Why NCAA Football 14 is the greatest Football video game of all time

[parent22]

Something about NCAA Football 14 won’t let me put it down. Maybe it’s the different game modes, or maybe something else...

What about NCAA 14 makes it so good? Why is there such a dedicated community to the NCAA game? Why does it make me not want to put it down?

Well first, let’s answer the thread title. Why NCAA Football 14 is the greatest football video game of all time. Maybe it is the modding side. Or the gameplay side. Or the Recruiting side. Or the roster side. There are so many parts that define the NCAA Football series. Pretty much everything listed except for maybe modding is a very key part to the series. And it always has. And if there is another game, it always will.

NCAA Football 14 was the last of a kind. One question I always ask myself when I see a Madden game is “Why did we lose so much?” Why can’t we find a good football game anymore? Well, I think it is because the fact that EA gave us everything it had knowing that likely NCAA 14 was the last of the series. They needed a rebound from the game NCAA 13 was. It was a little like NFL 2K5. 2K built up NFL 2K5 with not one game, but many. The level of thought that came in to how NCAA 14 was designed. Amazing.

What makes NCAA 14 so good? All of it. From the ability to customize how you want it to be, to the outstanding gameplay, to the amazing recruiting, and finally to how it makes you in the game. In the college football atmosphere. That is what we have been missing. Getting in to the game. And add everything else I have mentioned. It all adds up to an amazing game.

Why is there still a dedicated community after 6 years? Maybe simply because it is the last NCAA game in the foreseeable future. Maybe because of how you want to import the rosters to Madden 25. No. I think it is the ability that ea mastered and never used again, of letting you in to the game. And as mentioned before, the was what ea was missing all along. Plus being such an amazing game.

What makes me not want to put it down? It is very addicting. But why? Maybe because the strive for the championship. The heartbreak that comes with losing. Wanting only to win with your favorite team. This is also connected to how it ties you into the game. It draws you in. You want to see your players, from when you recruit them, to the heartbreak of them graduating. Wanting to impress your fans, and finally, taking a team and bringing them back.

This all defines what NCAA 14 is all about. This is what makes up NCAA 14. This is why this is the best football game, maybe ever.

While there have been talks about Gridiron Champions bringing back NCAA Football, I don’t think it will come out, and even if it does, it won’t get enough sales. So for now we have NCAA 14. And that is all I want for the next 10 years.

[airraid73]

Everything you said is on point. I have madden 15-18 , and im still playing ncaa like its brand new. Love this game to death(figure of speech).lol anyway i concur with you..

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[parent22]

Thanks for the feedback! I pretty much will always think that NCAA 14 is the best football game ever. Even if Gridiron Champions is such a good game in year 1, I think it will only be better after 20 years, and all the circumstances that ea had to do to even to get NCAA 14 out. I think that there won’t be any more college football games ever again. Hard, but I think it’s true.

[The EVHL]

I love NCAA 14 and the sad part is, it could've been so much better had they not replaced the authentic pre-game walks and traditions for a lame ESPN highlight reel from a game that hasn't been played yet. Also the loss of a true RPO plus the OP zone reads make the on-field experience wrose than it should've been.


That being said, NCAA 14 also has me hooked. I have tried numerous times to go back to NCAA 06, 09, 11 on the PS2 and while they are fun and provide a new (old) challenge, the lack of updated uniforms and the horrible ball trajectory makes me realize that NCAA 14 is the most complete package we ever received. I play on J-kits sliders (maybe a few house modifications with it) and I play the offense for both teams style of play. I have been playing sports games like this since I was five, and I believe its the best way to get the closest simulation experience regardless of the sport. Anyway, the stats look good, the scores look good, the challenge is there, the atmosphere is there, its is easily the best college football experience ever created imo.


I currently just restarted and am playing a 12-team teambuilder dynasty (thankfully updated uniforms right before website crashed for maybe good) with a split MIAC/WIAC (D-III conferences) conference. The winner of the MIAC and WIAC divisions face-off for the AAC crown and it is seriously the most fun I've ever had with a football game. I only played one season before I restarted due to oversights in the uniforms (I am a HUGE uniform nerd and it made me restart) but the 1st season was special! St. John's (MN) capped off a magical year over UW-Plateville (WI) in the AAC championship game. I used a dynasty spreadsheet tracker from a fellow OS'er here and it made my experience even more satisfying!


I can't wait to keep plugging away at this game as it is so immersive. The only other football game that has ever hooked me this much is APF 2K8 and that was due to the fully custom teams/leagues that I had established and ran...


Anyway, NCAA 14 is the CFB GOAT and I just wanted to express my love for the game with you guys! Enjoy!

[parent22]

Quote: Originally Posted by HipNotiiC_x

I love NCAA 14 and the sad part is, it could've been so much better had they not replaced the authentic pre-game walks and traditions for a lame ESPN highlight reel from a game that hasn't been played yet. Also the loss of a true RPO plus the OP zone reads make the on-field experience wrose than it should've been. That being said, NCAA 14 also has me hooked. I have tried numerous times to go back to NCAA 06, 09, 11 on the PS2 and while they are fun and provide a new (old) challenge, the lack of updated uniforms and the horrible ball trajectory makes me realize that NCAA 14 is the most complete package we ever received. I play on J-kits sliders (maybe a few house modifications with it) and I play the offense for both teams style of play. I have been playing sports games like this since I was five, and I believe its the best way to get the closest simulation experience regardless of the sport. Anyway, the stats look good, the scores look good, the challenge is there, the atmosphere is there, its is easily the best college football experience ever created imo. I currently just restarted and am playing a 12-team teambuilder dynasty (thankfully updated uniforms right before website crashed for maybe good) with a split MIAC/WIAC (D-III conferences) conference. The winner of the MIAC and WIAC divisions face-off for the AAC crown and it is seriously the most fun I've ever had with a football game. I only played one season before I restarted due to oversights in the uniforms (I am a HUGE uniform nerd and it made me restart) but the 1st season was special! St. John's (MN) capped off a magical year over UW-Plateville (WI) in the AAC championship game. I used a dynasty spreadsheet tracker from a fellow OS'er here and it made my experience even more satisfying! I can't wait to keep plugging away at this game as it is so immersive. The only other football game that has ever hooked me this much is APF 2K8 and that was due to the fully custom teams/leagues that I had established and ran... Anyway, NCAA 14 is the CFB GOAT and I just wanted to express my love for the game with you guys! Enjoy!

Yeah, there is so much about NCAA Football 14 that is just outstanding. And yes, it could have been so much better. Had there been just one more game adding on everything it was missing, it would be definetly the best video game of all time, hands down.

[mpklub]

Agree on NCAA 14 being the best football game of all time for me as well. With customization of conferences, playbooks, and the dynasty editor the possibilities are endless.



As an example, I just started a dynasty where I imported 2018 rosters and then simmed 6 seasons just to see where things were. Pittsburgh dropped to a 1* program and is currently on my short list of programs to take over with a created coach and bring back to glory. Other interesting stories in this dynasty....Ohio State is on the verge of firing Urban Meyer (I started this dynasty before his retirement) after back to back 8-5 seasons. Texas Tech is down to a 1* program. Tennessee dropped to a 2* program and hired Tee Martin to turn them around.



Just the number of things that can happen off the field compared with what can be done on the field creates a game with infinite possibilities.



And I don't even really touch the editor yet. And in addition to that, seeing what some of the folks here at OS do with relegation leagues and the like. I have been completely blown away and had my interest in this series reinvigorated.



I'd love a PS4 version of NCAA football, but if I don't ever get it, I'll be just fine with NCAA'14.

[Collegefbfan]

I agree with all that has been said. I played Madden forgot what year on the PS3. Even the graphics looked great on it. I look at how much more could have been done with NCAA football on ps3 or ps4. Just little things though. There are some nice touches. I like where they come in with an ESPN update on scores and upset alerts. I like custom conferences a lot. Just would like to see one for ps4.

[tril]

though I disagree that its the best football game of all time I do agree with the points that you stated. Its definitely in my top3. NCAA 11 is my favorite(2k5 is the other).

what makes NCAA14 agreat is the same thing that makes CH2k8 great.

you have great gameplay, great recruiting, great features, coaching carousels etc.

college sports games IMO trumps the professional sports titles because of the constant turnover of players. The players you recruit/sign are easier to bond with because you are creating their story. professional sports the players are already tiered as to how their career will most likely play out.

In college sports your roster basically turns over every couple of years. so the teams experience on the field changes with the new players.

In addition the number of opponents in college sports. outside of conference play, you get to experience going against new teams.

In addition moving on to coach a team in a new conference presents different challenges.

lets not forget about the college atmosphere. you cant beat it.