The pre-eminent college football game makes its return. “NCAA Football 12” has everything a rabid fan needs. There are tons of schools, a build-your-own-player mode, the ability to coach teams and more. There are so many options, it feels like trying to pick a major.
As with almost all EA Sports games, “NCAA Football 12” aims for realism. The big additions are team-specific entrances, new mascots and improved tackling mechanics. ESPN announcers Kirk Herbstreit and Brad Nessler are still in the booth, while Erin Andrews patrols the sidelines.
The two major game modes are Dynasty, acting as a coach, and Road to Glory, creating a player. Both have new features for this year.
| ‘NCAA Football 12’ |
| » Systems: Xbox 360, PS3 |
| » Price: $59.99 |
| » Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars |
Dynasty adds the ability to play as offensive or defensive coordinator, while Road to Glory now includes the entire senior year of high school before advancing to the collegiate level.
In Road to Glory, the easiest way to get a scholarship from a top-tier program is to play as a running back. It’s much easier to make big plays when not having to rely on the computer. The only drawback is that you have to rely on plays the coach calls — at least for a while — which in some cases don’t include your player. Passing is a bit of a challenge if you aren’t very familiar with timing the receivers’ routes. As in real life, it’s not a good idea to throw into traffic.
While there are tons of features that allow die-hard fans to customize the game, most casual gamers will stick to the out-of-the-box action.
Much of the online and in-game customization requires an extended amount of time, though it’s great EA offers the option.
“NCAA Football 12” is a great way to get pumped up for the season; just prepare for a few frustrations along the way. But isn’t that always the case with college football?
