There are few video games met with more anticipation than . Over a decade of yearning met its catharsis with the game’s release this week — which leaves the only burning question: Is it all worth it? Is EA Sports’ return to college football the game fans deserve, or have fears of a phoned-in, re-skinned version of been realized? It’s unfair to keep that answer a secret any longer, so let’s go ahead and say it. Not only is the love letter to the sport that fans have been waiting for, but it’s also one of the greatest football games ever released.
That statement comes with a weight of experiencing dating back to , through , and even the oft-forgotten series. Yes, this is the game you wanted — and yes, it’s spectacular. A premium on pageantry There are myriad differences between and , but on its most superficial level everything just feels different, more special, and more considered.
It’s clear that the development team behind the game is deeply aware of the importance of atmosphere and individuality, and every single team is just dripping in it. No two games feel the same when playing the home team. Each school’s pre-game traditions, fight songs, and in-stadium atmosphere have been recreated to such a level that there are times it doesn’t even feel like the same game.
There’s a chasm of difference between playing at home as a struggling, low-prestige team that has difficulty filling the stands — and fever-pitch Saturday night rivalry game in Ann Arbor.
