 Review By: Jared Black |
Developer: | EA Tiburon |
| Publisher: | EA Sports | |
| Genre: | Sports | |
| ESRB: | Everyone | |
| # Of Players: | 1-4 | |
| Online Play: | Yes | |
| Accessories: | TBD |
The Dynasty mode returns and it’s as deep as one would expect. You can take your team through multiple seasons, recruiting throughout the year, managing your depth chart, tweaking the non-conference schedule, and more. As always, you can also export your draft class to Madden NFL 07 and bring your favorite college kids into the pros with you.
The game also features full online support, which includes ranked and unranked matches, a leaderboard, and real-life scores and updates via the ESPN Sports Ticker when you’re online. The latter in particular is a very nice addition. Instead of the Campus Legend mode found in current-gen versions, the 360 version instead opts for several inventive mini-games including Bowling, Tug of War, and Option Dash.
In Bowling, each team starts at their opponent’s 10 yard line in 10 separate frames, and gets a strike by scoring a TD in one play or a spare when scoring on the second play. If a TD is not scored, then the score for that frame is based on the number of yards gained. In Tug of War, teams start at midfield and alternate plays until one team scores. Finally, in Option Dash each player is given two minutes to go down the field as often as possible using option plays. Points are earned by using special moves, running the fullback, and holding onto the ball. Fumbles cost your team 10 seconds each.
Graphically, NCAA basically looks like an insanely detailed port of the current-gen versions. The stadiums are very nice, with fairly accurate representations of most major schools’ home stadiums (although the camera pans to the landmarks a little too often). Over the course of the game the environment will actually change as the sun sets (granted they do cheat a little by having it change the most between quarters), with shadows growing across the field and the level of ambient light changing as a result. It never really impacts gameplay, but it is nice to look at. The crowds are a little disappointing however; although they look nice and respond somewhat appropriately, they aren’t that dynamic. Blowout or not, they stick around for the entire game and sometimes lag behind what’s actually happening on the field. It’s also disappointing that the third person camera option for returning or blocking kicks is missing, especially since it’s even found in the PSP version.
The players themselves look very realistic, with additional animations not found in the current-gen versions, highly detailed uniforms that change and get muddied over time, helmets that somewhat realistically reflect the surroundings, and rippling muscles and veins (along with some bulging bellies) over a variety of different body types. On the whole the difference is clear between console generations.
The music for this year’s version is provided solely by marching bands (except for the introduction before each game), with fight songs from many different schools included. This is infinitely better than EA Trax crap any day, and while not technically impressive is perfect for the game. There’s plenty of other things going on sound wise as well, including all of the usual player grunts you’d expect, the same PA announcer the game has featured for years, and crowds that’ll begin chanting “overrated” at high ranked visiting teams getting whooped by the home team.
Bottom Line:
While it’s another great installment in the franchise, NCAA Football 07 lacks the ambition found in true champions. No Campus Legend mode or Spring Drills means you’re actually getting less game than other platforms while spending $10 more, and better graphics hardly make up for that. It’s an Xbox 360 game, and thus I expect it to look better.
If you don’t own an original Xbox or PS2 (or better graphics are your top priority), then this version is a worthwhile purchase and will keep you entertained well after Madden arrives. Otherwise, it’s probably best to get a current-gen version instead and hope they put it all together for next year’s next-gen installment.
| Pros: | Cons: | Final Score: |
|---|---|---|
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| 7.9 |
Posted: 2006-08-16 11:39:33 PST