NCAA Football 09 hands-on report two

by pastapadre
Posted May 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

A lot of the thoughts on my second run-through with NCAA Football 09 was covered in the live blog from Thursday but here are more detailed thoughts after finishing up.

Overall the game feels slightly more restricted than when I played it last month. You still get the sense of the wide-open gameplay but big plays happen less often and scores in general were coming out lower. I would attribute that to a decrease in acceleration which seemed a little extreme at the time for fast players. There is more balance between the offense and defense, though if someone is patient on offense they could be extremely efficient and make it difficult to stop them. Ultimately I do believe that the hardcore community will be more pleased with how it is playing now than how it played back then.

One thing that seems to be too easy is throwing to the RBs in the flats effectively. Linebackers just can’t keep up with them in man coverage, plus they almost seem to get a speed boost when they catch the ball. This was somewhat frustrating at times as it would result in consistent 7+ yard gains and was tough to prevent.

Lets look at some issues I pointed out last month and see if they have improved. I’ll have a more in-depth comparison to the event builds and how our feedback influenced (or didn’t) the final product down the line.

Balance as an offense can really pay off. At times though it felt like you were picking your poison when playing defense. Stopping the opposition on a consistent basis just didn’t happen.

This continued to be the case at times. There aren’t as many punts as you would expect since it is difficult to stop the opposition. The QBs can be very efficient, even though inaccurate passes seemed to be more apparent now. Short passes, especially against man coverage, are relatively easy to complete.

When it comes to the offensive-defensive balance I’d say the leaning is clearly towards the offense. However in most of the games that were played the scores ended up realistic. It brought about more excitement due to the big plays. Scores will likely depend heavily on the styles of the people playing. With longer quarters (7+ minutes) on All-American the scores would probably be unrealistically high.

Scores were down on All-American. A couple examples were 27-3 and 24-14. A month ago there would’ve been no way in a head-to-head game that a team would be held to 3 points. Big plays can still happen, but weren’t quite as often.

Completion percentage seemed to be on the high side. There were not all that many incomplete passes. It was relatively easy to run an efficient offense and move the chains on a consistent basis.

There certainly seemed to be more inaccurate passes but the completion percentages are still high. Patience tends to result in long, successful drives.

There were a high % of interceptions returned for touchdowns. This seemed to be due to the speed/acceleration and taking bad angles that are impossible to recover from. Off the top of my head I’d say on average 1-2 every game. This got to be a little frustrating that they were occurring so often and there was little recourse to preventing them being taken the distance.

Big difference here. Not only did I see less interceptions, but only a handful returned for TD and all seemed legit. I would look to better recovery by players on the team that got picked off and less extreme acceleration.

We didn’t really see the CPU throw deep which is a concern when considering this has been an issue for a while.

I had only a limited amount of time against the CPU but didn’t get any deep passes thrown on me.

Interception returns and other big plays sometimes would have the ball carrier with a lead blocker but no one out ahead for him to block. In that situation he continued to run ahead instead of turning around to block someone who was trying to catch the ball carrier. It looked awkward but I don’t think it ended up costing any of us because it’s so rare to see a player get caught from behind.

Didn’t see this happen but can’t say for sure it has been addressed. I know I didn’t see any of the “convoy blocking” from the one video (which I thought maybe that issue was leading up to at the time) and to my knowledge no one else did either.

The cheerleader cut scenes are shown a little too often. I would rather see more post play continuation than so many cheerleader scenes.

Not quite as much of the cheerleaders, but more of the mascots, and possibly more post-play continuation. Guess that is an improvement though still not ideal.

Make sure to read through my impressions from last month (part one, part two) for further details on the game. I’ll have more to add this weekend including some video clips and more analysis on the game.

Tags:

twistanutz22

Any new videos of the latest gameplay for NCAA 09? And what’s up with easports.com not posting any new pics of alternate uni’s since May 23rd???

But Pasta, if you could post a new video of NCAA, that would be awesome! (Preferably of the OREGON DUCKS!!!)
twistanutz22

Any new videos of the latest gameplay for NCAA 09? And what’s up with easports.com not posting any new pics of alternate uni’s since May 23rd???

But Pasta, if you could post a new video of NCAA, that would be awesome! (Preferably of the OREGON DUCKS!!!)
As’Samad

[quote comment="22883"][quote comment="22805"]Pasta, is it that you just don’t care about progressive lighting, or is just something EA won’t allow you to answer yet?[/quote]

Seriously Pasta, I know you’re busy evalutating the game & your feedback is greatly appreciated but with all due respect, can you please make a little more of an effort to answer a few more of our questions? I’ve asked about the progressive lighting in about 4 different posts for both Madden & NCAA & still no answer. Jeff & I just want to know if the lighting is progressive in both NCAA & Madden. Thank you sir.[/quote]

His silence is probably his way of letting you know that it’s not in NCAA’09.
As’Samad

[quote comment="22883"][quote comment="22805"]Pasta, is it that you just don’t care about progressive lighting, or is just something EA won’t allow you to answer yet?[/quote]

Seriously Pasta, I know you’re busy evalutating the game & your feedback is greatly appreciated but with all due respect, can you please make a little more of an effort to answer a few more of our questions? I’ve asked about the progressive lighting in about 4 different posts for both Madden & NCAA & still no answer. Jeff & I just want to know if the lighting is progressive in both NCAA & Madden. Thank you sir.[/quote]

His silence is probably his way of letting you know that it’s not in NCAA’09.
Josh

[quote comment="22988"][quote comment="22883"][quote comment="22805"]Pasta, is it that you just don’t care about progressive lighting, or is just something EA won’t allow you to answer yet?[/quote]

Seriously Pasta, I know you’re busy evalutating the game & your feedback is greatly appreciated but with all due respect, can you please make a little more of an effort to answer a few more of our questions? I’ve asked about the progressive lighting in about 4 different posts for both Madden & NCAA & still no answer. Jeff & I just want to know if the lighting is progressive in both NCAA & Madden. Thank you sir.[/quote]

His silence is probably his way of letting you know that it’s not in NCAA’09.[/quote]

I know but a simple yes or no would be nice. Otherwise what’s the point of asking questions if they’re not going to be answered? What kind of statement is that? A lot of people are asking the same questions that have already been answered but this is yet to be answered. I’m really more concerned about Madden having it because I know NCAA had it last year.
Josh

[quote comment="22988"][quote comment="22883"][quote comment="22805"]Pasta, is it that you just don’t care about progressive lighting, or is just something EA won’t allow you to answer yet?[/quote]

Seriously Pasta, I know you’re busy evalutating the game & your feedback is greatly appreciated but with all due respect, can you please make a little more of an effort to answer a few more of our questions? I’ve asked about the progressive lighting in about 4 different posts for both Madden & NCAA & still no answer. Jeff & I just want to know if the lighting is progressive in both NCAA & Madden. Thank you sir.[/quote]

His silence is probably his way of letting you know that it’s not in NCAA’09.[/quote]

I know but a simple yes or no would be nice. Otherwise what’s the point of asking questions if they’re not going to be answered? What kind of statement is that? A lot of people are asking the same questions that have already been answered but this is yet to be answered. I’m really more concerned about Madden having it because I know NCAA had it last year.
http://www.pastapadre.com/ pastapadre

I don’t believe the lighting is progressive in NCAA or Madden from what I’ve seen and who I’ve asked. They built the new lighting system this year and probably weren’t able to get that far.
http://www.pastapadre.com pastapadre

I don’t believe the lighting is progressive in NCAA or Madden from what I’ve seen and who I’ve asked. They built the new lighting system this year and probably weren’t able to get that far.
sammy

pasta is ps3 identical and btw what is wvus alternate unis
sammy

pasta is ps3 identical and btw what is wvus alternate unis
Josh

[quote comment="23000"]I don’t believe the lighting is progressive in NCAA or Madden from what I’ve seen and who I’ve asked. They built the new lighting system this year and probably weren’t able to get that far.[/quote]

That sucks to hear that they took a step back with progressive lighting this year. I know the lighting is better than last year but this is why people get so frustrated with EA. They always take one step forward and two steps backwards. I’m not trying to bash or nitpick but you would think that would’ve been the 1st thing they implemented to go along with the “improved lighting”. This is a real buzzkill for me.
Josh

[quote comment="23000"]I don’t believe the lighting is progressive in NCAA or Madden from what I’ve seen and who I’ve asked. They built the new lighting system this year and probably weren’t able to get that far.[/quote]

That sucks to hear that they took a step back with progressive lighting this year. I know the lighting is better than last year but this is why people get so frustrated with EA. They always take one step forward and two steps backwards. I’m not trying to bash or nitpick but you would think that would’ve been the 1st thing they implemented to go along with the “improved lighting”. This is a real buzzkill for me.
Justin

thanks for all the info pasta , god i cant wait for this to come out. One question, does NC State have alt. uni’s and if they do what are they? red on red and white on white? if you could answer that it would be much appreciated!
Justin

thanks for all the info pasta , god i cant wait for this to come out. One question, does NC State have alt. uni’s and if they do what are they? red on red and white on white? if you could answer that it would be much appreciated!
MJ

[quote comment="23000"]I don’t believe the lighting is progressive in NCAA or Madden from what I’ve seen and who I’ve asked. They built the new lighting system this year and probably weren’t able to get that far.[/quote]

Does this mean that an evening game will always be played in dusk in the 4th quarter OR is it not as smooth as before?
Thanks
MJ

[quote comment="23000"]I don’t believe the lighting is progressive in NCAA or Madden from what I’ve seen and who I’ve asked. They built the new lighting system this year and probably weren’t able to get that far.[/quote]

Does this mean that an evening game will always be played in dusk in the 4th quarter OR is it not as smooth as before?
Thanks
Badgerboy 21

pasta…i read a year or two ago that you would be able to see the tomahawk chop or the gator chomp…is that visible in this game this year..or is the crowd always look like its going bananas like last years game???
Badgerboy 21

pasta…i read a year or two ago that you would be able to see the tomahawk chop or the gator chomp…is that visible in this game this year..or is the crowd always look like its going bananas like last years game???
Bob?

i hope they can still make a screen shake for the home field advantage but i doubt itll happen. From what ive seen the home field advantage feel doesn’t seem right. But, my question to you pasta is… does the home field advantage actually FEEL different then other games or is it only because you cannot see what routes your players will run and the qb’s composure is down? Is there a sense of home field advantage?

thank you for your time
Bob?

i hope they can still make a screen shake for the home field advantage but i doubt itll happen. From what ive seen the home field advantage feel doesn’t seem right. But, my question to you pasta is… does the home field advantage actually FEEL different then other games or is it only because you cannot see what routes your players will run and the qb’s composure is down? Is there a sense of home field advantage?

thank you for your time
twistanutz22

Yo Pasta,

Thanks for all of your hard work, Just thinking of how much work you’ve put into this year’s reports is flat out overwhelming! Could I ask for some screen-shots or video of OREGON’S ALTERNATE JERSEYS. I saw one video where J-Will (#4) caught a TD pass in the endzone wearing the yellow tops and green pants. I’m just curious if Oregon has anymore alternates in the game, because as you may know they have a lot more in real life. I’m hoping they have their black tops/ black pants along with the all yellow’s. Those are my two favorites!
Thanks for your help man!
twistanutz22

Yo Pasta,

Thanks for all of your hard work, Just thinking of how much work you’ve put into this year’s reports is flat out overwhelming! Could I ask for some screen-shots or video of OREGON’S ALTERNATE JERSEYS. I saw one video where J-Will (#4) caught a TD pass in the endzone wearing the yellow tops and green pants. I’m just curious if Oregon has anymore alternates in the game, because as you may know they have a lot more in real life. I’m hoping they have their black tops/ black pants along with the all yellow’s. Those are my two favorites!
Thanks for your help man!
Kyle

In NCAA Football 07 the on field shadows moved in real time, in NCAA Football 08 they did not. However, lighting always progressed throughout the game in both 07 and 08. (ex. dusk games turned into night as time went on) I know that lighting is something that most people don’t really care about, but hopefully the shadows will move in real time like they did in NCAA 07.
The NCAA Football series has always had more realistic lighting then the Madden series in my opinion. In Madden, a 4:15 game always seems dark, even during September games, which is not realistic at all.
Kyle

In NCAA Football 07 the on field shadows moved in real time, in NCAA Football 08 they did not. However, lighting always progressed throughout the game in both 07 and 08. (ex. dusk games turned into night as time went on) I know that lighting is something that most people don’t really care about, but hopefully the shadows will move in real time like they did in NCAA 07.
The NCAA Football series has always had more realistic lighting then the Madden series in my opinion. In Madden, a 4:15 game always seems dark, even during September games, which is not realistic at all.
Sam

Question: Outside of dynasty mode, can you change what year players are in of their eligibility? You could on 07, but they scrapped that on 08. Since Notre Dame doesn’t officially give out redshirts, they screwed up how much eligibility was left on a lot of players.
Sam

Question: Outside of dynasty mode, can you change what year players are in of their eligibility? You could on 07, but they scrapped that on 08. Since Notre Dame doesn’t officially give out redshirts, they screwed up how much eligibility was left on a lot of players.
J. Pierce

A couple weeks back I kept hearing about all the media sites that were going to be running an online dynasty, but I haven’t heard a thing since then.

Pasta, can you give us an update or tell us where we can follow the online dynasty? Alot of us are very interested in this so we can get an idea on how well it works and, most importantly, if the lag has been fixed.

Thanks for all your hard work!
http://N/A J. Pierce

A couple weeks back I kept hearing about all the media sites that were going to be running an online dynasty, but I haven’t heard a thing since then.

Pasta, can you give us an update or tell us where we can follow the online dynasty? Alot of us are very interested in this so we can get an idea on how well it works and, most importantly, if the lag has been fixed.

Thanks for all your hard work!
RobMac

Pasta,

Do you feel like 09 has more long term playability than NCAA 08? I’ve played the NCAA Football series since 99, and NCAA 08(XBOX 360) was the only time I’ve traded-in or stopped playing one of the games. Although, 08 was my first next-gen experience with the series. Has 09 taken steps to becoming an enjoyable game on the next-gen consoles?
RobMac

Pasta,

Do you feel like 09 has more long term playability than NCAA 08? I’ve played the NCAA Football series since 99, and NCAA 08(XBOX 360) was the only time I’ve traded-in or stopped playing one of the games. Although, 08 was my first next-gen experience with the series. Has 09 taken steps to becoming an enjoyable game on the next-gen consoles?
grant

One BIG question that hasn’t been answered in any previews I’ve seen.

Have the #%(!@*U$!@# Fumbles been fixed?

It was absolutely ridiculous both online and in the actual gameplay how often one fumbled. I fumbled my first 4 possessions online once, with my running bakc with a 92 carry rating and covering up most of the time.

The average of 2-3 fumbles a game on 5 minutes quarters is the equivalent of 809 fumbles on a full game. Ridiculous. That’s only fumbles you LOSE. On AA difficulty Dynasty, you fumble 4-5 times a game seemingly on 5 minute quarters.

It makes the game unplayable at times.

Has it been fixed?
grant

8 to 9 fumbles, not 809, I mean.
grant

One BIG question that hasn’t been answered in any previews I’ve seen.

Have the #%(!@*U$!@# Fumbles been fixed?

It was absolutely ridiculous both online and in the actual gameplay how often one fumbled. I fumbled my first 4 possessions online once, with my running bakc with a 92 carry rating and covering up most of the time.

The average of 2-3 fumbles a game on 5 minutes quarters is the equivalent of 809 fumbles on a full game. Ridiculous. That’s only fumbles you LOSE. On AA difficulty Dynasty, you fumble 4-5 times a game seemingly on 5 minute quarters.

It makes the game unplayable at times.

Has it been fixed?
grant

8 to 9 fumbles, not 809, I mean.