NCAA Football 11 Review (Gameinformer)

[TracerBullet]

Gameinformer has posted the first review of NCAA Football 11.

"Offensive line blocking receives a boost thanks to reworked double-teams and edge blocking on sweeps – which you can now see diagrammed before the snap. That being said, it’s not perfect, and you’ll still see some boneheaded blockers miss their assignments. The most glaring mistake happens when backs try to step up and block on pass plays. This is hard to do when they just stand in your quarterback’s lap. These little annoyances (and some from year’s past – like magnet catches and canned interception animations) keep the game from being perfect, but they aren’t enough to spoil my enjoyment of the game as a whole.

NCAA’s dynasty recruiting is another area of the game that makes a big leap forward while still retaining some of its old flaws. Being able to do it all on your browser is a huge plus, and the improved feedback recruits offer lets you know exactly where your program and pitches stand in relation to the competition. That said, there’s no getting away from the fact that recruiting is still a grind, and if you want to get blue chippers you have to be willing to put the time in (or pay up the recruiting microtransactions). Despite these improvements, it’s confusing when you are awarded the same number of points for topics in which the recruit had differing levels of interest."

[NoDakHusker]

Re: Game Informer Review

Wow, I didn't think reviews were even allowed to come out this early. Good to see it's got a high rating. I don't know how much I trust a review coming out a week early, but hey, things are looking good this year.
One more week!

[Schreck]

Re: Game Informer Review

Well, so much for that embargo stuff.

Pretty weak review really, they were vague about most everything, maybe trying to ward off any hits for going early on the embargo, I dunno. They gave it a 9, with a second opinion guy giving it an 8.75, and both saying this is the best NCAA in years. So that is promising. They do both point out some of the same old annoying flaws unfortunately, but on the whole, things are looking good.

[twigstudios]

Re: Game Informer Review

This is just wetting my appetite even more. Can't wait to judge it for myself.

[ThaShark28_316]

Re: Game Informer Review

Look who reviewed it.

Kato pulls no punches. If a game is crap, he'll let you know.

Extremely confident about this game now. (not that i wasn't in the 1st place)

[SECElit3]

Re: Game Informer Review

Second Opinion:

by Matt Bertz<!-- DisplayName -->
8.75 While college football struggles with a terrible BCS system, no playoffs, and crumbling conferences, its virtual gridiron counterpart is just starting to hit its stride. NCAA 11’s new locomotion engine puts the skill of Barry Sanders at your fingertips, making running backs feel like real threats every time they touch the ball. Revamped blocking mechanics help make formerly useless plays like draws and counters legit options for the first time. The refined gameplay is impressive, with the only standout issues being ranging linebackers picking off too many mid-range passes over the middle and the AI ineffectively running the option. Off the field, EA wisely retooled the recruiting mechanic to give you more feedback as to how your pitches stand in comparison to other schools, and the new Facebook-meets-ESPN Dynasty Wire is a great tool that lets hardcore online dynasty players chronicle their seasons. NCAA also makes a greater effort at capturing the minor details that make college football great, but the crowds still don’t look the part and the commentary is starting to sound stale.

Minor annoyances aside, this is the best NCAA title in years.

[PVarck31]

Re: Game Informer Review

To me GI reviews are pretty descent. He also didn't pull any punches with the few things he didn't like.

I didn't really notice to many super human LB picks in the demo. So not to concerned about that.

[Eagles931]

Re: Game Informer Review

Nice review, kinda shallow (thats expected from a review that comes a week before the actual release) but all in all, NCAA 11 looks like a great game thats way better then '10

[ConVick]

Re: Game Informer Review

Wonder why it came out so early...

[Strummer101er]

Re: Game Informer Review

When it comes to reviews of sports games, I only trust hardcore sites like OS.

Sites like IGN and Gamespot usually embarrass themselves -- you can just tell they know nothing about football.

[KingCashus]

Re: Game Informer Review

Nice review. I'm glad this game is getting 9's, even though most people will see that as no big deal because the last few editions of the game have been getting mid 8's.

[jmik58]

Re: Game Informer Review

Nothing really new here but it is promising to see a high score from GI. They don't traditionally give sports games very high scores so this is a big deal to receive a 9.0

[SA1NT401]

Re: Game Informer Review

not for nothing, but i get my reviews here....Us OS-ers are a picky bunch, but if you want an honest review, i get them here. GI is OK, but 99% of all reviewers base their score on very minimal time with a game, ZERO slider tweaks and very minimal time in dynasty mode...Hardly enough time to form a solid opinon.

Good sign though....The CPU being ineffective at running the option is a concern though...But not a big surprise really.

[BooShay]

Re: Game Informer Review

Cant wait to see what Nate Ahern has to say :smug:

[JkA3]

Re: Game Informer Review

Can't wait to have my hands on this. Most likely this Thursday or Friday for me!