The Gaming Tailgate's NCAA Football 13 Retail Release Impressions

[jaymo76]

I only played one game last night on AA. I played as ASU at home to Michigan St. and I lost 17-7. Overall, the game was a lot of fun. Yes, there were some poor cpu playcall issues and some defensive screw-ups. However, I don't find the issues to be a deal breaker. Next gen NCAA is based on "what you see is what you get" the game has played very similar the past 5 years. I liked some of the new commentary and the new cut scenes added to the broadcast feel. My biggest concern right now... interceptions. 7 were thrown in the first game. Huge slider tweaks will be needed.

[oweb26]

I'm laughing at how broken this game is on defense lmao. less than 3 hours & already I figured out how to break man defense, man switch , route pull smh. Funny thing is, the defense is better than '12 except for zones, & the fact that swatting and strafe barely work.

I think that is what adds to the problems when you can manually strafe or swat worth a damn it makes the bad angles and blown coverage even worse. I personally don't think its broken, as with all new EA implementations when they make one side of the ball more effective it makes the other sides glaring issues even more glaring. Honestly the defense plays exactly like it did last year just now it easier to bitch the shit out of it and also the "read and react" isn't helping with the fact that the "psychic" db is less (notice I didn't say not) psychic.

I played a few online games and I have noticed the best way is to honestly play man over ( or any play that your safities are over top) which helps a ton and you manually control the middle. Now with that you can get exposed to other issue but as with most people online that isn't really a problem.
If they are running 4 verts all game you will be in some trouble because its not covered worth a damn. I just want to see how all this changes with some sliders and better talent all over the field which is what I have on my OD and my single player dynasty.

[Big Blue]

I hope so...and it needs to come quick. I think we all had reasonable expectations based on last year's game. All we really wanted for 13 was the bugs from 12 corrected and some gameplay updates. Somehow EA took a pretty big step backwards.

Yea, looking at these comments and reviews has been extremely disappointing. Although I'm sure I will still have a ton of fun with this game through sliders and hopefully after the patch. AND it's still college football so you can never really go wrong anyway. Haha

[Big Blue]

I've been watching A LOT of gameplay on YouTube and the game looks absolutely amazing. It looks extremely polished and very smooth. The night atmosphere also seems to be much improved. I'm very hot and cold right now because of what people are saying and what I'm actually seeing on YouTube. And yes, I know, watching gameplay and actually playing are VERY different. I've actually became somewhat excited to get this game again.

[souljahbill]

In RTG, my #1 and #2 HBs are black dudes names Ngyuen. Also, my LG (who is always holding) is named Rohan Gandhi.

[CLW]

Maybe the potential is worth $45 but as it stands today, my personal opinion is no. I think a really good patch could make this an awesome game but we'll have to wait and see on that.

Yeah I'm honestly having 2nd thoughts as well as to whether this game is worth the price of me giving up Amazon credit. Getting the game for free but having to give up $45 in Amazon credit and I'm having second thoughts.

This is NCAA 12 but instead of being .5 they subtracted .5 with the read and react dbs which means they only watch the qb and allow all the receivers to just run past them. Defenders either stopping OR in at least one case literally ran AWAY from me while I ran the option.

Right now this game is just TRASH.

[ram29jackson]

In RTG, my #1 and #2 HBs are black dudes names Ngyuen. Also, my LG (who is always holding) is named Rohan Gandhi.

also, when that nadasfan was playing a head to head game for 8 hours ( or was it player vs computer?) inbetween plays they keep showing the mascot outside stadium too many times.

[SmoothPancakes]

So has there been any words on a day one patch yet, and if there is one, what's going to be in it?

[psusnoop]

So has there been any words on a day one patch yet, and if there is one, what's going to be in it?

Last I heard from Tommy was they haven't heard anything yet.

[Dr Death]

I've been watching A LOT of gameplay on YouTube and the game looks absolutely amazing. It looks extremely polished and very smooth. The night atmosphere also seems to be much improved. I'm very hot and cold right now because of what people are saying and what I'm actually seeing on YouTube. And yes, I know, watching gameplay and actually playing are VERY different. I've actually became somewhat excited to get this game again.

I was told - while my early version was downloading - that the game was crap. Then I was told w/ good sliders it's not so bad. I've played 4 Play Now games and one in dynasty, all 10 minute quarters. Trying various sliders out and playing in AA mode... And my worst game passing the ball so far has been a 31 of 37 for 318 yards and 4 TD passes. My dynasty game I was 48 of 52... Now I'll be the first to tell you that I know the passing game and can read defenses... but come on man... these haven't even been a challenge yet. The highest I've had my QB Accuracy at was 35. And every game I've dropped it down 5 points.

So I don't know... recruiting is fun, the game could be really fun, but in typical EA fashion, they know no middle ground. It's either Super Man LBers and Psychic DB's { NCAA '12} or guys who just do nothing {NCAA '13}. It's going to be a process finding good sliders... I have the CPU ramped up pretty damn high on D and O and I still move the ball pretty much at will and while I give up some yards, in the red zone I shut them down.

Scores of 35-10, 28-7, 28-10, 35-7 and 28-0... I know SOMEONE will find some great sliders. And some of the other problems that I just can't fathom... like when you drive 85 yards for a TD, and they say you drove 44 yards??? Or 67 yards???

And another thing... I thought that dynasties were supposed to be random... well BearTide told me in his dynasty that beat # 4 ranked at and damned if they didn't do it mine as well!!! WTF is up w/ that??? No offense Gschwendt... but on the road??? In TWO totally separate dynasties???

[jaymo76]

I wonder how many issues can be fixed with tuning updates rather than a full patch???

[skipwondah33]

Can you have fun with it? Sure, particularly if you're in an Online Dynasty and enjoy the recruiting aspects. But until some of these glaring issues are fixed, it will be tough to give the game a solid endorsement. I would either consider buying Season Ticket to try it t for yourself or waiting until the end of the weekend to get impressions from other users.

Great advice G and very solid, honest write up.

I'm enjoying it in certain aspects like the catch animations and trajectories. But the others are crushing to be honest and I have doubts about ordering it now.

Plus part of my excitement was because I've been playing Madden ad seeing those types of improvements has me excited about it.

Oh and in this case Season Ticket will have paid for itself if I don't indeed buy

[xMrHitStickx904]

Nope, I can't play this right now. Defense doesn't react to anything, zones are horrible, you can BREAK man defense, can't swat or strafe, dudes making 1-handed catches between 3 people & scoring. Only thing that's good is the actual game play, its smooth, there's run defense & the spread option is great. Besides that, this game is horrible. Everybody wanted a better passing game & making easier for sim guys to play. Well you got it; a game where anyone can win regardless of skill level & defense that's worse than PS2 04, 08 & next Gen 09 , 10 & 1#. Game fly it fellas.

[CLW]

Nope, I can't play this right now. Defense doesn't react to anything, zones are horrible, you can BREAK man defense, can't swat or strafe, dudes making 1-handed catches between 3 people & scoring. Only thing that's good is the actual game play, its smooth, there's run defense & the spread option is great. Besides that, this game is horrible. Everybody wanted a better passing game & making easier for sim guys to play. Well you got it; a game where anyone can win regardless of skill level & defense that's worse than PS2 04, 08 & next Gen 09 , 10 & 1#. Game fly it fellas.

Yeah: Ins; Outs; Hooks; Slants; Drags; Streaks; Posts; Flags are all WIDE OPEN ALL OF THE TIME

[ram29jackson]

Nope, I can't play this right now. Defense doesn't react to anything, zones are horrible, you can BREAK man defense, can't swat or strafe, dudes making 1-handed catches between 3 people & scoring. Only thing that's good is the actual game play, its smooth, there's run defense & the spread option is great. Besides that, this game is horrible. Everybody wanted a better passing game & making easier for sim guys to play. Well you got it; a game where anyone can win regardless of skill level & defense that's worse than PS2 04, 08 & next Gen 09 , 10 & 1#. Game fly it fellas.

its suppose to be that, thats why its sold for money to many people.

that said..as every year goes,these are initial impressions and while the game wont improve as you play it more...after 10 -20 games you start to be able to adjust to what it does and doesnt do and why and work around it and as long as you are playing other sim players,the experience isnt that bad.

...I still dont get any "hands on" till Tuesday though anyway

[I OU a Beatn]

No, it's not supposed to be that way. I shouldn't have to worry about potentially losing because my safety inexplicably decides he's just going to let the receiver run right by him.

[ram29jackson]

No, it's not supposed to be that way. I shouldn't have to worry about potentially losing because my safety inexplicably decides he's just going to let the receiver run right by him.

LOL you're not suppose to worry about losing in the first place. Its a game.

I of course get what you mean and dont disagree but you are suppose to be old enough to finally get that it will always be that way.

The deep ball will always be available more often then not in a "football video game"

Get use to it

[xMrHitStickx904]

its suppose to be that, thats why its sold for money to many people.

that said..as every year goes,these are initial impressions and while the game wont improve as you play it more...after 10 -20 games you start to be able to adjust to what it does and doesnt do and why and work around it and as long as you are playing other sim players,the experience isnt that bad.

...I still dont get any "hands on" till Tuesday though anyway

Nah, it shouldn't be. If I'm better than you, & I know it, I should blow you out every time. This game allows it to where that the flukiest of things can happen & you could win. Not because you're better, but because this game has so many handicaps. It's ridiculous that I can throw at your defenders & STILL complete it with the right animation. What's worse; I'm comfortable with doing it. Makes zero sense.

[ram29jackson]

Nah, it shouldn't be. If I'm better than you, & I know it, I should blow you out every time. This game allows it to where that the flukiest of things can happen & you could win. Not because you're better, but because this game has so many handicaps. It's ridiculous that I can throw at your defenders & STILL complete it with the right animation. What's worse; I'm comfortable with doing it. Makes zero sense.

I agree with you but
its been that way for years of course.

[I OU a Beatn]

LOL you're not suppose to worry about losing in the first place. Its a game.

I of course get what you mean and dont disagree but you are suppose to be old enough to finally get that it will always be that way.

The deep ball will always be available more often then not in a "football video game"

Get use to it

I think you're missing the entire point. Obviously worrying about a video game and something more substantial are two completely different things, but I think you know what I mean. Whether it's a game or a house or a car, a completely fucked up product is a fucked up product.


You originally said "it's supposed to be that way," which is just ridiculous. It's not meant to be so broken that it can't even be played, I can assure you of that.