I picked up NCAA 07 yesterday, and played about 4 games last night after getting home from work. Here are my thoughts, and keep in mind that I'm playing in 1080i:
- The presentation isn't really all that bad. Sure, it's not the best, but it will do. Improvements can be made with the dynasty layout, it's a bit daunting to figure out what options are available and where and when you can do them. The main menu is nice, however, and sports a tiered look (like Madden 06 if I remember correctly) which is excellent. Also, playing an exhibition game prompts you with all the options you'd want to change on one screen before playing the game, which is nice for quick adjustments (quarter length, weather, time of kickoff, etc.).
- Graphics are fantastic in 1080i. The stuttering is still present on some occassions, but not nearly as bad as the demo, and not nearly as often. Also, only once did I notice stuttering during running an actual play, every other time was duing stadium camera sweeps. I'll say once again that it's not even nearly as bad as the demo was, a non-factor if you ask me. Most people bitched about jagged edges in the demo, but playing at 1080i, I've not noticed anything of the sort.
- Player models look great, from skin to uniforms to the helmets (helmets look fantastic).
- Animations are some of the best I've ever seen. They blend a lot more seamlessly that in years past, although not quite perfect yet. They are quite varied as well, and in 4 games, I couldn't point out one animation that stuck in my head because I saw it way too many times. Receivers turn and look at the ball coming their way while running, quarterbacks throw realistically while in full stride, and player will tiptoe at the sidelines while trying to catch to stay in bounds. It's all here, and it's excellent.
- The control scheme is fantastic IMO. Everything seems very well laid out, although the one thing I don't like is how you set hot routes and motion. Too many buttons to press to get to the desired result, this sucks when you only have a 25 second play clock. And this brings up another quick point, you can't start to call audibles or do line shifts or anything (offense or defense) until all your guys are set. Sure, this might be a touch realistic, but it sucks when you don't have much time. Let me go ahead and start with any routes I want to change or let me change my defensive coverage before the QB is ready to take the ball from the center.
- So far, interceptions have been outrageous. In my first game, I played as Kentucky, and decided to play against a same-calibur Vanderbilt team. I had 6 interceptions. In the first half. Granted, all interceptions were poorly throw balls, and my guys were always there to make a realistic pick, but that's kinda rediculous. Subsequent games all saw atleast 3 picks by me. I'm sure I could adjust sliders, but I figured I would throw that out there.
- The momentum meter is completely wacked. Doesn't work like I think it should. At times, momentum is given in key situations like it should, but it never seems to be taken away when it should. For example, I was Kentucky, playing at Louisville in my first season game. I was up 24-10, about 4 minutes to go in the 4th. Louisville marches down the field, scores a TD, and they get 4 stars in their momentum, like they should. It's now 24-17, they are at home, and they have a chance to send this into OT if they stop me. I fumble the ball, they recover. Their momentum stays the same. A few plays later, I intercept it and return it for a TD, about 2 1/2 minutes to go. Their momentum stays the same, even though it's now 31-17. Their next series, I intercept it once again, and they only lose one star, still 3 stars left in their favor. I score again, about a minute left, now 38-17. On their next series, I intercept it once again (see my thoughts on interceptions), and their momentum stays at 3 stars. They have no timeouts, do not have the ball, and are down by 3 TD's with 45 seconds left, and they still have more than half of the momentum in their favor? Whatever.
Overall, I'm really enjoying this game. I didn't catch NCAA06 on the XBOX last year, so I don't really have anything to compare it to as far as what's not in there. I'd say it's worth the $60 to any football fan, but most likely if you fit that mold, you've already bought it.