NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

[JohnDoe8865]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

I'm enjoying the demo so far. The controls feel slightly "laggy" if that makes sense, but I really like the overall feel so far. First time I've actually enjoyed an EA college basketball games since PS1 days.

[racerx]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

I am really enjoying the demo as well. I have played about 6 games so far and it really is a nice change of pace.

The tempo meter is a great touch, I was using UK a lot and kept playing Tenn which likes to press and push the ball up court. It really makes you try and play your game. At one point Tenn had the meter at full throttle so on my next possession I was working clock and taking the shot clock way down before getting my shot off, which slowed the game down in my favor.

The stat overlays are a nice touch and I do like the free throw meter. Fast breaks are done well and I do like the player spacing, crowd reaction are nice and the atmosphere is huge!!!!!

I will need to adjust to the separate shoot and dunk buttons. Some of the animation are a little clunky but I can live with this. Shot motions sometimes don't feel natural and my pump fake are bad resulting in shooting bad shots.

Overall I believe I will be buying this on the 18th.

[TJdaSportsGuy]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Just played through 2 demo games, one with the Heels vs. the Spartans and one UT vs. UK. I love how the classic teams had the short shorts, lol. Nice touch.

One thing that I hope is just a result of this being a demo and not the full version is that they have a barely used fight song for UNC rather than the familiar "Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred" one (Hark the Sound for those who know it). They didn't have Rocky Top Tennessee for the Vols either. They had some other song that I don't remember hearing before.

The player models don't look as polished as they do for Live 09, likely because you have 10 generic players out on the court without actual human face models.

Now for what I like:

It is a WAY more polished version of the Live 09 engine. If you like Live 09, you'll love this, assuming you're a college basketball fan. The shooting percentages on the All-American setting were just fine. For one half with the 82 Heels, I shot 44% and allowed 49%. In the UT/UK game (I was UT), I shot a little higher mostly because I was forcing a lot of turnovers and getting easy buckets.

The AI will dish out to an open man on a double team like nobody's business...and when they get the ball, they don't just stand their with their thumbs up their ***, they actually shoot the ball. What a concept, huh?

Overall, this is a first day buy for me and I can see me spending more time with it than Live 09, simply because I'm more of a college basketball fan.

[JBucc]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Hah, this was kind of a nice surprise. I was just checking the demo section expecting nothing and there's NCAA Bball 09. Not really expecting much but there seem to be good impressions so far.

[Cane4Life]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

This game has the ability to be Sweet. The only flaws i wasnt to Jiffy on were the passes, it felt like there wasnt effort into them, and the opposing team would just take it...Sometimes when i go to shoot the 3ball, my guy drives to the net, but o well....

I cant wait to have rosters(I HOPE) and use other teams then UK and UT...

[ldpart67]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Well I gotta say this is a serious improvement over previous efforts. The only thing I noticed was some really questionable charging calls but that can be adjusted no worries.
Ive been a 2k guy since its inception. This game is solid and I am relieved. I didnt want my only College choice to suck. It appears EA stepped up.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Just played through 2 demo games, one with the Heels vs. the Spartans and one UT vs. UK. I love how the classic teams had the short shorts, lol. Nice touch.

One thing that I hope is just a result of this being a demo and not the full version is that they have a barely used fight song for UNC rather than the familiar "Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred" one (Hark the Sound for those who know it). They didn't have Rocky Top Tennessee for the Vols either. They had some other song that I don't remember hearing before.

The player models don't look as polished as they do for Live 09, likely because you have 10 generic players out on the court without actual human face models.

Now for what I like:

It is a WAY more polished version of the Live 09 engine. If you like Live 09, you'll love this, assuming you're a college basketball fan. The shooting percentages on the All-American setting were just fine. For one half with the 82 Heels, I shot 44% and allowed 49%. In the UT/UK game (I was UT), I shot a little higher mostly because I was forcing a lot of turnovers and getting easy buckets.

The AI will dish out to an open man on a double team like nobody's business...and when they get the ball, they don't just stand their with their thumbs up their ***, they actually shoot the ball. What a concept, huh?

Overall, this is a first day buy for me and I can see me spending more time with it than Live 09, simply because I'm more of a college basketball fan.

Just played it, agree with this 100%.

Love the coaches interaction on the screen, and that they use real coaches. I had Bruce Pearl yelling at me, nice touch.

I do not like the default camera angle on broadcast, feels like I'm missing the bottom of the screen, very odd camera angle to me.

It's like a more polished Live 09. Love the tempo meter. Kentucky actually played like Kentucky. I wonder if this will be part of the Live patch? Hmmm

It's a day 1 purchase.

[23]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Looks like this will complete my basketball revolution this year

[DirtyJerz32]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Nice impressions so far. Really nice. Keep them coming.

[thmst30]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Will have to try this one tonight before I get Gears of War 2. How's the download speed been today on Live?

[whittleboy615]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Nitpicky comment:
The outside, men's 3pt line on Tennessee's court should be orange.

Thanks BShadows for posting a video. I'll give some PS3 gameplay impressions after they update the PSN store. I can't wait to try this out.

[gbx34]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

The Arenas and courts all look great. All courts have this certain look to them with makes them look the same. But it only seems minor. The control are less "laggy" from live. Everything seem to be quicker then in Live. Like when players go back on offense to defense. Rebounding is a bit better. The ball and rim physic are slightly different then in Live but are still no that good. The first free throw camera is set to far back which makes it hard to see. The crowd could be better. Running plays are the same which i love. There is no crowd meter!!? Always liked announcing in this game, no different. On dunks the rims move!! (stupid live)

If you liked the Live engine , there is no reason to not like this game.

[thmst30]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

The Arenas and courts all look great. All courts have this certain look to them with makes them look the same. But it only seems minor. The control are less "laggy" from live. Everything seem to be quicker then in Live. Like when players go back on offense to defense. Rebounding is a bit better. The ball and rim physic are slightly different then in Live but are still no that good. The first free throw camera is set to far back which makes it hard to see. The crowd could be better. Running plays are the same which i love. There is no crowd meter!!? Always liked announcing in this game, no different. On dunks the rims move!! (stupid live)

If you liked the Live engine , there is no reason to not like this game.

Imagine that! I agree, stupid Live on that part.

[BoDontThinkSo]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Although this game is better than last years, it is sitll lacking in the gameplay department. The presentation is fine with the crowd and arenas and everything, but CH 2k8 takes the crown in the gameplay department. The jumpshooting in ncca 09 doesnt have a very good feel to it, players get stuck in animations, and button response still is not the greatest. the most annoying thing about the game though, Brad nessler says up and in about 4 times each time you play the demo. This game is better, dont get me wrong, but Im gonna have to pass and will be fine with playing CH2k8 with the new rosters.

[jnb5001]

Re: NCAA Basetball 09 Demo Available, Impressions Here

Looks like this will complete my basketball revolution this year

I feel the same way. This is a great year for hoop fans, so many quality titles. I woke up early to download this off xbox live,and played it when i got home. Game plays great just like live with improvements. I dont know if im the only one but i love the outside practice court, its graphically beautiful and is a change of pace from the live practice facility.