A Quick Look at EA Sports' NCAA Football '07

[EnviedOne]

NCAA Football 07 - Review by Ryan Rybarczyk

Every July, I eagerly await EA’s new offering of the newest version of NCAA College Football. This year EA has brought forth the best sampling of true to life game day college atmosphere then ever before. Every year EA tries to add new features to attract new fans to the series as well as bring back loyal customers. I simply couldn’t wait to see what was new about this year’s version, so here goes my review.

As always the first time you pop the game into your system it prompts you to chose your favorite team, which of course is Notre Dame as always. Once you’re in the game you get to see one of the many cameo’s…. sadly there are none that feature Notre Dame, but most feature some attractive girls so not all is lost. At the main menu you are greeted with images of ND fans, cheerleaders, and Julius Jones.

Once you get acquainted with the menu you will see some new features. The first of these is the option of Campus Legend Mode, fans of last years game will instantly notice that this mode is about the same as last years Race For The Heisman. You start out as a high school senior looking to land offers from your favorite school, you must complete different drills in order to be evaluated and gain ratings. Once you are accepted to a school you must practice, play games and keep your grades up in order to become a true “Legend.”

The next new addition to the game you will notice is ESPN’s finger prints all over, however on a very disappointing note is the fact that they did not work the ESPN name or ABC name into the actual presentation or “telecast” during the game. Another feature you will notice is new licensing by other companies such as Coke and Nike which gives the game a more true to life feel. Game play is much the same but there are key additions including Game Momentum which gives a more true to life feeling of the college game.

Another new addition is the 3rd person view to the game, this view is used when blocking kicks (which is now actually possible in the game, I blocked one in my first game against Tech as T. Laws jumped up and blocked a FG) and is also used on kick returns (D. Grimes took one back 63 yards on the opening kick off for me). There are numerous little in game features and some improved graphics that add to the great experience. These new features will keep even the hardcore gamers satisfied and happy with EA’s latest offering.

Outside actual game play fans will notice that finally there is the addition of the Spring Game. I have personally been awaiting this feature since the original Playstation offering back in the late 90’s. This will allow the player to help boost their underclassman ratings as well as allowing you to assign who you’re Impact players will be for the upcoming season. This will be a much welcome feature to anyone that is a fan of the Dynasty mode. Once again the Dynasty mode returns chuck full of goodies. As previously mentioned the Spring Game is the biggest addition along with the ESPN Magazine presentation replacing SI. For most people the Dynasty mode is the best feature in the game as you get to play as Charlie Weis and lead the Irish to victory each and every week.

The rest of the game menu returns, including the option of editing the historical rosters, however once again some key players I have noticed are missing from the historical rosters, i.e. Reggie Ho & Reggie Brooks from the 1988 and ’92 seasons, but good news comes in the form that many of the players names will be called in the game if you either download the rosters or manually enter them, always nice to hear “McDougal back to pass.”

The new additions to sky texture add to some very visually appealing games and specific grass stains are done very well. Stadium models seem also to have been improved over last year’s version but overall not much appears to have visibly changed in my opinion, just overall more smooth looking. Last years version had certain situations were the game seemed to lag but most of these problems have been fixed in this years version however there are still areas were I did notice lag on the PS2 but not too bad. I have not had a chance to check out the online play yet but I am sure it is similar in terms of matching and appearance. The one new feature to online play is ESPN updates and an up to date ticker that helps you keep track of what is going on.

In the end, I believe that this game has been well worth the wait. The new additions help add to a more “real life” feel to an already great college football game. Hopefully, next year they can fully capitalize on the ESPN license and give it an even more realistic feel. Overall, this is a great game and a must have for any gamer or college football fan.

Click HERE to purchase NCAA Football '07 at Buy.com!

[EnviedOne]

Thanks again, as always, to KMac for his NCAA reviews. They've become a fixture here at IrishEnvy.com. If you have any questions, I'm sure he'd be glad to answer them.

[KMac151993]

Thanks Svoboda for posting that up....much props to you and the site you run here.

[isotopes]

kmac what system?

[EnviedOne]

Originally Posted by isotopes

kmac what system?

I believe he has a PS2.

[PMac]

i really dont like seeing a USC player on the front of Irish Envy, smack dab in the middle of the homepage. Doesnt look right.

[EnviedOne]

Originally Posted by PMac

i really sont like seeing a USC player on the front of Irish Envy, smack dab in the middle of the homepage. Doesnt look right.

It's a game cover for crying out loud.