OT: NCAA 12 First Impressions
So far I'm very dissapointed. I've played a good amount since I got it, and I am very dissapointed in it. This new tackling system they were so proud of is very choppy to me, more like Madden's system which I hate. The amount of dropped passes has increased a ton as well. I liked '11 much better by first impression.
You can edit your rosters and change the settings.
but I'm not sure if it is just my Xbox but it has been freezing a lot in the past two daays
last years edition was okay but I'm excited about picking this year up. Seems like a mixed bag but I can't resist DR running wild.
I added some option plays out of I-form and shotgun sets, and I can't get anywhere with Denard. Its frustrating. Also its hard having any impact on defense. On old versions you could get a decent LB and rack up 10 tackles and a pick or sack here and there each game. Now you just get blocked or pushed enough to miss tackle opportunities. I can use Demens all game and get maybe 4 solo user tackles, and nothing close to an int or pbu.
I've been playing a lot with one of my co-workers and he continually tears me up with the screen play. I'll be in a base defense with no blitz and he'll still rip off 2-3 50+ yard screen plays every game.
The dropped passes suck too. I also hate how when a DL pwns an OL they just lay on top of them instead of actually making a play. Safeties getting their knees getting taken out 30 yards down field is getting old too.
Are they going to create a patch for injuries???? because players are getting hurt way to often
Custom playbooks are really glitchy and will sometimes go completely blank in the game.
Player and coach progression is apparently screwed up.
Taking a spot as a coordinator results in the amount of plays you get being massively screwed up.
Shotgun running is still really difficult.
Option game seems to be worthless.
Psychic defenders will reach up and intercept balls at the exact right moment without ever looking at the ball. Also, LBs will still intercept balls 20 ft over their heads (apparently they come equipped with rockets up their asses)
The new bullrush animation is awful; it gets triggered way too often and if you trigger it on a running play, the running back will run by you because the animation takes too long.
These are just the problems I've found so far. Some of this stuff will probably get patched, but it's ultimately what we're stuck with because of the exclusivity deal and EA's laziness and ineptitude. I went back and played NHL 09 the other day, and it's amazing to see how much better NHL 11 is than 09. In comparison, NCAA 10 and NCAA 12 are basically the exact same games. It's really disappointing that I can't take my money elsewhere and get a college football fix.
Shotgun running is amazing in this game, especially the option game. The major glitches will be fixed in a week or two with a patch. Don't throw into tight coverage and it won't get picked off.
What level are you playing on?
And thanks for the great advice for passing ...
I started on on AA then moved to Heisman (as I always do until I get the changes in the game locked down). Now, I'm moving back to AA with slider sets because I've heard that's a better game experience and possibly tougher than Heisman.
I played a couple of games last night, and I wanted to play more (damn this thing I call a job). That's the only test the game needs to pass for me to consider it a good one (I have severe ADHD).
I think it is definitely worth buying for anyone who reads this board. Some notes:
The Good
- Physics / tackling / blocking have never been better in an NCAA game. Very, very realistic. Adds a new level to the game, and is the best reason to pick this years' title up.
- They fixed the problem with LBs being able to block every pass known to man, and improved zone coverage on defense. These were the two major issues with gameplay last year (again, IMO).
- Graphics are more detailed than last year.
The Bad
- Injuries. In two games, I think Denard has played less than half of them. No way you can avoid him being taken out of the game after 2-3 hits. Injury time has varied from "will return soon" to "out for a quarter". So, it could be worse. I would recommend adjusting his injury slider before the game.
- Dreads are cool and all - but terribly executed. Epic FAIL on not allowing for varying length of dreads (only option is Predator length), and not allowing them on every face.
- Recruiting looks a little different, but it is anything but a complete overhaul. Add SPARQ, add a few categories to recruit on, and change the graphics. That's it. Weak.
From messing around / playing a couple games last night, I'd give this game a solid 8 / 10 and it's definitely worth $60. Denard is f*cking fast in the game as well. If he had a 99 INJ rating, you could cheese online all day with him (and I hate cheesing).
Where the opposing team punter kicks half of them out of bounds, and the one's that aren't, you can never get a black to prevent you from being hit when you catch it, or after you run for 5 yards?
What I've learned from NCAA 12:
Hopkins should start. He excels at MANBALLLLL (BRAWRRRRRRR!)
It's easier to kerplode out of a double team than beat a man one on one. This is true if you are Mike Martin or Blake Countess.
Denard is made of paper mache.
If You make your pre snap reads, the spiffy new zone coverage can still get carved up. This includes reading the line first. That said, its much harder than the old "count to three and throw to the slant" method from previous versions.
I heart Denard scrambles. Except for the part at the end where all his bones get broken.
The injury thing is my only serious complaint. Someone looked at Denards injury bug last year and asked "Are his injuries the result of asking him to take so much punishment and strain that we should be glad he can still speak english, or is he just a big sissy?" It's pretty clear how they answered that one. I need to remember to check the "injury" statistic for the whole Purdue team, just to see if they were consistent.
This is not to say I'm unhappy. The changes are great and the game feels more physical than ever. You can actually run a decent defense in multi now and most of the cheese is gone/ Overall, very well done and another step forward for the franchise. Horray for CFB Methadone!
I suggest people try the slider set here
I just played the best game I've ever played and got an instant classic score of 1903. It's fun, it's challenging, it's fair.
just played my first game online..i think they got Vincent Smith confused with Denard. 12 carries 198 and 3 tds...
Blitzes always get there and quick..I like the custom playbooks..