-
-
-
-
-
- CBB Front Page
- Scores
- Teams
-
Conferences
- Players
- Stats
- Standings
- Rankings
- Schedules
- Women's Hoops
-
-
-
-
- Soccer Front Page
-
Leagues
- MLS
- England
- Champions
UEFA Cup- English Champ
Germany- Italy
Spain- France
Netherlands- Scotland
Belgium- Mexico
Copa Lib- Copa Sud
Copa Oro- Copa America
World Cup- FIFA U-20
Who says you have to grow up? Here at SI.com's Game Room, our staffers review the latest sports video game titles to hit the market and welcome your feedback.7/30/2007 01:59:00 PM Review: NCAA Football 08 (All systems)
By Lee Clontz Even though it was only the first next-gen NCAA football game, last year's edition of EA Sports' NCAA franchise was one of the best football games ever made, even better than last year's edition of Madden. EA took everything they'd done right in previous iterations of the series and honed the gameplay to near perfection. If you're into football gaming, successfully running the option in NCAA Football is about as good as it gets. Given the success of the 2007 game, my hopes were high for 2008. The 360 version of 2007 was missing some features found in the PS2 and Xbox versions, so I expected to see those, but all I really wanted was moderately improved graphics, solid online play and faster loading times. In my dream world, the game would have real player names, or an easy way to download them, but you can't have everything. 
Can you guide Tim Tebow and the Gators back to the BCS promised land? :: NCAA 08 :: EA Sports
Online play is near-flawless, with very little lag. The game feels a little different because of the latency inherent in online play, but once you adjust your timing, it works very well. There's no co-op play online, which is somewhat of a disappointment. You can also upload photos and videos of your favorite plays to the EA Sports servers, though the process for registering and viewing them is far more awkward than it should be. Graphically, the 360 version runs at 60 frames per second, so the graphics are usually more fluid than last year's game. Usually. For all the game does right, it seems to take a few steps back. There's no way around it: the game feels rushed. Graphics during gameplay are rife with clipping -- the effect where parts of one player appear to pass through another player's body -- and, most annoying of all, there's a constant stuttering when menus and graphical overlays appear. Since that happens constantly throughout the game, the little annoyances build up quickly. Add in a significant framerate hit during rainy weather, and you get a frustrating sense of what could have been with some additional development time. 
Can TCU upend Texas for real? :: NCAA 08 :: EA SportsRatings System (1 to 10) Game Play: 9 The NCAA series has always played a good game, and 2008 is no exception. Online play is very smooth. Graphics: 7 Generally better than last year, but not by much. The faster framerate is nice, but why the heck do the menus cause the entire game to hiccup? Sure, we all love huge yellow graphical overlays with a gigantic Old Spice logo, but not at the expense of a smooth experience. Replayability: 9 Big time. There's a lot to do here if you're a hardcore football fan. You can recruit players, create a player, manage playbooks, play minigames, play as a second-string high school RB -- or just plow into Dynasty mode and let the game manage all of the extracurricular stuff. Either way, the core game is still a lot of fun. posted by SI.com | View comments |
Comments:
i have it for ps2 and i dont think its that great! you CANT play high school football on ps2 like you can on 360 and ps3!I still miss the 'build your school' portion that was on the earlier versions. It was nice to be able to create our alma mater if we weren't able to go to a DI campus. I still pull out '05 and put my old DII school on the field.I have an issue with Zambransky on the Cover -- how could he be the face of 1A football? He wasn't even DRAFTED! What a huge drop off from having reggie bush on the cover.
I also think seeing Boise Blue on the cover is an incredibly bad marketing move. Some say "cinderella" I say FARCE with a WEAK SCHEDULE. Play in a real conference week-in and week-out and see if you're the same team at the end of the year.GO GATORS! (Too bad EA fell on their face in not marketing to the hottest game console out there and left out a Wii version.)Try the PS3 version. Much smoother. No lag at all when raining.Love the game... One ? tho, why did u guys take away the different color visors????? It may be a small thing but still........Here is my tip for those that like a challenge. Start Dynasty Mode with Idaho, then switch the playbook to Flexbone and run the Navy system. Almost beat USC in the first year and second year.Steve Slaton is faster than 96 speed. He should have 98 or 99.a couple annoyances with a few of the plays. example, when a player's pattern is in a green color, the computer always puts that player in motion when you push X to snap the ball, even if I don't want him to. 1) it takes too much time off the clock, if your trying to run a quick play, and 2) there are times i don't want them ( mabey another player instead )in motion but netherless there he goes anyway.
-THE CLOCK STILL DOESN't STOP on a defensive penalty when I have the ball and there is less than 2 min. left.
- just two that I've noticed so far..NCAA football 08 is great the graphics good and they have great running form.I believe that there is another flaw or should I say weakness. I have owned every copy of NCAA Football but this year the QB seems to be protected more. I am constantly getting "Roughing the Passer" penalties. I have played through 8 full seasons at the Heisman Level with University of Texas - Longhorns and undefeated may I add. But, I played Florida in season 2 for the National Championship game and low and behold, Florida had a 3 and 14 on my 37 yard line. And guess what a "Roughing the Passer" penalty was called. Florida's LT pushed my end into the QB...Automatic first down, I managed to make Tebow fumble on a roll out on 4th and 3 to the endzone and sealed the win. It was a classic game but that "Roughing the Passer" penalty has to be limited.this game needs to be on the WiiWhere are the alternate uniforms? The refs? Those were my biggest complaints. The game felt dead to me and choosing unifoms is silly but a good way to keep up the realism in dynasty mode. I traded mine back in for the ps2 mode and will wait for next year.I love college football, and this looks like a great game. One question for you though: When will somebody make one for a PC? They make PC versions of everything else but why that this? Every year I hope for a PC version, and every year I am disappointed (I know, I know, go buy a game system, but I travel a lot, so if I can't play it on my laptop it's not worth the investment.)Another significant improvement for this year's version is the inclusion of all 117 stadiums. Last year's generic cookie-cutter stadiums for schools not belonging to the power conferences was a major let down. I'm happy that the mid-majors have stadiums as maticulously rendered as the "big boys" do.This game is infinitely better than 07, this review pains meMy buddy has a great list of rules for playing this game on his site
http://getbeeznered.blogspot.comI have an old version (2005) and one of the things that nags me is the unrealistic weather conditions of the games, particularly while playing an entire season. I mean, sunny and warm in Michigan in November? I created a fictional team in Alaska and had sunny, warm weather games in November. Have they fixed this in more recent releases of the game? Have they added the feature that allows you to choose the weather conditions like Madden does?
Also, why are the AI's players always faster than the gamer's players. I've seen AI safeties and cornerbacks cover 30 or 40 yards in less time that the ball is in flight or in less time than my backs and receivers can cover 20 yards just to make a last second play on a pass or tackle at the one yard line. Has this been fixed?
Or, how about how the AI just "knows" that it should field a nickel defense when you call a play action pass from a two tightend or other formation that would normally imply a running play and draw a 4-3 look?My biggest flaw with the game is they took out the homefield advantage factor of the camera shaking and trouble calling audibles if on the road. I use to love that about the older versions.yes they had all the features in the new game for PS3 and Xbox 360 but they diudnt put many of these new features in the PS2 version which is what i had and this is anoying that all the trailers talk about the new campus legend mode but it is only for the NG systems and now i would not recommend anyone who has PS2 or Xbox to but this game seeeing as they will get no new features except for new rosters, my shrine where you will only be able to save photos and the highlight stickHas anyone else noticed that spring drills aren't included in the Xbox 360 version of the game?I have the PS3 version of NCAA 08. While the graphics are great, the gameplay is disappointing.
Dynasty mode was completely revamped and requires more time to recruit the players you want.
Campus Legend mode is a great feature but has a lot of flaws with the camera angle ie if you overpursue your target the camera switches angles and you won't be able to see your target.
Another disappointing feature is the games sound. It's like playing in an empty stadium.
Overall, the graphics may be worth buying but the gameplay (unless you're a hardcore college geek with a lot of time) isn't worth it. maybe next year.this game is awesomeWhere is the love for the 1-AA teams? No SWAC, MEAC, Southern, Big Sky, Southland, Ivy League, Ohio Valley, Big South, Great West...etc. It's a big disappointment that these conferences aren't represented anymore. EA is losing a big fan base in that area.what are you talking about?! 08 is a hundred times better than 07. 07 is exactly like 06 as far as graphics go. 08 is the best college football game to come out yet!The new trick plays (Boise St) are kind of fun (except the fact that the Statue of Liberty tends to only fool the real Oklahoma) and the whole host of creative motioning plays in play books like West Virginia are nice to have.I love NCAA"08" The game play is great & the running game is fair, but the deep ball is out of the question. They have made it almost impossible to complete the deep pass. But overall it's a 9.5. That's EAI thought it was a good game that allowed you to go in-depth in a game or dynasty...
It is very good overallYou are out of your mind about 07'. I thought it was quite possibly the most pitful football game I have ever played on any system....ever.As compared to last years NCAA,this one sucks....dearly! It's so easy to throw interceptions even, with a high rated qb, and without the luxury of having the spring drills,this games really hits a bump in the road. I would not recommend this game to anyone.who's playbook has the hook and lateral play? i can't find it!I love the Gator Heavy formation in Florida's playbook. If you go to Quick QB, they put in Percy Harvin for you. It almost isn't even fair. Harvin can run full speed, stop, and being going full speed in the other direction in no time at all. I have had 5 games only where he averaged over 25 yards per carry with over 10 carries in each.I would have put Dallas Baker or John David Booty on the cover.does anyone know how to do the 40 yard dash drill in the off season, i just got the game and have yet to figure it out???Does anyone know how to do the 40-yard dash in the offseason?Can anyone explain to me how to do the 40 yard dash in the off season, I keep getting a defaultMaybe I just can't figure this one out, but in Dynasty mode I'm trying to change my starters and it keeps telling me that I can't put someone in twice when the guy is clearly not on the depth chart. ??? All in all, I think this is the worst of the series (I've owned all of the previous versions). I'm seriously considering switching to Madden this year and hoping that they put out a better product next year.I have to agree that this years game is not on the level of past years. I was excited that I finally had a PS3 version only to be disappointed. Where is the create a school. Also where is the co-op mode in regular and dynasty mode. Does anyone else like playing with 4 of their friends. If so don't buy this game.
Another thing is the game is so glitchy. The mascots come running through the stadium wall or the bushes after a TD like they were hiding ready to pounce on the player as he crosses the endzone. I am going to take this back and get the PS2 version.IMO The 05 version was the best of all time.I have an issue with Zambransky on the Cover -- how could he be the face of 1A football? He wasn't even DRAFTED! What a huge drop off from having reggie bush on the cover.
I also think seeing Boise Blue on the cover is an incredibly bad marketing move. Some say "cinderella" I say FARCE with a WEAK SCHEDULE. Play in a real conference week-in and week-out and see if you're the same team at the end of the year.
Well said, I just got a 360 & was used to play'n NCAA on the original Xbox & i'm disappointed in the default control configuration.The things I miss from the old versions are:
1. Being able to influence crowd noise at home to the point where your opponents controller shakes as he tries to kick that game winning FG
2. Deciding who the camera would look at after a touchdown and what kind of celebration the crowd, mascot or player would do
3. Create a school was amazing. So much fun to play with the school you actually attend in Canada...
4. Colored visors, 3rd jerseys, and jersey accersories seem to disappear and reappear in different gamesThe things I miss from the old versions are:
1. Being able to influence crowd noise at home to the point where your opponents controller shakes as he tries to kick that game winning FG
2. Deciding who the camera would look at after a touchdown and what kind of celebration the crowd, mascot or player would do
3. Create a school was amazing. So much fun to play with the school you actually attend in Canada...
4. Colored visors, 3rd jerseys, and jersey accersories seem to disappear and reappear in different gamesI have the PS2 version and I am thoroughly disappointed in 08. What is up with all the roughing the passer penalties. Every time I play, there is a DE that is faster than my RB. I HATE how 20% of passes are dropped when wide open. As every other year has been, the secondary men can outrun the speed of the ball. One thing that EA corrected from 07' is that LB's don't have 58" verticals-you can actually throw a pass over the middle w/o it getting picked. Overall, still a fun game to play, but ridiculous that some of the same dang things are so pitiful.I've got the 360 version. Positives: Campus Legend mode, quicker gameplay (no wasting time giving screen time to refs that are telling me something I already know), video highlite reel Negatives: where the hell is Create A School?? Momentum Meter?? And who took enough drugs to put Michigan in the #2 spot, ahead of LSU??? Ridiculous...but I'll still play because I love college football. Overall, the whole experience, especially with all the anticipation, fell a bit flat.Cool game with great graphics. I dont like how easy it is to injure your top players. I am on my second year of my dyansty season and I have lost my WVU QB Pat White for the season again after two games and Slaton is out for 8 games. Not much fun to play a season with backups at the skill positions but I dont want to turn the injuries off.As for anonymous saying "Why Zabransky?", maybe you should read the press release from EA Sports. It's not ALWAYS about the big schools and big players, they want to market it to everyone, and I think it's a great move by EA Sports to include other conferences and teams. Who wants a PAC-10 or Big-10 player on the cover every year (e.g. - Harrington in 03, Leinert in 06). Neither one of them has done anything in the NFL.
As for the other post about no 1-AA schools, I played Weber State on my schedule within PS2 -their in the Big Sky. Might want to check more into that.I have it on 360, and it's not the game I thought it'd be. I really enjoy it, it's just that there's a big leap of difficulty between freshman and varsity and then not much of one in All-American or Heisman, I also feel that the graphics, amazingly almost realistic, should be different when you play in different enviroments. And please, get Corso and Herbsteit out, bput someone else in, I quit buying March Madness because Dick Vitale is so annoying, I'm about to quit buying NCAA for that reason also, I always play with the sound off, so I can relax and focus on the game.I'd rate this game about a 5.8. The nuts and bolts of this game has gone backwards about 5 years. No formation subs, no customizable playbook, messed up depth chart, can't even pick your own captaion. In other words, you can't line guys up where you want them to be, and can't call the plays you want to call. Graphics are nice, recruiting is cool.
But if this game were a car, it would be a car with no adjustable seats, no adjustable mirrors, but you'd have GPS and a DVD.Good game but 1 issue I have w/this game is excessive "unsportsman like conduct" penalties after good defensive plays..online u have to use a pause to avoid the 15 yrds & you're only giving 3 pauses per half.i got it for ps3 and love it. only problems are lack of feature(create-a-school, create-a-player), no formation subs, very little roster control, and it is freakin' impossible to complete a deep ballZabransky on the cover is a stupid move. They should have put Calvin Johnson or Dwayne Jarrett on the cover. By the way if you create an amazing WR on Texas you will beat everyone*. On campus legend if you play RB a select USC as your favorite school you will get scholarships from everywhere*.
*(Only on XBOX 360)I dont like the fact there isnt any refs and you have to download all the different uniforms... if you dont have xbox live than i guess your stuck with same boring uniforms unless of course you roll with michigan.... those uniforms havent changed in 60 years.glad to see EA has fixed the disc read problems on NCAA 08 for X360!!! Yeah right. my 07 copy always has readable disc errors and the disc is clean360 - Definitely would have liked to play as a school like Montana and take them through their playoffs. Agree with the rest of the review. Had a glitch where no highlights or photos would display until I restarted my system. Not having to use the motion would have been nice.Ah, I still like Tecmo Bowl. ;-)is there any endzone celebrations or highsteping to the endzone?EA Sales gimmick, each year, take something away, and offer it back the next version.
This year? No refs, no create a school, and...if your a "coach mode" player..forget it! No QB autopass, (no option to turn that on or off) ONE FREAKING CAMERA VIEW!! Online play is a sack fest.
Offline/online is also an INTERCEPTION FEST even with INT's AI set to 0. Wheres the "atmosphere", only see the mascots rarely, like filling up screen after a TD, no fans in stands..how bout some cheerleaders??.oh, I dont use OLD SPICE, but i feel programmed to now.....did I say NO REFS?
..NO CPU vs CPU either. Hey, some people get bored and want to watch a game for fun. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
EA SPORTS is a scam, every year same thing, remove feature sell game, next year, put feature in as new...sell game...rinse and repeat.every time im a defender and im going to get in the play my player always trips or seems to miss like when you use the hit stick even if i havnt pushed on the analog stick. i think that is ridiculousPostitives- Campus Legend, Improved Dynasty and recuiting, pretty good graphics, online play is outstanding with a good conection.
Negitives- No co-op mode... frame rate problems sometimes, not enough customization, no create a school feature, Announcers have to few lines making them very repetitive, NO CO-OP MODE again.
Bottom line- 7 out of 10. A decent game for anyone who likes football but feeling like EA decided to get lazy and just take some things out. Fun to play the campus legend and dyansty But would be even funner to play with some friends. After playing a couple of games in a row you sort of want to bullet in the announcers brains because they just keep saying the same old lines, I actually had to put some music on just to drown out the incesent ramblings. EA- DONT SORT CHANGE 09 PLEASE!!!!I have NCAA 08 Football for the original XBOX. I have been buying football games every year since Tecmo Super Bowl. I can easily say that this is the best football game ever made. Hands down. The gameplay is better than 08 Madden on any system, and better than it's superceder on next gen systems. Graphics aren't everything.first of all its a really good game but there are a few negative things about it the players are way to skinny to be real . they got really lazy with the sideline and there are no refs . in my opinion i think that they should get more showing off before scoring and i also noticed they dont have facemask and blocks in the back but besides all of that its a really good game i love the graphics and the new highlights and the legend mode ncaa is the best football game out so far
Recent Posts
Copyright © 2008 Time Inc.A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.Terms under which this service is provided to you.Read our privacy guidelines.
