NCAA 07 - The returns are in

July 20th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

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Well, sort of.

See, I’m still planning on reviewing the game, but it hasn’t happened yet. That free copy I promised to procure? EA insists it’s in the mail.

In the meantime, I figured I’d go all RottenTomatoes on you and collect some internet opinion about the game - because if there’s one thing video game junkies like to do, it’s communicate with other video game junkies on the internet. I would know.

So here goes the breakdown from Gamespot, IGN and some other reputable sources:
XBOX 360:

“Practically everything in NCAA 07 feels different from the same game on the Xbox or PlayStation 2. Take the loading screen, for example–as a game loads, a panoramic picture of one of the 70-odd stadiums found in the 360 version smoothly transitions into a rendered version of the exact same stadium…Where NCAA 07 falls short, at least in comparison to the current-gen versions of the game, is in sheer quantity of content. The game’s single-player experience is limited to quick pickup games, the aforementioned Dynasty mode, and a trio of minigames–bowling, tug of war, and option dash–which are pretty forgettable…Though NCAA Football 07 isn’t as full-featured as the same game on older consoles, the game that is there is a fun and potent mix of responsive controls, challenging gameplay, and, of course, that good old-fashioned college spirit.” - Gamespot
“We all waited in anticipation. With a more powerful console and plenty of development time, there would be no launch-title excuse this time around. The emails streamed in with one question: Where was EA taking NCAA Football 07 on the 360? … The answer, sadly, is backward. While it’s still a good, fun college football experience, there are so many features missing from the 360 version that the game should be packaged on the back of a milk carton. Race for the Heisman. Campus Legend. Defensive hot routes. Spring game. Drills. Create-a-school. Stadium Pulse. ESPN Magazine. Where did all of it go?” - IGN
“I got the game for 360 and it blows. Save your hard-earned benjamins for a prostitute or something.” - Deadspin commenter Cooler than Warm Milk

(Regular) XBOX and PS2:

“One thing’s for sure: You won’t lack for things to do when playing NCAA 07. In addition to the standard quick game, practice, rivalry, mascot games, and dynasty mode, the game also includes a number of new modes to check out–including new spring drill minigames, scrimmage mode, and campus legend mode.” -Gamespot
“That emotional pendulum might seem to be one of the intangible characteristics of the sport, but EA Sports has managed to capture the up and down, hang on the edge of your seat for every play feeling in this year’s version of NCAA Football 07. The result, along with a redesigned camera for dramatic moments, new playbooks and adjustments to both sides of the ball helps to makes NCAA Football 07 one of the more immersive football games in a long while.” - IGN
“The XBox and PS2 versions are way better than the 360.” - Deadspin commenter Henry Porter

Well, that seems to just about sum it up. Enjoy those, and get the Postmen review, um, sometime next week I guess. Damnit.

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Oh, glorious day

July 18th, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

cover.jpgThat’s right, baby. The day you’ve all been waiting for. The day Electronics Boutique and Gamestop employees across the country finally, finally, have a reason to wear their old college jerseys to work.

That’s right. It’s NCAA Football release day.

Admittedly, I’m more of a Madden guy over here, so the NCAA thing is more an appetizer, a nice little diversion while the hands continue to twitch from Madden withdrawal.

But it is usually a pretty decent game, if not as complete as its professional counterpart. Plus, I have a roommate who can download all the players’ names (he’s good like that), which makes the game about three or four times more fun. It sure beats going through and fixing every player individually, which, um, I did one year. (Hangs head in shame.)

Will I or R be buying the 2007 version? No - but that won’t stop us from reviewing it. The day job will allow me to procure a free copy directly from EA, which I will review and report back with as soon as possible. So stay tuned for that, and get those thumbs ready. Whether you’re a Madden or NCAA type, it will be a long fall.

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