BY MIKE ROSE
Hi all. I did get a chance to play the new NCAA Football 09 over the weekend. I played it very briefly so this will be a short post and I'll try to do a more thorough report a little later after I've played it more. But my first impressions:
-- The rosters are pretty accurate. Not perfect (at least for the team I played with), but very good. There's one player I know is starting this season on the offensive line for Penn St. (Stefen Wisniewski), but he's not in the starting lineup in the game. I can, of course, insert him into the starting lineup, but I didn't see him on the roster during my quick glance. I'll check again the next time I play. Also, Penn State linebacker Sean Lee, who was injured months ago and will miss this season, shows up in the starting lineup (of course I'd rather have Lee in the starting lineup). Meanwhile, Jerome Hayes, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is in the starting lineup. I'm not sure he'll end up being a starter. Little things like that I spotted. Nothing major.
-- The biggest difference between NCAA 09 and Madden is the college atmosphere. The fans and mascots are definitely prominent in NCAA 09. You can also celebrate with the players.
-- I've only played in one stadium thus far -- Beaver Stadium. It's fairly authentic, but when you look through the tunnel (during an extra point) there is some sort of building visible. Beaver Stadium doesn't really have any buildings visible from the one tunnel that looks out from the end zone. The other tunnel (where the visiting team enters the field) comes out from a corner.
-- I've started a season in the 'Dynasty' mode. There's an updated top 25, the weekly Heisman candidates, etc. You can play a season with a team's 2008 schedule or make your own.
-- The playbook is all college. I found my favorite play to be the option.
-- I thought the graphics were good. I'm still playing around with the camera angles.
-- I own a Wii so I'm guessing the graphics may be a little better on Xbox or PlayStation. The Wii graphics don't look as good as what I'm seeing on www.ncaafootball09.com. Oh well. I was able to get my Mii into the game.
Comments (4)
How is the recruiting because that's actually as much fun as the football games?
And isnt the State College Spikes stadium directly to the rear of the Beav, making it visible from the tunnel? Because if I'm correct that tunnel goes straight out beyond the concourse and to where the blue busses drop the players off.
Did they add Zombie Nation?
Hi Dan,
I haven't tried the recruiting option yet. I figured I better get very comfortable with the roster I have before I go out and recruit. Will check in when I give it a try.
The tunnel (where Penn St. comes out) points toward the IM building. But even so, you can't see it that well from the field. This building in the game is much more visible and looks nothing like the IM building (maybe I'm just being too critical of the game).
No Zombie Nation, but the normal PSU fight songs and chants are present.
MR
There is not a building behind where the players come out. It goes out to one of the lots to for the Bryce Jordan Center. to the left would be the Spikes Stadium to the right would be the Bryce Jordan Center
Eryn, you are correct.
A Bryce Jordan Center parking lot would be directly behind the tunnel where the players come out. And, yes, Spikes Stadium would be to the left and Bryce Jordan to the right. I do remember a friend, who has been on the field, telling me that the front of the IM Building was slightly visible from a certain angle. It doesn't seem possible.
I'm guessing the makers of the game may have seen the same thing. Regardless, some building -- in the game -- is pretty visible. Could be the Bryce Jordan Center.
MR