NCAA Football 11
The NCAA Football series has come a long way since its start as Bill Walsh College Football in 1993, and NCAA Football 11 looks to be no exception. This year’s game looks to add a slew of new features, visual elements and gameplay tweaks to the mix.
On the gameplay side, NCAA Football 11 introduces gang tackles, formation substitutions, Real Assignment AI, a new blocking system and the new momentum-based locomotion engine. The locomotion system places new importance on a player’s acceleration rating, allowing gamers to take advantage of quick bursts and momentum, instead of relying solely on a player’s overall speed rating.
In an interview with Jon Robinson of ESPN Video Games, Ryan Burnsides, lead gameplay designer of NCAA Football 11, explains how locomotion adds depth to the running game.
“Runners will put their hand on the back of a blocker in front of them, he can swipe at a defender trying to tackle him, and the whole time he’s doing this, you’re in complete control,” Burnsides said. “We call this locomotion, but it’s really running, cutting, turning, anything that’s not a block, tackle, pass or catch. You not only have more control over each player now, it just looks better.”
In addition to locomotion affecting the running game itself, gamers will also notice a change in the visual dynamics of players running the field or bursting through gaps in the line.
“Last year’s game was really twitchy and people ran upright the whole time, so on long running plays, everything just looked real robotic. It just didn’t look like a person running naturally,” Burnsides said. “Now, you can lean forward into turns and lean forward when accelerating.”
Before players take the field, they’ll notice some graphical changes including team-specific entrances, helmet numbers for teams such as Alabama and ESPN style presentation and commentary featuring Brad Nessler and Kirk Herbstreit, with Erin Andrews providing injury reports and updates from the sidelines.
On the field, referees will line-up with players before the ball is snapped and continue to monitor the play, dodging the on-field mayhem until the whistle blows. New team mascots and improved equipment such as more variation in helmets, towels, hand warmers, sleeves and knee braces, also made their way into NCAA Football 11.
The game has also returned to using one athlete on the cover, breaking the trend it set two installments ago. Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow will grace the cover of NCAA Football 11 as it hits shelves on Tuesday, July 13.
Those still up in the air about purchasing this year’s installment can check out the demo on the Xbox Live Marketplace and Playstation Store. The demo includes eight different teams to play as, with their alternate uniforms for use in the full game as well.
NCAA Football 11 makes its debut this week.
Disciples III: Renaissance
Disciples III: Renaissance puts players in the role as one of the lords of Nevendaar. This turn-based game contains three playable races, The Empire, The Legions of the Damned, and the Elven Alliance, each with their own unique Unit styles and city design.
Disciples III is quite different from its two previous installments. In addition to Units being able to move around the battlefield, they can also make use of terrain for fortifications.
The player’s hero will be highly customizable, including abilities as well as weapons, armor and artifacts to be modified. Players will also be glad to hear that the equipment changes made will be noticeable on the actual character model.
Disciples III: Renaissance is out now.