NCAA Football 11 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

[Illustrator76]

I have been very critical of both NCAA and Madden over the past few years, but this demo is looking great and really has me excited for the game. If the final product plays better than the demo (which it usually does) then this game is going to own me for the first time in years. I'll post a few positives and negatives below.

POSITIVES

1. The addition of Locomotion is awesome and really makes this game feel more like true football. I am really liking the physics and some of the new animations that have been added this year (had a sideline catch animation that was awesome).

2. Blocking is the best I have seen in an NCAA game so far. Screens (Bubble, WR, HB, etc...) now function properly (they don't work all of the time, but they FUNCTION properly). In the run game, my linemen actually pull and block properly and open up nice lanes for me to go through. Ditto for the CPU, Miami gashed me pretty good a few times on some nice runs where I called the wrong defense. I have also seen linemen get off a block and get to the 2nd level and spring me for some nice yardage.

3. Interceptions seem to be toned down from last year. I think this is due to the CB's (and DT's) not having "sticky" hands like they did last year.

4. Fatigue seems to be working properly.

5. I have thrown the ball completely in the wrong direction when I though a player was going to zig when he should have zagged. I just thought that was awesome.

6. Referees being on the field really does add a lot to the game.

7. I haven't seen a ton of Robo-QB, as the CPU seems to take more sacks this year instead of firing the ball to a WR that magically gets open right at the last minute.

8. I love the slower gameplay speed, especially for the running game.

9. Gameplay overall just feels so much more varied and dynamic than it has in past years.

10. Graphics and lighting look great. I love the new accessories like the OL knee braces and the short sleeve shirts under the pads. The Ohio State field also got some nice shadows as the game progressed.

NEGATIVES

1. Honestly, for me, the new presentation looks good, but it still feels dry and tacked-on. The much ballyhooed team entrances did absolutely nothing to get me hyped up for the game at all. Maybe EA is saving some things for the full version, but as it stands right now, I am less than impressed with the "new" presentation.

2. Brad Nessler is still as dry and boring as ever.

3. It is still hard to get pressure on the QB with your front four. As Texas against Oklahoma, my front four was getting totally handled, and I was still seeing a few too many "pancake blocks" when I tried to spin or jump. Blitzing helps, but I still should be able to get to the QB with my front four sometimes.

4. CPU AI does some weird things sometimes. In the 4th quarter with 8 seconds left, I was kicking and extra point to tie the game and the CPU called three straight timeouts on me. Why use all 3 timeouts when you are going to get the ball back with a little time left on the clock? That didn't make much sense to me.

5. What happened to head tracking? I still see way too many WRs and CBs turn right when the ball gets to them to make a catch. It's not a game killer, but it just looks kind of off sometimes.

6. I am still seeing a problem that grates on my nerves to the highest degree. On curl routes the WR runs the pattern and then just turns and freezes...forever (usually with a CB right behind him). Then the CPU throws the ball to that WR and the CB just runs up in front of the WR and picks the ball off. I really wish WRs would run the curl route and then break it the route off if they see their QB scrambling, or if the CB shuts the route down.

All in all I am very excited to play the full release of this game, it really feels like a different game from NCAA 10. This may finally be the year where I can lead my Michigan Wolverines back to the promised land, heck I may even join an online dynasty or two!

[KleShreen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Illustrator76

I have been very critical of both NCAA and Madden over the past few years, but this demo is looking great and really has me excited for the game. If the final product plays better than the demo (which it usually does) then this game is going to own me for the first time in years. I'll post a few positives and negatives below. POSITIVES 1. The addition of Locomotion is awesome and really makes this game feel more like true football. I am really liking the physics and some of the new animations that have been added this year (had a sideline catch animation that was awesome). 2. Blocking is the best I have seen in an NCAA game so far. Screens (Bubble, WR, HB, etc...) now function properly (they don't work all of the time, but they FUNCTION properly). In the run game, my linemen actually pull and block properly and open up nice lanes for me to go through. Ditto for the CPU, Miami gashed me pretty good a few times on some nice runs where I called the wrong defense. I have also seen linemen get off a block and get to the 2nd level and spring me for some nice yardage. 3. Interceptions seem to be toned down from last year. I think this is due to the CB's (and DT's) not having "sticky" hands like they did last year. 4. Fatigue seems to be working properly. 5. I have thrown the ball completely in the wrong direction when I though a player was going to zig when he should have zagged. I just thought that was awesome. 6. Referees being on the field really does add a lot to the game. 7. I haven't seen a ton of Robo-QB, as the CPU seems to take more sacks this year instead of firing the ball to a WR that magically gets open right at the last minute. 8. I love the slower gameplay speed, especially for the running game. 9. Gameplay overall just feels so much more varied and dynamic than it has in past years. 10. Graphics and lighting look great. I love the new accessories like the OL knee braces and the short sleeve shirts under the pads. The Ohio State field also got some nice shadows as the game progressed. NEGATIVES 1. Honestly, for me, the new presentation looks good, but it still feels dry and tacked-on. The much ballyhooed team entrances did absolutely nothing to get me hyped up for the game at all. Maybe EA is saving some things for the full version, but as it stands right now, I am less than impressed with the "new" presentation. 2. Brad Nessler is still as dry and boring as ever. 3. It is still hard to get pressure on the QB with your front four. As Texas against Oklahoma, my front four was getting totally handled, and I was still seeing a few too many "pancake blocks" when I tried to spin or jump. Blitzing helps, but I still should be able to get to the QB with my front four sometimes. 4. CPU AI does some weird things sometimes. In the 4th quarter with 8 seconds left, I was kicking and extra point to tie the game and the CPU called three straight timeouts on me. Why use all 3 timeouts when you are going to get the ball back with a little time left on the clock? That didn't make much sense to me. 5. What happened to head tracking? I still see way too many WRs and CBs turn right when the ball gets to them to make a catch. It's not a game killer, but it just looks kind of off sometimes. 6. I am still seeing a problem that grates on my nerves to the highest degree. On curl routes the WR runs the pattern and then just turns and freezes...forever (usually with a CB right behind him). Then the CPU throws the ball to that WR and the CB just runs up in front of the WR and picks the ball off. I really wish WRs would run the curl route and then break it the route off if they see their QB scrambling, or if the CB shuts the route down. All in all I am very excited to play the full release of this game, it really feels like a different game from NCAA 10. This may finally be the year where I can lead my Michigan Wolverines back to the promised land, heck I may even join an online dynasty or two!

Thanks sir. Can't wait to get into this when I get out of work today.

[bb09red]

This Game Looks Great! Just finished Playing as Miami , against Ohio State. Won with the score 22-3.
Pryor threw 2 picks, one at the beggining and one with 1 min left in the game

Defense did show up and I got Sacked twice. Running wasnt too easy but I did break one long run for a td.

The motion and feels so much better in this game, and the o-line actually does its job. Also forget using the hit stick every time for a tackle as you will get burned!!

Forgot to mention this was All-American

[J-Unit40]

Very good and detailed impressions Illustrator. I agree with the majority of what you said. Some of the points were dead on.

Overall, this is the college football game from EA we have been waiting for.

[C3B]

oh damn, they're making me post 5 times before i can post links of videos i made haha...ok here is one

[C3B]

I'm a madden player, and to be honest the major thing i was interested in when i downloaded this, was i wanted to see how the locomotion was because i know madden will have that.

I must say, it feels pretty good

[Illustrator76]

Quote: Originally Posted by J-Unit40

Very good and detailed impressions Illustrator. I agree with the majority of what you said. Some of the points were dead on. Overall, this is the college football game from EA we have been waiting for.

Thanks man, Agreed! I am hyped for this one. If you do an Online Dynasty, shoot me a PM!

[1GATORFAN4EVA]

I kinda feel bad for OSU fans. TP is so fast you can just cheese your butt off or run with him everyplay an the CPU can't stop it. Imma stay away from them it's the same cheap feeling as in Ncaa 10 with them.

I'm still getting used to a pocket Qb myself with Brantley, I like the change it makes have to read the coverage better because you know you can't just run around.