NCAA Football 13 News Post

NCAA Football 13 Review (360/PS3)

10:30 AM - July 10, 2012 by RaychelSnr

Death, Taxes and a new version of NCAA Football in July.

That's the mantra around OS, and it signals a brand new release season for sports gamers. This year's NCAA Football 13 comes packed with enhancements to the passing game, presentation and dynasty mode -- but it is missing the real time physics engine which Madden is going to be debuting in a month.

With that in mind, and with the limited nature of the improvements, one can't help but feel that this year's NCAA Football iteration has a bit of a lame-duck feeling to it.

However, if you are willing to stomach a lot of the same old flaws within the series and some unrealistic moments of football, there is a fun game of pigskin waiting to be unleashed.

Read More - NCAA Football 13 Review (360/PS3)

Game: NCAA Football 13Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 60 - View All

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Member Comments

# 21 roadman @ 07/10/12 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mestevo


	It goes a step further actually and claims it isn't there, from the cons section at the top: "defense is the same old thing and hasn't changed in years"

I saw that, but didn't think the reviewer was specifically talking about read and react. I guess you could infer that, though.

# 22 thom1020 @ 07/10/12 12:18 PM

After reading the reviews, I may end up doing something I have never done...trade NCAA for Madden. I stopped playing '12 by the beginning of October last year because of how bad it was...13 is at my doorstep and I don't even know if I want to play it.

# 23 AUChase @ 07/10/12 12:18 PM

Solid Review. It was well written and very fair.

I have felt similar about the defensive side of the ball. It has just been stale for me, with the exception of user vs user games.

# 24 da ThRONe @ 07/10/12 12:19 PM

Haven't been excited for the past few years(this year the least). I decided a few months ago not to buy NCAA for only the 2nd time in the games history(NCAA 10 being the only other). Judging by this review I made the right choice.

# 25 Mister Magnus @ 07/10/12 12:22 PM

It really is great to read reviews from actual Sports Gamers. Thank you, OS, for being that outlet.

# 26 fsufan4423 @ 07/10/12 12:22 PM

Nice review! I'm trying to hold off on this purchase and get Madden

# 27 jeffreyw1 @ 07/10/12 12:40 PM

Great review. Thanks for telling how the game really is. True game players know how the game plays.

I have a question though. In the review, you stated that "the new weather effects are nice and the lightning is a step up", does this mean that in a game that is being played a rain storm, there will be occasional lightning flahes?

# 28 coogrfan @ 07/10/12 12:55 PM

Pretty sure Chris meant "lighting", not "lightning". The lighting updates after every play this year.

# 29 SteelerSpartan @ 07/10/12 12:58 PM

Fair enough review

The guys who want The Show, Fifa, GT/FORZA, NBA 2k type realism and authenticity are still going to be disappointed

Its not that type of game yet Sadly

At this point it is still more of a Novelty type game based on elements of football....I sort of think of it as a Movie Based on a book who had changed things because they thought it fit the format better

The movie is still fun for some but the hardcore Book followers of years can easily still feel like they didn't see the whole essence of what made them love the book so much

Ive had to develop a high tolerance level to get some old school level fun factor from these games.....But I think Ive finally reached my limit......The terrible OL/DL Play with the Super DTs racking up all the pressure/sacks is just a major obstacle for me now.....And I just don't think they improved the game enough in other areas for me to spend the cash on it this year

# 30 ps3veron @ 07/10/12 01:10 PM

Thanks OS for a very fair review. I believe this is the lowest NCAA as far as I can remember.

Sad to see that its only marginally better than 12.

# 31 Stafford2Johnson @ 07/10/12 01:28 PM

I thought you were the one posting reasons NCAA would top Madden :| ? maybe not idk.

# 32 jeffreyw1 @ 07/10/12 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coogrfan


	Pretty sure Chris meant "lighting", not "lightning". The lighting updates after every play this year.

Thanks for the explanation. I thought there might have been the addition of a new visual. I haven't had time to find out what all was new in the game. Thanks again.

# 33 bigdoc85 @ 07/10/12 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelerSpartan


	Fair enough review The guys who want The Show, Fifa, GT/FORZA, NBA 2k type realism and authenticity are still going to be disappointed Its not that type of game yet Sadly At this point it is still more of a Novelty type game based on elements of football....I sort of think of it as a Movie Based on a book who had changed things because they thought it fit the format better The movie is still fun for some but the hardcore Book followers of years can easily still feel like they didn't see the whole essence of what made them love the book so much Ive had to develop a high tolerance level to get some old school level fun factor from these games.....But I think Ive finally reached my limit......The terrible OL/DL Play with the Super DTs racking up all the pressure/sacks is just a major obstacle for me now.....And I just don't think they improved the game enough in other areas for me to spend the cash on it this year

Problem is that I have MLB 12 The Show, NBA 2k 11 and 12 and FIFA 12. Having those games makes EA football games that much more disappointing.

# 34 Houndy @ 07/10/12 01:46 PM

I'm waiting for Black Friday to buy it cheap, with FIFA 13 and NBA 2K13 coming out, I can only afford to buy two full price games and those two look like the ones I'll be purchashing

# 35 Tide_Fan @ 07/10/12 01:51 PM

I picked up my copy this morning and really like it so far. Being a longtime Bama fan i was disappointed to not open my season in Arlington at Cowboys stadium against Michigan since it is in the game during Bowl season. I didn't really get why they make you play at Michigan stadium in week 1 if Cowboy stadium is in the game, other than that the gameplay is pretty solid.
The commentary needs a makeover bigtime, it is pretty much the same as NCAA 12.. Got a laugh when they did the espn update during my week 1 and Kirk says "Here are 2 Big powerhouses going head to head" , he was talking about North Texas vs LSU? You can pretty much predict what they are going to say going from NCAA 12.

# 36 acreyman @ 07/10/12 02:39 PM

Good review. My copy is wrapped and waiting
me to get home and play. I have a feeling I will like the game based off the demo but its Madden that has me worried. Every year I buy it only to return it within a month and stick with NCAA.....we will see.....

# 37 bigdoc85 @ 07/10/12 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acreyman


	Good review. My copy is wrapped and waiting me to get home and play. I have a feeling I will like the game based off the demo but its Madden that has me worried. Every year I buy it only to return it within a month and stick with NCAA.....we will see.....

I hear ya! I can't recall ever enjoying playing Madden 11 or 12. At least I have had some fun with NCAA 11 and 12.

# 38 Sabredj @ 07/10/12 05:11 PM

I think the review is fair, especially, considering Chris judged it without sliders (and rightly so). Hopefully sliders and patches can tighten the gameplay to the best game we've had yet this generation. I was hoping for more presentation upgrades but any improvement is welcomed and I've only played the early release so far. It will be interesting to see, as an NCAA guy 1st and Madden guy 2nd, if the acclaimed new bells and whistles will be enough to move it to number 1 and make this game obsolete. Given the issues with editing and dynasty mode in Madden I'll probably still be playing NCAA well into next year.

# 39 thegoons21 @ 07/10/12 05:28 PM

Will wait for Madden. Thanks OS, great review.....

# 40 silverfox863 @ 07/10/12 05:29 PM

Thank you for your well-written review. I have a perspective of not taking video games too seriously. The NCAA Football series has always been more arcade than a realistic sim in terms of gameplay, experiences, lasting appeal, etc. First and foremost, a gamer must truly love the game of college football to enjoy, appreciate, have fun, criticize, and at times, become frustrated with a game's flaws. I love the sport and the teams. I enjoy downloading rosters which are generally accurate with names and attributes. Dynasty is my favorite mode, but I do like Road to Glory and the new Heisman Challenge brings a fun element to this series.

My major plusses for NCAA 13 are it's gameplay, presentation, and lasting appeal. My one significant complaint about NCAA 13 is that EA Sports need to take Teambuilder to a higher level of quality customization, both online at the Teambuilder website and within the game. For examples, more choices for shoes than just black or white. Or the ability to customize a fictional stadium from scratch - such as lights, press boxes, designs, dugouts, steps, scoreboards, etc.

Every year, the game feels mostly like it's previous year's output, with minor and usually, substantive differences. Usually the tweaks in gameplay require an adjustment with sliders. I thought that NCAA 12 was significantly better then Madden NFL 12. NCAA 13, while more like NCAA 12.5, is better than NCAA 12. There's been a lot of media hype about Madden 13's improved features and functions, and we shall see how that pans out. The NFL has a great brand and the Madden series has been a fun way to explore the teams and players.

Again, thank you for your article and I also enjoy reading gamers' comments and perspectives about NCAA Football 13.

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