For the past four years, Electronic Arts have released a college football game for the Xbox, and each iteration surpasses the old game in multiple ways. While EA has had some competition in the past in terms of college football games, this year they have the exclusive NCAA license (although it was very unlikely that one of their competitors would release an NCAA game this year).
With each year comes changes, nothing drastic that completely changes the game, but they perfect what went wrong in the previous year’s version, as well as add some new features to the already outstanding franchise. Moreover, the games are more fun with the introduction of Ragnarok online private server making it easier for players to enjoy their favorite game.
This year, EA has tweaked a few things and added some very impressive features. There are quite a few changes, but nothing major. Some might think EA would release a lackluster product, seeing as there is no competition. Will NCAA Football 2006 take home the Heisman in terms of college football games, or will it come up short? Read on to find out.
Gameplay
As I said before, EA takes its time when completely revamping its franchises. Seeing as we are on the verge of the next generation of consoles, this would most definitely not be the year to revamp the game. The most obvious addition to NCAA Football 2006 is the Race for the Heisman game mode. The first time you play the game, youâll be forced to at least start the Heisman mode.
Basically, you choose a position you want to make your high school recruit, do some drills, and then you’ll see which schools have offered you a scholarship. If you don’t get a scholarship to the school of your choice, you can walk onto whichever team you’d like. So, you’re this player right out of high school looking to win the Heisman. Now, regardless of what position you choose for your player, you will always play as the quarterback. Say your guy is a wide receiver; you’ll most likely want to throw to him the most in order to have the best possible chance of winning the Heisman. You do get to customize your Heisman hopeful in a variety of ways: create a player name, body style, etc., and then customize him with equipment.
From the time you start your first game in the Heisman mode, it plays much like a season would…but with four seasons. The basic menu for all of this is the Dorm Room, where you can view your schedule, playbook, computer (view stats), a picture of your girlfriend, campus newsletter, closet (player stats), and your trophy crate, which gradually expands after each season.
Even though you are a freshman your team needs you, so you get to start. If you do well enough, you’ll get a bowl invitation where you can play out the final game before the off-season. Also, between the end of the regular season and bowl games, some awards are given out. At the end of both your freshman and sophomore seasons, you will immediately start preparing for the next season. The preseason rankings are released so you know where your team stands. Juniors and seniors have some decisions to make. Do you declare yourself eligible for the draft (and import your player to Madden 2006) or do you return for your senior season? Outgoing seniors can also choose to continue with college football but as a coach.
