NCAA 14 Demo - Impressions - Gotmadskillzson's Blog

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Gotmadskillzson's Blog

NCAA 14 Demo - Impressions

Posted on June 18, 2013 at 11:55 PM.

(5)

It is the game we always wanted

Ever since the start of the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, I always envisioned the game play AI of sports games would be more like what you see on tv. Basketball, baseball and soccer games delivered. With Madden 13, pro football finally delivered. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed Madden 11 and Madden 12, but it wasn't on the same level as Madden 13. With that said, the NCAA football games was always the very far behind, almost like an after thought for EA.

For years I use to always see FIFA and Madden series get all these improvements. Always left wondering well what about NCAA ? When will they get some love ? Lets face it folks, for many years this generation of consoles, NCAA football series was treated like a step child. Year after year I would write threads on this forum saying if they only do this, re-rate that, the game could be way better.

This year EA finally listened. (where is my check EA ?)Stumble recovery is in the game. CPU punt returners no longer are brain dead, they actually break it towards the sideline where there is open space. Over all ball carrier running is 100% improved. There are times as a played the demo the CPU ball carrier looked as though he was being human controlled. Heck I even came close to having my punt blocked. Being playing this series since it was called College Football USA and never had the CPU that close to blocking my punt.

Pre-game intros are a nice touch. Some like it, some hate it, but to me, a change needed to be made and it was long over due. I for one was tired of seeing the same boring stretching pre-game that I seen for years. These intros are more like hype videos to me. Designed to get you hyped and pumped up.

CPU can run the option !!!!

The option offense has been the Achilles heel of NCAA for many years. They never could get it correct. Because of that Army, Navy, Georgia Tech and Air Force were very boring to play against because they couldn't do anything. Same thing could be said about Oregon, dozens of other spread schools. Soon as a read option was called, it would be an instant lost of yards or the all too common intercepted option toss for a TD.

This year how ever the CPU can execute the option very good. It is very deadly even on All American. EA even added the shovel option this year along with some more variations. Oregon plays like Oregon for once. It is quite impressive to see the CPU actually being a legit challenge to play against.

Sexy QB scrambles are back as well. Kind of funny when I think about it, that between NCAA 07 and NCAA 12, the CPU QB didn't scramble at all. They were dual threat in name only. NCAA 12 & 13 they scrambled, but they lacked a purpose and a sense of direction. They just blinded ran head 1st into defenders. Now like the rest of the ball carriers, they look for open space to run. No longer do they just run in a straight line. QBs weave in and out of running lanes like a human controlled player would.

Add to that the new stiff arms, back juke, trucking acceleration, running the ball is different, but very addicting. First thing you notice is how much slower players move around the field when you aren't holding the acceleration button down. It feels like they are jogging.

But as soon as you hit the acceleration button, they take off. Stiff arms now serve a purpose and are VERY useful. You can just tap it to stiff arm punch a defender backwards or you can hold the stiff arm button down and the ball carrier will just keep his arm extended as you are running to keep the would be tackler back. Gained 6 extra yards quite a few times doing this.

All this wouldn't be possible with the Infinity Engine 2. Basically they took what Madden 13 had and improved upon it. Now it is a lot more subtle. Majority of the time you won't notice it until you make contact with another player and then you say oh ok my ball carrier is still on his feet after that contact. Very nice feature indeed.

I haven't been this excited for a NCAA game in over a decade.

Enough of the talk, on to some videos:

Spoiler

Comments

# 1 TjJunior @ Jun 19

Haven't been pumped for a NCAA title since 07. This one looks great.

# 2 johnmorrow @ Jun 19

This game is going to be one of those games u play through all 60 years of the dynasty. With EA bringing back transferring draft classes to madden is only going to make this take off so much more. Think about play with Johnny Manziel from his soph. Year all the way up to the day he retires in the NFL. Just from the demo the actual game can't get here soon enough. Hoping to find a online dynasty to play in this year as well it will be my first.

# 3 jmik58 @ Jun 19

"Wow!" at the cuts Miller made on his TD runs in the 3rd quarter. That looked like a human player.

# 4 Raven Nation42 @ Jun 19

Great read and analysis. The game and feel puts me back in the mind set of NCAA 06. Gonna actually consider pre ordering this

# 5 FernMorals @ Jun 20

Great impressions on the demo. (I havent played it yet since I'm out the country)
However, I have bought all the NCAA's since 07 and I'm still really excited for this one. Does anyone know where I can post information about an online dynasty I'm starting?