Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

[rudyjuly2]

Pastapadre posted that the NCAA game has a similar feel to last year. He also mentioned that it has been tuned much better, the cpu run game is improved, the INTs were down and they throw deep. Isn't that a lot of what we were complaining about last year? Plus the R-stick DL moves and the reduced number of super pancakes and cut blocks should really make playing as a DL more fun as well.

For those that absolutely hated NCAA 09, the new game may not be for you. But for many of us, we did enjoy NCAA 09 and were just annoyed that a few blatant errors (super pass protection vs. lousy run blocking defaults, too many INTs, no cpu deep passing game, etc) really tarnished the game. If this game fixes all of the big problems I do think many of us will be happy.

I'm disappointed in all the great news we get about Madden and the sparse gameplay improvements we see or hear about NCAA. We'll all be the judge of the game once we get our hands on it. One of my favourite Madden games was Madden 2003. I didn't really like the '02 version since the run game was so heavily biased towards the outside and it had some issues. 2003 felt very similar but after playing it and experiencing a much more balanced game, I loved Madden 2003 and it was the last one I really enjoyed. Maybe NCAA '10 will be the same way. A similar feel to '09 initially but over time we'll see a much more balanced and polished game with few game killing flaws. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

[J-Unit40]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

Call it NCAA 09.5. Call it NCAA 10. Whatever. If the CPU QB logic is better, along with better pursuit angles, better pash rush, more refined passing game (overthrows, underthrows, off target throws that hit the ground), reduced INTs all across the board, playcalling logic, CPU clock management, CPU throws the deep ball, CPU AI RBs making up their damn minds and hit the hole, sideline awareness logic, better tackling, improved playbooks, new helmets and a ton of new animations, I'll be a happy camper.

35 days left....or less!!

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

I have a feeling that the NCAA demo might hit this Thursday but probably next Thursday, June 18th. I want to get my hands on it and see some of the changes for myself.

[therizing02]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

There are still some obvious issues, but I'm fairly certain that I'll be happy with NCAA 10 because most of my major complaints have been addressed:

1. Playcall logic. The biggest issue in 09.

2. Better pass rush. Defense may actually mean something this year.

3. CPU Deep ball will be prevalent.

4. Improved CPU running

5. Adaptive AI...this is huge....if it works properly.

Other cool additions:

1. Gameplan feature

2. Progressive lighting

3. Bands...I can't believe that people actually bitched about this....wait....yes I can.

4. Create a school

5. Chew clock

6. Recruiting logic tweaked.

7. I think my name may actually be in the game!

8. The new Madden Injury system is in NCAA

I say "fairly certain" because for the last two years, for all of the improvements that were made, there was always 1 HUGE issue that kills the game. 08: turnovers, 09: CPU Playcalling logic and AI. Hopefully the third time isn't a charm.

[callmetaternuts]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

I'd be pretty happy if most sports games, and in particular NCAA took the previous years version and just flushed out all the bugs first, tightened the game up and then added one or two features that were warranted.

To me, it seems thats what they have done. 09 was fun, but the lack of defense was terrible. That is what ended it so early for me. Not so much my defense (although the pass rush was neutered) but the CPU couldnt touch me on defense and I hate that. I want a tough defense.

Seems they addressed alot of the issues, or at least attempted to. We wotn know for sure until we get our hands on it, but Ive got no problem with taking last years version with good graphics, good features (minus wide open gameplay) and fixing it this year. That's what more companies should do.

We'll have to wait to find out if they were successful.

[greenegt]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

From the videos I've seen so far, NCAA 10 looks like fun and a definite improvement over last year's game. I do wish it was getting the same gameplay treatment that Madden 10 received, but what can ya do? TeamBuilder is a great addition and having skipped NCAA 09, I'm itching to get back into the series.

[aukevin]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

To me, NCAA 09.5 isn't worth $60, maybe $45 though.

[stewaat]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

To me it's worth $60.

- Improved online dynasty
- TeamBuilder
- More animations
- Gameplay improvements
- Other fixes

To each his own

[N51_rob]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

Yeah, I agree with aukevin, Take out SS, and TB and it would seem like we are about to drop $60 on a patch for NCAA 09. The two biggest features of '10 aren't geared towards me and while I'll probably get NCAA '10 this is the first year since in a long time that I will rent it first vise, going to college park and paying a little extra to have it the weekend before the street date. While Madden has moved from a rental first to "hunt to get it early" That is saying a lot personally.

[lilcoo3]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

Call it NCAA 09.5. Call it NCAA 10. Whatever. If the CPU QB logic is better, along with better pursuit angles, better pash rush, more refined passing game (overthrows, underthrows, off target throws that hit the ground), reduced INTs all across the board, playcalling logic, CPU clock management, CPU throws the deep ball, CPU AI RBs making up their damn minds and hit the hole, sideline awareness logic, better tackling, improved playbooks, new helmets and a ton of new animations, I'll be a happy camper.

35 days left....or less!!

+1

[KG]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

I feel the same way Rizing.

I've been critical of the NCAA '10 team this year but I was mainly comparing them to Madden and creating unrealistic expectations. They don't have the budget of Madden so I shouldn't expect the same results.

If those areas are addressed then I won't be mad with NCAA. It will feel much different than Madden which IMO is a good thing.

[Boucher]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

To me, NCAA 09.5 isn't worth $60, maybe $45 though.

This is exactly how I feel

[StormJH1]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

I feel the same way Rizing.

I've been critical of the NCAA '10 team this year but I was mainly comparing them to Madden and creating unrealistic expectations. They don't have the budget of Madden so I shouldn't expect the same results.

If those areas are addressed then I won't be mad with NCAA. It will feel much different than Madden which IMO is a good thing.

I think that the main factor in whether or not NCAA 10 will be perceived as a failure will be Madden 10. The reason I say that is that Madden 10 is looking like it at least has the potential to offer some major gameplay changes that could potentially leave NCAA in the dust (yes, referring to Pro-Tak)

If Pro-Tak is gimmicky and dumb, Madden will get flamed on, and a lot of people will like NCAA just fine. But since the two titles are so similar year after year, if Madden offers a cool new feature that gives it a more 2k/APF feel, it would be very tough to go back to the "old way" of having the computer (only) decide for you how many yards you get after initial contact.

The roster issues are a little scary, but I anticipate the community solving that problem. If nothing else, roster problems are less of an issue for long-term dynasties, where you end up with all created players phased in over 5 seasons anyway.

But Pro-Tak aside, how many times can you remember a successful sports franchise that underwent any kind of MAJOR overhaul this deep into a generation's lifecycle? The PS2 Maddens were basically all the same game, albeit with gradual improvements and new features. Same with the venerable 2k series, from 2002 to 2004. I don't think anyone could realistically expect a complete deviation from the way this game was in the past. And honestly, if you were already a fan enough of the series to consider buying it, you probably wouldn't want that anyway. Major overhauls should happen between generations, or between competitors, not within the same franchise from year-to-year.

[fistofrage]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

I feel the same way Rizing.

I've been critical of the NCAA '10 team this year but I was mainly comparing them to Madden and creating unrealistic expectations. They don't have the budget of Madden so I shouldn't expect the same results.

If those areas are addressed then I won't be mad with NCAA. It will feel much different than Madden which IMO is a good thing.

They don't have the same budget, but charge the same price. Your expectation should be on value. If it doesn't provide the same value as other $60 games then the decision should be easy from a consumer standpoint.

All they had to do was fix a few things for NCAA 2009 to be a very good game. For me(In no particular order:

1. AI throwing too many interceptions. And Worse Pick 6's because of the WIIIIIIIIDE OPEN game play.

2. No AI Deep ball.

3. AI play calling was brutal with the Cement Shoe Shuffle. A QB with 60 speed repeatedly running a QB choice play.

4. Automatic FG's. Please make it harder or bring back the button system

5. Fumble replays. No suspense, if the booth replyed it, it was over turned every single time.

6. Speed. The game was broken after 1 year. A team of 2* freshman speedsters could destroy USC, Florida, etc. WIIIIIIIIIIIIDE Open.

7. Penalties. Have the sliders actually work. I want to see more penalties.

If they fix the above, the game will be worth $60, if not, it will be worth considerably less to me.

[redsfan4life]

Re: Is NCAA 09.5 really that bad?

I hated last years game so I doubt NCAA will be for me.