Title: NCAA Football 2007

Date: 07.21.2006

Genre: Sports

Platform: Xbox

Developer: EA Sports

Publisher: EA

EA Sports is back with their newest collegiate football video game, NCAA Football 07, available on PlayStation 2, Xbox, PSP, and Xbox 360. My review copy of the game was an Xbox version, and it plays most similarly to the PlayStation 2 version.

First, the new additions to the game. A new momentum meter gauges the momentum swings so vital in college football that make the game what it is too all us rabid fans. A new kicking system allows for kicks to be blocked more easily and have more realistic trajectories. New defensive Hot Routes, long wished for by many hardcore fans, are finally in the game, and, while options are somewhat limited, they are useful at times. Jumping the snap, better defined as guessing the count as a defensive lineman, is another nice addition.

Momentum is, as I said, all right, but it doesn't work completely properly (a 14-yard scramble by me on 3rd and 12 netted no momentum change) and makes a small difference. However, I think its better that this is underplayed as opposed to Impact Players and Home Field Advantage from NCAA 06, which were completely overplayed.

The new kicking system takes time to get used to, but I like it. It deals with the usage of the right stick - well-times flicks will get your kick where it needs to go. However, it must be said that on kickoff returns, you are put into a "3rd person camera" which greatly detracts from your viewing area, and this view cannot be changed. This camera view is also available as an option while you're on defense against a field goal, extra point, or punt offense, and its useful then.

Hot Routes are, again, useful but limited. Jumping the snap is a good idea in principle, but it seems over executed. For example, if you just want to sprint with a defensive lineman off the ball... well, you can't do that, as the Sprint button is mapped to jumping the snap as a d lineman. I was forced to switch my normal player - Brent Curvey of THE Iowa State University Cyclones - to a random linebacker or defensive back.

I'm not going to get too into detail, but the facts are this: Are the graphics good? Sure, I'd say so. Are they improved? By a small margin. For example, the player models look somewhat smaller (a good thing) and there are more animations, including a much more realistic animation used when a spin is triggered. If you're looking for the best insane graphics, go with the 360 version. But current-gen is easily passable, by all means.

The presentation in NCAA 07 is something I really enjoy. After playing just one quarter of my first game, I'd already heard three or four new lines of commentary from Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreet. Brad Nessler's play-by-play sounds identical to NCAA 06, but the new color adds a lot.

The crowds and stadiums look about the same, except for the new decibel meter in-game that tells you exactly how loud Jack Trice Stadium (or your favorite stadium) is. The noise is definitely improved. Also, the menu screens show team-specific pictures of whatever your favorite team is set as. Great atmosphere additions.

New features? Of course! This year EA added new spring drills, a scrimmage mode, and a Campus Legend mode to replace the ill-conceived Road for the Heisman from NCAA 06. The spring drills are a wonderful diversion; nothing much of substance there, but they're fun to play. The scrimmage mode is a great addition to Dynasty, where it's called Spring Game. It gives you an opportunity to scout your new recruits to see if they need a redshirt, and to choose two of your Impact Players for the upcoming season. It's a welcome addition.

In Campus Legend, you play as a new recruit striving for your university's Hall of Fame. During your career, you need to balance your time between studying to pass your major, practicing plays with your team for improvement on Saturday, and hitting the social scene to improve your popularity and increase the likelihood of you making the Hall of Fame. Now, I wasn't a fan of Road for the Heisman, and I'm not a fan of this either - I'm a Dynasty kind of guy - but I must admit, CL is much more fun than RftH. I enjoyed spending my time on the social scene while my grades suffered and my team did as well. My player's name? Maurice Clarett, running back for - well, not Ohio State ( Memphis, actually) because to see which scholarships you're offered, you must compete in drills, such as running the 40. Which is exceptionally difficult for a non-button masher like myself. Anyways, I prefer Dynasty, but give it a shot, for sure.

Of course I'm going to talk about Dynasty Mode - it's my favorite mode! Dynasty's pretty much stagnant this year, except for the previously mentioned Spring Game and, don't quote me, but a slight change in recruiting... it seems harder. However the only EA-confirmed addition is Spring Game, which is fun enough in itself. Ahh, the head honco. You're saying to your computer right now, "Get to the point, Cheffy-boy! I want to know about the gameplay!" Well, I don't disappoint. You're gonna like this: The gameplay has been tweaked to near-gaming nirvana.

This is easily the most realistic gameplay experience in a football game since ESPN NFL 2K5, and by far the best gameplay from a football game that EA has produced.

Again, I don't want to waste your time with boring details - they're up to you to discover - but the running game is smooth and solid, the passing game is realistic and challenging, the kicking game is much better, the defensive side of the ball has been tweaked pretty well... my only gripes are with special teams kick returning, where the 3rd person camera ruins your field vision, and some little gripes about fumbles, interceptions, etc. Sliders will be able to fix those, however, and the AI is amazing.

NCAA Football 07 may be the last college football game we'll ever see on the current-gen, but it certainly goes out as the best. It truly is a treat to see your favorite team fight through seasons, lose amazing players, recruit more of those great guys, and take your team all the way to a conference championship, a BCS bowl, and maybe more.

So... what are you waiting for? Stop reading this and go grab a copy of NCAA Football 07 for the PS2 or Xbox! This game is as near perfect as the current-gen can ever get.

Game Score

9.0

Reviewed By: Contributed