As a die-hard college football fan who grew up tailgating at my alma mater’s home games, I was beyond excited to get my hands on College Football 25. The fact that I spent most of my time playing exhibition games says it all – this game is genuinely fun to play. And the presentation? It’s a notch above Madden, and I’ve been following both franchises for years.
The anticipation leading up to the launch of EA Sports College Football 25 has been unprecedented, with a palpable energy surrounding it that I don’t recall experiencing for a sports game in a long while.
It wasn’t surprising, given the game’s title brought back memories of the cherished NCAA Football series after an eleven-year hiatus. However, the number of players in the game when I started it up took me by surprise and left me in awe.
With this level of excitement comes a huge number of hopes. I had my doubts about the show coming back, worried that it would just be a Madden game with an NCAA makeover. The in-depth looks before its release helped boost my faith, but the decline of recent Madden titles remained a significant concern as my enthusiasm began to build.
I’m pleased to share that College Football 25 delivers on its promise. While it excels in many areas, there are moments where it stumbles, yet it successfully conveys the essence of college football.
The best football sim on the market
EA SportsStadium Pulse turns the crowd into the twelfth man.The heart of NCAA Football 25 lies in its thrilling core gameplay, which is marked by speed, agility, and intensity. In contrast, Madden focuses on realistic gameplay. NCAA Football 25, however, has a more arcade-like feel, harkening back to the exciting times of NCAA Football 06.
To begin with, the player animations in this game flow seamlessly. The pace of the game is noticeably quicker than Electronic Arts’ NFL football simulation, making that game seem slow in contrast.
Throwing the ball forty yards to a runner in top speed never fails to bring satisfaction. Likewise, charging towards the End Zone with defenders scrambling to keep up feels exciting and exhilarating. Quick maneuvers such as spin moves and jukes are executed effortlessly and feel incredibly responsive. The left-stick control for movement has significantly improved, leading me to choose running plays more often than not, even when it wasn’t the best option.
It’s challenging to defend in the game, as the developers deliberately restricted the ability to easily grab or tackle opponents. You’ll observe this when making your initial attempts at running tackles, as defenders don’t instantly move towards runners. Instead, you must master pursuit angles before making a successful tackle, adding a small learning curve to the defensive aspect of the game.
The lively gameplay is enhanced by a collection of new features named ‘Campus IQ.’ Notable among these features are Wear and Tear, an innovative damage system that mimics the effects of exhaustion and collisions on your player’s abilities. Depending on where your player gets hit, you’ll notice specific body parts deteriorating progressively over time. You have the option to push him further and risk a serious injury or take a break for recovery by calling a timeout.
The Stadium Pulse function is remarkable and makes me apprehensive about playing away games. When the Pulse meter turns red on the screen, it starts shaking and is met with deafening cheers from the surrounding crowd.
The unfavorable environment significantly affects the players, reducing their self-assurance and poise. Sadly, the playing field may appear as jumbled lines, complicating your quest for that crucial first down. Fortunately, this system is adaptive; thus, progressing in the game can lessen the noise level and eventually mute the crowd with a touchdown.
As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of College Football 25, I can confidently say that this game is not just a casual pastime for me, but a genuine source of enjoyment and escape from the realities of life. The recent additions to Campus IQ, along with other exciting features, have added depth and strategy to each moment in the game, making it even more immersive.
Presentation is a notch above Madden
EA SportsBevo makes it into College Football 25.In CFB25, you’ll experience the grandeur and excitement of college football at its finest. As soon as I stepped foot on Kyle Field, it became apparent that each venue was meticulously crafted with genuine affection.
In the opening 60 seconds, I noticed Reville in her magnificent form, running as fast as she could with a cadet clinging to her, as the crowd went wild. The noise from the spectators was deafening, overpowering the band’s music, and there was a group of cheerleaders energetically performing on the side lines.
As a passionate college football fan, I’ve noticed that the pre-game traditions aren’t just exclusive to Texas A&M. I’ve yet to explore all 134 FBS schools, but at Falcon Stadium and UCF, jets fly overhead, and rockets take off into the sky, adding to the excitement. The Red River Showdown and Iron Bowl, two heated rivalries, have their unique commentary that intensifies the atmosphere. Graphics displaying stats during games further enhance the broadcast-style experience for me as a fan.
The meticulous care given to every detail is reinforced by top-notch visual clarity. The lighting stood out, in particular, showcasing an authentic feel. Reflective surfaces, like helmets, captured the way light danced off them, realistically highlighting players’ sweat. The fields and their encircling stands appeared genuine when compared to their real-world counterparts.
Although I must admit that the player models did not meet my expectations in the same way. The more renowned players and the three featured covers are impressive with their detailed appearances and lively expressions. However, other players fall short, appearing flat with insufficient details and dull eyes.
Although there are some imperfections, the quality of the presentation is impressive and surpasses Madden NFL 24. The game lays a strong base for further improvements in upcoming versions.
Dynasty needed some more time in the oven
EA SportsThe abilities system provides a satisfying sense of progression.Among the four modes available in College Football 25 for gaming, I devoted the greatest amount of time to Dynasty, where I assumed the role of the head coach and managed my college football program.
The foundation of this approach remains unchanged. As the head coach or coordinator of a college football team, it’s your responsibility to assemble the ideal coaching team, design winning game strategies, and successfully recruit players.
When you begin your adventure, you’ll encounter a role-playing game (RPG) style character classification system, providing you with three distinct specializations to select from. Based on your preference, you can accumulate points towards that particular specialization and enhance your capabilities accordingly.
In simpler terms, this game system allows your character to develop organically as you progress, offering the flexibility to switch skills such as from Recruitment expert to Tactician. The skill tree is an exciting new feature in Dynasty that keeps the game engaging even after winning a championship.
Regarding the current hiring process, I find it pleasurable despite its occasional impracticality. To select the finest Jimmies and Joes for your initiative, begin by examining a pool of potential candidates. Subsequently, narrow down your options by placing the most promising ones on your Recruiting Board. Lastly, invest some of your precious time in thoroughly assessing these candidates.
Based on how fortunate your experience is, these prospects may develop into the exceptional five-star talents you imagine or turn out to be underachievers with overhyped skills. You have various options for engaging with these prospects, but keep in mind that other colleges are also interested. Bringing a highly-regarded recruit on board at a less prestigious college can feel incredibly rewarding.
As a gamer, I find it a bit unexpected when top-tier recruits with four-star ratings don’t get selected by any team in the game. It feels off, and the system seems to be missing something. In another strange incident, I encountered an issue regarding Dealbreakers. A highly-rated five-star recruit declined my offer due to his preference for less brand exposure than what I was proposing.
The issues I’ve encountered can be linked back to the flawed simulation engine, responsible for producing implausible outcomes. My experience includes witnessing a college team with a 6-6 record advancing to the playoffs and observing overtime periods filled with intense scoring bursts. Players in the online community have voiced concerns about more serious sim engine malfunctions than what I’ve experienced, making it a substantial concern for all involved.
Alongside Dynasty, CFB25 contains both Road to Glory and Ultimate Team, making it a comprehensive collection of the game’s major features. However, I found myself wishing for extra modes like the Heisman Challenge or Season Mode to cater to more casual gamers, providing them with additional choices.
Verdict – 4/5
Playing College Football 25 is like being completely absorbed in an exciting and pleasurable game that kept me glued to my controller for long hours. The meticulous representation of college football’s grandeur comes across as sincere and clearly demonstrates a deep-rooted passion for the sport on the gridiron.
The game does have some drawbacks, most notably a broken simulation engine and limited game mode options. However, it continues to be one of the top sports games I’ve experienced since FIFA 17.
As a seasoned College Football 25 (CFB25) player, I strongly recommend taking some time to explore the game’s best offensive and defensive settings. These settings can significantly impact your team’s performance on the virtual gridiron. By fine-tuning these aspects of your strategy, you’ll be able to outmaneuver opponents and boost your chances of winning.
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2024-07-22 18:37