NCAA GameBreaker 2001
Score: 89% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: 989 Sports Developer: SCEA Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 2 (1 - 8 with Multitap) Genre: Sports
Graphics & Sound: NCAA GameBreaker 2001 has actually got some very impressive graphics. Everything on and off the field looks incredible. Okay, so a few of the linemen are a bit fat looking, but you will put this outta your mind when you see the players', coaches', and refs' mouths moving as they talk, yell and celebrate with great emotion. The mouths are pretty generic, but what comes out of the mouths is quite unique. The sound quality of NCAA GameBreaker 2001 is again, quite well done and will keep you in the game at all times. It would have been nice to have a two-person announce team, but the one-man job of Keith Jackson is very accurate with what's happening on the field. On the field, you will hear everything from bone-crunching hits to players trash-talking.
Gameplay: NCAA GameBreaker 2001 is a fair attempt at the first college football game on the PlayStation 2 console. Some of the controls seem a bit sluggish at times, but the overall 'feel' to the game really does separate GB 2001 from its NFL counterparts. Finally done right, the BEST play in football is back: the option!!! Thankfully 989 Sports has included an easy way to 'pitch' the ball. Whether you're actively controlling the quarterback or any other player with the ball, you always have the option to toss the ball back to a teammate in hopes of breaking that big one. Watch out though! Don't bump the button or you will toss it to nobody and cause a fumble! NCAA GameBreaker 2001 has got tons of options. You can choose from over 115 teams and stadiums, so you are sure to find your favorites. Also included is the ability to create and recruit players, design your own plays, and take your team to your favorite bowl games. Oh, did I mention you can run the option play? I thought so. Although I don't own NFL GameDay 2001, apparently if you do, you will be able to transfer your seniors and draft them to the NFL. How cool is that???!!! Along with the options listed above, NCAA GameBreaker 2001 also allows for multiple modes of play including Season, Tournament, Fantasy Game, and Coaching Career Modes. In the latter, you are the coach and must build up your team into a winning franchise. Do well, and you will be rewarded with better jobs. Fail and you get fired. Make sure you take advantage of 'Blue Chip' Recruiting! For the most part, NCAA GameBreaker 2001 is a solid title. Play calling is as good as can be expected and the overall control of the game is easy to use. However, it needs to be said that some things will have to be greatly improved for next season's release. What I'm talking about are two major things: Tackling and Computerized AI for Run Defense. Apparently it is a bit too easy to tackle the ball carrier and to outrun the defense on the ground.
Difficulty: NCAA GameBreaker 2001 has a wide variety of difficulty. Of course, you are able to customize your game to suit your needs best with varying difficulty levels, but you will also notice that some things within the game are much easier or more difficult than others are. For example, it seems as though no matter what direction your player is facing, pushing the tackle button will (literally) launch your man at the ball carrier, which is not very realistic. This is also a problem when defending a pass. It is very difficult to time your hit without being called for pass interference. And as fun as it is to run back punt returns, it seems to be way too easy (maybe 50-75% of the time) to do just by moving your player back and forth and using speed burst. The same is true for most outside runs on offense.
Game Mechanics: The controls of NCAA GameBreaker 2001 were made very easy to use, yet will allow for even greater control if you want to. For example, holding down the L2 button while running will allow you to spin, juke, or even dive over the pile at the goalline. Passing is easy with the familiar 3-click method (hike the ball, find receivers, pass the ball), but receiving may take some getting used to. Unlike other football titles, it seems as though GB 2001 gives you control of the receiver from the moment the ball leaves the hands of the quarterback. Because of this, you will have to be careful to keep the correct pattern or risk an incomplete pass. NCAA GameBreaker 2001 is the first and (so far) only collegiate football title on the PS2. If you're into college football, you may want to pick this one up.
-Woody, GameVortex Communications AKA Shane Wodele
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