In a class by itself.
The Campus Legend mode's as good as ever, largely untouched from a year ago by what I saw and in all honesty, it didn't really require touching to begin with. The Dynasty mode's been upgraded in a MAJOR way and this is where you'll find the meat and potatoes of this game. Firstly, I want to say that for the PS2 model, this game would've been off the rack if they added what the next-gen consoles got with the additions to Campus Legend. But that's nitpicking. As for the Dynasty, it got a facelift in the following areas. Recruiting for starters, is a lot deeper than before. You can now get a look at up to 15 different high schoolers and just so you can get a glimpse into what this guy brings to the table, they show you his up to date stats that run concurrent with the year you're playing. So depending on how big a deal that is to you, at least now you're not just looking at the stars and going for that. Oh, that's the other thing, it's no longer as easy as target, invite, recruit. Now you have to pay attention to what they want and if they want say, playing time, guaranteed starting job or even a lucky number...you're going to have to either pony up and agree or tell them no and hope they're feeling your school enough to sign on the dotted line. Generally I've come to find that if you agree to what they want, they'll come to your school 9 times out of 10. HOWEVER, make damn certain you're going to follow through with what you say you're going to do when you get your 'yes'. For you see, no longer can you just stockpile the best talent in the nation, if you promise a recruit something and not deliver for whatever the reason, they're gone after their freshman year and there's not a thing you'll be able to do to get them back. On top of that, your coaching prestige will take a hit as you didn't keep your word. So don't be a Saban or Nutt, ya dig? Luckily, there's a menu which will allow you to keep tabs on how you're doing with the promises you made to recruits the year before and do note, as long as they're playing for your school, you're bound by your word to them. Only way you're not is if you cut them, so a word of advice...only promise playing time if your depth chart is going to be barren the year after and the remaining lettermen don't figure to be too much of a challenge to whatever incoming freshman's looking at that job.
The other major thing that's changed is that now, there's Training drills before your season begins. Yes, that's right. You can train your players before they begin that arduous march towards the Crystal Football. In a page that was torn from Madden and improved in a major way, you can have your players run the 40, engage in the epic Oklahoma drill both as a defender or runner, hone up your secondary skills through one on one and skeleton drills, not to mention get practice stopping the most unpredictable play in all of college football...the option. You can run receiver drills, learn how routes are run to perfection, work on special teams, the works. EA Sports really went all out with this for the first time out and this alone will keep you from skipping through all of your preseason stuff as it was in previous years.
All in all, this is hands down the most underappreciated sports series around today. I imagine this won't be the last for the PS2, but this is by far the best one to date. The gameplay's much improved with gang tackles and oh yeah, the highlight stick's been included in this. Not just for the running backs and receivers, but this same stick will enable your QB to get at least a few more seconds in the pocket as he looks downfield. They took away the coverage audibles that I really liked from the 07 version, but all in all, there's just too much to love about this game to really nitpick at a few missing components. If you've played any of the previous models, the learning curve's easy to round. You'll find yourself at this for hours. If you haven't played any, this is just perfect to pick up as you'll be into this in no time. This is probably the best football game for the PS2 you'll find and all told, maybe the best football game period pound for pound that doesn't get the credit it deserves...because it's not a pro game. While Madden has basically spun its wheels and been very redundant through the years, NCAA has gotten progressively better, finding what's worked and adding things to make it even better. Hence why no NCAA game since 1999 to my knowledge has received a rating lower than 7. It's been that good and continues to be even better with each passing year. So as the college year heads into bowl season, if you haven't picked this game up yet, stuff your stocking with this one at a nice discounted price since it's probably undergone a price decrease. You'll be glad ya did.