cmq's obligatory initial impressions (360)

[cmq]

Just a few notes I jotted down about the game... nothing revolutionary, just things I've liked or not liked.


1. Is it not possible to turn on the line of scrimmage marker? I couldn't find it, but that sucks if you can't.
2. No "random all" or "random this formation" selection in practice mode pretty much makes the whole thing worthless.
3. Can you set the sliders for the CPU? I see that you can set them for the human, but how can you do it for the CPU? (Actually, I might have just figured it out... do you hold RT then move right with the stick, then move up/down? I'll try it out when I can.)
4. I LOVE the new play selection methods. Being able to select by play type has really opened up my playcalling.
5. The passing game is a billion times better than the last two years. I don't complete many deep balls, but I can complete all kinds of crossing routes, drag routes, flats, screens, etc. As an almost-exclusively-option player, being able to complete passes will drastically improve my offense.
6. That said, the running game seems to be quite a bit harder. I haven't had enough time with the new controls yet, nor have I tweaked the sliders, but it seems pretty tough to break good runs. Even in the cases where I catch the defense in the wrong play and get a run outside, I'll get tracked down from behind more often than not.
7. The mini-games are pretty fun. They're a good little time killer if you have a few minutes.
8. No custom playbooks = awful. This was one of my favorite features last year.
9. I like that if you pause the game during the announcers' commentary, they will resume talking when you unpause the game.
10. I like that you can "ask corso" on defense. I don't usually do it, but it's interesting to see what he suggests sometimes without having to wait for the defensive playcall timer to expire.
11. I don't like that you lose the ability to watch a replay as soon as the ball is set for the next play. Last year you could have the ball set, but still watch the replay from the last play until you actually snapped the ball.
12. The fact that you can't start a game with the controller in the middle (coach mode) is really unfortunate.

There's my random initial list, but I'm sure I'll have more as I get more games in.

[salukifan]

must be for 360...

practice mode in current gen is jsut like last year, random play and random formation available.

[oldarmy93]

3. Can you set the sliders for the CPU? I see that you can set them for the human, but how can you do it for the CPU? (Actually, I might have just figured it out... do you hold RT then move right with the stick, then move up/down? I'll try it out when I can.)


You got it. That took me a second to figure out as well. That whole new hodl the RT scheme is called being too clever by half...

Also, I can't for the life of me figure out how to disable the playclock. I see the option but it is grayed out. That's a nice feature when you are trying to teach your 6 year old how to play the game.

[drew4008]

Does anyone know if you can have custom playbooks in current gen (PS2)?

[Mr. Tennessee]

Does anyone know if you can have custom playbooks in current gen (PS2)?
Custon playbooks are on the current gen.

[carolinalax23]

That said, the running game seems to be quite a bit harder. I haven't had enough time with the new controls yet, nor have I tweaked the sliders, but it seems pretty tough to break good runs. Even in the cases where I catch the defense in the wrong play and get a run outside, I'll get tracked down from behind more often than not.


I noticed that as well. However, I have been able to break 2 runs to the outside for about 35 yards each with Ronnie McGill. It's definitely not an every play thing though like last year. Big improvement on EA's part.

[cmq]

Also, I can't for the life of me figure out how to disable the playclock. I see the option but it is grayed out. That's a nice feature when you are trying to teach your 6 year old how to play the game.
It's not grayed out for me... I have the play clock turned off while I'm figuring this out.


I just played another game, and wow am I frustrated. I'm going to try to hold back my swear words until I get the hang of this game more, but:
1. Pass interference is ridiculous. I was called for it 3 or 4 times, yet there was another time I was trying to hit a receiver on a corner route and the defender was blocking his path there for about 6 seconds while the ball was in the air, and nothing was called.
2. Fumbling, as many have pointed out, is becoming a problem. I just fumbled twice in the redzone trying to punch it in.
3. Blocking is a huge issue. I have my run and pass blocking sliders all the way full, playing as LSU on VARSITY and I can't count with all my fingers and toes how many playaction or triple option plays got blown up in the backfield by Arizona last game.
4. Impact players are still retarded. Two plays this game:
a. I kicked off to Arizona, they fumbled it, their impact player picked it up, broke 3 tackles (while being surrounded by about 6 guys) and took it 86 yards for a touchdown.
b. After throwing a pick and fumbling it away twice in the redzone, I was losing 13-7, I came back and scored to take the lead 14-13, they kicked a FG to make it 16-14, I answered to make it 17-16. I kicked off and they had 40 seconds and 2 timeouts to go 85 yards. They completed two third-and-ten-pluses (they had 5 3rd down conversions for the game), and one fourth-and-ten-plus to get down to the 25ish yardline with 20-some seconds left. They ran an option against an 8-man blitz, their impact player broke 3 tackles and waltzed into the endzone.

I haven't had so many things go wrong in a single game since I first plopped in 2005. Lots of penalties against me, none against them, lots of turnovers for me, none for them, lots of big plays for them, very few for me. And a reminder, this was on fucking VARSITY, as LSU against Arizona. Oops, I swore. I got close.

[OU-11]

Thats how my first game went. I turned down the PI for the defense. I don't have the blocking problems you have, and I'm on AA so I'm not sure what the problem is there. I'm playing with OU and their line isn't the greatest so they shouldn't be any better than LSU's line.

[joshuahuskers]

Also, I can't for the life of me figure out how to disable the playclock. I see the option but it is grayed out. That's a nice feature when you are trying to teach your 6 year old how to play the game.

Did you try changing it prior to the game? I saw that you can't change difficulty during a game, so I assume there's other things you can't change in game. Also, the whole not being able to change difficulty in game rules out an "Plan B" for this year if it would be needed.

[CoasterNole]

You playing the same game as me? Impact players do almost nothing in my games (on AA).

Haven't had very many fumbles either. Be sure to press the right bumper to cover the ball when going through heavy traffic.

Plays will be blown up in the backfield, especially since the CPU will jump the snap like you can. Really have to change up the snap counts.

[joshuahuskers]

I had a ton of fumbles the first game I played, but they haven't been a problem since. Impact Players also seemed toned down for me (of course, I am playing on varsity to get used to new controls and a new game.)

[ThaHeelsn04]

I noticed that as well. However, I have been able to break 2 runs to the outside for about 35 yards each with Ronnie McGill. It's definitely not an every play thing though like last year. Big improvement on EA's part.
Had Ronnie McGill up the middle, after breaking three tackles and carrying a safety with him, all the way for 54 yards, beautiful... but after that not alot of big runs like last year...Big Improvement...;)

[cmq]

Plays will be blown up in the backfield, especially since the CPU will jump the snap like you can. Really have to change up the snap counts.
That's something I hadn't considered too much. I guess part of the reason I haven't done this is that the very first time I tried the fake snap, my own O-line false started. I figured it was just safer to go "on one" from that point on.

[Fluff E Bunny]

That's something I hadn't considered too much. I guess part of the reason I haven't done this is that the very first time I tried the fake snap, my own O-line false started. I figured it was just safer to go "on one" from that point on.

I haven't been using the fake snap, but I HAVE used the run direction flip audible and gotten them to jump offsides with that.

[JoeyJojoShabadoo]

one big gripe i have: EA seems to have turned this one into Tecmo Bowl, it seems that every one in a while the CPU jumps the snap perfectly and blows your right out of the water. i predict the "jump the snap" featre will be gone in 2 years

[UTlonghornguy]

That's something I hadn't considered too much. I guess part of the reason I haven't done this is that the very first time I tried the fake snap, my own O-line false started. I figured it was just safer to go "on one" from that point on.

If you fake snap about half of your plays, you will get a realistic amount of false starts and offsides penalties. It adds alot to the game IMO.

[TrickyD]

The D got a great jump on me a couple plays in a row last night so I threw in a fake snap on the 3rd play and got the offsides call.

It didn't register that they were teeing off on me until that point, but then I started mixing things up after that. I got the impression that it was working.

[seandigs]

fake snaps help out alot. Picked up a few key 3rd down conversions due to shorter yardage from a false start last night. It seems the computer gets less aggressive after a few false starts.