Now that September is upon us, we return to the daily grind of trekking across Grounds and attempt to make it from McLeod to Physics in under 10 minutes.
Last weekend also ushered in the beginning of another year of collegiate football after an eight month hiatus. For those who cannot bear to wait for the glories of the gridiron to return between Saturdays, EA Sports attempts to sate the fan's hunger with a fresh cut of its annual "NCAA Football" series.
Longtime connoisseurs of EA football titles, both collegiate and professional, will immediately be familiar with the near-intuitive control system. For the neophyte and those requiring a refresher, the game includes a series of short tutorials. These videos, narrated by ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, provide simple tips to mastering both basic controls and the latest innovations.
Although one might be able to pick up the basics quickly, the adage that practice makes perfect also holds true in the digital realm. Programmers included a useful tool to turn even the most frenetic, frustrated button-masher into a collected player with finesse.
Players can activate the optional visual cues of the Easy Play system to hone their skills. For example, a red icon over a receiver's head indicates a risky throw into coverage, whereas a green icon appears over a wide open target. This way, even the inexperienced can jump right into a game and learn the nuances of game-play without feeling the need to curse at the television.
Of course, the satisfaction of playing the game is not simply to know when to press X or hold Y but to do so in a simulated game (including online play for PlayStation, and is the first EA Sports title on Xbox Live). In keeping with tradition, EA continues to improve upon their previous work in this realm. At the most basic level, new plays and formations are included on both sides of the ball. One can easily personalize a playbook to suit his or her style of play, opting for an abundance of shotgun formations, or swapping the 5-2 for a 3-3 stack.
Although players have always been able to reenact the deadly option attack or punish the quarterback with a big hit, one essential element of college football was lacking from previous incarnations NCAA titles: home field advantage. Now, with a few swift button strokes, the defense can rile its fans into a deafening roar. Football fans will certainly appreciate the team-specific cheers, such as the FSU war chant (complete with politically incorrect tomahawk chop action).
Such a rowdy crowd noticeably affects the game-play. Although the visiting team experiencing a vibrating controller and a shaking screen might be gimmicky, it does serve to replicate the emotions of being despised by 50,000 people. The virtual players can also become rattled, providing one of the major enhancements to the in-game storyline.
Using the so-called "Match-Up Stick" players can view and compare the composure and talent level of both teams. Consequently, one can find the weak spot in the opposition and begin to subtly exploit it. Even more impressive is the fact that these weaknesses ebb and flow with the cheers of the crowd or a virtual player's individual performance.
In addition to strategically coping with raucous fans or a cornerback having the game of his life, playing into the future of the Dynasty mode requires an equal amount of concentration. As in the real world, teams will inevitably experience students violating team rules, performing poorly in their classes or complaining because of lack of playing time. Such issues may seem trifling, but not dealing with them could result in NCAA sanctions or students transferring to other schools.
While the intricacies of Dynasties are almost too realistic, bordering on downright frustrating, EA draws upon years of fantastic finishes and let players reenact such classic moments as U.Va.'s upset of Florida State in 1995. Fortunately, these scenarios rarely take more than 10 minutes from start to finish, providing die hard fans the chance to relive or change history while simultaneously testing players' abilities.
The marvelous strides to engender a more realistic game-play, which can still challenge rugged veterans, seem to have come at the expense of realistic graphics. Some animated celebrations have yet to change since 2002. "Madden 2005" sports more impressive visuals, albeit with far fewer than the 150 plus I-A and I-AA teams. Yet small errors, such as a coach chewing out a member of the opposite squad for a turnover, demonstrate that there is a desperate need to augment the game's graphics.
On the flip side, the game-play more than makes up for whatever visual deficiencies exist. "NCAA Football 2005" will entertain serious football fans and casual gamers alike with authentic and challenging game-play. Choose your plays wisely, and maybe you'll put Coach Groh out of a job. If not, will only exemplify EA Sports' motto of "If it's in the game ... it's in the game." You'll have to wait 'til next year.
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