Now Playing: NCAA Football 10

Levi Brown scoffs at double coverage


There's more to see and do than ever in this year's edition of EA's NCAA football game, but for the most part it's more of the same thing series veterans have been enjoying for years: Tight, fun on-field gameplay with all the bells and whistles of an ESPN broadcast from a Saturday game day at your favorite school.

Scouting and recruiting new high school players to build your program was once the most addictive part of the series, but it has been buried in layers of stats and micromanaging of late. Even the most hardcore stat lover will have trouble getting a lot of satisfaction out of it. Odds are that most people will just let the computer automate the whole thing, which means it may as well not even exist. Please streamline this next year, EA. I miss it.

On the upside, there are a wealth of types of gameplay with which to tinker.


In one, you create a high school senior at any position, play through the state high school playoffs, sign with a college, then try to make a name for yourself on campus as a player while also attending classes and taking tests. ESPN field reporter Erin Andrews gives updates on your progress, which are presented like a SportsCenter special report, and Kirk Herbstreit offers analysis. Their comments are surprisingly accurate, and it can be a kick to hear them talk about how you're fitting in at your favorite school. Still, you only play one position the entire time and have no control over play calling or any other aspect of the team, which can get pretty dull.

The dynasty mode lets you control everything - from recruiting to scheduling to depth charts - and it can now be played online with other real players competing with you for prospects.

There's a Season Showdown mode in which you earn points for your school in an online power struggle with other players; a wealth of minigames which offer the college football version of things like tug of war or bowling; a family mode that simplifies the controls so that anyone can jump in and play; and a lot more.


The meat and potatoes of the game, though, is still on the field, and that's where the series continues to shine brightest. Controls are more accessible and satisfying than ever, particularly for the running game and on defense.

There isn't really anything groundbreaking here, but it's an improvement for a series that was already one of the best sports games on the market.