About College Football 25
About a week before College Football 25’s play-early-if-you-give-EA-more-money release, a friend’s wedding in Texas had me overhearing someone with plans to buy a brand new console just to play this game. Anticipation was high for the long-awaited return of an NCAA video game, reaching system-selling levels of appeal. Reflecting on the excitement of potential buyers, my own experience as a longtime Madden player with College Football 25 has been a mixed bag. While the on-field action and visuals are impressive, the lackluster modes, subpar UI, absence of tutorials, and various design flaws have dampened the overall enjoyment of the game so far.
The Good Stuff
Let’s start with the positives: College Football 25’s presentation surpasses EA Orlando’s previous work on Madden. The attention to detail is evident with sweat on individual players, exceptional lighting, and vibrant visuals. The game captures the pageantry and tradition unique to college football, adding to its appeal. The emphasis on presentation sets a high standard that should hopefully influence future Madden titles.
The gameplay feels faster and more fluid, with plays unfolding swiftly and players moving nimbly. The visual details, from selecting your favorite team to the loading screens, exude personality. The absence of menu lag is a welcome improvement, enhancing the overall user experience.
Mode Review
While the presentation shines, the game modes in College Football 25 are somewhat lacking. The standard Play Now feature offers quick games, while Road to Glory and Dynasty provide more immersive experiences. The College Ultimate Team mode mirrors Madden’s Ultimate Team, offering a familiar yet monetarily driven gameplay experience. Despite some shortcomings in modes, the game’s potential is hindered by server issues affecting Dynasty mode access.
In Road to Glory, the absence of high school games and limited play call options hinder the gameplay experience. Resource management elements add depth, but the focus on menu navigation detracts from the on-field action. The lack of audibles and variety in play choices limit player agency, impacting the overall enjoyment of the mode.
Ultimate Team Disappointment
College Ultimate Team disappoints with tedious challenges and tutorial content locked behind paywalls. The absence of a comprehensive tutorial system, like Madden’s Skills Trainer, restricts player development. The design choices, aimed at driving player engagement and monetization, detract from the overall gameplay experience.
User Interface Woes
While visually appealing, College Football 25 suffers from a lackluster UI design. Critical gameplay elements, like play arts and player abilities, are poorly displayed. Gameplay mechanics, such as no-huddle offenses and mini-games, are hindered by cumbersome scoring systems and limited replay options. The game’s rushed development is evident in outdated logos and inaccurate player likenesses, detracting from the overall immersion.
Final Thoughts
As I delve further into College Football 25, the mix of impressive visuals and flawed gameplay mechanics leaves me conflicted. While the on-field game is enjoyable, the surrounding elements contribute to a frustrating experience. The incomplete UI design, lackluster modes, and server issues hinder the game’s potential. Perhaps with time and adjustments, the game may reach its full potential. For now, College Football 25 feels like a promising player thrust into the spotlight prematurely, struggling to meet high expectations. There’s hope for improvement, but the current state falls short of what Madden fans and newcomers alike deserve.