Two months ago I reviewed the most
realistic basketball games ever to be developed, NBA 2K7. Visual Concept’s
focus on creating a genuinely immersive experience through NBA player likeness
and style and the environmental surroundings of loud crowds and detailed
stadiums made it a must-have title for any basketball fan. College Hoops 2K7
follows in step, delivering a similar experience on-court. Some of the major
features of NBA 2K7 couldn’t be included such as player rosters, but the
inclusion of a cheer-making system and player unity makes College Hoops 2K7
another solid experience.
The game features all the
well-known teams from all major conferences such as Duke and UCLA. In
addition, a ton of lesser-known teams are available to select. Some teams have
ridiculously low statistics (I have a better chance of marrying Eva Longoria
than some of these teams have at winning their conference championship) but
the fact that you can play as them is a great addition for college pride.
When I said earlier that College
Hoops “follows in step” with NBA 2K7, I really mean it’s the same game with
different teams. Isomotion is back, allowing gamers to pull off dribbling
maneuvers to get by a defender. Just as before, Isomotion makes it easier to
lose the ball while performing a move so use it with caution. Besides
utilizing the thumb stick, however, the Y and B buttons also control
dribbling. Shooting the ball is also identical to NBA 2K7, giving you the
option to control it through the right analog stick or X so you can perform
all sorts of lay-ups, dunks, and post ups. You must pull back the shot stick
and release it as the player does on-screen. Luckily, the difference in timing
the shot between players is nonexistent, making it easier to develop your own
free-throw technique. One problem I did notice was some passing precisions
problems. There were times when I saw a teammate completely open, but when I
passed to him he had already moved to a different spot on the court and the
ball would go out-of-bounds. Also, just like NBA 2K7, it is nearly impossible
to pull off a fast break. Overall, the controls are generally pretty good
despite some minor snags.
The problematic 2K Nav menu system
that plagued NBA 2K7 is also back and equally as confusing. You navigate using
the right thumb stick and the main team-selection menu is cluttered,
separating the teams into their respective conferences instead of one list
organized alphabetically by college name. Create-a-player and create-a-school
are also back with a pretty solid variety of attributes. Visual Concepts has
expanded on the customization options with the inclusion of a chant creator.
You can select when you want the chant to be heard during game-time, the
length of the track, and the kind of chant you want to be performed (whether
you want to include cheerleaders, mascots, or letter cards). Besides being
absolutely awesome to hear a chant you put together, it really adds to the
overall realism the developers are continuously striving for.
Another new feature is Team Unity,
an interesting gameplay option where teamwork, substitutions, and the vibe of
the home crowd affects the performance of the players. Whenever there is a
significant change in Team Unity, a meter filled with bars will appear
indicating how well your team is working together. When playing in simulation
mode as opposed to arcade mode, your team will show fatigue as the game
progresses. Substituting players for more refreshed ones will keep your
players in top-notch condition, but will negatively affect your Team Unity.
You really must weigh your options, requiring a level of coaching I have never
seen before.
Besides Quick Game, there are six
modes including Pontiac Tournament Mode, College Hoops Classic Mode (a pre-set
bracket tournament), Coach Mode (an interesting simulation where you sit on
the sidelines and call the plays to be performed), Rivalry Mode (a pre-set
list of rivals per team is included for your convenience), Practice Mode, and
Legacy mode. Legacy mode is an absolutely fantastic franchise mode that has
been improved with the inclusion of a new in-game show called “College Hoops
Tonight” that features basketball news, player highlights, and quirky analysis
from Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg. The online component is also great with
weekly tournaments and leagues as well as the standard quick-match and
opti-match, which runs near flawlessly.
The NCAA has strict rules that
companies cannot make money off student-athlete likeness. For that reason,
College Hoops does not offer a genuine player roster. Luckily, you can create
it yourself (although it doesn’t really add to the realism). What Visual
Concepts has been promoting coach likeness, touting names like North
Carolina’s Roy Williams and Memphis’s John Calipari. Unfortunately, the
character model details are unimpressive and are only useful during the
five-second locker room cutscenes. The strongest part of the game’s graphics
is its attention to detail of the campus courts and crowds. I’ve visited
several college basketball arenas and the in-game representations are nearly
spot-on. The crowds’ excitement and college pride feels just like you are
sitting in the stands of your favorite team. The player animation is also just
as smooth and realistic as NBA 2K7. The sound is also incredibly exhilarating
to hear considering the vibe of the crowd, the customizable create-a-chant,
and good commentary.
In all, College Hoops 2K7 is a
very realistic basketball title. The game is very similar to its NBA
counterpart with the inclusion of Isomotion, the menu system, and the shot
stick. But considering NBA 2K7 is the greatest next-generation basketball
title available, that’s not a bad thing. Creating your own chant, Team Unity,
and “College Hoops Tonight are all fun additions to the game’s franchise. If
you’re itching for a little NCAA Basketball action, look no further than
College Hoops 2K7.
|
|
Gameplay: 8.6
I
enjoyed NBA 2K7’s gameplay mechanics. But the new gameplay additions such as
create-a-chant and Team Unity make me love College Hoops even more! There are
a few gameplay problems that haven’t been fixed, such as pass precision and
the awkward menu system.
Graphics: 8.3
The
coach models need a lot of work, but the college courts are in detail and the
crowds are wild.
Sound: 9.0
Realistic audience sound effects boasting customizable
chants and good commentary make College Hoops sound very realistic.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Concept: 8.5
It’s College Basketball baby, show your colors!
Multiplayer: 9.2
College Hoops does basketball gaming right on Xbox
Live with tournaments, leagues, and lag-free gameplay.
Overall: 8.6
Unlike
some developers, Visual Concepts continuously improves upon its tried-and-true
2K Sports game formula. I really enjoyed the create-a-chant option and Team
Unity adds to the simulation experience by measuring how the team works
together. It has the most solid gameplay system I
have ever experienced in a basketball game and a lot of fun!
