Title: NCAA Basketball 09
Platform: PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 (reviewed)
Studio: EA Sports
Rated: E for Everyone
Score: 7.5/10
GAMEPLAY
The review: EA has ported its NBA gameplay to the '09 NCAAbasketball release and claims to have 1,000 new animation sequences.EA says that this allows for a better defensive play and allowsplayers to perform quicker in all aspects of the game. The gamecertainly is more responsive than last year's release, although it'sstill not perfect.
One of the best aspects of the new release is the ability totailor your team's style of play with your own or with the realschool's style. You can set the tempo and decide just how hard youpush your team and the defense up and down the court. It requires aquick decisionmaking on the run if you are pushing it constantly.Also, running an up-tempo style doesn't lend itself to a lot of setplays nor does it always allow you to make quick reactions. Thereare many occasions when a player is in an animated move and cannotreact quickly enough to pass or shoot.
If you are interested in setting up plays you'll be happy to knowthe playbook has had an overhaul. You aren't stuck with the standardplays and it's nice to be able to customize plays. You get on-courtvisualization that helps you to understand the play. One play that Iused over and over was the pick-and-roll. It's highly effective andnot difficult to utilize.
Dynasty mode is still a favorite. You won't be surprised to findout that it hasn't changed much from previous years. One thing youwant to make sure to pay attention to is tempo. And that may changedepending upon the team you are playing against.
Graphics:
NCAA 09 covers a massive range of colleges with all Division Iteams. They've managed to replicate the school arenas, mascots andmore. The graphics are rock solid because it's built upon the NBALive release.
Audio:
The commentary by Erin Andrews, Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale aregreat. Even better is the college atmosphere that comes through atevery arena. The crowds sound alive with chants from all schools.
WRAP-UP
Final word
NCAA Basketball 09 is far from perfect. It's not nearly as goodas NBA Live 09. What saves this release is the fact that many of ushave our favorite college teams and we want to play as them. If youhad to choose one basketball game it would be NBA Live; however,college fanatics like me can't pass up playing as their alma mater.
