College Hoops 2K7

"You always get what you pay for..."

Before I begin, just let me say that I have played College Hoops 2K5 for the PS2, as well as 2K6 for the XBOX 360. That way you can tell that I have some reference for what I expected from the game, as well as what was actually presented in this game. The main reason I purchased this game was because the two I just mentioned were very good games. I had high hopes for 2K7, and for $20, I figured I couldn't go wrong. However, with this title, you really are getting what you paid for.

-- Gameplay --

Okay, bad news first: The AI is terrible. It is either extremely cheap or incredibly stupid. While the core gameplay is the same as the last two years' games, the AI has taken a step back. First of all, there are way too many steals in this game, which severely limits fast break opportunities. In an average 20 minutes game (10 halves), with standard sliders on the highest difficulty level, you can expect more than 40 steals for both teams combined. And that's on the low end of the spectrum. Expect even more on a regular basis. You are virtually unable to pass the ball up ahead for a fast break, because the computer AI will jump the passing lanes on all passes over 15 feet (and a lot of 'em under 15 feet, too).

Adding to misery is the AI's lack of... er, well, artificial intelligence. In a close game, down by 3 points or less, the computer will run the clock out instead of shooting the ball. To make matters worse, you have to either play 30+ minute games or mess with the gameplay sliders. The computer doesn't shoot the ball with standard sliders. It will pass the ball around for 30 seconds before attempting a shot, unless you increase its shooting tendencies. This leads to very low scoring games, and requires to you tinker with sliders constantly for about an entire season until you can find something that feels closer to normal.

And finally, the AI is incredibly under-balanced. What I mean is, it is either running red hot or ice cold (usually ice cold, which makes the game too easy). When I play, I have to up the shooting sliders of the computer from 50 (standard) to 80 for the computer to shoot above 35%. Meanwhile, my team's sliders can remain at a normal level. You should never need to babysit the computer AI to make it on par with your level of play. That is what changing the difficulty level is for. After all, if I was much better at this game, there wouldn't be any additional options to increase the challenge. Not to mention that the beginning of the 2nd half dictates the entire game. The computer will either 1) make almost every shot and force a close game, or 2) completely fall apart, no matter how well it was playing in the first half, and you will blow out your opponents by 20 or more.

Now on to the good news: The general gameplay is solid, and the atmosphere is still really good. Even better than 2K5, the playing venues actually look like their real life counterparts (well, they're closer than they were anyway). 2K5 had every building look the same (like a high school gym) with different paint. Most places look much like they really should, although I have heard that some of the smaller schools have too many seats than they really should. Hey, I'm not gonna complain about that.

Actually playing the game feels okay, too. It is still difficult to do a lot of things in this game (cross-overs don't nearly as well as you would like, and there is no way to drive to the basket and come to an immediate stop to pull up for a jumper; you are required to throw up a lay-up of some sort), and the controls don't work as well as you would like (what happened to the ability to hold a button down that puts your player into a defensive position? It's gone, so you have almost no way to keep an opponent in front of you). That is more of a control issue, which isn't to say it isn't very good, it just doesn't allow you to play good defense or slashing offense.

-- Modes, Extras, Etc. --

The coaching mode works very well this year. Leading a small school up the ladder to greatness is fun, although recruiting players can be a real drag. Not that there is really anything wrong with it; it just isn't that fun. What IS fun is to finally land a good player to help out your tiny school. Sure, you can always play a legacy mode with a powerhouse, but you'll find that the game is easy enough as it is, and having a strong team only makes for a lot of meaningless games.

It is rather in depth, however, if you are really into micro-managing a team, large or small. It is where the meat of the game really lies, as the game is virtually identical to 2K6 for the PS2 (which I didn't play enough to actually list it as a game I use as a reference). Is it better than 2K5? I personally don't think so, but I haven't spent enough time with a tiny school like many players will. That is where a lot of the fun is to be had.

-- In Closing --

This game is just like 2K6, with updated rosters. If you own 2K6, keep your $20 and update the rosters yourself. If not, it is worth the $20. It really isn't worth a rental; you know what you are going to get in advance. The sliders can help out the shoddy AI, and the game lag is not very noticeable. Now, if you have a choice between this game and 2K6 for the XBOX 360, pick up the 360 version. It is much more polished and plays smoothly (as well as having intelligent computer AI).

This game, however, is still fun after several seasons. You can't be that kind of replay value for $20. Just remember that you're getting what your $20 paid for -- an average game that does just enough to satisfy your lust for college hoops.

Final Score: 6.6 (Rounded up to 7 for reviewing purposes).

Peace.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/04/07