The time is at hand, my friends. NCAA is here. And while some border on delirium from 36 straight hours of gameplay, others curse their classes, occupations, and families for preventing such a marathon NCAA freak-out session.
Amidst all of this excitement, frustration, and insomnia, it's time to take a long look at this season's grab-bag of offensive goodies. Each year, the (arguably) hard-working folks at EA Sports present some sort of in-game tweak, whether it be gameplay-related or otherwise. More often than not, these tweaks lack substance, and are merely gimmicks to move more copies off the shelves. While NCAA 08 is rich with new features, its offensive controls offer little by way of bells and whistles, but bushels by way of general improvement.
One of the most talked about additions to this season's next-gen NCAA offerings has been the implementation of branching animations. While this is not one of the market-friendly hot buttons that EA has touted in recent years, the use of these new animations in 08 makes last season's putrid next-gen effort look like NES Playaction Football.
So, without further adieu, let's look at what NCAA's offensive controls have to offer in 08.
The Running Game
Veterans of the series will notice the biggest difference in the running game more than any other change of 08's gameplay. In seasons past, the button-jockeys reigned supreme. A well-timed juke, spin, or "impact stick" maneuver meant a bounce to the outside and six points. This season, it's all about the left thumbstick. Backs respond instantly to nimble thumbstick-work, and ground game success is highly contingent upon this new-found agility.
To an extent, the branching animations have rendered button-mashing almost unnecessary. Depending on the style of running back, quick movements of the left thumbstick will be enough to shake off a tackler or slide through a hole, even on Heisman difficulty. The new system is deliciously instinctive, and brings some much needed excitement to the running game, which has been playing second fiddle to the air attack for years.
This new control system also works hand-in-hand with improved offensive line work. Finally, EA has realized that the offensive line is more dynamic than the stalemate/total collapse dichotomy that has dictated the digital trench battle for years. Lineman now open holes, drive defenders down field, double-team, trap the right defender, and move to the next level to clean up linebackers and defensive backs. This improved AI has made the running game more diverse, meaning we that we can branch out from the money running plays this year.
One additional thing to note, the MM forums have been packed with complaints of excessive fumblitis. It seems that the new thumbstick-dictated running game actually punishes players for button-mashing in close quarters. Moral of the story: When those big linebackers close in, cover up the ball. Ill-timed juking leads to turnovers.
The Passing Game
One of the most frequent complaints in previous years (current and next-gen) was the excessive ease of sprinting the QB to the sideline, and chucking the ball downfield. Corner routes were deadly in the old system, and led to many online contests with scores in the 70's. Fun for some, infuriating for dedicated football realists.
Those days are over. Well, pretty much over, let's say. The basic rollout controls have remained constant in 08, but the effectiveness has been given the proverbial axe. Accuracy is greatly reduced when throwing on the run, and defenders have received a healthy boost in the IQ department. The short version, you may get lucky, but more than likely, you will eat turf.
The changes in this season's passing game lie more in on the mental side of gaming. Defenders are much more astute at play recognition and general pass defense. Initially, this may result in picks-for-six galore. The passing game has become much more strategy-based. Be prepared to over-use those age-old tools: touch passing, precision throws, and dump-passes to your running backs and tight ends. Save your sanity, and heed these words.
Also, courtesy of the aforementioned branching animations, mid-air collisions are now a staple of the passing game. Just one thing to consider before firing a dart into a hoard of linebackers, and getting your #1 receiver maimed.
Catching
User catches have always had somewhat of a cult following. While being extremely effective to some players, user-catching has proven effectively worthless to others. While it is a matter of skill, it has not necessarily been a requirement of victory.
User-catching is, of course, present once again. But besides certain spectacular animations (which occur with CPU catches as well), and the mid-air collision dynamic, user-catching does not seem to have received much of a face lift. Consistency is speculative at best, and short of bragging rights in online/multiplayer play (and now saved highlights), user-catching is neither a hit, nor a miss in 08.
Blocking Controls
The Madden 07 gimmick has landed in NCAA country. Truth be told, there is not much new with this feature in NCAA 08. While it does cut down on the occasional lead- blocker miscue (I emphasize OCCASSIONAL, as blocking AI has improved by leaps and bounds), the new running game is so much fun that blocking controls become somewhat of an afterthought. Most players will likely ignore this feature, in favor of controlling the tailback from the snap.
Trick Plays
A big marketing tool in this year's game. While the trick plays are nicely designed and beautifully animated, they do not add whole new dimension to the game, as early advertisements would like us to believe. While they do add a hint of spice to the playbooks, they are usually far from game-changing.
Concerning the specific controls, most of these plays (Statue of Liberty, double-pass, flea-flicker), are built around automatic CPU execution, or simple gameplay mechanics. The hook-and lateral is a bit trickier, requiring players to manually pitch the ball (via the option pitch button) after the catch. While the plays do look nice both in practice and in games, they are really only a fringe benefit. In terms of offensive controls, they are highly overshadowed by other changes.
There you have it my fellow NCAAholics, a brief, yet somehow long-winded look at this season's offensive controls. So man-up, get another cup of coffee, and call in sick to work. There are points to score, championships to win, and dynasties to build.
Blue 32.....Blue 32...................................SET............