NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

[Moostache]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

I played it last night. Won 21-0 using LSU. It was 14-0 into the 4th when they intercepted me and marched down inside the 20 but threw their own Int, picked off at the 1 and returned for a Td (it was a pretty realistic man coverage int on a slant). My defense scored 2 of the 3 TDs. Overall I was very pleased. Observations:

1) The crowd is one area where they can improve. Crowd movement and look still not where it should be for a next gen game.

2) Presentation has improved significantly. No lag in selecting plays.

3) I liked the new implementations, including the "focus" on one area feature for defense, adds a new element to the strategy.

4) Didn't notice a significant difference in running game, passing game seemed a bit easier (then again this was in varsity mode).

5) CPU AI seemed improved - the CPU called a good game, moving the ball on offense despite 2 realistic turnovers (one coming on a hit and strip in the backfield after I focused on creating a turnover), and intercepting an ill-advised pass into coverage after they blitzed me.

6) didn't notice too many new animations, and didn't play around with juke stick, but graphics and colors were slightly sharper.

Overall, it was a great first experience with 09. Considering its graphics and amount of realism and animations, it's looking like the best football game I have ever played. By next year I expect improved crowds, ALL div1A stadiums, and even more polished gameplay.

I think that I would settle for better crowd AUDIO...I want to hear boo's rain down on the home team when appropriate and I want to feel the crowd's elation when the home team does something right....truthfully, if EA decided to keep the camera on the field and occasionally on the sidelines with very limited views of the crowd I would be OK with it as long as the sounds of the stadium experience were done better....one of the reasons I am looking forward to custom sounds in the retail NCAA so much...we will finally have the option of MAKING the crowd boo when an away team gets a first down!

[ODogg]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

I tried the online thing. I ended up playing some 13 year olds who scramble to the side every play. My final attempt at the online deal, was Madden '08 - The guy chose Seattle, and I was like ''Wow, finally, a guy who's going to actually play football.'' Turns out, I forgot Seattle has Seneca Wallace, so the guy brought him in, and yeah, scrambled to the side every play. Unless I can get in a dynasty with straight up players from here, I'm not interested in online.

My main concern about the CPU is the turnovers.. IF this issue is indeed fixed, which I have my doubts - I can probably find some way of getting the CPU to be competitive. I played four demo games, each game had 3 to 4 CPU interceptions, ending in 0 CPU points in every game. No, it's not the actual game, but can you understand my concern?

Oh, and for the guy who mentioned ''low difficulties.'' Please, if these games had ''super super ridiculously hard'' mode, I'd play it. Unfortunately, they don't.

Just get OS'ers on your gamertag list and you won't have that problem. That and/or join a league. Check out the online forum here.

[nxt]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

Your right, were are the little things, like in mlb08, least they are different things that happen, that the gentlemen on OS say did you see that. My point is the little things that keep us gentlemen putting that disk back in.Yes gameplay is in important, CPU @ AI Intellgence is important TOO,but the little things are important Like home field adv. half reports from the Booth, which players are controling the game,@ end of game reports. Love to play, but the little things keep me putting that disk back in, thats why mlb08 is so great, thats why so many people give MLB 08 such high ratings. Just my thoughts. Hoppy60

I'm with you. They haven't even scratched the surface of things that can be added to make the game great. The little things that The Show has added is what I was hoping would be in NCAA when they started making games for CG. Rewind 2-3 years ago... my idea of next gen NCAA was too have everything from current gen (PS2/XBOX) and then some: Better graphics is a given, but I was also hoping to see better atmosphere and presentation - something at least equivalent to what 2K accomplished with NFL2K5. On the flipside, I think they're moving in the right direction now. I just hope they add more "little things" to give us that,"wow, did I just see that" factor.

[PAPERNUT]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

I think that I would settle for better crowd AUDIO...I want to hear boo's rain down on the home team when appropriate and I want to feel the crowd's elation when the home team does something right....truthfully, if EA decided to keep the camera on the field and occasionally on the sidelines with very limited views of the crowd I would be OK with it as long as the sounds of the stadium experience were done better....one of the reasons I am looking forward to custom sounds in the retail NCAA so much...we will finally have the option of MAKING the crowd boo when an away team gets a first down!

I agree 100%. Since they seem to be getting everything between the hashes fixed or close, next year really needs to be a focus on presentation and feeling. Make us think we are really at a stadium instead of a bunch of blocks clapping. A TV presentation would go a long way to making this game feel more next gen.

[bwall24]

When playing the mascot game,as Texas, I notice that the CPU Gators use the Gator Heavy formation. When i played as the gators the formation is not listed. I assumen that the FLA playbook is not available to human players in the demo. I was looking forward to getting a sneek peek at the gator playbook.

[carolo59]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

I tried the online thing. I ended up playing some 13 year olds who scramble to the side every play. My final attempt at the online deal, was Madden '08 - The guy chose Seattle, and I was like ''Wow, finally, a guy who's going to actually play football.'' Turns out, I forgot Seattle has Seneca Wallace, so the guy brought him in, and yeah, scrambled to the side every play. Unless I can get in a dynasty with straight up players from here, I'm not interested in online.

My main concern about the CPU is the turnovers.. IF this issue is indeed fixed, which I have my doubts - I can probably find some way of getting the CPU to be competitive. I played four demo games, each game had 3 to 4 CPU interceptions, ending in 0 CPU points in every game. No, it's not the actual game, but can you understand my concern?

Oh, and for the guy who mentioned ''low difficulties.'' Please, if these games had ''super super ridiculously hard'' mode, I'd play it. Unfortunately, they don't.

I hate online unless I see a gentlemen from OS Online, then I know Iam going to get a straight up game. To much crap goes on, everybody tries to find ways to cheat. instead of just playing the game the waythe sport is meant to be played, Thats why I really enjoy this site, besides gaining knowledge Of how to play the game, I have made a few good friends. I hope some gentlemen will start a dynasty or a bunch of dynasty,so we all cant play and enjoy the game instead have to worry about somebody learning how to cheat. Hoppy60 who cares how the game should be played. If you get your butt handed too you online bye a OS gentlemen at least you got a fair game. I Have a good feeling about this @ the gentlemen that blog ther information here. Hoppy60

[carolo59]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

I can feel your online pain for sure....but that is why I play my "serious" games in online leagues like OS offers or MaddenWars or DaOne League and a few others...

Honestly though, that is not just a Madden or NCAA phenomenon though....its true for all games online. Online gaming is simultaneously the BEST thing I have experienced in console gaming in the last 15 years and the WORST thing as well. IF you find a quality league of players though, there really is no substitute for a good str8/sim-style football game...I think NHL is close and some FPS with a good team or clan, but to me, there is simply nothing better in gaming than matching wits with someone and intentionally NOT using money plays or gimmicks to secure a win...

CPU AI is generations away from what I think everyone would like to see (ie. the equivalent of 11 human opponents on the field at all times)...but I will settle for improvements that simply do not reward stupidity! What I mean by that is that your very valid complaint of the cheesers who put in a fast QB and scramble sideline to sideline every other play is actually REWARDED by the game. If those type things were viciously penalized - by injuries, INTs, incompletions, fumbles and in-game flags for illegal man down field and holding or illegal use of the hands, then you would not see it any more...problem is that those of us who would LOVE that are in about a 10-to-1 minority in EA's eyes...

The really sad thing though is that I have to admit EA is RIGHT...look at the number of complaints about the players being too slow now as a case in point. The game slows down players by giving them more weight and momentum to prevent some of the circus-style cutting ability of the past and many players mistake this for a "lack of control" or "sluggish gameplay". The more real you try to make the game reflect reality, the less 'fun' about 80-90% of the buying audience would have...cold hard math for us sim-style players or afficienados to deal with I guess...

EA Sports Has along way too go to catch MLB08. Little things< they had two Years with this new Gen.You would think the atmosphere would change alittle bit, Iam not bad mouthing the game I just think EA relies on there name like Madden does, For sales ,instead of put some substance back into the game. To Me its the same game, but different speed. The speed should have been there last year, the game would have been a little bit more enjoyable for us, instead of feeling I spend $ 60.00 on a ping pond machine game.Hoppy60

[ODogg]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

EA Sports Has along way too go to catch MLB08.

I agree but one thing EA kills MLB 08 in is online play. The Show is just awful online with lag.

[tswells]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

I agree 100%. Since they seem to be getting everything between the hashes fixed or close, next year really needs to be a focus on presentation and feeling. Make us think we are really at a stadium instead of a bunch of blocks clapping. A TV presentation would go a long way to making this game feel more next gen.

What makes you think the game has been improved between the hashes? I'd argue it's grown more unrealistic with every release, the most recent guffaw being the focus on super-human offensive jukes and spins. Last year, the major problem was CPU turnovers. That wasn't fixed. Other than a prettier game, I don't see how this version is any better than 08.

EA is obsessed with adding/removing flawed features instead of actually making those features work correctly. It fools the average consumer into thinking they have a better game. It doesn't fool me.

[babyfat9]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

Ok...so the game play was a little bit better than last years version but not by much other than more fluid player movement but wat is up with the Quarterback under center off to the side most of the time. I was Perriloux and I went 6-6 with a 60 yard touch down and I still had squiggly lines on my route screen. Broke a few long runs hopefully it was due to the setting being at Varsity. Overall the game was ok but would have been nice if they gave us a Demo with different lightings other than dusk.

[bukktown]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

My opinion from the demo is the same as I had the last few years...
Over-responsive Left Stick (players have no weight or momentum) and Under-Responsive Face Buttons (there's about a .5 second delay when switching players on defense)
And it is impossible to manually defend a bullet pass within 20 yards because the ball is too fast in the air.

[ThreeKing]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

With everything I'm reading, is the 360 version THAT much better than the PS3 again?!!?

I mean, is it clear as day or barely noticeable?

[Village Idiot]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

Just spent the entire second-half with the ball; scored on the last play of the game. 14 plays, 4:00, 78 yards.

Didn't see one play result I "disagreed" with.

This game is going be great.

[PAPERNUT]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

EA Sports Has along way too go to catch MLB08. Little things< they had two Years with this new Gen.You would think the atmosphere would change alittle bit, Iam not bad mouthing the game I just think EA relies on there name like Madden does, For sales ,instead of put some substance back into the game. To Me its the same game, but different speed. The speed should have been there last year, the game would have been a little bit more enjoyable for us, instead of feeling I spend $ 60.00 on a ping pond machine game.Hoppy60

I agree with you for the most part, but I will give them the benefit this year as it seems a new regime has taken over, especially with Madden. The guys coming on the boards will help big time, but I do expect some dramatic changes in presentation and other areas we have been asking for. If we do not see much of this by this time next year, then I may be playing some kind of ping pond machine game than NCAA 2010.

[babyfat9]

Re: NCAA Football 09 Demo Available: Discuss Here

They need new tackling animations...I'd like to see a tough fullback go into a pile and there's a ruby scrum....or a small DB holding on to a RB's ankles for dear life and have a Linebacker come knock the RB.