NCAA Football 13 Title Update #2 Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here

[jfsolo]

My observations after a couple of games. I feel like there was a lot of stuff tuned that was not mentioned in the patch blog, but I think that that is always the case with the second title update for these games.

One thing that I really like is that even though they made a lot of gameplay/A.I. tweaks, I don't feel like I have to make any changes to my sliders. Win-Win for me.

There were several things that didn't get fixed, the big one being, of course, the CPU's love for the aggressive zone defensive coverage. Second on the list of things that I would have liked to see tuned better is the CPU playcalling during late game hurry up offense. They know that time is short, but the playcalling is not reflective of that knowledge. Pointless timeouts, FG attempts out of range, and the 0-0 points for D- categories in recruiting are some other unfixed issues. There are a few others, but noting else major for me so far.

CPU zone play has been improved exponentially, as others have seen there are still occasional breakdowns, but with my pass rush settings I might have 4-5 seconds to make a deep throw, 3 or 4 times a game. I almost messed around as lost my last game because I threw 5 picks, 4 of them testing seam routes. On some plays defenders are too late in turning and running with the receiver, but I'm not seeing guys uncovered up the middle anymore. Also, I have altered the coach settings for every team I play against making them much more conscious of stopping the pass, and more conservative in their playcalling. I'm sure that helps quite a bit.

Speaking of the pass rush. I feel like they tuned the interaction between the OL/DL some more. I'm not seeing as many of those 2 yard bounce backs from contact between the OT and the DE,also the OT's are less "sticky" than they use to be, and my controlled DE is getting thrown to the ground much, much less than he use to.

RB's for both the User and CPU are much more dynamic, they use moves more, (even when the User is controlling a RB, automatic animations kick in more). The juke, spin and truck are more effective as well. They are much better at making the first defender miss the tackle.

Speaking of tackles, there seems to be more regular tackles and not as many missile strikes. Defenders aren't taking those perfect pursuit angles as much, and the CPU isn't trying to Hit Stick the ball carrier into a coma on every single play. For those of us who don't know an exploit, punt returns are more exciting now because of this.

The screen sacks have been addressed of course, also QB's are using the avoidance moves more. My QB is now doing it more automatically, without me flicking the RS.

User picks and swats work much better too.

If something that was working before is now broken, I haven't seen it yet, so besides that persistent aggressive zone defensive setting, I don't really have anything to complain about.

[GoDucks1224]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrPhibes

Yeah, by the time they finally add Mizzou's new uniform most of us will have shelved this game in favor of Madden, NHL, NBA, COD, Borderlands and whatever other title. At the very least put the extra uniforms that are already on disk that people who ordered off of Amazon got (like UGA, Michigan St) in the Uniform Store.

I seem to remember someone from EA tweeting that those won't be available to buy for a few months. Because they want the preorder to mean some sort of exclusivity.

[JerseySuave4]

My desire to even download this patch and give this game another try is almost non existent. Have the improvements been positive for the majority? I was bored with the Madden demo after 2 games and bored with NCAA 13 after a week. EA just doesn't make good football games. Even the sluggish and slow menus contribute to my frustration.

I guess maybe when College Football season gets started i might give this game another try but with NBA 2k coming out soon i doubt it will get too much burn.

[BallinVol]

All in all, after all the trouble I have had with the Zone Defense for the CPU, after all the testing and finding the right balance on sliders, I feel that IMO this plays a decent game of football. Is it perfect? No ... I don't expect it to be. Does it allow enough fun factor for ME to enjoy this game? Yes. To me, that's all that matters. It's really what you make out of this game. I've went through multiple bouts of slideritis and whatnot to get to where I am now.

The CPU plays smart enough on their zones now that I can enjoy this game. Sure, it took tweaking the gameplay sliders AND coaching sliders, but I can live with that. I still feel that not enough TLC gets shown to gameplay year in and year out, but as a long time EA gamer, I've come to accept that to thoroughly enjoy an EA Sports Football Title, there must be tweaks. What I've gotten out of this patch will finally allow me to play my Dynasty without the numerous frustrating issues that have plagued me when trying to enjoy this game up to this point.

I've seen alot of good things come from this patch, not only the zone d's are IMPROVED, not greatly, but IMPROVED, but also I'm seeing smarter CPU reactions and not as many brain dead calls by the CPU. Yes, I know, they still exist, but once again, that's EA Football. The ball carrier using their special moves is another great way that this has been improved. All in all, it's not perfect, but it will be enough to get me by this year. EA has year after year dosed us with unacceptable gameplay, etc. but this year they have IMPROVED, once again it's not great, but IMPROVED. This enough says they are listening. They can't appeal to everyone and I'm sure if the devs were allowed to, they would try their damndest to appeal to everyone they could, but they are limited to what they can do coming from the EA big wigs.

I know that not everyone is pleased with this game, but I will say it again, I can get by this year with what EA has dished out. I still see a ton of room for improvement and EA needs to realize that they can't stop here. The improvements must keep coming. I really feel like EA has gotten back on the right track. Bash me or praise me ... I don't care. I can finally enjoy virtual football again!

[The ArkanSaw]

Loving the patch so far, best football game i have played to date (never played 2k series).

CPU's running and passing game are like a 1-2 punch and the improved defense makes short passes more of the focal point instead of 10-15 yard throws.

I can go on forever but the game with sliders i am using is unbelievable. Playing Boston College at Miami and BC is actually threatening and not a pushover on my schedule.

I cant wait to see how good Kansas State is when i play them.

[PowerofRed25]

Sounds like the patch avoided introducing significant glitches or bugs, so that's a win in my book. The no huddle bug is bothersome, but I've always been bothered by that "i can't hear you" animation in the game, home or road. I've never seen or been around a football team that has used verbal signals between QB and WR, even at the high school level where crowd noise is not a concern. Occasionally some small college or high school teams will use verbal signals from the sideline in addition to hand signals, but not often.

I could understand if that animation existed between QB and OL or QB and HB, both of whom utilize verbal signals to convey assignments but just about every team uses hand signals to get stuff out to receivers. You practice those signals as if you're on the road in the stadium of your loudest opponent every game, that way when you do get to those loud venues, it is already second nature.

I guess I understand the need to instill a little confusion for low awareness players, but it isn't done properly in the game. The new no huddle bug will be very frustrating late in games with the clock running or in the cases where you want to sprint to the line to get a play off rapid fire.

I would rather the confusion take place in terms of false starts and false snaps on the OL. Guys not hearing the snap count or forgetting the snap count or not hearing the cadence. Way more realistic than that ridiculous WR animation.

[eagskerfan]

can't pass now, back to psychic safety play. Thanks to all the whiners, we're back to a game that is fun if you only like to run Iso, power, and stretch every play. Sometimes people get open in college football and there can be busted coverages. Mix up your defense and you won't get burned by four verts every day. Spread is the number one offense in college football, and we can't run air raid any more. Game went from fun to crap. Way to go community.

[eagskerfan]

oh yeah, most teams run the ball or play screens on 4th down unless way behind. Otherwise it's pretty easy to get a pick. That was stupid as well.