who care.

I freaking love this game, best NCAA ever. Recruiting is amazing, stadiums are awesome (anyone notice that the stadiums all have a "visitor" section now?).

Awesome.

That's awesome. I will definitely download when I get the game. In previous years, I'd play a dynasty and I couldn't wait to ditch my current stars just so I could recruits players with names attached.

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Pilam69

This is NOT an ad.

If you want to play the game with the "real" players names go to www.maddenmania.com and you can download a file which you can then load onto your PS3 that will allow you to play games with the players real names. The announcers work and everything, it is AWESOME to hear your favorite player's name and know it is actually that guy. No more fake names for my guys or having to go rename everyone myself.

BTW, this is PS3 only as far as I know so go eat it 360 owners.

I just threw a pass from Alex Brink to Michael Bumpus and it was great. WSU players for those of you who care.

I freaking love this game, best NCAA ever. Recruiting is amazing, stadiums are awesome (anyone notice that the stadiums all have a "visitor" section now?).

Awesome.

Good deal.

Maddenmania is good and these guys are supposed to be good, too: http://www.psxsports.com/

Tech geek question: Is it even possible for firmware to update a game from 30 fps to 60fps?

[theknub]

Originally Posted by Pilam69

This is NOT an ad.

If you want to play the game with the "real" players names go to www.maddenmania.com and you can download a file which you can then load onto your PS3 that will allow you to play games with the players real names. The announcers work and everything, it is AWESOME to hear your favorite player's name and know it is actually that guy. No more fake names for my guys or having to go rename everyone myself.

BTW, this is PS3 only as far as I know so go eat it 360 owners.

I just threw a pass from Alex Brink to Michael Bumpus and it was great. WSU players for those of you who care.

I freaking love this game, best NCAA ever. Recruiting is amazing, stadiums are awesome (anyone notice that the stadiums all have a "visitor" section now?).

Awesome.

i appreciate that this site is offering the rosters for free. however, the site itself is a mess and i can't find the rosters. got a link per chance to them?

[JTK]

Originally Posted by theknub

i appreciate that this site is offering the rosters for free. however, the site itself is a mess and i can't find the rosters. got a link per chance to them?

FWIW, I certainly don't mind thrown these guys a couple of bucks of whatever for the effort.

[theknub]

Originally Posted by JTK

FWIW, I certainly don't mind thrown these guys a couple of bucks of whatever for the effort.

ALLELUIA!

[Blus Brother]

Originally Posted by theknub

i appreciate that this site is offering the rosters for free. however, the site itself is a mess and i can't find the rosters. got a link per chance to them?

I went to that site and found this in their forums - you will need a flash drive or memory stick. Here is the roster link.......
http://www.maddenmania.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=163034

[JTK]

PS3 or 360, there's one gameplay element they've done to this game that I've decided I really dislike:

It's the loss of control the player has when it comes to "man in motion."

When I press the snap button (X on PS3) I expect to snap the ball whenever I feel like it after I've moved any men that I've wanted to or not wanted to.

It's driving me nuts on some plays to press X and the computer suddenly takes over MY team, moves some guy and then the ball snaps after several seconds.

That's just plain terrible. Taking controls and options AWAY from the player is a step backwards not forwards.

I also have to agree with most of the reviewers talking about loss of atmposhere this year. There's no home field advantage to speak of this year. Remember pressing the button and the crowd would get louder, the home momentum meter would go up, and the controller would shake along with the screen a little bit? All that's gone now. (And yes I miss rumble. )

I'm halfway tempted to compare this to the PS2 version and see if what I'm hearing and reading is true, which is: The PS2 has less pretty graphics but plays better and is simply a better game again this year.

I hate to even be tempted by that, but between the above nits that I cited and this slower than molasses at 30fps gameplay...I'm halfway tempted to do it. I guess that makes more sense then me buying an Xbox360 just to play football this year and get it done right.

This game does play awfully slow compared to what I'm used to and I suspect most others.

I like the game but I don't love it (yet) and I'm not addicted to it (yet) like I usually am when these games come out, so I need to find out why and see if I can make the situation better for myself.

Does anyone else kind of have a few mixed feelings about this game at this point like I do?

I suppose I'd give it an 8/10 like just about everyone else has, but with some caveats.

[theknub]

the plays you are talking about "i think" are designed to have a man in motion. when you look at the play itself, there may be a green line indicating this.

and yes, so far an 8/10 is correct

[JTK]

Originally Posted by theknub

the plays you are talking about "i think" are designed to have a man in motion. when you look at the play itself, there may be a green line indicating this.

This is all true, but it's still annoying. When I press that X button that means I'm ready to go right then and there.

In the past, you could move man in motion on any play you wanted or leave it alone.

I just don't like the computer taking over for me like that and getting in the way.

and yes, so far an 8/10 is correct

Agreed.

[shockin330i]

I starting a NCAA 2k8 tourny today at my parents bar. I hope it goes well.

[supersix4]

its not like the blitz or dreamcast 2k's where you could have a Dline player chase down randy moss ... not a good idea trying to compare those