NCAA Football 14 Impressions Thread

[schmit_95]

Downloaded the early release, played it for about an hour. Blocking is better, running is different, passing and defense feel almost the same as last year. 2 impressions to make. first, this is the best playing NCAA of this generation. That being said my second impression is, its so ungodly boring its not even funny. The NCAA and Madden teams are definitely making the right moves gameplay wise, but my oh my is this game insufferably boring. And by boring I mean there is almost zero immersion for me. The presentation is so bland, the atmosphere is so untouched from 6-7 years ago its hard for me to get through a game.
Gameplay wise, great steps forward. Presentation and immersion, they really need to step up in this aspect.

[jsquigg]

I'm just echoing a lot of people at this point, but in my experience:

-QBs are too accurate.
-Defense is terrible all the way around. I wonder if QB Acc is tied to the fact that the pocket is mostly clean. Unless you blitz the QB is hinder free but if you do blitz and don't hit home you are going to give up some yards. Don't bother playing most of the zones.
-The option is finally functional and a blsat to play.
-Presentation is improved. Love the halftime show.

I have a love-hate relationship with this game. It is fun to play, but many things aren't realistic and it seems like having good strategy isn't rewarded. Line play needs a massive overhaul to reflect mismatches. In my experience, the offensive line gets the edge most of the time. I'm going to play more with my season ticket, but I don't know if this will be a purchase. I was leaning yes after the demo, but the defense definitely needs some love, and I don't mean a skills boost. My defensive strategy is limited to man coverage 80% of the time and blitzing selectively. No assignments, etc.
The option is great, but I'd like to mention that in real life the bubble screen is often packaged in with the read option play. The triple option is nice, but it would be nice to see the QB able to throw the bubble screen when the defense runs a scrape exchange. Too bad the casual gamer EA caters to doesn't even understand what I just said....

[JMD]

I've played several more games today. I'm playing on All American with my own custom slider set to fit my skill level, 7:00 quarters. I have to say this is the best I've even been able to tune a football game in quite some time. In the past no matter what I could always find a go to play that would work no matter what, not in this game so far. Every game I've played today has been a close battle where I've had to use my noggin to be successful.

Just played Texas A&M - CPU @ Washington Huskies - Me. I won a very hard fought game 34-27.

Some game stats:
1st downs CPU -18 , Me -16
total offense CPU 469 , Me - 330
rushes-yards-td CPU 29-76-1, Me 28-148-3
Comp-ATT-TD CPU 27-33-2, ME 11-22-1
Passing yards - CPU- 393 , ME-182
3rd down Conv - CPU- 9-13. Me- 6-9
Turnovers - CPU -3, Me-1 all int's
KR yards CPU- 96 . Me- 273 took one back inside the 5
Penalties - CPU 2-20, Me - 0-0 needs adjusting
T.O.P CPU- 17:41, Me- 13:42

All in all my main complaint is the player physics still seem a bit off at times. Sometimes the slightest contact will cause a man to fall. My HB slightly bumped the FB lead blocking and down he went, shouldn't have happened.

I like the game. I wasn't planning on buying it because I just picked up NCAA 2013 last week for $6.00 and I just got started with that game , but I've got a couple games to trade in so I may have to pick this one up also.

[m1ke_nyc]

Just beat Boise St with Stanford 10-7 in a snow game at metlife stadium. Tough defensive struggle all game.

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by DJ

For what it's worth I played default Heisman last year and had really good results. I'm hoping the same will be true this year.

I started there but found it a bit to "Boosted" for my tastes.

What I find interesting is at right settings I've had QB's not be able to hit the side of a barn.. yet I still see "QB's too accurate" posts. I've also been able to generate sacks with front 4 etc... get decent D battles etc..
Yes I've also had games where nothing went right lol

It's simply a case where so many gamers have many different takes and gameplay styles. That's why there are no end all, be all, perfect slider sets, period.

[Tp801]

Might have already been said, but recruiting seems MUCH MORE difficult than last years game. Especially since there are no more promises.

[goh]

It appears auto naming rosters is gone so that sucks.

These training things are shady. Particularly the option ones. If I scored a TD then obviously there were 2 valid methods but I still don't get credit.

Heisman challenge appears to be untouched,only adding the guys from last years nonsense (pre-order etc.) far as I can tell. Why not add some of the people the UT instead?

"Congratulations,you've unlocked: Aaron Hernandez" Great now where's OJ,Ray Lewis and Donte Stallworth so I can complete the team?

New tackle animations are nice.

[Skulletor]

every year with the same BS: ULL gets a 5 star in the first year, and Florida and LSU are ranked lower than ECU in recruits