NCAA Basketball 09
NCAA Basketball 09
Dipsy-doo dunkeroo slam-jam-bam, baby!
This year’s edition of NCAA Basketball (formerly March Madness) might feel like past versions for the gamer who is a casual fan of a good college hoops game. Lots of things have happened, added and changed over the last three years, especially with 2K being around and making their own college basketball game. Now that EA has the exclusive NCAA basketball license, it could possibly be the best thing to have happened to the franchise as they can know work and focus on making the franchise better. But, is it THE perfect college hoops game?
Here’s our review of NCAA Basketball 09.
Gameplay
What would a collegiate game be without that college feeling? Really boring, no doubt about it. Thankfully, NCAA Basketball 09 presentation level, just like past iterations of the franchise, remains great. Every Division I team is presented, their uniforms, courts, chants…everything is there to make you feel like you’re there. I was kind surprised that EA didn’t use their ESPN license for more than just live scoreboards. I felt the SportsCenter logo should have been shown during half-time or at least allow us to see the ESPN logo during replays; something that shows me I’m playing a broadcasted game would have helped my immersion in the game. Don’t worry though, the game’s presentation level will please you.
Alongside the presentation quality, new gameplay additions like tempo, in which you’ll be asked to choose the ideal behaviour of your team during a game (play half-court, fast-break or a mix of the two), coaching feedback from authentic NCAA coaches and genuine team playbooks are very welcomed as they bring the collegiate basketball feeling to another level of authenticity. To push the envelope even further, EA Canada decided to import play calling systems, pick and roll control and Quickstrike analog controls from NBA Live 09 and implements it here and as much as we welcome them, just like in Live 09, some of them don’t work very well. If the play-calling system, paired with the in-depth team playbooks, works pretty well in general, the pick and roll control is simply overpowered and works too well as you will be able to use it and exploit it to the maximum regardless of the position of the ball handler on the offensive zone or the team you play against. Meanwhile, the Quickstrike analog control didn’t received a tweak after its unsatisfying presence on NBA Live 09. Animations don’t seem to follow the gameplay and most of the time, players don’t perform the moves you would like them to do. And knowing that NCAA players don’t put up crazy moves like NBA players do, the Quickstrike control just feels unnecessary. NCAA Basketball 09 has troubles incorporating these additions but even then, it doesn’t overshadow the fact that some of the frustrating offensive and defensive mechanics addressed last year weren’t completely fixed this year. Post play is still deficient, the passing system is still difficult to manage; three point efficiency is still very high and having your team work in cohesion to defend the passing lanes remains hard and most of the time, frustrating.
You are not Melo.
Instead of having buggy additions, I would have wished innovative and far more interesting modes like Online Team Play or Be A Pro (or college dude). Unlike hockey, the game of basketball is the only sport where these features would be used perfectly for many reasons (cutting to the basket at the right moment can open the floor to your shooter, running the floor would increase the tempo, covering the passing lanes can shut down any offense…) as your basketball IQ would really be put to the test. We hope that this feature will be expanded on next year not only because NHL made it possible but mainly because we see this implementation as a great step into the basketball simulation genre.
Just like in the NCAA Football franchise, the most interesting mode in this game remains the Dynasty mode. Create your coach, choose your tempo, choose your team, recruit high school stars during the off-season, take part at different pre-season tournaments and make a run for the National title. Even if there isn’t an Online Dynasty mode, creating a powerhouse offline will keep you busy for quite some time; especially if you go for 30 years. But EA Canada should add it…if NCAA Football has it; NCAA basketball has to have it. I have to give kudos to EA Canada for bringing back my favourite ESPN Classic Tournament of Legends. Many college hoops fans will definitely be happy about it. Fab Five for the win!
Graphics & Sounds
Visually, NCAA Basketball 09 looks good and unlike NBA Live 09, it did improve over last years’ version. Even if crowd animations still look like cardboard cut people and player models/animations remain awkward, offbeat and lifeless during certain gameplay sequences, the game looks better than NCAA 08. Cool thing though is that I haven’t come across any texture ripping, framerate drops or collision bugs. Time-out cut-scenes and arena lighting were also well done. Even if the game isn’t as detailed as Live 09, the overall visual experience is good but we definitely have high hopes for next year, especially in a market where EA will be the only one to publish an NCAA basketball game.
Put the magic ball in the basket
The audio experience in NCAA Basketball 09 is very pleasing. If last years’ version made you feel like you were in the arena, you will be pleased to know that this year is no different. But what stands out the most this year is how fantastic the play-by-play commentary has become over the years, just like NBA Live 09. The broadcast-like commentary brought by Dick Vitale, Brad Nessler, and Erin Andrews is top notch as they bring more than just saying who does what on the floor. As for other audio features, the environmental sounds and crowd noise delivers and you will feel like you’re playing on an actual college court.
Value
Being the only NCAA basketball game on the market right now, it would be tough to say “buy another college basketball game”. Frankly, I used to be a fan of the College Hoops 2K series but for the past two years, I really enjoyed the way EA Canada handled their NCAA hoops franchise. Now that EA Canada is all alone, I’m very happy of the direction the franchise is going. Without hesitation, NCAA Basketball 09 is one cool college hoops game.
Conclusion
NCAA Basketball 09 captures the essence of collegiate basketball and will give college hoops fan something to smile about. Although the game misses on some points, it’s rather nice to see the franchise improve for the past two years instead of taking a few steps back like its big brother.
Verdict: Not the perfect NCAA basketball game yet but the franchise is sure going in the right direction. College hoop fans, you will remain hungry for more but you won’t be disappointed.
Pros
+ Tempo control is a nice addition
+ NCAA atmosphere present
+ Dynasty mode will keep you busy
+ Improved visuals
+ Commentator voice-overs are nicely done
Cons
- Pick and Roll system too effective
- Post play and passing still very deficient
- No online team play, dynasty or “Be a Pro” like mode
- Analog stick moves aren’t very responsive at times
- Didn’t EA have the ESPN license?
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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