Gameplay: The game play in this game is above average. The best addition in my opinoin is defenately the new back down buttin. By pressing r2 while dribbling the ball in the key you can back your defender down and perform a variaty of post moves. The touch shooting is also cool It allows you to control your shot very well but with some difficulty. The only flaws are when you try to drive to the basket. This game promised a more challanging defense, and they were not kidding. At times it is a bit too challanging. It is very hard to drive past your defender he just seems to mirror your every move. If you use a screen or ball fake you can achieve a successful drive to the basket. And with over 300 teams to choose from, nearlly everyone can play with their favorite school.
Graphics: The graphics in this game are very good but not perfect. I would really appriciate it if there were more than just a handfull of player models. Despite this the players still seem realistic and the bench and even the crowed seem to actually be alive. In previous games the bench, crowed and other backround figures seemed to be made of cardboard cut-outs. The courts are very realistic. Each individual court is very accurate with its real life version. It is amazing. The Cole field House in the game is almost identical to the real one that the Maryland Terrapins play on.
Sound: The sound is somewhat of a disapointment considering what I expected from the ps2. The crowed does chant and cheer and the band does play songs but they seem like the same ones over and over. "Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!" before every tipoff is very annoying but it doesn’t take away with the fun of the gameplay. It would be nice if the bands could play the fight songs of their schools more often. The commentary is the best that I have heared in b-ball game. It’s not perfect but it’s good. I also like having some well known commentators in the booth. It makes it feel more like a real game. The on- court sounds are probably the best acheivment on this game sound-wise. If you listen carefully you can hear the players callig out to their teamates to switch guys or watch for a screen. You can hear the shoes squeeking on the hardwood. You can heare the ball swish through the net or clank of the rim. It is prettey cool.
