Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Tiburon
Genre: Sports
Release date: Available now

Football season for the NCAA is almost here again. The heated rivalries, the body paint and those adorable mascots are all coming home. With all the fervent school pride and love of the game shown by the fans, it would be no small wonder if they got their fill simply by watching it. But EA Sports helps to scratch the football itch with NCAA Football 10, in which fans can live out their passion and guide their favorite teams to victory.

They’ll be doing this quite literally with the new Season Showdown. In this mode you choose your favorite team, follow the real-life squad during the season and face the exact opponents that they do. All the while, you earn points in your games. Points can be accumulated by sportsmanlike conduct, performing moves such as sacking a QB, or winning the game, either online or off. Currently points show up on the leaderboards only. When the season actually begins, these points bump up your school’s status in pursuit of the much sought-after #1 ranking. After the season ends, the plethora of other modes should easily sate your football appetite. Dynasty mode makes you the coach, allowing you to recruit new athletes, play certain teams and customize your playbook, all in an effort to take control of the game on your terms. The Road to Glory mode (formerly Campus Legend) has you strap on the pads and work your way from high school all the way up to the college level.

NCAA 10 also includes some nice bonus features to keep the replayability high. Teambuilder allows you to go online and make your own team for others to download, or for you to enjoy yourself. You can fiddle with things such as your team’s colors and your school’s prestige level; you can even create your very own mascot. Finding a game online is a breeze, thanks to an easy interface. You can sit it out in the lobby and wait for an opponent who matches your skill level, or you can go into quickplay, which throws you into a game right away.

Football fanatics can’t really go wrong with NCAA 10. The AI is challenging and keeps you on your toes. If you press your luck and always pass it deep, you’ll find that the ball will get picked off. This encourages you to use a variety of plays and to leave the Hail Marys for when you feel lucky. For newcomers who are worried about how complicated sports games have become, EA has added a Family mode, which makes NCAA 10 a two-button affair. This simplifies both offense and defense and works well enough to still be fun. The AI is toned down a bit as well, so practically anyone, even those who have never played a football game, can win.

Despite the fun the game can be, there are some disappointments. The commentary by the announcers feels hollow and only shows hints of emotion. The most outstanding, unbelievable plays never impress these guys. The visuals could also use some work, as they are pretty rough around the edges. Family mode is appreciated, but the inclusion of a tutorial would have been a nice addition for the freshmen.

Although the game isn’t necessarily for beginners, a newcomer can pick it up and learn the ropes quickly. “Ask Corso,” featuring an announcer who provides advice while you play, and Family mode are great for the neophyte. For the fan, there are plenty of new modes and bonus features to keep you busy. Although not a major leap for the series, NCAA Football 10 has enough new features to keep anyone entertained. At least until the new Madden hits the shelves.

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