UCL 2006/2007...360 vs. PS2: Not what you're expecting

PlaySteiner831 · 15-08-2007, 08:08 AM

I recently picked up an Xbox 360 Elite and the 1st thing I did was pick up a copy of UCL because of how much I loved the game on the old PS2. Although the 360 version is obviously much more visually impressive than the PS2, I've been really frustrated with the gameplay. Initially I thought it was just the learning curve of the new game engine but I've been playing for 2 weeks now and still have the same complaints about the 360 version...

1) Unless you're controlling a defender they literally just stand there with a thumb in their lalalalala.
2.) Squaring up a defender is a hit or miss affair. Half the time the CPU dribbles effortlessly through 2-3 defenders before I either steal or foul them.
3.) There's no way to jockey for position on head balls
4.) Why do the goalies always run out on set pieces?
5.) Game...play...is...really...s.l.o.w
6.) Passing accuracy is nightmarish...CPU assist has them passing to the wrong guy 25% of the time but without it I'm kicking the ball out of bounds or to myself 25% of the time.
7.) What's with all the bumbling and stumbling when I take control of a player on defense?

There are more things but I don't want this to start sounding like a rant. I just want to play a good football game on the 360 and UCL 2006/2007 hasn't really been what I hoped for. The PS2 version, at least in my opinion, is the far superior and far more polished product when it comes to gameplay. Eye candy is nice but the gameplay itself is what gets you hooked on a game.

PCotgrave · 16-08-2007, 04:15 PM

First off it sounds like your used to playing the current gen type version of the game. I played religiously on PC, before switching over to the 360. It took me ages to work out how to shoot and score let alone play.

The game is more like a sim of the real thing now in my opinion.

Defending is improved in the area that they don't just run away, try pressing and holding the B button (red) and the second defender will help track and attempt to tackle to take the ball. With regards to the hit or miss afair, yep i'll agree, but i think this all depends on the skill level you have it set at, i started out on amateur and found that semi pro had me, i've played well into 200 games offline and still find that the AI can run past me. Online is a bit of a nightmare, as if your opponent is skilled, the use of the through ball will penetrate your defence everytime.

Fouling is what caught me out most, but its like an art, you just have to know when to hit the A button (green). If like the current gen you hold it, it'll take longer in my opinion to grab the ball, however what i have noticed is if you press the A button when you want to manually tackle, you have more chance of stealing it.

Also, for tackling, as long as your running alongside the opponent, you can take the ball away, as its like an automatic tackle, but very weak, with the A button tackle harder and the sliding tackle the hardest available.

Heading the ball is a real ball buster for me, i can't head the ball to save my life. I have constantly struggled to head it, on the attack i head the ball repeatedly into the ground. What i have found though is if your defending/attacker is in front of the marker, then you will get there and head it, however there is no jockeying like current gen what-so-ever. I am hoping they add this onto the Fifa 08 version as its well missed with the skill buttons.

Passing for me, is ok, i have found that if the player is too close to you when passing you'll struggle, but for everything else, its the amount of time you press the pass button for, determines the player it goes to. If gameplay is slow, speed it up in options. As i said earlier, it is more like a sim and the real thing for me, and to be honest is the best football game i've played including current gen fifa's.

I hope the little things i've found will help you improve. Hope to see ya online at some point.

PC

j wheazy · 16-08-2007, 08:21 PM

you need to keep playing the game. youre going from the current gen, which is a more arcade type game compared to the next gen version.

once you get used to it, the game is much better. the play is more realistic, the passing & shooting is better.

for defense, you need to use the 2nd defender alot. have him pressure the ball & then the player you control should be closing the passing lanes.

PlaySteiner831 · 07-09-2007, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been playing UCL religiously for the last 3 or 4 weeks to the point where I've been consistently winning at the "World Class" setting. Unfortunately I still think this latest incarnation of the FIFA series is terribly lacking in some critical areas - namely defense, fouling, defensive AI, goalkeeping, and passing accuracy. Like most gamers, I don't demand perfection but I need some sense of CONTROL. I feel like too much of what happens in this game comes down to simple dumb luck. Just my opinion. I'm downloading the new FIFA '08 PC demo right now and I'm looking forward to trying out the XBox 360 demo when it's released later this month. I haven't given up on the series but I'll either rent the game or try the demo before deciding to buy next time. Judging by the high number of used UCL copies at my local Gamestop, it sounds like I'm not the only one. Well at least they gave me $10 for it.

15-08-2007, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
PlaySteiner831 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14	UCL 2006/2007...360 vs. PS2: Not what you're expecting I recently picked up an Xbox 360 Elite and the 1st thing I did was pick up a copy of UCL because of how much I loved the game on the old PS2. Although the 360 version is obviously much more visually impressive than the PS2, I've been really frustrated with the gameplay. Initially I thought it was just the learning curve of the new game engine but I've been playing for 2 weeks now and still have the same complaints about the 360 version... 1) Unless you're controlling a defender they literally just stand there with a thumb in their lalalalala. 2.) Squaring up a defender is a hit or miss affair. Half the time the CPU dribbles effortlessly through 2-3 defenders before I either steal or foul them. 3.) There's no way to jockey for position on head balls 4.) Why do the goalies always run out on set pieces? 5.) Game...play...is...really...s.l.o.w 6.) Passing accuracy is nightmarish...CPU assist has them passing to the wrong guy 25% of the time but without it I'm kicking the ball out of bounds or to myself 25% of the time. 7.) What's with all the bumbling and stumbling when I take control of a player on defense? There are more things but I don't want this to start sounding like a rant. I just want to play a good football game on the 360 and UCL 2006/2007 hasn't really been what I hoped for. The PS2 version, at least in my opinion, is the far superior and far more polished product when it comes to gameplay. Eye candy is nice but the gameplay itself is what gets you hooked on a game.

16-08-2007, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
PCotgrave Rookie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wingate, Co.Durham Gender: Male Posts: 393	First off it sounds like your used to playing the current gen type version of the game. I played religiously on PC, before switching over to the 360. It took me ages to work out how to shoot and score let alone play. The game is more like a sim of the real thing now in my opinion. Defending is improved in the area that they don't just run away, try pressing and holding the B button (red) and the second defender will help track and attempt to tackle to take the ball. With regards to the hit or miss afair, yep i'll agree, but i think this all depends on the skill level you have it set at, i started out on amateur and found that semi pro had me, i've played well into 200 games offline and still find that the AI can run past me. Online is a bit of a nightmare, as if your opponent is skilled, the use of the through ball will penetrate your defence everytime. Fouling is what caught me out most, but its like an art, you just have to know when to hit the A button (green). If like the current gen you hold it, it'll take longer in my opinion to grab the ball, however what i have noticed is if you press the A button when you want to manually tackle, you have more chance of stealing it. Also, for tackling, as long as your running alongside the opponent, you can take the ball away, as its like an automatic tackle, but very weak, with the A button tackle harder and the sliding tackle the hardest available. Heading the ball is a real ball buster for me, i can't head the ball to save my life. I have constantly struggled to head it, on the attack i head the ball repeatedly into the ground. What i have found though is if your defending/attacker is in front of the marker, then you will get there and head it, however there is no jockeying like current gen what-so-ever. I am hoping they add this onto the Fifa 08 version as its well missed with the skill buttons. Passing for me, is ok, i have found that if the player is too close to you when passing you'll struggle, but for everything else, its the amount of time you press the pass button for, determines the player it goes to. If gameplay is slow, speed it up in options. As i said earlier, it is more like a sim and the real thing for me, and to be honest is the best football game i've played including current gen fifa's. I hope the little things i've found will help you improve. Hope to see ya online at some point. PC

16-08-2007, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
j wheazy Forum Guru Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,390	you need to keep playing the game. youre going from the current gen, which is a more arcade type game compared to the next gen version. once you get used to it, the game is much better. the play is more realistic, the passing & shooting is better. for defense, you need to use the 2nd defender alot. have him pressure the ball & then the player you control should be closing the passing lanes.

07-09-2007, 12:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
PlaySteiner831 Rookie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14	Thanks for the advice guys. I've been playing UCL religiously for the last 3 or 4 weeks to the point where I've been consistently winning at the "World Class" setting. Unfortunately I still think this latest incarnation of the FIFA series is terribly lacking in some critical areas - namely defense, fouling, defensive AI, goalkeeping, and passing accuracy. Like most gamers, I don't demand perfection but I need some sense of CONTROL. I feel like too much of what happens in this game comes down to simple dumb luck. Just my opinion. I'm downloading the new FIFA '08 PC demo right now and I'm looking forward to trying out the XBox 360 demo when it's released later this month. I haven't given up on the series but I'll either rent the game or try the demo before deciding to buy next time. Judging by the high number of used UCL copies at my local Gamestop, it sounds like I'm not the only one. Well at least they gave me $10 for it.