NCAA Football 12 News Post

NCAA Football 12 Reviewer Impressions: Gameplay and Presentation

11:01 AM - July 11, 2011 by ChaseB

July is always a polarizing month here at Operation Sports because it marks the beginning of football gaming season. The release of EA's NCAA Football always means our forums will be abuzz with frenzied football fanatics breaking down the most minute details of the game. As such, it is almost impossible for the game to satisfy everyone, splitting our readers and staff alike down the middle depending on one's yearly expectations.

However, the most important lesson I�ve learned in my three years as a staff writer here at Operation Sports is that it is our standard policy to review a game based on what's in the game rather than what isn't in it. This is not to say we turn a blind eye to things that we believe have become industry standards in sports games, I just want to give everyone a heads up that I will not be reviewing and scoring NCAA Football 12 based on the fact that it has not implemented a tackling engine that is entirely physics-based, nor will I compare its core mechanics and features to games from the past. This review is about NCAA Football 12; the only game it can fairly be compared to in our eyes is the NCAA Football series. If you are able to accept this OS review philosophy of judging a game based on its own merits, then enjoy the ride. If you would rather focus on what you believe should be included in NCAA 12, or just disagree with our approach, then our reviews might not be for you -- and that's perfectly acceptable

With all that being said, let's get to the good stuff.

Read More - NCAA Football 12 Reviewer Impressions: Gameplay and Presentation

Game: NCAA Football 12Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 104 - View All

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Member Comments

# 41 nttnybuc @ 07/11/11 11:02 PM

I'm very interested in seeing how the defense got revamped this year. Long gone are the days of offensive minded success

# 42 Blublub @ 07/11/11 11:17 PM

Any chance you've ever seen a blocked kick or punt? Still can't believe the reviewers and fan base has given them a free pass on that one for 12 years...

# 43 bukktown @ 07/11/11 11:18 PM

Real thorough impressions.

# 44 PaperBoyx703 @ 07/12/11 12:28 AM

Getting it during my lunch break tommorow, so I can get a straight shot home.

# 45 footawn @ 07/12/11 12:33 AM

2 questions about RTG:

is it still what I like to call "Load to Glory"? i.e. you're sitting at loading screens between practices almost as much as you're playing?

and do they still have the god-awful wording on the loading screen emphasizing "we said ERIN ANDREWS!!!!!11OMGLOLROFL"

# 46 TheTodd84 @ 07/12/11 10:18 AM

I have a quick question that maybe you could address, bumble. Has the replay issue with the ps3 game been fixed? What I mean is that when creating a highlight montage post-game, a lot of the longer plays would be cut short and on an 80-yard run, say, you'd only see the running back from midfield on just running with the start of the play cut out.

Has this been fixed? Maybe it is a memory issue w/ the ps3? It was almost a game-killer for me.

# 47 Bumble14 @ 07/12/11 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTodd84


	I have a quick question that maybe you could address, bumble. Has the replay issue with the ps3 game been fixed? What I mean is that when creating a highlight montage post-game, a lot of the longer plays would be cut short and on an 80-yard run, say, you'd only see the running back from midfield on just running with the start of the play cut out. Has this been fixed? Maybe it is a memory issue w/ the ps3? It was almost a game-killer for me.

I've been playing on the 360 version. This issue was fixed in NCAA 11 via a patch, so I am assuming it is fixed in 12.

# 48 Steelers30 @ 07/12/11 03:17 PM

What good is it to publish the review on Thursday? I'll have had the game by then.

# 49 makaveli_Reborn @ 07/12/11 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingdevin


	and was there a mention of whether there were multiple viewing cam angles this yr?

The fun part is that under OS's new review policy, the fact that this is, year in and year out, the only sports game on earth that doesn't allow you to change the camera angle can't be held against it.

But to your point, it's a bit ludicrous that we're stuck with the one. This has been industry standard for more than a decade.

# 50 CptPizzo @ 07/12/11 06:20 PM

I do have a question Sir.

I had thought that the CPU had at least a decent run game. I have played two games (I know that is a small sample) but the two teams (Maryland and OHIO state) have combined for NEGATIVE yardage. I play as the Miami Hurricanes although thats my Alma Matar, I can't believe that the 'Canes can hold OHIO state to -14 yards on 20 carries. Although the games were close and exciting, it felt very similar to last years games with 200+ yards by the CPU in passing and neg yardage running. I was playing on default sliders on AA. Any thoughts??

Thanks for your time,

# 51 snt @ 07/12/11 07:59 PM

Where is tenn vols game day presentation at? You already have the band on the field, let em run the Power T like they do real life. Not that hard.. Patch it!

# 52 TheTodd84 @ 07/13/11 04:50 PM

To be honest, the one word that describes my impressions is... Unrealistic.

Sure, the game might "play" better than ncaa 11, but there are still so many unrealistic aspects of this game.

The defensive linemen are still WAY TOO FAST. There are few instances when a defensive lineman should catch up to my running back. Also, there is not enough randomness to the interactions.

The one thing that is close to being a game killer for me is the lack of a realistic running game compared to the passing game. What I mean is this... what EA has to realize is that not every team is a passing team and every time I play a good team, I should not have to be balanced. Look at Oregon for example. Teams knew they were gonna run the ball, but yet, still couldn't stop it. So, even if the computer knows i am going to run, they must be in the correct defense to anticipate the DIRECTION of my running play to stop it. If they guess wrong, I pick up a minimum of 5 yards. It's that simple. If the CPU linebackers are slanted over to the right side of my offensive line and I flip the play to the left and there are not more defenders than can be block, odds are i'm going to gain more than two yards. So why am I getting stopped for a loss of yards? It's because of the programming trying to even out statistics so it has to make certain things happen often...

It's just not realistic. Just because I run the ball 10 times in a row doesn't mean you can stop me. Same thing with passing, just because I throw it 10 times in a row has nothing to do with whether or not you can stop me... So, why does that work in the passing game, but not in the running game?

I coach football... and this is almost a game-killer for me. I'm an offensive coordinator, and I could care less if the defense knows I'm running because they don't know what run play I am going to run, same with passing.

Also, it seems as though if you decide not to use some sort of pro-style offense, the running game is non-existent. When it actually should be opposite. The spread and option running games should be MORE EFFECTIVE than pro-style attacks. Look at the NFL, and look at the top rushing teams in America. 16 of the top 20 rushing teams last year ran one of the following offenses... Spread, option, or pistol. So then, why in the game are the spread and option two of the least effective offenses? That just goes to show that it doesn't matter if you know someone is going to run the ball... it matters if you are in the right defense and have guessed the PLAY right. And even then, you still have to execute.

It's just so incredibly frustrating when I play with Oregon and I can't run for 200+ yards on people. Only three teams in 2010 held Oregon under 200 yards rushing, Arizona State, Cal and Auburn. That's it. And SIX TIMES Oregon rushed for over 300 yards. So why is Oregon's running game ineffective?

So, the word that comes to mind is...

Unrealistic.

# 53 Frog-Face-Frown @ 07/13/11 05:29 PM

Lack of a dramatic overhaul of the commentary and in game announcing is simply baffeling. For years EA football titles have been raked over the coals for their lack of innovation in thier commentary logic.. It has stayed much the same for a decade. Although 3 d grass is nice and lights sparkeling on helmets are subtle improvements, they pale in compare to the announcing and commentary being the downfall in the presentation during the gameplay experience.

It' sad EA will not embrace incorperating new technology regarding this aspect of the game. Every year since 2000, the commentary on madden and ncaa has stayed much the same with evry annoucing team always sounding canned, repetive, and severly lacking in AI. There is no reason why EA chooses to ingnore this aspect of the game during devlopement process year after year. To this day EA has not even included simple technology that would allow for annouibncers to recognize created or fictional player first or last names although the technology to do so has existed for years.

# 54 TheTodd84 @ 07/14/11 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giants4Natic


	Seems to me you expect to much from a video game because exactly how you described your feelings is how I see all games but it does not bug me because no game is going to give you what you see in real life. Not MLB the SHow, Not NBA 2K11 not Madden, all the games do is provide a simulation of some sort

I honestly don't expect a lot. All I expect is realistic outcomes of situations and real-time physics. Why is that like asking the producers of the game if they want a root canal? I feel like people would have an easier time trying to talk a 4-star recruit into attending Eastern Michigan.

Once you implement RTP into a game, see: FIFA 12, realistic outcomes of situations happen and a lot of the problems with the gameplay are solved. Will FIFA 12 be perfect? No, but it will be nice to see realistic goals and outcomes that wait for it... happen in real life. That's all I expect, realistic outcomes.

I will give you an example of what I am talking about...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMCAauzBaEg&playnext=1&list=PL764B7CBCBEF10228

In this play, Stanford has 9 guys in the box. NINE, to stop the run. and the motion of the left receiver puts 10 guys in the box (!!!!). But that DOES NOT MATTER because the defense could not anticipate the direction of the run and the zone-read forced them to hesitate, which opened up a hole. This does not happen in the game because the players do not move realistically. If this situation was presented in the game, someone would be warping around and ice skating and magically appear in the backfield unblocked because the zone read takes too long or the defensive play is WAY TOO FAST or just because they knew I was running and still ran it, even though the CPU did not know the direction.

It's just so frustrating.

# 55 TheTodd84 @ 07/14/11 09:20 AM

Sure, I may take some of these games too seriously, but that is because we are all being falsely marketed to and they are getting away with it. They market the game as a simulation experience that is meant to mirror real football on the field. But yet, it plays like an arcade game and there are few realistic football interactions and situational outcomes. I don't mind if it plays like an arcade game if it is marketed as just fun football for the masses or something. But don't market it as a simulation football experience, or "everything you see on saturdays" and then have the game play like an arcade game. I don't see much warping and ice skating on saturdays. I don't see many superhuman linebackers or safeties covering a 25-yard post route even though they are 15 yards away from the play.

I don't take games like Call of Duty too seriously because it is marketed as a fun multiplayer experience and isnt necessarily going to be overly realistic. I just don't like being deceived.

# 56 kwomack12 @ 07/14/11 08:28 PM

Can you use a broadcast camera when you play, like in the image where Clemson is playing Georgia?

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