If you're looking for a football game with smooth flow and realistic action, Sega Sports' NCAA College Football 2K3 will certainly fit the bill. The action here is evenly paced and straightforward--no flashy 10-foot leaps, no stiff arms that knock the defender into the rotunda--and the talent level is definitely collegiate.
A working knowledge of college playbooks can be very helpful as the sets here are often highly complex. The producers have added a slew of subtle but significant features to simulate the game's nuances as well: a quarterback's accuracy greatly improves when his feet are set; you can totally hide your play-calling by holding down the X button and scrolling through decoy plays; you can anticipate using a spin move on offense by hitting the O button before contact; and you can use the analog sticks (as opposed to the directional buttons) to run with the ball (and in maximum passing mode, you can add zip or a lob touch while also adjusting throws in the air).
The graphics--including players, stadiums, the ESPN-style presentation, and game intro--are all top-notch. With 117 Division I-A teams at your disposal, devoted players can play full seasons (complete with rankings and bowl selections) or, in legacy mode, multiple seasons, going so far as recruiting high schoolers and running spring drills. The major drawback here is the no-name announcing team, a flat-out terrible crew offering an endless stream of stupid jokes and poor analysis. But you'll have the sound off and the stereo spinning anyway. --Marc Greilsamer
Pros:
- Smooth, realistic game flow
- Top-notch graphics and visual presentation
- Attention to game action's nuances
Cons:
- Game announcers are silly and ill-informed
- Injury information is erratic
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