NCAA 08 Game Impressions

[SparkyOSU]

I believe you can turn this off, I think theres a parameter under settings

I picked up the PS3 version on Wednesday. I've only played one game so far, I'm kinda disappointed some things weren't included in this first version. For one, I did not see the teams running onto the field before the game, this feature has been in the games for 4-5 years I believe, if not longer. Maybe thats something you can turn on/off, I dunno. I didn't check to see if the eye black was there, I didn't get into the equiptment, I'm assuming its not there in this version. I also didn't see an option for alternate jersies, like the green ones Notre Dame occasionally pulls out. I probably won't be doing Campus Legend, I'll probably do my Dynasty mode. As far as the 30 fps on the PS3 version, you can't notice it. The game still plays smooth, it doesn't appear choppy. The difference is pretty subtle, if you can tell it at all. I haven't the game at high resolution yet.

It doesnt go into helmet cam, it goes into wire cam just behind the kick returner. There are very, very few changable options this year, what you played was 99% of the way everyone HAS to play the game. Only game rules (holding, injuries, fatigue) are changeable this year. This is no camera options or customizeable stuff like that this year.

 

[scott91575]

I believe you can turn this off, I think theres a parameter under settings

I picked up the PS3 version on Wednesday. I've only played one game so far, I'm kinda disappointed some things weren't included in this first version. For one, I did not see the teams running onto the field before the game, this feature has been in the games for 4-5 years I believe, if not longer. Maybe thats something you can turn on/off, I dunno. I didn't check to see if the eye black was there, I didn't get into the equiptment, I'm assuming its not there in this version. I also didn't see an option for alternate jersies, like the green ones Notre Dame occasionally pulls out. I probably won't be doing Campus Legend, I'll probably do my Dynasty mode. As far as the 30 fps on the PS3 version, you can't notice it. The game still plays smooth, it doesn't appear choppy. The difference is pretty subtle, if you can tell it at all. I haven't the game at high resolution yet.

The next gen versions don't have players running onto the field, or the pre game warmup pictures (360 didn't have it last year either). This is probably due to work load. The next gen is only in year 2 (gen 1 for PS3) and don't have multiple previous years to carry over. They are nice touches, but no where near needed. I'm sure in the future some of that stuff will be brought back. I am betting next year will be much more of a facelift since they did a lot of graphics and gameplay changes this year.

 

[jwinslow]

I think this is just BS that the companies say to make the issue appear to be that of the users, and not something that they did wrong. They said the same thing when many of their games had dirty disk issues for the regular Xbox a few years ago. I tried it and I don't think it helped at all.

Glad to hear it, sounded pretty dumb.

The system maintenance thing might be worth trying though.

Probably not a bad idea for general usage, but it did squat for my DD errors.

Some people said that by dipping a disc into boiling water for 1-2 seconds will remove the film and eliminate some dirty disc errors as well. If anyone wants to try it, I recommend Googling it first for the proper instructions.

Yikes, that sounds a bit terrifying. I'd be concerned about affecting the paper side, in case I needed to return it afterwards.

Ever since I've swapped my disc for a new one the game has run fine. I'm guessing mine was just a bad disk.

I may just do this... much simpler than taking a dip in a pot

 

[ImFrigginFly]

Apparently many EA games have this dirty disc issue, not sure why.

Couple of suggestions on the disc read error:

1) You are supposed to remove the disc before powering up/off. Is this true?

2) This might work, going to try it at home:

Thank you for posting the cache clearing link. I couldn't even play the OSU vs. Huskies game because it'd say I had a dirty disc. Thanks a lot man.

 

[ulukinatme]

Yeah, just saw the eye black thing for myself as I was naming my roster last night, so retarded. They have every piece of extra equiptment under the sun, but no eye black. I think EA hired a bunch of young, nerdy developers this year that didn't know enough about football The missing player entrances /w fight songs is annoying, but hopefully they'll add it back in next year. Perhaps EA decided to remove a few functions so it would give them something to do next year, since additions to the game each year are usually rather minor.
So, whats with all the extra stats, like "Catch in Traffic," "Spectacular Catch," "Run Blocking Footwork," etc. These stats don't seem to affect a players overall rating, but they obviously have some impact on the game. I think they've gone a little overboard with it, they've essentially doubled the possible stats for each player now.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

Hmm, well, I just finished up my first season with the Buckeyes on 08, and it was quite the season indeed.

I went 12-1, with my only loss being to Penn State on the road. They got me because Dan Connor pulled down Todd Boeckman from behind at the 1 yard line to preserve their 17-14 win. Eh, I guess I could've kicked the field goal and gone into OT, but I figured this was a good call either way.

Boeckman threw for 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions for me on the year, and Henton did well as I subbed him in when I needed to run any options/QB keepers. Chris Wells was a flat-out stud, as he ran 351 times for 2,035 yards and 24 touchdowns on the year. I put Brandon Saine as my number five receiver, and out of the five-wide he ran a lot of jet sweeps for me, and ended up running for over 600 yards and 8 touchdowns as he served as sort of a Percy Harvin role for me.

I had the best defense in the country, as I averaged to give up just 12.7 points per game. The best part is, I shut-out Michigan 35-0. Then, I got the ultimate revenge as in the Sugar Bowl, I hammered Florida 62-14. Let's just say that I had nine sacks on a mister Tebow, and he suffered a concussion in the 4th quarter.

Even more good, I landed Terrelle Pryor in recruiting!

 

[ImFrigginFly]

It's tough to get any PT as a MLB for tOSU in Campus Legend mode.

 

[BrutuStrength]

It's tough to get any PT as a MLB for tOSU in Campus Legend mode.

One thing I given particular notice to regarding this game, is how well the LBs play. I use DLinemen at the start of each play, and even though I get frustrated sometimes about not being able to shrug off some blockers, Lauranaitis, Grant, or Freeman usually come through and deliver nice hits on the RBs. I seem to be getting more realistic defensive game play and stats (with the exception of a high number of interceptions). I really enjoy this aspect of the game.

 

[Bleed S & G]

The next gen versions don't have players running onto the field, or the pre game warmup pictures (360 didn't have it last year either). This is probably due to work load. The next gen is only in year 2 (gen 1 for PS3) and don't have multiple previous years to carry over. They are nice touches, but no where near needed. I'm sure in the future some of that stuff will be brought back. I am betting next year will be much more of a facelift since they did a lot of graphics and gameplay changes this year.

PS3's Madden 07 Intros we're awesome.. as was the '3d-grass' where every grass blade was an indivdual free-standing graphic and not a green carpet with numbers painted on. Also, depending on the weather the fields would wear down and jereseys would get grass/mud stains wherever.. also footprints in the snow.. The crowd in NCAA sucks, esp when compared to say a FIFA game. Players look great, stadiums look great, but this game could have been much much better if EA would have done the little things IMO.. I'm an NCAA guy, but it looks like the madden team is the one who is focusing on developing for a PS3 and will actually use it's cell tech. and raw power.. i'm going to be honest and say Madden 07 is better graphics wise than NCAA 08 as a whole.. and i payed 60 bucks for a game from EA which could have easily been much better

edit: heres the said '3d grass'.. you can notice where the field is painted..
this is madden 07 btw

 

[BrutusMaximus]

Graphics are a nice thing, but I am just glad to see them introducing more features into the game this year. Last year, the graphics were beautiful, but the game was pathetic because of the player animations, physics, features, etc. Am much more impressed with it this year. (Course I am speaking for the 360 version, as I have heard the PS3 version doesnt look as good. Havent seen this for myself though.)

 

[ImFrigginFly]

PS3's Madden 07 Intros we're awesome.. as was the '3d-grass' where every grass blade was an indivdual free-standing graphic and not a green carpet with numbers painted on. Also, depending on the weather the fields would wear down and jereseys would get grass/mud stains wherever.. also footprints in the snow.. The crowd in NCAA sucks, esp when compared to say a FIFA game. Players look great, stadiums look great, but this game could have been much much better if EA would have done the little things IMO.. I'm an NCAA guy, but it looks like the madden team is the one who is focusing on developing for a PS3 and will actually use it's cell tech. and raw power.. i'm going to be honest and say Madden 07 is better graphics wise than NCAA 08 as a whole.. and i payed 60 bucks for a game from EA which could have easily been much better

Graphics are nice and all but the thing that really stands out about NCAA 08, for me, is the gameplay is improved SO much.

 

[scooter1369]

I've read a lot of complaints over at NCAAStrategies about the discipline issue and players leaving because of broken promises that you can't control.

One guy had a DT leave after his freshman year because he was promised to be a starter. The player had a three game suspension and left because he didn't start all 12 games.

This issue alone would cause me to not buy the game.

Also, they have seen QB's requesting jersey numbers like #77 and #45, and linebackers wanted to be promised PT at Wide Receiver!!

WTF EA?? Do you idiots even test the damn game before you ship it?

 

[Buckeyedynasty]

I've read a lot of complaints over at NCAAStrategies about the discipline issue and players leaving because of broken promises that you can't control.

One guy had a DT leave after his freshman year because he was promised to be a starter. The player had a three game suspension and left because he didn't start all 12 games.

This issue alone would cause me to not buy the game.

Also, they have seen QB's requesting jersey numbers like #77 and #45, and linebackers wanted to be promised PT at Wide Receiver!!

WTF EA?? Do you idiots even test the damn game before you ship it?

Agreed I created the college I graduated from, Capital University and made it an academic school which is what it traditionally has been and I got 2-3 guys getting suspended every game and after the first year I'm on probation with the NCAA for 2 years taking 5 scholarships from me a year. This is retarded it's like Northwestern getting players arrested every game....it doesn't happen.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

Agreed I created the college I graduated from, Capital University and made it an academic school which is what it traditionally has been and I got 2-3 guys getting suspended every game and after the first year I'm on probation with the NCAA for 2 years taking 5 scholarships from me a year. This is retarded it's like Northwestern getting players arrested every game....it doesn't happen.

First off, gotta rep Cap, because my Dad went there and was apart of the 1970 Championship Team.

Second, what version are you guys playing? I'm playing on the 360, and there is no discipline.

 

[BrutuStrength]

Second, what version are you guys playing? I'm playing on the 360, and there is no discipline.

Must be PS2 and Xbox, since discipline isn't on the 360 or PS3