by: Billy Kirk

January 13, 2008

Of course, presentation isn’t all bad in this game; in fact, there are wonderful moments, like when you get your first taste of each of the game’s impeccably modeled stadiums. EA hit the road this year to take photos and get first-hand impressions of the major stadiums across the country, and it shows. Changes that were only completed in the past year – and in the distant background of stadiums at that – are included in this year’s game, like the inclusion of the Ram’s Head buildings just outside North Carolina’s Kenan Stadium. The stadiums look spectacular, but the frame-rate issues that crop up when showing off said venues are not. The game chugs along when panning through the stadiums and crowds, and players have to wonder whether the game is running on a 360 or on an Xbox or PlayStation 2 during these segments. Sounds in the game fit the collegiate atmosphere nicely, by the way, although you may hear your own groans during the stadium cut-scenes.

Replay value is perhaps the largest problem in the game. While the dynasty mode is deep, and bringing your favorite team slowly up towards national prominence season after season while recruiting players, redshirting kids and tweaking depth charts can keep anyone going for a long time, there is miraculously nothing else to do in the game. Aside from the three mini-games, which only offer a slight diversion (Tug-O-War, Bowling and Option Dash), and the ever-lovable “Extras” menu, there isn’t anything else. That’s right. No Race for the Heisman mode, no Campus Legend, and generally less options than in year’s past. You can take the game onto Live, but this is a feature that’s no longer applauded – it’s merely expected. The dearth of modes is ridiculous, and makes no sense considering past versions in the franchise – and even those on Xbox and PS2 this year – feature more modes. Perhaps the biggest head-scratcher is the lack of 1-4 player offline support. NCAA 07 on the 360 only allows two buddies to go at it, on opposite sides of the ball. What is the reasoning for not including this in the game? Are we supposed to believe that the 360 can’t handle four players inputting information at once, or are we just supposed to assume that some advanced EA player polling determined that offline multiplayer wasn’t an issue of any import to 360 gamers this year?




When one gets down to it, after two years we can now safely arrive at one conclusion: EA has gotten lazy, at least with their next-generation sports offerings. The concerns of the many have proven to come true, as NCAA 07 on the 360 is a stripped down version of what it should be. The game on its own is a very solid title, but there comes a time when a reviewer cannot turn a blind eye to ten years of football video game evolution, especially within the franchise in question. Now is that time. EA can’t expect to continue to be given a pass by 360 owners forever.

Anyone who hasn’t owned a past NCAA football title from EA, or hasn’t in the last couple years, should still pick this title up. It’s fun, engaging and can still provide many hours of entertainment. However, anyone with NCAA 05 or 06, or those low on cash, should stay away from this game and save their sixty bucks for next year’s hopefully improved installment, unless they simply must have the updated season schedule for their team right now. EA’s game on 360 is still outshined by titles on inferior systems – and in some areas of interest, from past years – and this is something that cannot be stomached for much longer.

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While the game has good controls, as well as great sound and addictive gameplay, the vital 'Campus Legend' feature is suprisingly missing from the Xbox 360 version. Even without its inclusion, and lack of four player gameplay on a single Xbox, NCAA Football 07 is still a solid game.

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