Tempting as it is to look back on those great PS2 games from 2002-08 with rose-colored glasses, it isn't really true that the game "evolved" all that much from year to year. You could argue that the 360 version has "evolved" much more since 2007 than the PS2 series did. But...
The difference is that starting point for NCAA on 360 was MUCH, much lower. In other words, NCAA 2002 and 2003 already had most of the core features that made the series popular. Dynasty and recruiting were tons of fun, and you could redshirt players, etc. Probably the biggest change was the addition of in-season recruiting, and I think they added recruiting "pitches" in 2004, which I enjoy, but never considered them that vital. Also, it was either 2007 or 2008 where we finally started getting skill development drills, similar to the Madden training camp.
On 360, we get in-season recruiting and some of the other "polish". But the 360 version has virtually non-existent TV presentation, and stat lines for players and other aspects like that hardly ever make an appearance. Also, the gameplay was worse from Day One b/c there are simply fewer controls. Yes, we do have hit stick and highlight stick, but defensive players can hardly do anything. Players who are engaged have precanned animation buttons (power and finesse)...you can't even "steer them" in the proper direction. And the responsiveness of everything is just off a bit.
HOWEVER, major props to EA for Online Dynasties and Roster Sharing. Even with all of the bugs, these features work great in the overwhelming majority of cases, and represent a true attempt to innovate and change the way NCAA fans interact with the game (and with others online).
08-20-2008, 01:01 PM
