NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (PS3/360)

[ehh]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

I don't know if this is really good for this game or really sad for Live but I actually like the demo of this more than I like the post-patch version of Live.

I played about ten games, first five on All-Conference (All-Star in Live) and then five on Varsity (Pro). After the first five games I was ready to delete the demo, same issues post-patch from Live were already annoying me on AC.
CPU's defensive rotations are way too fast on All-Conference and they block way too many shots in the paint, plus it's a little too hard to get past your man with the dribble (not an issue in Live). Nothing criminal, but things look so much better on varsity. Varsity is easily the way to go in terms of realism and an even balance between you and the CPU.

On Varsity the drive and kick game, defensive rotations and in general the entire feel of the game is so much better than All-Conference IMO. On default you just make too many shots and it's a little too easy to get past your man with the dribble but that can be adjusted in the retail with sliders.

One of my biggest beefs with Live is the amount of contact in the paint even when using Layup Solutions properly, NCAA '10 on Varsity does this sooooo much better than any setting in Live. There is some contact, but I've seen more clean layups in ten games of the demo than I've seen in about 25 post-patch Live games (full 48 minutes per game too). Thank the Lord! This facet of the game play alone will make me sell Live.

I also like the CPU's offense in this game more. As I expected, DNA seems to do more harm than good in Live. There's less wacky crap from the CPU in this game, though neither team pushed the ball all that much and both are supposed to be up tempo teams. That will probably be fixed via patch though. Again though, the only downside will probably be that teams don't go to their stars enough. Individualism is not going to be a bright spot of this game out of the box, we'll see what we can do with the roster editor. A big key will be is if we get the "shot likelihood" ratings that are in Live. If that is in this game then we should be okay, it'll just take a lot of work.

The post game also seems cleaner, animations and feel seem better. The net animations are also more realistic though I'm kinda sad they didn't put in the crazy "super splash" swish that's in Live for those shooters with rainbow arcs on their shot.

Motion offense for the user is a pleasant surprise, I like the multiple options and guys cut with a purpose. I love OBCing to certain guys and making their cuts slightly different (aka better) so I can get them a bucket.

I was able to take three charges which is cool. There was only one questionable call from the ref in terms of an offensive foul which is nice.

FT's are crazy as UNC, I think I made 1/20.


There are still plenty of issues that perhaps I'll touch on later but besides that color me impressed. Looks like the trend will continue as far as the college version of basketball games being the superior.

In summary...

- Contact in lane is better than Live (less frequent)
- Defensive rotations are better than Live (post-patch at least)
- CPU's offense is better than Live

I'd say that's enough for me.

[chris11sg]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

I don't know if this is really good for this game or really sad for Live but I actually like the demo of this more than I like the post-patch version of Live.

I played about ten games, first five on All-Conference (All-Star in Live) and then five on Varsity (Pro). After the first five games I was ready to delete the demo, same issues post-patch from Live were already annoying me on AC.
CPU's defensive rotations are way too fast on All-Conference and they block way too many shots in the paint, plus it's a little too hard to get past your man with the dribble (not an issue in Live). Nothing criminal, but things look so much better on varsity. Varsity is easily the way to go in terms of realism and an even balance between you and the CPU.

On Varsity the drive and kick game, defensive rotations and in general the entire feel of the game is so much better than All-Conference IMO. On default you just make too many shots and it's a little too easy to get past your man with the dribble but that can be adjusted in the retail with sliders.

One of my biggest beefs with Live is the amount of contact in the paint even when using Layup Solutions properly, NCAA '10 on Varsity does this sooooo much better than any setting in Live. There is some contact, but I've seen more clean layups in ten games of the demo than I've seen in about 25 post-patch Live games (full 48 minutes per game too). Thank the Lord! This facet of the game play alone will make me sell Live.

I also like the CPU's offense in this game more. As I expected, DNA seems to do more harm than good in Live. There's less wacky crap from the CPU in this game, though neither team pushed the ball all that much and both are supposed to be uptempo teams. That will probably be fixed via patch though. Again though, the only downside will probably be that teams don't go to their stars enough. Individualism is not going to be a bright spot of this game out of the box, we'll see what we can do with the roster editor. A big key will be is if we get the "shot likelihood" ratings that are in Live. If that is in this game then we should be okay, it'll just take a lot of work.

The post game also seems cleaner, animations and feel seem better. The net animations are also more realistic though I'm kinda sad they didn't put in the crazy "super splash" swish that's in Live for those shooters with rainbow arcs on their shot.

Motion offense for the user is a present surprise, I like the multiple options and guys cut with a purpose. I love OBCing to certain guys and making their cuts slightly different (aka better) so I can get them a bucket.

I was able to take three charges which is cool. There was only one questionable call from the ref in terms of an offensive foul which is nice.

FT's are crazy as UNC, I think I made 1/20.


There are still plenty of issues that perhaps I'll touch on later but besides that color me impressed. Looks like the trend will continue as far as the college version of basketball games being the superior.

In summary...

- Contact in lane is better than Live (less frequent)
- Defensive rotations are better than Live (post-patch at least)
- CPU's offense is better than Live

I'd say that's enough for me.

Thank you for that info ehh. Mine's almost finished so I'm about to enjoy everything you just pointed out.

[ehh]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

the block animations look silly, for lack of a better term. Once in a while there will be a blocked shot and it looks natural, but more often then not, I don't know the block occured until I see the ball not going to the rim if that makes sense. Very odd looking animation/sequence at times.

Blocks were real messy in Live pre-patch, as in a defender wouldn't even make contact with the ball some times. After the patch though I don't know if I've ever seen a better game with blocks, at least in terms of actually getting a hand on the ball and timing it right. The context isn't perfect but it's pretty good.

[bjones16]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

I don't know if this is really good for this game or really sad for Live but I actually like the demo of this more than I like the post-patch version of Live.

I played about ten games, first five on All-Conference (All-Star in Live) and then five on Varsity (Pro). After the first five games I was ready to delete the demo, same issues post-patch from Live were already annoying me on AC.
CPU's defensive rotations are way too fast on All-Conference and they block way too many shots in the paint, plus it's a little too hard to get past your man with the dribble (not an issue in Live). Nothing criminal, but things look so much better on varsity. Varsity is easily the way to go in terms of realism and an even balance between you and the CPU.

On Varsity the drive and kick game, defensive rotations and in general the entire feel of the game is so much better than All-Conference IMO. On default you just make too many shots and it's a little too easy to get past your man with the dribble but that can be adjusted in the retail with sliders.

One of my biggest beefs with Live is the amount of contact in the paint even when using Layup Solutions properly, NCAA '10 on Varsity does this sooooo much better than any setting in Live. There is some contact, but I've seen more clean layups in ten games of the demo than I've seen in about 25 post-patch Live games (full 48 minutes per game too). Thank the Lord! This facet of the game play alone will make me sell Live.

I also like the CPU's offense in this game more. As I expected, DNA seems to do more harm than good in Live. There's less wacky crap from the CPU in this game, though neither team pushed the ball all that much and both are supposed to be uptempo teams. That will probably be fixed via patch though. Again though, the only downside will probably be that teams don't go to their stars enough. Individualism is not going to be a bright spot of this game out of the box, we'll see what we can do with the roster editor. A big key will be is if we get the "shot likelihood" ratings that are in Live. If that is in this game then we should be okay, it'll just take a lot of work.

The post game also seems cleaner, animations and feel seem better. The net animations are also more realistic though I'm kinda sad they didn't put in the crazy "super splash" swish that's in Live for those shooters with rainbow arcs on their shot.

Motion offense for the user is a present surprise, I like the multiple options and guys cut with a purpose. I love OBCing to certain guys and making their cuts slightly different (aka better) so I can get them a bucket.

I was able to take three charges which is cool. There was only one questionable call from the ref in terms of an offensive foul which is nice.

FT's are crazy as UNC, I think I made 1/20.


There are still plenty of issues that perhaps I'll touch on later but besides that color me impressed. Looks like the trend will continue as far as the college version of basketball games being the superior.

In summary...

- Contact in lane is better than Live (less frequent)
- Defensive rotations are better than Live (post-patch at least)
- CPU's offense is better than Live

I'd say that's enough for me.

Ehhh i was just about to type the exact same thing. This game seems soo much better than Live post patch its amazing! Almost everything you listed was accurate. I play on All american though and both teams do push the ball. They play motion offense, the pg doesn't take all the shots. They actually play real offense! I love the game and I will be picking up this game and taking Live back!

[ehh]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

Ehhh i was just about to type the exact same thing. This game seems soo much better than Live post patch its amazing! Almost everything you listed was accurate. I play on All american though and both teams do push the ball. They play motion offense, the pg doesn't take all the shots. They actually play real offense! I love the game and I will be picking up this game and taking Live back!

Yeah it is pretty crazy that this game seems to do several things better than Live and it's only the demo!

My problem with All-Conference though was the D rotations are crazy. They're on some 2K-ish sliding/super speed recovery rotations. That's not for me, I live for the drive, draw and dish!

[ehh]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

The other great thing about the contact in the paint and on layups/drives is that it doesn't happen to the CPU a lot either.

In Live you can sorta work around it as the user but the CPU still gets so much contact on drives. Not the case NCAA '10.

[23]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

Gonna have to try varsity because i almost deleted the demo the first time i saw the CPU come down and get one of those crap layups to force a foul on my CPU teammates just to get a score

[stevedrumsdw]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

Gonna have to try varsity because i almost deleted the demo the first time i saw the CPU come down and get one of those crap layups to force a foul on my CPU teammates just to get a score

Interesting, I will redownload the demo and try a couple of games on varisty to see if that changes my negative opinion.

[rckabillyRaider]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

can we get a separate PS3 impressions thread? Just played the ps3 demo and overall its pretty much exactly the same as 360. The only difference I noticed is in the little shootaround, there is an extra dude just standing there for no reason?

Overall, based on both demos, the gameplay is "fun". Here's my impressions: the gamespeed is a bit too fast, the players and shots just dont feel like they have any "weight" to them, the hoop seems a tad too big compared to the ball, needs more varied animations (the fadeaway jump shot animation is too prevalent), the bigs should be slower and they seem like they got moves like a PG, graphics are pretty well done overall, the crowd is great just a bit too "synchronized", the presentation and atmosphere is well done overall.

Dunno if this worth 60 bucks but unfortunately I'm addicted to sports gaming so I will be purchasing it.

[stevedrumsdw]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

can we get a separate PS3 impressions thread? Just played the ps3 demo and overall its pretty much exactly the same as 360. The only difference I noticed is in the little shootaround, there is an extra dude just standing there for no reason?

Overall, based on both demos, the gameplay is "fun". Here's my impressions: the gamespeed is a bit too fast, the players and shots just dont feel like they have any "weight" to them, the hoop seems a tad too big compared to the ball, needs more varied animations (the fadeaway jump shot animation is too prevalent), the bigs should be slower and they seem like they got moves like a PG, graphics are pretty well done overall, the crowd is great just a bit too "synchronized", the presentation and atmosphere is well done overall.

Dunno if this worth 60 bucks but unfortunately I'm addicted to sports gaming so I will be purchasing it.

I agree with your assesment here, the players all have the same dribbling ability and speed. The difference in altheltic ability will not be that diferent between UNC and A MEAC school in this game. Atheltic ability desparity is the first thing I would portray in a sports game if I were a designer. Alot of times strength and size are what makes a kid eligible to play at a major conference school and have a shot at the NBA potentially.

[Playmakers]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

My only complaint is when the CPU decides it wants to shoot, it will shoot right then and there. For example, the CPU player had the ball at the 3 point line and my guys had a double team on him. The CPU had a man about 10'-15' from the basket wide open. What does the CPU do? Fires a three pointer and misses it instead of passing to the wide open man with a clear lane to the basket.

My general observation is that the CPU just doesn't make good decisions.

That is a common problem in both of EA's basketball games this year. The AI teams and players are horrific at times and yet people tend to overlook that garbage.

I was able to force turnovers on the CPU at an alarming rate simply by playing a basic 2-3 Zone becuase they lack any court awareness at all.

I mean how can you release not one but two basketball games where players don't have any awareness.............

They just run scripted plays and take shots that the plays calls for without actually deviating from the play if a guy is wide open for an open shot backdoor.

[Court_vision]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

That is a common problem in both of EA's basketball games this year. The AI teams and players are horrific at times and yet people tend to overlook that garbage.

I was able to force turnovers on the CPU at an alarming rate simply by playing a basic 2-3 Zone becuase they lack any court awareness at all.

I mean how can you release not one but two basketball games where players don't have any awareness.............

They just run scripted plays and take shots that the plays calls for without actually deviating from the play if a guy is wide open for an open shot backdoor.

2-3 Zones kill the CPU in LIVE...they even set off bugs where the CPU shoots from just inside half court. You basically can't use them unless you want the game to go haywire (Which is pretty bad for a basketball game). At least with the NBA game you can pretend they only play man-to-man and not use any zones. Poor solution, yes.

In a college game though...that's an absolute killer as zones are used all the time.

[countryboy]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

I played 9 games last night on All-American difficulty playing nothing but zone defense(mostly 2-3), but as dook I ran the 1-3-1 and the cpu ate the zone up. They didn't turn the ball over, throw defelected passes, they used penetration to collapse the zone and kicked out for 3's or they got the ball to the high post to run their offense.

It was great to see.

[countryboy]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

Blocks were real messy in Live pre-patch, as in a defender wouldn't even make contact with the ball some times. After the patch though I don't know if I've ever seen a better game with blocks, at least in terms of actually getting a hand on the ball and timing it right. The context isn't perfect but it's pretty good.

Yeah, there are times where the block animations look good, as there was one instance where I blocked a weak layup into the stands. But most of the time they are messy as you said.

[agidio3]

Re: NCAA Basketball 10 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360)

does it have rim and net animations ...for example are there some shots that go in that are not swishes..in 2k8 it could rattle around swish bounce or whatever n go in....like if the ball goes in on the right side does the net swish in the right direction...