NCAA GameBreaker
PlayStation Review from the Net
NCAA Gamebreaker: by Sony
Rating: B (Recommended)
Price - $59.99
I've been playing Gamebreaker for the past two days, here are my
thoughts/comparisions with Madden.
**NCAA Gamebreaker is a far superior game than Madden**
1. Control is much tighter. (Madden's control is horrible, it's
like the players are skating on the field)
2. Better playbook. There's a wide variety of formations and
plays to choose from in Gamebreaker. (Madden's playbook is small and
repetitive)
3. Better Graphics. NCAA features some of the clearest football
graphics I've ever seen. Yes, the players are smaller than Gameday,
but the screen view is completely adjustable. (In Madden, you're stuck
with the predetermined views)
4. Full Commentary. The PA Announcer is a thing of beauty,
clearly announcing yards to go, what down it is, and the score. (The
commentary in Madden is so bad that they recycled the 3DO commentary)
5. Better stat tracking. The stats in NCAA are set up well. You
get a full assortment of stats which can be saved to a memory card. (In
Madden, the stats are set up so you can only view one stat catagory at
a time)
6. More teams. NCAA features 111 teams. (Madden features less, if
I'm not mistaken)
7. More stadiums. NCAA features 111 stadiums. (Madden features
30,if I'm not mistaken)
8. Sports Ticker. In NCAA, scores of other games are displayed
during play selection. (In Madden, you must pause the game and choose
the option, and even when you do, the games are either in the 2nd
quarter of 4th quarter, all played the same time, even the Monday Night
Game)
9. No stupid, lame, FMV. (In Madden, the player is treated to
grainy, lame FMV sequences that repeat over and over and over)
10. Halftime Show. In NCAA, you are treated to the marching band
playing some great music, and halftime stats. (In Madden, James Brown
says one sentence, "let's look at some stats," and then they show you
the stats, and Madden says, "uh hey, let's look at the halftime stats."
11. AI. In NCAA, Senior level is near impossible (for now), let
alone All American level. The AI is unmatched. (In Madden, the
computer is strong, but only due to the "tackling" advantage given to
the computer, the poor control, and the poor views, IMHO)
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There are things that bother me about Gamebreaker.
1. 10 and 15 minute quarter option. Since the computer picks his
(or her, LOL) plays so fast, the time doesn't move like it does in real
football. Thus, 10 and 15 minute quarters are useless, unless you
enjoying plays games that take forever and are 135-110 and having 1000
yards passing in a game. I mean, what fun is that? Why even include
options for 10 and 15 minute quarters? This problem has plagued EVERY
football game since Madden. I suggest that they put in an option to
speed up the game clock by twice as much, while leaving the playclock
as it is. Also, not to allow the player or computer pick a play until
the players come back to the huddle. This times time in real football,
not in video game football. By these two fixes, anywhere from 2 to 4
minutes would be taken off the game clock per drive, this enabling 15
minute quarters to become relevant.
2. Time of Possession for the computer. The computer is NEVER
close to a human player in time of possession, especially if you're
taking your time running the ball. It's unreal to see the stats and
time of possession is in your favor 14 minutes to 6 minutes for a 20
minute game. This problem could be fixed by delaying play calling
ability until the players get back to the huddle, and then have the
computer take it's time selecting a play. If you notice, the computer
selects his (or her, LOL) play in 2 to 3 seconds, thus leaving lots of
time left on the play clock.
3. No "exit game" option. Just like in Gameday, there is NO "exit
game" option. How hard is it to put in a menu selection to QUIT THE
GAME? However, just as in Gameday, you can go to the substitution
screen, pressing a button other than x, and then pressing the four top
buttons and the four regular buttons to exit a game. The game goes
kind of wack when you do this though, as the final score screen comes
up, and the score by quarters is something like 248 - 0. Really wack.
4. Field goals happen too fast. You don't have time to think, let
alone aim a field goal!!!
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Overall, Gamebreaker, while slightly flawed, is a much better
football game than Madden. (Madden gets a "C" from me) If Gameday '97
is anything near Gamebreaker, Madden is once again 2nd string.
Opinions and comments welcome. Now, I have to get some $$$ to buy
Tecmo Bowl, Andretti Racing, Die Hard Trilogy w/gun, and King Of
Fighters 95... ooh, wait, I preordered a Nintendo 64, too... BUMMER!
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