NCAA Football 2004

"A Step up from 2003"

I was really skeptical about getting this game, because of its lack of online features and well, I was boyctting EA for that decision. But I played this on PS2 and I jsut had to ge it for Xbox. Compared to 2003, NCAA 2004 runs over its predicessor in a frenzy of football.

Gameplay 10/10

Ok I have not found anything majorly wrong with the gameplay for me to give it a bad or les the perfect score. The plays in the game are extrodinary, and the way the game carriesitself out in gamewise is superb. There are a few minor glitches but they can be bypassed (ie a random football sitting on the field). The action sequences are great, the new tackles and player animations add wonders to the game. The penalties are real/deserving to the offender, unlike last year where the holding calls would pop up over and over again. The new endzone poses add a new element to the game, even allowing the player to get a penalty for overcelibrating. Also there is alot of added in game effects that add to the flavor of the game. When you fake a hand off to your back the camera will follow them, making me get faked out by my own play. Also it is much harder to throw over the middle of the field and throwing the long bomb does not result in big gains all the time like it did in 2003. Also there is the addition of delay routes that fake out the comp if used cautiously. But the comp will learn from its mistakes and fix its gameplan to fit yours. The ratings for all the players matter more then last year, low leveled QBs and RBs will fall under pressure, and low lvled LB will allow a WR to school him in his zone.


Graphics 9/10

I recently hooked up a PS2 and and xbox on side by side TVs (same type of TVs) and I was able to see the differences clearly. the graphics are much crisper and the attention to detail is more present in this Xbox game then any before. The uniforms look crisp and beautiful, the player faces are the run of the mill EA faces but more facial features seem to have been added. On the field the play runs smooth and it is almost as fun to watch a game as to play it.

Sounds 9/10

The chants during the game are perfect, cept more of a diversity for team specific chants would have been great, but not greatly needed. The sounds on the field almost make you beilive your actually on the field. The in game commentary is better then last year, but the only reason I cant give sounds a 10 is cause of Corso, I think he gets more annoying with age.

Extras 10/10

Dynasty mode has been beefed up with the addition of Sport Illistratuded covers, being able to try and try to persuade players that are prematurly leaving to stay with your team, getting a conference invite for your team if your doing well, and other teams sending you a coaching offer. The college Classics are great fun when your not totally into playing a full game, and they are challaging. The only problem with them is that there is no restart scenario mode so if you fail you have to quit and load back up from the start. Also various little things have been added, like being able to have up to 2 alternate jerseys for your creat a team, and the introduction of the player mullet and dreadlocks. The addition of the cannon firing after scoring, and cheerleaders/mascots reacting to your every play.

Overall NCAA is a must by, even if you have last years. The only thing that is keeping this from perfection is the lack of online play.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/31/03, Updated 07/31/03