NCAA 2005 or NCAA 2004

[Kodos]

Which do you prefer? I had a blast with NCAA 2004, and wonder if in a lot of ways it isn't better than 2005. Did anyone come up with good sliders for NCAA 2005 that helped both the cpu and humans pass completion percentages?

[Suicane75]

2004 for me. I bought 2005, played for a few days and got pissed off, it's just missing something to me. I went right back to 2004 and have been playing it since.

[Raiders Army]

I liked 2005...it's much harder to pass, and I like the homefield advantage additions.

[Z²+]

I don't remember the exact sliders, but I've had fairly realistic results playing on All-American by turning catching (or whatever it's called) all the way to the top, and then keeping QB Accuracy about the same or even decreasing it slightly to make passes a bit less perfect (a necessary requirement because I had to turn CPU awareness and reaction/reflexes (whatever this is called too) way down so that the CB's weren't super human and my WR's could actually get open from time to time.

Although I've recently switched philosophies and started running out of the power I and wishbone, so my passing % is not to great since my QB is basically a track star who pretends to know how to compete a forward pass :rolleyes:

Overall, I like '05 version better. Home field is great, along with the hot/cold in game ratings changes. I still wish I could find a way so that my rushing defense isn't top 3 every year, but maybe I'm just that good at defending the run :)

[VPI97]

2005 - I like homefield advantage

[moriarty]

2004 was the better game.

Having said that I'm playing 2005 and won't ever go back. Using sliders from Operation Sports has improved the game vastly ... although the overall gameplay was still better in 2004.

[samifan24]

I just got NCAA 2005 for my new Xbox (came with it). I never played NCAA 2004, but I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who has been able to do the following in 2005: not be able to complete a pass for their life, be in the top three in the entire NCAA in rushing defense, and try to have a WR get open once in a while. I thought it was just me. I play as UConn and QB Dan Orlovsky was like 37/137 or something very similar and I got so frustrated that I quit my dynasty and am taking a break from the game. All it's given me is pure frustration, but knowing that other people went through it too gives me hope that EA will fix the problem next year.

[MikeVick7]

2005 made you understand football more in order to be good at it. I thought it was great.

[MizzouRah]

2005 went back to Gamestop, I'm back at home with 2004.


Todd

[Kodos]

I just got NCAA 2005 for my new Xbox (came with it). I never played NCAA 2004, but I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who has been able to do the following in 2005: not be able to complete a pass for their life, be in the top three in the entire NCAA in rushing defense, and try to have a WR get open once in a while. I thought it was just me. I play as UConn and QB Dan Orlovsky was like 37/137 or something very similar and I got so frustrated that I quit my dynasty and am taking a break from the game. All it's given me is pure frustration, but knowing that other people went through it too gives me hope that EA will fix the problem next year.

FWIW, I read over at Operation Sports that the PS2 version is supposed to be much more playable than the Xbox version. Less bugs. Easier passing.

[samifan24]

FWIW, I read over at Operation Sports that the PS2 version is supposed to be much more playable than the Xbox version. Less bugs. Easier passing.

True, but I read that this is a patched version of the game for the Xbox holiday bundle pack. It's a fun game, just damn hard to pass the ball.

[samifan24]

2004 was the better game.

Having said that I'm playing 2005 and won't ever go back. Using sliders from Operation Sports has improved the game vastly ... although the overall gameplay was still better in 2004.

Can you give me a link to those slides? I've combed the OS website and haven't found anything yet. :confused:

[Kodos]

Here's a link to Jistic's All-American Sliders. (http://forums.operationsports.com/vBulletin/showthread.php?t=93878) I believe they are commonly viewed as the best. :)

[Kodos]

Jistic's version 2.2 AA sliders
Level: AA
Time: 9 min qtrs.
Sub out/in: 80%/85%
Home Field Advantage turned on.

(Human listed first, all tweaks made from extreme left or '0'. Max would be 20)

Human/CPU

Offense

Accuracy 20/20
Pass Blk 20/15
Catch 20/20
RB Abl 12/17
Run Blk 7/9

Defense

Awareness 0/0
Knockdown 0/0
Int 4/5
Break Blk 13/10
Tackle 6/5

S. Teams

FG Length 10/11
FG ACC 10/10
P Length 11/11
Punt Acc 12/11
KO Length 10/10


Penalties:

I've added penalties and these are actually working good. There is only 10 'clicks' for penalties so remember far left is '0' but far right is '10'. I don't remember the penalty names but just add this in order and it will be fine.

9
9
7
10
10 (this is a MUST, it helps the CPU passing game)
6
10
8
8
1 (i like my celebrations, adjust to taste)

[Noop]

Get 2005 because in 2004 you got whooped by me... that is all :)

[samifan24]

Thanks, I'll give those sliders a whirl this afternoon and see how the game plays out.

[Loki]

You know that in NCAA 2005, the CPU speedcheats on All American as well as Heisman this time.

Last year it was only on Heisman.

[Daimyo]

I went directly from 2003 (GC) to 2005 (Xbox - holiday bundle). Passing in 2005 is certainly harder than 2003, but I feel like its much more realistic. When i first started I couldn't complete anything, but now with some experience its working just fine. In 2003 you could throw to a guy triple covered and it didn't matter... or you could run out patterns all day without an incompletion. In 2005 you have to really watch the receivers to see who's open and often you only have a window of a second or two to make the pass.

I think overall its much, much better this way. The learning curve is a bit steeper, but offense is a challenge and I actually have to punt pretty often now. If anything its still way too slanted in the human players direction because the human defense is incredibly dominating.

[MizzouRah]

I went directly from 2003 (GC) to 2005 (Xbox - holiday bundle). Passing in 2005 is certainly harder than 2003, but I feel like its much more realistic. When i first started I couldn't complete anything, but now with some experience its working just fine. In 2003 you could throw to a guy triple covered and it didn't matter... or you could run out patterns all day without an incompletion. In 2005 you have to really watch the receivers to see who's open and often you only have a window of a second or two to make the pass.

I think overall its much, much better this way. The learning curve is a bit steeper, but offense is a challenge and I actually have to punt pretty often now. If anything its still way too slanted in the human players direction because the human defense is incredibly dominating.

I grew tired of wide open recievers dropping balls. Plus the HFA thing wore on me pretty quickly. I just love the way 2004 plays, but to each his own.


Todd

[bronconick]

I play 75% for dynasty mode and the like, 20% for playing with friends and drinking, and 5% online. Since the two teams I use for dynasty mode (Florida State and Western Michigan) are in conferences that will look different in 2006 anyway, I just skipped 2005. Plus, I've got Madden 2004 and playing with the draft clases is pretty fun. The only football game I bothered to get was ESPN 2k5 this year.

[Loki]

I never understood the "impossible to pass" thing for NCAA2005. It's harder, but once you understand the concept, you can easily get 75%+ completion rate.

The key is that your WR have to actually look at the QB.

[samifan24]

I never understood the "impossible to pass" thing for NCAA2005. It's harder, but once you understand the concept, you can easily get 75%+ completion rate.

The key is that your WR have to actually look at the QB.

The experience I've had is more that the coverage is unbelievable than my WRs drop balls, although I've heard that was a problem. I messed with the sliders some but it didn't help me much. I'm gonna try those sliders posted above when I get a chance after finals. Any tips you'd care to share?

[Loki]

I haven't found that the sliders help with pass completion much.

Here are my tips:
1. The key thing to look for is a potential for the WR to see the ball coming.
- Example of a high completion route is a square in, comeback, slant, deep ball.
- Example of a bad route is a HB flare thrown before the HB cuts upfield, quick throw to a WR going on a fly, quick throw to a TE. (any route where the WR doesn't look back)

2. Plant feet. I can't emphasize how important this is. Rolling out is uber and l337 and ch33z, but you can't complete many passes when you're rolling out of the pocket. Standing tall in the pocket is worth at least an extra 15% on your completion rate.

3. If you do roll out, make sure you stop a beat before starting your throw.

4. Unless your FB is a stud, don't bother.

5. Don't bullet the ball, and don't sky-lob. Something in between is the best.

6. A guy that has a step on a DB is actually covered. A lot of dropped balls are what I like to call "coverage correction" drops. Essentially it's like your guy is covered, but the animation for a DB to break the pass up isn't there. It seems like the game designers just make you drop the ball to simulate good DB play. You need a little separation to get a high completion percentage.

[moriarty]

5. Don't bullet the ball, and don't sky-lob. Something in between is the best.


That's probably the best advice IMO. You get a frustrating amount of drops or bad misses if you try to bullet it in there.

Using Jistic's sliders as mentioned above and using alot of pump fakes and play action I can consistently get 50-60% pass completions with a decent QB. It's not perfect, but it's definitely playable.

[Daimyo]

1. The key thing to look for is a potential for the WR to see the ball coming.
- Example of a high completion route is a square in, comeback, slant, deep ball.
- Example of a bad route is a HB flare thrown before the HB cuts upfield, quick throw to a WR going on a fly, quick throw to a TE. (any route where the WR doesn't look back).

This is one of the biggest changes IMO. In older versions out patterms were nearly automatic no matter when you threw it whereas now in my experience its much better to run slants or ins over the middle. It seems in older versions you could throw theball anytime and the WR would catch it... now you really have to time it to when they're expecting it or at least have the potential to see the ball coming. Very few times do I actually have a WR drop the ball when i throw it at the right time when they're ready/expecting it... i've had plenty of times where they didn't see the ball and it bounced off them.

I'm still trying to get a feel feel for how hard to throw certain passes. It definately feels like it makes a much bigger difference now than before.

[Cards4ever]

I absolutely love the NCAA series, I gave up on Madden years ago. Saying that, I hated 2005 and just wish 2004 had the schedule rotation, I would have rebought it if that was the case. ESPN 2K5 has been my football game for the year.

[Pumpy Tudors]

From what I've read, most people aren't having problems with their own completion percentage. Their problems are with the CPU's completion percentage, and I wholeheartedly agree with that.

[Kodos]

I'm having a real hard time getting the cpu to complete over 50% of its passes against me in 2005. What tends to happen is a bunch of incompletions followed by a long score on either a bomb or a catch-and-run after I accidentally pull the defender off the receiver. Also, my run defense is top-35, even though I'm playing with Cornell, who is D- across the board. Has anyone been able to get the cpu to complete 60% of its passes in 2005?

[General Mike]

There are things I like about 2004 (more playable out of the box) and things I like about 2005 (70 man rosters, recruiting). If there was a way to combine the 2, I would be in heaven. As it is, Madden 2005 has been much more enjoyable for me than NCAA 2005.

[Kodos]

The rotating conference schedule in 2005 is nice too. I don't want to give up on 2005, but it is frustrating that the cpu can't pass. Actually, I can't pass either, but I figure that is something I can fix over time. Unfortunately, as I get better on defense, the cpu pass completion percentage will likely drop even further.

On the other hand, I was impressed with how well Yale kept running the ball on me last night. They never abandoned the run. Although it was mostly feast or famine for the cpu when they ran.

My main problem in 2004 was the cpu would abandon the run, and my run d was always the best in the nation, despite having only average players on the d-line.

[INDalltheway]

I just hope NCAA '06 is as quick (gameplay wise) as Madden '05. After playing Madden so much lately I can't even play one game of NCAA. The dynasty mode is too great for the gameplay to lack.

[Eaglesfan27]

2005 just eventually lost me because of all of the dropped passes. It was ridiculous to see very good receivers dropping wide open passes across the middle even when no one was around them. I don't play 2004 much either, but when I need a NCAA football fix I use 2004.

[Pumpy Tudors]

As much as I loved the dynasty mode and overall gameplay of NCAA 2005, the dropped passes and XBox slowdown finally did me in. For season/franchise mode, I play Madden. For online play, I play ESPN NFL 2K5. If there weren't so many "glitches" in Madden, I'd play it online nonstop, but I finally got tired of the cheesers. NCAA 2005 just played too slowly for me.

[Kodos]

Has anyone tried finding good sliders on varsity? The low completions for the CPU are going to kill this game for me...

[Kodos]

I had a better experience this weekend when I played with Home Field Advantage turned off. The cpu completed 50% of its passes and seemed to be moving the ball pretty well. I also completed around 50%,although my percentage dropped below 50% late when I had to throw a lot because I was trailing significantly. Maybe there is some hope for 2005 yet...

Has anyone had better luck after turning HFA off?