NCAA 2010 initial thoughts

Yeah, ok I didn't buy the game. But I downloaded the demo yesterday, just to make sure it was worth eventually (like, tomorrow?!) buying. Well, it is worth the money, for once. Let me run down a few things I noticed, good and bad.

The Good

• Drive summaries: This might seem minor, but in '09, after kicking a field goal, the drive summary would include the distance of the field goal in the total drive length. So if my guys drive 34 yards to the 17 yard line, and my kicker boots a 34-yard score, the drive summary would say Yards: 68! That pissed me off so bad, it almost made the game unplayable. Those are the things that make me wonder just who play-tests these games.

In 2010, that problem is fixed.

• Passing motion: In '09, quarterbacks looked more like they were competing in the shot put whenever they'd launch a throw. It was terrible.

In 2010, the quarterbacks drop back and release much more like the real players do.

• Tackles/player movements: One thing I must say EA does well is animate tackles each edition. But this season is very, very good. Shoestring tackles, all-out pops over the middle, and ball carriers running through traffic are all much smoother this season.

Not that this was a problem before, but in 2010, the fluidity of player movements is much improved.

• Game strategy: I haven't been able to fully utilize this feature, but from what I've done so far, it makes the game a bit more interesting. From telling your guys to play really aggressive (strip the ball more, super-tight coverage, but more risks), to just keeping the other team in front of you (sure tackling, playing softer coverage, but not giving up big plays), it's a very nice addition.

The Bad

• There are always problems, but this year's aren't too bad. Like the commentators: Lee Corso, Herbie and Brad Nessler. First of all, they don't even do games together anymore!!! Not only that, but only Herbie works with Erin Andrews (new to the game). Not only this, but their comments HAVE NOT CHANGED since I first got the game in 2004. Sorry, but that's pathetic.

If EA really wants to 'wow' its audiences, have multiple broadcast teams. Honestly, if EA is going to suck up to ESPN so much, why not just go all out and have Brent Musberger, Herbie for the big night games, Nessler, Todd Blackledge for the big afternoon games, and Pam Ward... JUST KIDDING... someone like Mike Patrick, Sean McDonough or Ron Franklin for the day games? I also think it would be a hoot to hear Craig James on there (even if he's a douche sometimes).

• The fans/sidelines: From what I've seen, the crowds are still pretty poor. I liked the 2004 version, where if a player started our a short run, but broke it big, the crowd would actually "get up" from their seats and act more wild. In the last few versions, on XBOX at least, the crowds are in a constant state of gyration.

Also, would it kill EA to make more than four or five different movements for the fans?

In terms of sidelines, the players' shoes are still a sticking point for me. Of course, because Penn State wears BLACK shoes. I'm not sure, and would love it if someone came forward to give us a heads up, but do the Penn Staters on the sidelines still have white shoes?

When I played the demo, I picked (depends on the team) black shoes for Oklahoma, but their sidelines were clad in white shoes. Terrible.

Overall

Not bad this season. I'm 99 percent sure I'm going to buy it by this weekend. The graphics, animations, and overall game play is markedly improved from even last year's edition, which actually begs the question: why are there so few improvements each season?

But otherwise, it's a great game, and worth the money.