A lot of modes, a lot of plays, a lot improvements all around = A lot of fun

User Rating: 9 | NCAA Football 11 PS3
By dellis66 | Review Date:
EA did a great job with NCAA 11. From my perspective it seems that NCAA is being geared towards real football fans that appreciate the X's and O's of the sport. Because the diversity of offenses sets and plays is what garnered my first positive feelings for this title. But, not only are their a lot of plays, almost all of them are executable and useful. One complaint is that too much passing is required to set up option plays. Human and AI opponents alike will crowd the box and blitz to thwart a heck of a lot of option plays. This should not happen, because option offenses use cut blocking techniques to buffer the push made by opposing d-lineman. This is why you will hardly ever (or never) see a QB get tackled behind the line of scrimmage, still in his own pocket on an option play. How else do you think the undersized Navy and Air Force teams can perennially be ranked near the top of college football in rushing? Despite the absence of cut blocking, the option is still fun to run and can be effective, but is challenging. But the option is just one offensive philosophy of many and figuring out different ways to get first downs should keep anyone interested for a long time.

There are also a lot of game modes. My favorites are the on-and-offline dynasty modes. The presentation of stats, polls, and news is really top-notch, the recruiting is mildly addictive, and there are tons of awards that EA keeps track of to make it even more rewarding. I have only played Road to Glory a little, but it seems cool. My player was a FS who the AI chose to avoid...so I haven't seen much action yet, and I am getting used to the new camera angle. Teambuilder also is cool feature that stayed on from last year's release. So, there is a lot of stuff here to do besides play a great game of ball.

My top two complaints would have to be that defensive lineman catch a speed demon like Denard Robinson from behind way too often (like always when scrambling from the pocket). And change of direction leaves a little to be desired, as I see players on TV cut way harder and a lot more explosively.

But in context to the game as a whole these are nothing. With the plethora of playbooks and modes, great graphics, realistic enough gameplay, and (at least I think) challenging AI, this is a solid football game. But cut blocking has to be worked in if EA is going to make the option an option.

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