NCAA 2006: I have it

[jlb1705]

Young looks like Vick from Madden '04.
I can just see all the little kids on XBox Live and PS2 Online now...

You mean it's just like last year then?

...And that Longhorns fan? Are you sure that was really a Longhorns fan, or just some guy who picks Texas on the game every time, and just calls Hail Marys and bootlegs every fucking play?

 

[powerlifter]

Well, I don't want to take away from my playing time but here is my 2 cents.

Passing much better.
Using the right stick is tough to get used to, put it helps in the running game when you do.
The swap of the change player button is killing me. I've played for 4 hours and still screws me up.
Graphics overall are better.
Ginn actually catches passes on a regular basis.
Race for the Hiesman is kind of, eh.
Commentary is very similar to last year. I was hoping for more.
The animation of the game day crew is pretty weak.

Overall, much better, and most of the improvements were made in game play...which is nice in the long run. It's a modest improvement, but still an improvement over an already great game.

I agree with you on everything. I love this game for the sole fact that there is breakaway speed finally. That shit drove me nuts last year. The button switch is gay. Therefore, I set them to 2005 use. The commentary does blow. I got so tired of hearing the same shit from last year and now...ugh.....The game day crew...Holy shit..Is this ps1 we are on...damn they really did a shit job on them. That doesn't take away from the game. I like it a lot better then last year,but im just nitpicking because I play this game with a religion. (ncaa footballs) Another thing i'll add. They weren't bullshitting when they said improved blocking. If you play someone that runs the ball extremely well it's a deadly weapon with this blocking.

With no icon drop on the qb rollouts it's a bitch to defend. I honestly hate to run the gun much,but it's a damn weapon on this game with Troy Smith. I think the cpu is a lot better this year as well. Maybe its just that im a little rusty,because I took a lay off from 05 to be more into this game,but it seems like they can give you more quality games now.

My thoughts are this. Defense is hard to dominate against a seasoned ncaa player who can use the running game and the quarterback's mobility. I enjoy not running vertical routes constantly and scoring everytime because the zone coverage last year was a joke. It's good to see a defender not jump up the the clouds to tip a ball....and I havent seen any stupid shit like players looking in the stands or a coach in the middle of the field and the play is still going like i did last year. I even got called for delay of game last year, because Troy Smith was stuck on a referee....One more thing that makes this better then 05...is the speed of the game..It's faster..and a lot more fun to play....

One more thing...IMHO some of these players are way overrated. Reggie bush with 98 speed 99 agility...hmm looking back through the historic teams I see that Jim Brown is about the only other rb that is better rated them Reggie Bush...I'm sure i'm missing a few...but I think you guys get what I mean..

You mean it's just like last year then?

...And that Longhorns fan? Are you sure that was really a Longhorns fan, or just some guy who picks Texas on the game every time, and just calls Hail Marys and bootlegs every fucking play?

I know of these players well.....Vince Young has 90 speed...Bullshit...With the no icon drop it's hard to defend a fast qb who is mobile...Throw in a few pump fakes and go. It really seems to me they were aiming to boost the scores..:(

 

[OilerBuck]

Maybe a little TOO offensive oriented. On my VERY FIRST game, with 5 minute quarters I played as tOSU against scUM...final score 91-19.

Ted Ginn
67 yards rushing, 2 TD.
22 rec. 698 yards receiving, 7 TD.
1 Punt Return TD.
He's unstoppable.

 

[scott91575]

Yeah, it does seem more offensive, although after a few games my D is getting better by picking better formations. I do have to say, Ginn is the MAN in this game! I'm only playing in All-American because I'm a little rusty, but through 3 games he had already had 4 punts returned for a TD (I think I only returned 1 punt for a TD in 2005 in anything at or above AA, and that had to be 100's of games). The AI actually starts to kick the ball out of bounds.

I'll soon kick it up to Hiesman and see how that goes.

Oh yeah, and I'm in RFTH mode. I'm a RB. 3 fumlbes in 3 games, so it looks like the RFTH journal is pretty close to mine.

I am a walk on, but it looks like in RFTH, you get recruited in teirs. I tried a couple of times with different positions. If I dominate the drill, it's 3 top 10 teams. If I come close to dominating, it's top 10-20 teams. Got an OSU offer after a pretty good drill, but not dominant. OSU is ranked #12. This was with a WR...tough to dominate since the drill doesn't always throw you the ball.

 

[Misanthrope]

Maybe a little TOO offensive oriented. On my VERY FIRST game, with 5 minute quarters I played as tOSU against scUM...final score 91-19.

Ted Ginn
67 yards rushing, 2 TD.
22 rec. 698 yards receiving, 7 TD.
1 Punt Return TD.
He's unstoppable.

Maybe you should try raising the level to something above "junior varsity".

My first game, I went JV to get the feel of it. I took Harvard into the Bighouse and the Ivy Leaguers spotted scUM a 10-0 lead (thanks to a fumbled punt and kick off), then proceeded to run the wishbone down their throats and beat the Wolverweenies going away, 40-20. Woody would've loved it - over 400 yards on the ground, and a couple of play action bombs mixed in.

Time to turn up the skill level...

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Maybe a little TOO offensive oriented. On my VERY FIRST game, with 5 minute quarters I played as tOSU against scUM...final score 91-19.

Ted Ginn
67 yards rushing, 2 TD.
22 rec. 698 yards receiving, 7 TD.
1 Punt Return TD.
He's unstoppable.

dude theres no way. i played 3 games against michigan and got destroyed each time because of the damn button swap. plus i suck at passing. but i blame the button swap.

 

[Darkhorse79]

Time to turn up the skill level...

Yeah....I found that out after pulling the first team out at halftime against Miami. I was up by over 70. Although it is fun to have Teddy run all over them.

 

[TheStoicPaisano]

Yeah, this game can be frustrating, broke a controller already. Played A-A level with OSU in Austin. Young was crazy, he hit Limas Sweed for about 200 yards. Down by 6 with 1:15 left, Young ran for about 18 yards on 3 and 15. End of the game, end of my controller's life.

The impact players SOOOO take over the game. Rod Wright had 9 tackles and a sack, and their MLB took me out three straight plays in the red zone, forcing a fumble on the third play. Fortunately I recovered, but had to kick a FG.

 

[Buckeye513]

I just played Iowa, 7 minute quarters on All-American, and won 34-31 in OT. Tate's crazy though. He threw about 15 passes that went for 30+. Almost broke my controller also. I haven't gotten open-field tackling down yet.

 

[scott91575]

Just beat Iowa 43-27...after down 27-13. I thought I was gonna get killed, but I figured out their offense, and my o-line controlled the ball in the 2nd half. Ran all over them. So far great game.

Before you ask, still on AA.

I have to admit, Zwick had been much better than Smith. Maybe it is my style of play, but I have played both almost equally. With Zwick I rock. With Smith, not so much.

To add, has anyone played Penn St. at night. It's raining in my game, but there is horrible lighting. Is this a game quirk? Did they do this on purpose? Just wondering, since the Texas night game I had no problems.

 

[Buckeye513]

Just beat Iowa 43-27...after down 27-13. I thought I was gonna get killed, but I figured out their offense, and my o-line controlled the ball in the 2nd half. Ran all over them. So far great game.

To add, has anyone played Penn St. at night. It's raining in my game, but there is horrible lighting. Is this a game quirk? Did they do this on purpose? Just wondering, since the Texas night game I had no problems.

Iowa's pretty easy to run on. Especially up the middle. I couldn't figure out their offense though.

I think the lightning just goes along with the rain. It did the same thing when I played Michigan St.

 

[jwinslow]

- Too offensive oriented, but this is merely a unbalanced version of a good system... I'm happy with the changes.

- The running game is revived! (my preferred offense)

- Too much agility/juking ability

- 2 pt conversion INTs can finally be run back! (however they queued scUM's fight song after I scored 2 pts at thet other end)

- First three games (added Louisville - injured 3 QBs, Miami - none, Texas - injured 2 QBs)

- Recruiting (not in the mood to summarize this)

I like the new system of recruiting a lot, also gives you the excitement over recruiting elite players early on. It is extremely random whether or not they like you at first, and then it makes each game more interesting b/c your performance can peak their interest and land an official visit from them. Plus its nice b/c more often than not those stars developed into starters for me... while you still have the later recruiting period to fill your needs.

Man I really need to go to bed... but that game is freaking amazing. I played it from when I got home today at 5 with very minimal breaks until about an hour ago at 4 :)

 

[scooter1369]

Wierd pop up in NCAA 2006...

 

[Piney]

Now that is classic Scooter!!!


Ok, played it last night... no clue why I made it to work today (oh yeah I am working OT this weekend so actually want to make 1.5 compared to straight time, damn bastards) So here I am rethinking of how bad I played last night.

First off the button switch is going to kill me!!! Was too lazy to change controller settings cuz now I made it my mission to get use to it. Plus I spent the first 2 hours adding names, ratings & players to my two teams I always play (Ohio State & Ohio U.) So needed to play, had to play.

Also I am not a pussy like OilerBuck and put it on AA to start my dynasty. First game against Miami. HOLY FUCK! My old defensive strategies now suck and I can't stop the pass to save my life. It is either AJ gets in for the sack or a long pass completion. Ashton is getting abused by their impact WR and he still catches it while double teaming him.

Getting use to passing again with no superhuman blocking ability by the secondary... but Troy Smith still sucks, or should I say me. Threw 5 interceptions and I reset the game after Miami got up 54-28 midway through the 4th quarter (Oh, I do 7 minute quarters). Oh yeah, the Miami WR has 5 TDs! I hate him... I hate him so much.

Started again and still having trouble with defending the pass. I guess blitzing AJ on every play is not needed , but dang it it is fun when he abuses the OL. Still having trouble with switching and juking, but I got lucky once and juked Ginn on a WR option and say him breakaway for a 70+ yard run for a TD... thank god a 99 speed guy won't get run down anymore.

Played a few more... tried some recruiting but not really major into it yet, will really get into more tonight since I don't have to leave to play softball.

To sum up
- Graphic upgrade !
- more play options, even on defense that I am exploring still
- Corso & Herbie are still annoying on this game but that is what the volume settings are for
- much more smooth physics engine for running game and passing game, even though I still haven't mastered the passing portion yet.
- Really tempted to simulate a season just so I can go a full year of recruiting to see what that is all about.

Also, you lucky bastards that aren't working today and get to play while I am stuck in my office til 5pm!!! Of course I only got into work late because I was past midnight!

 

[jwinslow]

One really bizarre glitch I've seen twice now, on a fumble a guy can bend over and scoop it up, yet be down upon picking it up. One time I fumbled a punt deep in my territory and their guy scooped it up at the 1 and ran it in, yet they had it 1st and goal at the 1. Happened again on a fumble by one of their WRs that I scooped up.

They advertised that the fumble logic would get better... I guess there are fewer times where the ball magically flies 20 feet to the guy that recovers it... but there are still some instances of that. I'd say they only did an average job if indeed they did fix it at all.

Anyone know why OSU's numbers are made for the elderly with poor vision? I love the aesthetic improvements to the jerseys (shading, shiny/matte sections, etc).... but the numbers are gigantic.

However, this game is incredible.

- Really tempted to simulate a season just so I can go a full year of recruiting to see what that is all about.

Already did that, twice :) It's pretty sweet, I'd recommend trying it, then going back and doing the full season (it also helps you figure out that you should schedule more games early on, and invite players to games before The Game, or they might commit elsewhere)