Two Weeks Later: How do you feel about NCAA 13 now? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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Two Weeks Later: How do you feel about NCAA 13 now? Stuck

Posted on July 26, 2012 at 12:26 PM.

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Two weeks ago I reviewed NCAA Football 13 and gave it a solid seven rating, or what we perceive as a borderline good game but close to above-average as well.

Since my review, we've discovered NCAA does indeed have a few major bugs, the most annoying of which is probably the freezing bug. Every time you review a major release a couple of weeks later you always feel as if your stance on a game shifts one way or the other because the longer you play a game the more you realize what exactly it has to offer.

The more I have played NCAA, the more apparent it becomes that the presentation in this game is truly awful. I've already written a missive on this and I will spare you a repeat so just click the link and enjoy.

Gameplay wise, I feel a tad better about the game's fun factor -- but I also feel much more down on it's realism. EA Football has traditionally cut corners to deliver what appears to be a realistic experience and this year's NCAA is no different. One of the biggest reasons for this, I believe, is that EA doesn't fix the line play so the rest of the game suffers from such a huge portion of the game being subpar.

I feel as if the game definitely progressed gameplay wise this year, but without a doubt this was a lame duck season for NCAA's gameplay. You could tell there was a reluctance to invest too heavily into the gameplay with next year's game going to go through so many wholesale changes (infinity engine) the necessity of doing too much to the gameplay definitely didn't make much sense for the NCAA team.

All in all, two weeks in I can say this series hit a true stagnation point this year. Dynasty's new depth was welcome, but the mode itself needs a conceptual overhaul to say the least -- but other than that I really feel the series has definitely hit the point where it needs something big to really reverse it's fortunes. Long term it's likely NCAA 13 will go down as a solid but definitely a middle of the road NCAA Football title.

So what do you think after two weeks? Has your opinion gotten better about the game? Worse? Let me know!

Comments

# 1 EvanRG @ Jul 26

I think this years game is very solid and despite some flaws, will be in my game rotation for the next several months.

# 2 THE YAMA @ Jul 26

Two weeks later, I'm still enjoying playing my online and offline dynasties. Although I am experiencing some freezing issues, I'm not going to let it ruin my overall feeling about the game.

# 3 DirtyJerz32 @ Jul 26

The freezing is starting to get to me, but I still think its a fun game. The CPU cover 2 is just awful and hopefully will be really excited if it gets fixed in the patch.

User vs. user games are great, but cu games still are a little boring because they can't run a good offense.

# 4 FBeaule04 @ Jul 26

To be honest, I still have fun with the game, but there's so many little things that happen that I can't hold it and now say : "Typical EA" when it occur.

The freezing is pretty bad, the sacks on screen play is atrocious, the zone coverage is not working. Won't talk about the Dynasty that won't load a game, you have to simulate, then play another game.

It's still a good game, fun to play overall, but instead of having something like a 8/10 when I got it first few days, I'm down to 7/10 for now.

It's not to be harsh with EA, but we know the gimmick now. Eye candy that gets high reviews, and after a while, people who really play the game from one cover to the other, will have a different note, more to what the game really is.

# 5 ps3veron @ Jul 26

I always liked this year's NCAA just as I liked last year.

The pass trajectories look fantastic and eI absolutely love the new catching system.

All in all, a solid and fun football game.

# 6 mechbutcher @ Jul 26

I am starting to like this game more and more. Yes it has flaws, but like someone said on here before the game came out. Its a safe buy, you now what you are getting, NCAA 12.5. No unknowns like madden. I am liking this game enough now to not buy Madden on day 1. I consider myself a sim player and do agree with most of the faults everyone is pointing out with this release. I guess I am allowing myself to look past these faults and just enjoy the game. This is the first time I have been able to do this in years. Not perfect but enjoyable just the same.

Go Badgers !!!!!!

# 7 booker21 @ Jul 26

very disappointed. one of the worst years i believe.

# 8 Jadakiss88 @ Jul 26

I have a few complaints about it. Reaction Time cripples RTG play IMO it should be removed or optional. Line play is ridiculous I find it crazy how online and offline you have to send a 5 or 6 man blitz to get to the QB especially if your D-Line is superior rating wise to the opponents O-Line.

Back to RTG the playcalling balance is off still. If you play RB you run the ball 35 or more times a game which is kind of ridiculous..the only time when the play calling is balanced is when I play WR. LB's still pull of remarkable INT's (but it may just be me still trying to grasp the learning curve on Pass Trajectory I didn't throw this many Int's in 12).

I agree the presentation isn't all that great. The talks between Nessler and Herby are fine it's addition of studio updates. And I have a small continuity issue, how can a player score a TD, then be seen on the bench, the you kick the field goal (mind you this player isn't on your FG unit) and then you see the same player walking off the field as if they scored again. Some minor annoyances but I have had played some awesome games. I guess I will wait till some post patch sliders comeout before I make my final decision to dump this and jump to Madden.

# 9 sffan444 @ Jul 26

Having a lot of fun with the game. Didn't buy NCAA 12, so don't know about how people say it's just 12.5. I upgraded from NCAA 11 and it's been great. Been playing mostly online and user vs. user has been outstanding, especially with the new passing/catching system.

# 10 RUFFNREADY @ Jul 26

Let's face it; if this game was sold at a $20-$25 price tag, it wouldn't be all that bad; but at $45-$60, most gamers are going to show you everything wrong with this game, and there are alot of things wrong with this years game.
I rated this game a 6.5/10 when i started playing it thru EA Sports ticket, and now after playing for two weeks, and numerous "Legacy issues", i have lowered my rating to 4.5/10; there is just too many things i was lead to believe is not in the game anymore, and new problems that have arisen to spoil alot of my fun gaming factor.
I play on All-American, which i have changed to ALL-American CHEESE!

http://youtu.be/TrVeBx1ssGo
http://youtu.be/pdZBluqgWBs
http://youtu.be/oU52DfGeBAE
http://youtu.be/Mb9pjvyWA1w

check out some of these problems i have captured, hoping EA can patch these problems.
cheers

# 11 wallofhate @ Jul 26

With tweaks in sliders the game has definitely gotten better but as you stated above almost everything about presentation and commentary is just awful at this point. Add in the way the players can move so life like catching the ball or getting hit and the look like the old ten yard fight game during replays,kickoffs and basic player movement its just overly annoying and an eyesore.

# 12 texasgmr @ Jul 26

I am having a lot of fun with the game, especially the online dynasties. Recruiting to me is really fun a much better upgrade from last years game.

# 13 sparkdawg777 @ Jul 26

The game isn't bad IMO. I've figured out that this is the year of the QB, the new passing animations do make this game feel different from 12 but the lack of improvements to the run game/O-line play are what stand out. IF EA can make O-Line play and the running animations the main priority along with adding an updated physics engine from Madden then 14 has a chance to be a great game as far as gameplay goes.

As far as presentation and sound goes, I've given up all hope for NCAA. Every year they act as if there have been MAJOR. I'll be sure to take NCAA 14's Presentation and Sound Playbooks next year with a grain of salt and shot of Jack.

# 14 oldman @ Jul 26

I can't play the game at all. I've tried to and have finally given up. This years game is essentially the end of the NCAA series for me.

# 15 scottyo60 @ Jul 26

Using Authentics rosters as a base I have all teams re rated and edited to the best of my abilities. After that this game has been an absolute blast in dynasty mode. One thing that has annoyed me has been frequency of injuries to my star players. It's like my regular people never get hurt, but my best always do.

I've had some of the best CPU games this generation. Last time I've had this kind of games was the PS2 versions. So far so god minus the annoying bug where it freezes my plays.

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