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 Staff Roundtable #2 : next-gen, all hype ?
| Has next-gen lived up to the hype yet ? |
| The question of whether next gen consoles have delivered what we expected them to yet, is the topic of our latest roundtable discussion. |
| Discussion... |
Austinwolv :
So far, there has been only one installment of NCAA on next-gen to base comments on, and the answer would be a resounding "no".
Despite great-looking stadiums, the choppy online play, low framerate during gameplay, and the copied Madden body models do not inspire one to look at NCAA as leaping forwards as one would expect from next-gen. '08 body models appear to look more realistic in size and composition however, but the lack of presentation and atmosphere flair on the sidelines, pre-game, and halftime continue to underwhelm.
As far as gameplay, great strides have been made, but so many advances built upon from current-gen were not carried over to next-gen. Lack of trick plays, silly animations, lack of crisp control when playing as a defender, and collision detection bugs devalued the crispness of gameplay otherwise.
To be next-gen, a game has to leap forward like GRAW, Gears of War, and Rainbow6 had done. Features and gameplay, not to mention graphics, beg to be innovative at best and natural at worst. NCAA has not yet reached that hilltop, as looking a bit prettier with a bit tighter gameplay and more logical AI still does not make up for the other shortcomings mentioned above.
'08 might fix a lot of these things, but that remains to be seen if the series has truly gone next-gen.
Blotto :
Absolutely NO WAY!
When 'THAT' video of Strahan and McNabb came out it had people drooling. Did we get that? Not even close. I dont know, with Next Gen it seems like we are on a merry go round. They strip the first next gen version of the game back to the bare basics and then re-add features gradually over the years to get back to the level of what the current gen version was at.
I have two main gripes with next gen Madden and NCAA. My first is the netcode. C'mon EA, we're in the 21st century here. The netcode of NCAA 07 on the 360 was an absolute joke and whoever was responsilbe for it should be ashamed. There were people out there in the same state that couldnt get a smooth game going let alone 2 people in a different countries. The funny thing was if you go to the news feature in the EA lobbies it said 'Play people from around the globe'. Same deal with Madden. It wasnt as bad as NCAA but it was great either. It took EA 4 months to patch it to make it at least playable. Also when playing online those cut scenes of the stadiums and of your QB and Oline walking up to the line are all good and well but it slows the game down. Please give us an option of turning them off while playing an online game!
My second gripe is in NCAA. Where the hell has the OT mini game gone in the next gen version? That was possibly the best mini game I have ever played for online. Didnt have the time to play a full game but still wanted to get a quick bit of gametime in? The OT mini game was perfect. I was extremely disapointed to hear it wasnt making a comeback for the 08 version. I'd trade all the mini games they have right now for the OT mini game to make a return.
I know EA built these games from the ground up (Well kinda) so I can understand issues like graphical issues and small bugs here and there but I think having both next gen consoles on the market now (360 and PS3) will help this no end.
I will say however that this years versions EA seem to be taking the time to 'Polish' them up. Both games running at 60fps will be great if they can contain that framerate when there is lots going on the field, The recruiting section in NCAA from what I've seen is looking fantastic and in Madden it looks like they have really cleaned up the controls (lets be honest, they were a little clumsy esp on defence) and the return of Defensive Playmaker should keep those high powered offensives in check. I think the return of Defensive Playmaker will go a long way to balancing the game no end. It was propbably the more needed feature that needed to return for the game to get back to where it was on current gen.
From what I am seeing on both the Madden and NCAA front this year I am very excited. Bring on NCAA!!!!!!
Seminole Dynasty :
'm going to have to go with a no on this one. There have been a few nice graphic tweaks here and there, but nothing that makes you drool and think this is the future. I think the hype and then expectations were a little too high this early. We'll have to give them more time it looks like before we see what they can really do with these "next gen" machines.
Josemne :
As far as some of the sports titles, probably not. But I also wonder if that can partially be attributed to some of the exclusive license deals as much as it can be to the nex gen consoles themselfs. There is no doubt that the best baseball game in any console is no longer being made, there is no question that a lack of competition has caused NCAA and Madden to not make faster progression they would need to other wise. But I dont hear alot of people having issues with the basketball games, or the hockey games, or the boxing game out there, and while I havent played most of those, the fact they dont get the critism that baseball and football do to me points to the fact those are the only two that have some sort of exclusive lincese. SO I blame that more then the Next Gen console.
I think if you look at some of the other no sports games that have come out Gears of Wars, GRAW, Forza and I want to say that Next Gen has lived up to the hype, and has delivered alot of fun. I think the ability to download demos, movies, music, arcade game, throw back games, and a good online play for most games is another way in which Next Gen has delivered. |
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