NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

[PowerofRed25]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

A few more notes:

- I'm getting a ton of plays where the QB lines up way off-center. Hadn't noticed running all spread gun before but under center, he is way off.

- Passing is insanely easy. I'm cranking off passes between defenders on the run off my back foot and putting it on a dime. Reminds me of Wedding Crashers "I was first-team All-State, I'll make it rain out here."

- Onside kicks don't bounce at all. Tried about 6 times in a variety of locations.

- CPU threw a TD pass to a WR who landed BEYOND the white line in the end zone. Not even close. No review.

- Unfortunately, that's the only way the CPU can score on me. CPU passing is awful. If they get a good pass off, it's dropped. More often than not, they just launch a hail mary to get picked off.

- Offense is SO easy. Doesn't matter the team or offense. I've run 8 times for 150 yards in one half with Baylor's RB. 2 TD. That was running Wildcat and HB dive out of Strong/Weak. CPU run D is awful, players backpedal way too long and hardly react. I know we wanted the CPU to honor the play action pass which they never used to do, but this is crazy.

- Spin moves are incredibly easy. Juke moves are next to useless. The timing on those is weird all of a sudden.

- Still noticing a lot of psychic DB play, but ironically more in zone than man. They seem to be hedging towards exactly where the WR is going before he goes there. I notice it more on in routes than anything else.

- Still really bothered by slow down, lag and flickering on the PS3. Graphics are not even par.

Just a lot of really weird stuff going on in these games. The game itself feels really good, a lot better than normal and everything seems to flow very well, but I'm seeing some head scratching stuff.

[TheGuyBrian]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

A few more notes:

- I'm getting a ton of plays where the QB lines up way off-center. Hadn't noticed running all spread gun before but under center, he is way off.

- Passing is insanely easy. I'm cranking off passes between defenders on the run off my back foot and putting it on a dime. Reminds me of Wedding Crashers "I was first-team All-State, I'll make it rain out here."

- Onside kicks don't bounce at all. Tried about 6 times in a variety of locations.

- CPU threw a TD pass to a WR who landed BEYOND the white line in the end zone. Not even close. No review.

- Unfortunately, that's the only way the CPU can score on me. CPU passing is awful. If they get a good pass off, it's dropped. More often than not, they just launch a hail mary to get picked off.

- Offense is SO easy. Doesn't matter the team or offense. I've run 8 times for 150 yards in one half with Baylor's RB. 2 TD. That was running Wildcat and HB dive out of Strong/Weak. CPU run D is awful, players backpedal way too long and hardly react. I know we wanted the CPU to honor the play action pass which they never used to do, but this is crazy.

- Spin moves are incredibly easy. Juke moves are next to useless. The timing on those is weird all of a sudden.

- Still noticing a lot of psychic DB play, but ironically more in zone than man. They seem to be hedging towards exactly where the WR is going before he goes there. I notice it more on in routes than anything else.

- Still really bothered by slow down, lag and flickering on the PS3. Graphics are not even par.

Just a lot of really weird stuff going on in these games. The game itself feels really good, a lot better than normal and everything seems to flow very well, but I'm seeing some head scratching stuff.

IMO alot of this i sbecause it's on varsity

[Slaticus]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

Blitzes that exploit the game by allowing the blitzer to reach the QB in under a second.

OK. Makes sense.

A few more notes:

- I'm getting a ton of plays where the QB lines up way off-center. Hadn't noticed running all spread gun before but under center, he is way off.

- Passing is insanely easy. I'm cranking off passes between defenders on the run off my back foot and putting it on a dime. Reminds me of Wedding Crashers "I was first-team All-State, I'll make it rain out here."

- Onside kicks don't bounce at all. Tried about 6 times in a variety of locations.

- CPU threw a TD pass to a WR who landed BEYOND the white line in the end zone. Not even close. No review.

- Unfortunately, that's the only way the CPU can score on me. CPU passing is awful. If they get a good pass off, it's dropped. More often than not, they just launch a hail mary to get picked off.

- Offense is SO easy. Doesn't matter the team or offense. I've run 8 times for 150 yards in one half with Baylor's RB. 2 TD. That was running Wildcat and HB dive out of Strong/Weak. CPU run D is awful, players backpedal way too long and hardly react. I know we wanted the CPU to honor the play action pass which they never used to do, but this is crazy.

- Spin moves are incredibly easy. Juke moves are next to useless. The timing on those is weird all of a sudden.

- Still noticing a lot of psychic DB play, but ironically more in zone than man. They seem to be hedging towards exactly where the WR is going before he goes there. I notice it more on in routes than anything else.

- Still really bothered by slow down, lag and flickering on the PS3. Graphics are not even par.

Just a lot of really weird stuff going on in these games. The game itself feels really good, a lot better than normal and everything seems to flow very well, but I'm seeing some head scratching stuff.

Some of this I am (fanboyishly) attributing to the fact that this is a demo for a game that, to the best of my knowledge, is yet to go gold. It does have some kinks to be sure, but it is one of the most fun experiences I have had with current gen football games.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

Remember with all the "easy" stuff you are playing on an easy difficulty setting. The game isn't set to heisman or anything challenging.

It isn't easy because of difficulty level, it is easy because of the things the CPU is doing on the field. Option defense remains glitched out in Cover 3. The LB's simply slide like they are on a foosball table while the outside DB's simply backpedal and stop.

Zone defense in the passing game also have problems as players seem to get stuck on receivers running through their zone and never release them, which leaves entire sides of the field wide open. It happened in all the preview videos and it is happening in the demo. The CPU is almost trying to cheat its "read and react" coverage to beat the player to the spot in zone, but in doing so, takes them way out of their assigned area.

There are a lot of problems that I would classify as glitchy gameplay, rather than simply difficultly level. As others have pointed out, varsity is actually a bonus neutral difficulty level, meaning it plays fairly straight without one side getting a boost (as opposed to a level like Heisman which gives the CPU an incredibly unrealistic bonus).

I should preface my comments though and say I haven't lost to the CPU in the last three years of this game and I play with VERY hard sliders that are supposed to make you lose in my 12 user OD.

[rerdivine]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

It isn't easy because of difficulty level, it is easy because of the things the CPU is doing on the field. Option defense remains glitched out in Cover 3. The LB's simply slide like they are on a foosball table while the outside DB's simply backpedal and stop.

Zone defense in the passing game also have problems as players seem to get stuck on receivers running through their zone and never release them, which leaves entire sides of the field wide open. It happened in all the preview videos and it is happening in the demo. The CPU is almost trying to cheat its "read and react" coverage to beat the player to the spot in zone, but in doing so, takes them way out of their assigned area.

There are a lot of problems that I would classify as glitchy gameplay, rather than simply difficultly level. As others have pointed out, varsity is actually a bonus neutral difficulty level, meaning it plays fairly straight without one side getting a boost (as opposed to a level like Heisman which gives the CPU an incredibly unrealistic bonus).

I should preface my comments though and say I haven't lost to the CPU in the last three years of this game and I play with VERY hard sliders that are supposed to make you lose in my 12 user OD.

Lol the hardest sliders on these forums are jarrods heisman sliders black set. I guarantee you will lose.

And actually friend it has been said that all American is where none of the both sides get boost.

[DetroitStyle]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

Played a few more games today and the PS3 issues are still nagging. I thought maybe I needed to get used to the stuttering and framerate drops but it's too hard to ignore. It might be a demo issue, but then again it might not be.

The graphics are awful on the PS3. From the shimmering, to the low res textures, to the 3D grass and aliasing issues it's just awful in what could be a really polished and refined product. I bring this up constantly because these issues are nowhere to be found on the 360 and it really makes me nervous as a PS3 buyer.

I also noticed and can confirm that WHITE uniforms do NOT get dirty. Oregon's pants had the proper wear and tear, but the white tops were sparkling at the end of the game. Also, the bench players are a horrible mix of PS1 rendered players and next gen rendered players. It doesn't mesh well at all, especially on close up cutscenes that sometimes have them in it. It's like two different versions of the game are being rendered. This is not a demo issue either, as full retail versions in the past have had this. Lastly, the crowd is awful when not in a specific crowd cutscene. It's blurred (too much blur is rampant across all platforms) and pixelated.

The good news though is that I'm still really impressed with the gameplay, as it's solid and fun when it runs smoothly. Still not impressed with CPU playcalling though. I'm still loving the presentation elements and the ESPN integration is really well done. Commentary is good enough as well as the Reece updates, but I don't really pay that much attention to sound anymore in that aspect. The crowd noise and on field sounds are great though.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

OK. Makes sense.



Some of this I am (fanboyishly) attributing to the fact that this is a demo for a game that, to the best of my knowledge, is yet to go gold. It does have some kinks to be sure, but it is one of the most fun experiences I have had with current gen football games.

I'm willing to chalk a lot of it up to a month old game in demo form. Especially the slow down and lag and flickering and some other rough spots. But the things I'm seeing in CPU zone play go back to both last year (option glitch in Cover 3) and the gameplay videos EA has released this year.

The option glitch is back, but it is slightly different than last year. Last year, the LB's would slide and the CB's would simply freeze in place. This year I'm noticing that the LB's slide and CB's freeze in place UNTIL the ball is advanced beyond the line of scrimmage, at which point they react. Of course by then it is pointless. I'm a little worried about that.

CPU Zone defense I'm a little less worried about, but concerned none the less. There have been problems both in the demo and released gameplay video of zone defenders essentially latching on to WR's as they run through their zone (as they should) but then failing to release and running with them. Obviously that leaves a huge part of the field open. I've been trying to isolate when this happens and it seems like it is usually Cover 2, but with no replay, I can't verify it too easily.

It is most noticeable on combo routes like Shallow Cross. Where a zone defender will cheat towards the in route (before the in is actually run) and then stick with him across the field while the underneath runs completely uncovered.

Like I said, I'm trying to experiment but with barely any quarter length, no replays and limited playbooks, it isn't easy. I do know many others have made similar observations though.

[DerkontheOS]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

Reece sounds awful... His lines sound backwards.

[DerkontheOS]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

And dear god fix the sim stats for qbs! I can't play a dynasty where everyone has below 50% completion percentage.

Also, my player seem to be celebrating pretty hardcore at the end of the first for being up 3-0.

Then, there is the thing about my interior line not pass blocking and I get sacked before I even complete my drop back. Pretty annoying.

[SonOfEd]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

- Finally saw a new play! Within Wing Offset, there is a play where the WR on the outside runs a jet across the formation and you can either hand to him or keep and run a speed option back from where he came. Very cool.

I saw this play today as well. I like the little mini-series of plays that go with it. Not owning '12, I wasn't sure if this was new, and was something I really wanted in '11.

Back to Impressions, I just really need to see what will happen with sliders and threshold adjustments. The gameplay is reminding me alot of Madden 12, wich I still enjoy, but my heart is with the college game.

Really digging the in-game update addition, at least the fact that I will be able to see what is going on in my dynasty. Nice touch.

Its been hit or miss for me with the DT super blockshedding, either crazy quick or real nice pocket formed.

Overall, I'm still excited to get my hands on the game.

[DetroitStyle]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

And dear god fix the sim stats for qbs! I can't play a dynasty where everyone has below 50% completion percentage.

^This. Sim stats have been bad since last gen. It's probably not going to get fixed.

[tacosaban]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

I agree with Power of Red's statement a few posts back. I got suckered in with all the hype and went ahead and preordered. But, after playing this demo several times. I believe we are headed in the same direction as last year. Option seems off kind of like last year and is just one broken patch away from being just as bad as last year. The gameplay is just really screwed up IMO. Doesn't even feel like a football game to me. I know it's just the demo. But, I feel as though I've seen this movie before and I know how its going to end unfortunately. I hope that I'm wrong.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

This game was an all out pass attack, just to put the passing game through its paces.

- Is anyone getting any sort of defensive contest on curl routes? Defensive backs play a mile off on that route and never seem to recover. I've completed it every time for 12+.

- Got my first penalty so far, hold on the CPU. I actually saw the hold occur too, that was kind of cool.

- Nearly blocked a FG. Entire left side of my block team blew right through but I took control the guy and completely whiffed. He probably had it if I left him alone.

- PA passing looks really good. Defense seems to honor the fake and it is blocked well. I don't have to take control of the QB before the fake ends just to escape. Had a sexy throw to Woods on a PA off the counter. PA passes that boot to the side opposite of the QB's arm are still awkward, which he'd just twist his upper body.

- Crowd noise is louder while I'm on offense than it is on defense at home.

- Still getting a bunch of "psychic" DB play, although mostly in zone rather than man this time. Man seems to be tuned correctly.

- Just had a booth review of a spot. Was called short, review overturned it to a first down. Later in the game, had a call called a TD, review put it on the 1. Bad call though.

- Routes with hard pivots seem VERY sloppy, especially the follow route.

- There is some weird stuff happening on onside kicks. The second the ball hits the ground, a player or two dive on the ground nowhere near the ball. Some players run away from it and it usually leads to a return. Only time I got a bounce other than a 99 hop ground ball has been when I aimed all the way low.

- CPU just ran a fake punt on 4th and 24 (it was obvious when they aligned in a tight formation), all their receivers ran into the endzone and stopped, the punter threw it into the ground 30 yards short. They were in plus territory too.

- Just had a major WTF moment. Threw a flag route down the field at the sideline (Cover 2 safety stopped and covered nothing), my guy went up, caught it, was hit, both field came down inbounds and he was driven out of bounds. As he laid there, he dropped the ball. There was a weird pause, vibration in the controller and the ref signaled incomplete. It was a cool animation, but that's a catch.

- The rhythmic swaying of the USC band is driving me absolutely insane.

- Had a play where Barkley got smoked as he threw downfield, ball tumbled in the air and another unintended WR ran after it to get it. That was pretty cool.

- Threw a pass before the icon lit and it was a bad miss.

- Cover 2 zone defense continues to be a major problem for the CPU. Safeties DO NOT cover anything. 4th and 28 and I ran a Seam Route with Woods and neither safety even attempted to follow. They froze in their tracks. Same stuff from the gameplay videos. They gain neither depth or width on the field. Woods had no one within 25 yards. Next drive on 3rd and 19, I launched a streak up the sideline and no one even ran with him. It is like there is confusion on assignments because someone runs with the guy for 15 yards and then everyone stops.

- OL play is not good but better. I've had a TON of plays where they were confused, froze and blocked nothing for an instant sack.

- CPU runs an ungodly amount of slip screens and never completes a single one.

- Can't seem to get a fade route or throw to work. Even the slightest tap is a low throw.

- The pixelation of the grass is horrendous in replay.

- I can't seem to get sack avoidance to work all that well, but I also tend to react too late because my eyes are always downfield.

- Oregon's pants and helmet got dirty, jersey not at all.

- I threw for over 400 yards and 3 TD in this one. Threw 2 bad INT though.

[PowerofRed25]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

I saw this play today as well. I like the little mini-series of plays that go with it. Not owning '12, I wasn't sure if this was new, and was something I really wanted in '11.

Back to Impressions, I just really need to see what will happen with sliders and threshold adjustments. The gameplay is reminding me alot of Madden 12, wich I still enjoy, but my heart is with the college game.

Really digging the in-game update addition, at least the fact that I will be able to see what is going on in my dynasty. Nice touch.

Its been hit or miss for me with the DT super blockshedding, either crazy quick or real nice pocket formed.

Overall, I'm still excited to get my hands on the game.

They added that jet series of plays in Offset last year, that particular one is a new one though, it replaced a motion option. Last year it had the outside WR begin an orbit motion, the snap occurring midway through, you ran a read option with the HB and then the motion WR changed directions and became a pitch man. EDIT: This play is still in that formation, so this is an added play.

I'm not totally sure there is a read on this new play though, I'll have to experiment more with it and see. This play would have been a great starting point for EA to implement the veer/inverted veer. Bring the jet guy around, read that backside DE, if he slides out with the jet, keep and go right to his vacated spot. If he stays home or cheats down, hand and weeeee.

EDIT: It appears that the playside defensive is left unblocked on this play. So it is essentially a read option with the jet WR and then a speed option off of that. That's an incredibly tough and quick read though.

EDIT 2: I attempted to make this play into a do-it-yourself inverted veer and had some success but it isn't authentic since I'm reading the backside defender. However if you keep and follow the jet WR through the hole it makes for a nifty QB Power.

[Slaticus]

Re: NCAA Football 13 Demo Is Out, Post Your Impressions Here

They added that jet series of plays in Offset last year, that particular one is a new one though, it replaced a motion option. Last year it had the outside WR begin an orbit motion, the snap occurring midway through, you ran a read option with the HB and then the motion WR changed directions and became a pitch man. EDIT: This play is still in that formation, so this is an added play.

I'm not totally sure there is a read on this new play though, I'll have to experiment more with it and see. This play would have been a great starting point for EA to implement the veer/inverted veer. Bring the jet guy around, read that backside DE, if he slides out with the jet, keep and go right to his vacated spot. If he stays home or cheats down, hand and weeeee.

EDIT: It appears that the playside defensive is left unblocked on this play. So it is essentially a read option with the jet WR and then a speed option off of that. That's an incredibly tough and quick read though.

It is a cheap way to run it, but you can follow the jet motion man with the qb. Gashed USC with it by accident.