Despite some flaws, EA's launch in to college football on the 360, is a success.
With that being said, I expected no different from EA this year, as they made their first attempt at NCAA football on a next-gen system. And I am happy to say that they did not dissapoint this long time fan of the series. Sure this game has it's flaws, but I dare anyone to show me one sports title that was perfect on it's first attempt on a new console.
Graphically the game is very sharp, and well up to par with other sports titles that have had a go on the 360; I am also very happy to see that the small visual flaws madden had last year are nowhere to be found in this one. While the frame rate can be obnoxiously annoying, the game impresses on about every level, from the absolutely perfect stadiums, to the player models, to the lighting effects, and to the great motion capture moves; NCAA does not let you down.
The gameplay is also in the plus column in my book, as the running game is the best it maybe has ever been in the series. The new impact stick greatly helps you in the open field, and the jukes are so real you might fall for it yourself. Blocking is good other than a few AI glitches, and that greatly helps in not only the running game, but also in the passing game. One of my only complaints about the game is the "superman" ability of the corners and safeties. They can be extremely dumb due to more AI flaws, but they can also close at un-human speeds, and jump higher than I've ever seen a person jump. So help yourself out, and make damn sure the receiver is wide open before you release it... Otherwise you might have to make a tackle with your pretty-boy QB.
Defensively, the new pre-play options are a good addition, and the ability to jump the snap is also a great new tool. Overall I think the ability to pass rush on your end can be a little too difficult, but the moves to get around the big uglies do work in the right situations.
Game modes are slim, and that has to be the biggest letdown of any EA football title thus far on the 360. Other than the Dynasty and single player Heisman run, there's slim pickens for other things to in this one.
The bottom line for this game is, if you're a big football fan that loves the pure rush of the game, pick this one up and it won't let you down; but if you're looking for a game that will pull you into football, the lack of modes might be just enough to steer you away. A solid game, none the less, and I look forward to next years edition.