NCAA Football 2002 review (PlayStation 2)

Teams have specific plays that they like to run. For example, Nebraska runs its predominantly option offense, while teams like BYU air it out using a sophisticated passing game. This advanced AI translates right down to the individual players, as they are equally as adept in the department of computer intelligence. For example, quarterbacks running the option will hold onto the ball if the option-man is covered, and aggressive linebackers will pursue with reckless abandon to snuff out the ball carrier. The game has excellent AI, extensive college-specific playbooks, and the deepest control scheme of any college football game before it, but such glowing positives in the gameplay department are held back just a bit by the generally sluggish controls.

Certain gameplay issues aside, as with its NFL counterpart, NCAA Football 2002 is oozing with a variety of features and gameplay options. Requisite gameplay modes such as season, dynasty, and practice are all in the game, but they're now jam-packed with stats, relevant information, and customization options. There are individual team stats for every player and cumulative team stats for all 117 I-A and 27 division I-AA squads in both the season and dynasty modes. The game's stats tracking are so complete that it even keeps track of second tier stats, such as the number of pancakes by offensive linemen and a team's turnover differential. And all of these stats can be viewed for all NCAA teams or by conference. Stats junkies can spend hours on end tracking team rankings and individual player's career numbers in this game. However, the deluge of information doesn't end there, NCAA Football 2002 keeps track of the top 25 coaches and writers polls, BCS rankings and bowl bids, and All-American and Heisman Trophy candidates, and it even names the best offensive and defensive player of the week. The amount of relevant information collected, stored, and presented in the game is truly staggering and unprecedented.

Aside from the extensive stats tracking, NCAA Football 2002 also features the Campus Challenge. Here you can redeem points collected by completing specific in-game challenges--such as completing a 40-plus yard pass or running for more than 100 yards in a game--to unlock such Easter eggs as a team full of mascots, old all-American teams, and 15 all-time classic teams. Similar to Madden's own challenge mode, the Campus Challenge adds significantly to the game's value, which is already quite robust.

The ample modes and features are complemented by a sleek presentation. TV-style graphics highlight key performers and relevant stats throughout the course of the game, while an intuitive interface makes browsing the seemingly endless layers of menu items a breeze. The game's music appropriately captures the pageantry of the college game. And situation-specific sound effects, such as the player's grunts and taunts, are played perfectly in unison with the in-game action.

In any given season schedule, there are both televised and nontelevised games. The announcing team of Brad Nessler, Lee Corso, and Kirk Herstreet calls all the local and nationally televised games with precision and a good deal of variety, but in the nontelevised games, the stadium's public address announcer provides limited commentary. This can seem disconcerting at first, since we're so used to announcers calling the game, but in the end, it falls into Electronic Arts' goal of creating an ultrarealistic college game, and it works out relatively well.

NCAA Football 2002 is saddled with the same gameplay kinks, such as the sluggish controls and money passing plays, as its NFL counterpart. However, these problems are easily offset, as the game has plenty of positives to offer. The season and dynasty modes are packed with a variety of features and options, the stats tracking is incredibly intensive and comprehensive, the graphics are ultrarefined and unsurpassed in the level of detail, and in general the game authentically captures the institution of college football. A lot of care has been imparted in the development of the game, and it clearly shows. NCAA Football 2002 takes another step in creating its own identity, separate from the Madden series, and is able to stand on its own merits. Whether you're a dorm rat, faithful alum, or just a college football fan in general, you need to experience NCAA Football 2002 on the PlayStation 2.