NCAA Football 2005 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As I said in the title, this is not a review. I just want to save like-minded people some time, and summarize what makes 2005 different from the 2004 title.While this isn't platform specific, the biggest upgrade this year is for the Xbox, as EA and Microsoft have finally settled, and online play has finally arrived via XBLive.I'd like to not assign stars at all, but Amazon doesn't allow for pre-release non-reviews.So I'm assigning 5 stars based on NCAA 2004, and the promise of the following new features.
That aside (despite it being a huge issue), the following changes come directly from EA Sports announcements.What follows is verifiable on their website or with a few well-placed Google searches.I present it for convenience.These 'pre-release reviews' that always pop up for titles might as well serve a real purpose, besides of course the all-important "tHIs gAme iS dEFiNaTEly (sic) gOInG tO RAwK!!!" proclamations.But I digress, the summary follows, I intend to keep my personal commentary to an absolute minimum;
GENERAL GAMEPLAY IMPROVEMENTS:
- Big hits:The option to take a chance on really plastering another player.Increases the chance of a fumble or dropped pass, but also the chance of you whiffing on the tackle.
- Improved run blocking and new run animations:No more getting stuck against or behind your own linemen.Good offensive lines now open better holes and routes.
- Home Field Advantage:The bigger the stadium, the louder the crowd, the greater the impact.Pumping up the crowd carries more meaning and response.Visiting teams have to fight an uphill battle against the environment, based upon the strength of the home team's stadium and crowd.
- Interactive Timeouts: You're now given a choice on which group to coach, it can directly address ratings and composure levels depending on those of your team captains.You can now "ice the kicker" with timeouts, as composure is an issue for all players.
- Match-Up Stick:Player ratings (in game) can now change based upon the individual's ability to handle pressure.You can now check composure and mismatches pre-snap.
- Custom fans:Set up your own 'crazed' fans with a variety of options, accessories, appearances, etc.To add to the college gameday atmosphere, and...
- Custom celebrations:Choose to play a mascot, fan or player animation, decide between mild and extreme.
- More "user" stats:User pick tracking was well received, now more stats are tracked in this form in your record book.
DYNASTY MODE IMPROVEMENTS:
- Roster expansion to 70 (according to the producer, although 75 has been reported elsewhere).It's been down at 55 for years, which has been a source of frustration for those who enjoy dynasty mode.
- Top 25 Stadiums tracking:In dynasty mode, you can build home field advantage where there was little or none before, the top 25 places to play are tracked.
- Team Captains:As part of a deeply enhanced dynasty mode, you can now name captains.
- Program integrity:Dynasty depth - keep tabs on your players, you can now suffer academic issues and/or team rule violations.You choose how to discipline, and you can now actually lose scholarships, television exposure, and post-season play if you don't run a clean program.It also speaks to;
- Player transfers:You can now lose athletes to transfers if they're unhappy, and feel like they should be seeing the field more.You can also have players from other programs request a transfer in if you're not deep at their position.
- Recruiting pipelines:You can now build your presence outside of your immediate geographic region.
- Improved scouting:You can now unlock prospect attributes without offering a scholarship first.
- Better defined offensive/defensive coaching strategies:Speaks to play-calling, simulation and recruiting.
- Accurate conference schedule rotation.
- Athletes:You can now recruit a kid just for his athletic ability, and define or switch his position on the roster later.If you have a QB who would make a better FS or WR, you can switch him, and he will progress according to his new position, not the old.
- More/improved Sports Illustrated stories, magazine covers and insight throughout the season.
- More trophies.Added support for the Rimington and Doak Walker.28 bowl trophies, 49 rivalry trophies.
- All-Conference teams.To supplement 1st and 2nd team All-American tracking.
ONLINE PLAY IMPROVEMENTS:
- Opponent scouting:They've added a new scouting report that allows you to check any player's (online) tendencies. You can look at their favorite playbook and formation, as well as look at how much they no-huddle, call hot routes, and audible.It's meant to try and cut down on the number of games wasted to opposition that cheats or otherwise plays in a manner you're not interested in.
- Quick tournaments:4 or 8 player tournaments built right into the online system.
- Even team mode:An option that will allow an even playing field, regardless of the `real world' strengths and weaknesses of two programs/teams.
- Improved leaderboards.
- Minigames.
That's all I've come across so far, but it's a factual aggregation of information, all directly from the source.Either Electronic Arts, and/or Rod Moye the producer via an interview on EASports.None of this comes through third parties, or speculation.Given that, this looks to be one of the biggest leaps forward this franchise has enjoyed in some time.Particularly for Xbox fans as they finally get online play, but really for everyone.But enough, I now return you to your regularly scheduled, "tHiS gAMe iz dA bOMb!" 'reviews'.

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Product Description:
NCAA Football 2005 is more than just a sports game. It's a celebration of college football.From the school rivalries to the challenge of keeping a winning team together andvictorious, you'll experience college football from every point of view. Get a taste of truefootball action, from the opening kickoff to the final gun.Incredible new locomotion animations for ball carriers and non-carriers -- plus strip ball wrap tackles, defensive special moves and over-pursuit tackles Player Composure Meter challenges you tomaintain composure against a swarming defense, and make the play before they take you out Get a taste of fan loyalty and true competitive spirit, with fan celebrations like the Gator Chomp Enjoy the breakdown fron the TV booth -- the team of Brad Nessler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso offer pre-game, halftime, instant replay, and post-play analysis

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