NCAA Football 2012
Producer: Electronic Arts/Tiburon
Release Date: July 12, 2011
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3
Rating: E10+
Genre: Sports
TOUCHDOWN!
Written by Albert Marrero, Jr.
There’s something nostalgic about this time of year; the fresh smell of cut grass, the heat of the summer days, and the light humidity of each morning reminding you that it’s getting close to football season. I remember at Carolina, the excitement for the fall semester was so thick you could feel it by just walking around. EA invokes that same sense of nostalgia with NCAA 2012, with lush graphics, spot on precision of detail, and an environment that takes you back to being on campus.
From the title screen, you can see the familiar ESPN integration, complete with our favorite announcers, including the much needed Erin Andrews. You got Texas players coming out of the locker room touching the horns, you’ve got Clemson players touching the rock, and stadiums right off the blueprints. Nike Pro Combat Uniforms? Awesome. It’s this attention to detail, coupled with excellent camera angles that gives it that Saturday afternoon feel and keeps this game fresh year after year.
Gameplay is largely familiar. This year, they’ve added a collision tackling, which definitely adds a more realistic feel to the game. Crowd noise shakes things up, literally. And yes, its college, so I know all the players aren’t NFL caliber… But it can get annoying; just because you’re a QB rolling right and throwing to an open receiver running left, doesn’t mean you over throw the ball. Other little things like glitchy sideline AI characters and such make this game a game, but it’s a game, so it’s not the end of the world.
I didn’t do much in terms of Dynasty mode or Road to Glory mode, because I prefer to play this game versus friends. Online mode can still be a split second off, which affects gameplay, but not in an OMFG LAG!-type way. Passing is tight (when your feet are set and you have a window), running is always a joy if you can hit the hole (that’s what she said), and defense is such a rush (literally) to “Engage Eight” and sack the QB. When I played against the computer for purposes of this review, I took the opening kickoff to the house with HB #24 for Oregon, who in real life is really, really fast. I liked that realism, that if you simply followed your blocks and chose your angles, you can actually break one.
Overall, NCAA 2012 is a welcome game that comes at an odd time when professional sports are in lockouts and uncertainty. It’s nice to know that regardless of the pro situation, we’d still be watching underclassmen on the gridiron. NCAA 2012 doesn’t disappoint. There’s nothing earth-shattering about this presentation, however. It’s polished but not perfect, it’s fresh but familiar, and it’s fun but not ground-breaking. But, I’ve said before, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. EA and Tiburon are experts at giving fans what they want and as in all the years before, 2012 is no exception.