NCAA Football 2007 (Xbox) Review
Posted by Caleb Newby on 07.28.2006
With the introduction of a Campus Legend mode and improvements to the recruiting system, does NCAA 2007 distance itself from the Madden series a bit more, or continue to live in its shadow?
It was not going well. It was only a matter of time. I could hear the baritone voice belonging to the head of the Purdue athletics program screaming my name down the hall. Sweat poured down my brow as I sat in my office, panicked yet calm, waiting for the inevitable. Soon I would be terminated from my contract as the head coach of the Purdue football squad, only given 3 short years to accomplish my goals… and to think of the youthful optimism I possessed when I first was hired. Could I have been that naïve?
That sums up my first attempt at Dynasty mode on NCAA Football 2007 for the Xbox. It has been a few years since I last checking in with the series, but I used to be quite the fan of the little brother to Madden. From what I had read it sounded like each year the team for NCAA had been trying to make their product stand alone as more than an appetizer for Madden’s upcoming release. And I will admit, I have really enjoyed this game. There are a few pet peeves I have had that will be mentioned later. But there is one aspect I want to point out now. I didn’t play this game co-op or online. Neither have appealed to me for football games as I prefer to hunker down and try to build a dynasty myself. I have heard some grumblings about the lack of support in this area.
Graphics
I really enjoyed the presentation of the graphics in gameplay and the various animations during tackles. Keeping in mind that this is not on a next gen system, the graphics were about as good as I expected. I do have a gripe about the hair styles offered for custom players, but then when you think about it, how often are we going to see their heads anyway?
Gameplay
I see two sides to this coin. As far as player control and responsiveness to the controls the gameplay feels very tight. There is an easy system for calling an audible or sending a player on a hot route. Instead of just selecting the power meter for kick offs and punts, you have to move the analog stick down then back straight up to kick it long and far. Waiver slightly, and your kick goes crooked. Even better, for an onside kick, you get to position the point of impact on the ball to better influence the bounce.
On the other side are the problems. For one, throwing a deep pass seems to be a little too easy. I enjoy burning the opposing team for a long touchdown as much as the next guy, but when you realize you can do it over and over again, it takes a little something away from the accomplishment and the challenge. But here is my biggest issue. Similar to last years Madden we have a “Campus Legend” mode where you take a young athlete, complete some minigames and get recruited to a school. Once there, you try to increase your campus popularity by going out on an ambiguous “social event” while trying to balance athletics and your studies.
What I would have liked to see was a more indepth experience outside the football field. If they are going to include this Legend mode and focus on an individual player I want them to do it right. Let me run around with my player in the 3rd person. Let me actually go to these social events and not just click “social event” and be done with it. A cross of The Sims and an RPG would be nice, where you can get into trouble. But we have none of that, and it is a huge disappointment to me. I hope to see something like that down the road in the upcoming years.
Sound
In game sound effects are realistic and believable. The announcing commentary doesn’t bother me as much as Madden’s seems to get to me. The largest gripe here is the soundtrack on the menus being only school fight songs. Yes, I understand, this is a college game, but after awhile hearing all of that brass gives me a headache. To the point I muted the game and turned on some of my own selection.
Lasting Appeal
As most sports titles, it will probably last until the next version comes out, or you have mastered all of the nuances or flaws and can become unbeatable. If you are a big college football guy and have buddies that are too, this will last longer than if you are a player like me who wants to master the Dynasty mode. Once I started to feel I had conquered that, my interest in the game dropped dramatically. It all depends on who you are and what you want out of this game… and if you will drop it when Madden hits the shelves.
Fun Factor
I think it is safe to say that EA has mastered the in game portion of the football game, for the most part. Leaving out the little flaws that change each new game here and there, we know that overall it is going to play smoothly and what we are getting. Since I have “been there and done that” so to speak for many years, much of my fun is trying to recruit my blue chippers into my schools football program and turn around a so-so club into a top 10 team. I know the actual football playing will be fun, what about the other stuff?
I was very pleasantly surprised at the changes made to the recruiting system since last time I grabbed NCAA. Having the option to recruit during the season was fun as I tried my best to grab a much needed WR for next year, confidant I had him wrapped up with a soft verbal commitment, only to see Michigan State swoop in to grab him at the 11th hour. The off season recruitment was also improved, giving more options and depth than I have seen before.
Contrast that to the previously mentioned Campus Legend mode that left me wanting more. I feel there is so much potential in this, but it is far from realized.
The 411
Overall this is a fun game that delivers on a lot of fronts. The graphics are solid and the gameplay delivers where it matters most, playing the football game (deep passing being too easy not withstanding). While the soundtrack bothered me, I can live with it. The real issue is in the Dynasty and Legend modes, in particular the latter. Dynasty has been improved but still feels a little too “same old, same old” while the Legend just screams for more depth and exciting possibilities. If you haven’t tried NCAA Football for a few years, it is definitely worth checking out. If you are a diehard fan, you already own it. And if you are just trying to pass the time till Madden, it is worth a rent. Just don’t expect the wheel to have been reinvented quite yet.
Graphics
7.5
Graphics are good for the original Xbox but nothing jaw dropping.
Gameplay
8.5
Good controlls with only a couple flaws.
Sound
7.0
I can't handle any more fight songs!!!
Lasting Appeal
8.0
Most people ditch NCAA games come NFL season, but on its own it has replayability.
Fun Factor
7.0
The knowledge of how certain modes could be better holds back on their fun, making you think
