NCAA 08 marked the first “real” attempt at improving the gameplay mechanics on the next generation systems, but it did nothing groundbreaking by any means. Sure, the graphics were improved, but the gameplay still felt like NCAA 06 on the PS2. In recent years, fans have begun calling EA lazy and not improving the game as much as they could. That can no longer be said with the release of NCAA 09. This year’s version improves upon everything 08 did in nearly every way and even features more game modes than ever before.

The most apparent change in NCAA 09 is by far the graphics and animations. The players are much more refined and realistic than in previous iterations and the fields they play on look as spectacular as they do. Snow no longer looks like a white sheet copy and pasted on top of the field and the rain no longer makes your player fumble the ball every other play. The player models do look phenomenal, but it appears some things did get overlooked when they were being redesigned. The crowd, while impressive at first, quickly loses their flare and looks more like soulless demons praising all that is holy – football. Are we in Ohio? I kid!

Before I start talking about anything else let me say something…the animations MAKE this game. While the gameplay has been improved none of it would be possible without the new animations system. Players now move and jump around before kick-offs, celebrate with other players and mascots after touchdowns, and just have a much more realistic nature about them. Most importantly, players can now go in and out of animations whenever you so choose. Get halfway through a spin move and decide a juke would be best? Go ahead! This may leave your back open to a big hit and a fumble, but to pull off that Heisman worthy play the risk is sometimes worth the rewards.

Surprisingly, the new animations allow for some pretty spectacular passing plays as well as running plays. Veteran quarterbacks will find themselves doing many things that, until this point, they had only dreamed of. With correct timing it is now very easy to toss the ball over the cornerback’s head and into the hands of your receiver for a touchdown on those goal line plays. Deep passes can now be accomplished, which were nearly impossible in NCAA 08, and I even pulled off a few Hail Mary’s in my time with the game.  One thing that did bother me about the new animations, however, was the reaction of the players not only on your bench, but your opponent’s bench. As you race toward the end zone on that game winning touchdown your bench will throw their hands up in the air, nearly simultaneously, in celebration. The odd thing about this is that the player’s on the opposite team will do this too. Who knows? Maybe sportsmanship is something that happens every day on the collegiate level…then again, maybe not.