NCAA Football 14 Demo is Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[GameBreaker35]

I'm loving this gameplay. I didn't think the running would ever feel as good as it does right now in this demo. Really, I didn't think it as possible. The passing game is kind of a question mark for me right now though. I really need instant replay so I can check reaction times and foot planting on particular routes. It also appeared that the QB accuracy is a bit high for me and what I would expect of a college Quarterback. I was pretty much able to put the ball wherever I wanted, and against any coverage on Heisman even - perhaps that's a little hyperbole but it was pretty easy.

+ The running game is sick from a ball-carrier perspective. You actually feel like an athlete with these new mechanics.

+ Blocking is improved dramatically in both the passing and running plays. For once, Pulling Guards will hit their assignment and blow up a unsuspecting tackler. There is a downside to this in the passing which I will get into in a moment.

+ The colors POP in this game, and I'm really impressed with the overall look of this demo given that there is so much missing from this game in terms of equipment, accessories, etc.

+ The new animations are quite interesting, although some played out more than others. The RB stiff arm taking the tackler for a ride is one that comes to mind.

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- Ball Trajectory seems to have fallen back to being thrown on a rope again, but it appears to be masked by the LBs not attacking them like they did in 12 and previous years. Again, this isn't confirmed because I don't have replay to decide; I'm about 80% sure that it is though. I was never able to hit a receiver up and away from a defender like it is suppose to without hitting the lob pass button.

- Pass blocking is improved in the fact that the are efficient at completing their assigned block on a given play, but it comes at the expense of the Defensive Line. I was able to generate a ton of sacks in my many games, but it was due to the QB play being very quirky with it's under pressure AI. In a regular play, all four down players were stone walled and were locked into their block. Ideally you would want the defensive line to use something called leverage, frequently called "playing half-a-man", to rush the QB - maybe even try to get a hand in his face. This doesn't happen in the demo from my experience.

- No-Huddle will destroy you on Heisman. Not because you are an awful player or play caller, but because the play selection doesn't even appear until nearly after the CPU offense is set. Its almost as if the No-Huddle is taking up so much of my PlayStation 3's processor that it is unable to load on time. This is gotta be fixed; no excuses on that. It's apparent from the moment you boot up a game. As Cris Carter would say, "C'mon Man."

[kingkilla56]

Graphically unimpressive. Looks the same.

Gameplay and presentation blew me away. Running seems a little OP though.

Will buy.

[nazzman]

I like a lot of things, all mentioned above. Good to see that RBs don't attach themselves velcro-like to the back of blockers when you run too close to them.

I do not like the way the players look when the play is beginning and playing out. Blocky, cartoonish, arcade-like. Will have to go back to 13 to see, but this feels like a downgrade to realism.

I like that the return game is functional again, but the returner feels slow and sluggish (and looks blocky), especially for the first 10 yards.

Not crazy about the cameras. Feels too far away. Passing has lost its immediacy. Using zoom now.

The graphics sequence begins too soon after the TD. I like it, though.

[BCJMU99]

I'm getting the game regardless b/c I always have but this definitely was a breath of fresh air for the 2013 football season!

The atmosphere in both the A&M/Oregon and VT/Bama games were AWESOME! Love the intros, the chants and the presentation.

I had two GREAT games as well, lost by a last second FG to A&M 10-7, then beat Bama in OT 21-14 after I got a pick in the endzone with seconds to go to force OT.

I threw a couple of picks with Mariotta and loved how fluid the game is after an INT.

The Coordinators Cam is growing on me. Normally I don't like to be that far away but you can simply see everything. I like it more for offense rather than defense wish it would automatically switch but that's just a preference of mine.

I'm digging Infinity Engine 2.0 as well. As Oregon I had a nice screen to DeAnthony Thomas where I had all my blocks set up and it was a race to the pylon. I got hit and stumbled into the endzone over two defenders for the TD.

Overall, I can't WAIT!

[fldash]

I guess I don't understand the Infinity Engine. I was expecting more physics and less animations. I saw the same stand up and twist down animation when being tackled behind the line 5 times in my last game... Why can't that collision be physics based?

I'm unimpressed but I'm a tough nut when it comes to football and don't play much except All Pro Football 2k8 on PS3... Hoping for nextgen though as based on the comments here it does seem there is some improvements.

[BellSKA]

Quote: Originally Posted by drk3351

I've read some of this thread mostly a lot of praise. But i have to ask, is this just the usual demo hype playing the game for the first time, or is this seriously an incredible game. (People's impressions seriously suggest this)

I would say demo hype. It's going to be an excellent game, but a large majority are playing through rose colored glasses.

[BellSKA]

Quote: Originally Posted by JoedicyMichael

Well here we go. Lets jump right into it yeah?? Lets Start with the cons since I dont have a whole bunch. CONS 1) I noticed a few plays were my player was clearly tackled and down and the whistler NEVER BLEW! IS that crazy or what?? The crazy thing was that players were still running around like nothing just happened. 2) Clear Interceptions........ Dropped.. Well done CB.. 3) Some Weird tackling mechanics here and there. I had a WR bump into a LB and he just flopped like LeBron James. 4) Ive seen quite a few ppl get juked in my life.. but none like in NCAA 14.. Its not a bad thing, but some of the defenders bit on jukes that they shouldnt have. PROS 1) THE JUKES ARE FKN NASTY! The Jukes cannot be contained.. Nuff said.. Love em. 2) The read option display is cool for players who aren't familiar with the RO or the ZO, but i love this feature as some defenses get complicated and the SS or LB becomes your target read and its key. The pitch read target is cool too. 3) The Live Game updating is pretty nice as well. Its good to see it every once in a while. MORE COMING SOON!

"1) I noticed a few plays were my player was clearly tackled and down and the whistler NEVER BLEW! IS that crazy or what?? The crazy thing was that players were still running around like nothing just happened."

-I saw that and thought the same thing. But it's happened to me about 4 times once on the goal line and I noticed my RB was laying on top of a linebacker. So it's nice to see they don't just blow the whistle if the ball carrier goes horizontal. Very realistic. I may be crazy and it's something they're correcting.

[LastExit]

I don't know if it's been mentioned yet, but there is overtime in the event of a tie at the end of regulation in the demo.