I bought the standard version of "College Football 25", so that meant that today was the day I have been waiting for for 11 years. Let’s discuss.

I'm not a video game guy. I have told everyone I know, including readers of this site and listeners of the podcast that very thing. Growing up I was the youngest of four, so I did not get to play our Nintendo very often. My friends, when I was younger, we all wanted to play the actual sport. We played video games here and there, but it always ended with us replaying the game in real life outdoors. So, the fact that I have been this amped for a video game to come out should speak volumes to how long this wait has felt for me. I have been watching all the people play the game online that ordered it early, and it only made me more excited. I got up this morning and had some things to take care of, so I downloaded it while I was out. I was hoping to get started on it before noon, but I had to wait until 1pm. Again, that was all well and good. I was thinking about the game, but I hadn't played it just yet. So, around 1pm I fired up the PlayStation and immediately turned the game on.

I played half an exhibition to get used to the controls and then it was on to Dynasty Mode. This is what I love most about this game. I get to control everything that Michigan does on and off the football field. So, I got that going, and it is ongoing as we speak, and I could not be happier.

This, for me, is the greatest video game that has ever been created. The gameplay is smooth and easy. It is akin to "Madden", but the playbooks are much larger and the game is much faster. You also get all the pomp and circumstance that comes with the college football atmosphere. From the fight songs to the crowd chants, it is all there. The uniforms look just like the teams. They have alternates for the teams that use those. The players' names are front and center. This is new, and it is rad. In older versions of this game they couldn't use players' names. The names were the position and the number, i.e. QB #16. Now, when I fired up my dynasty with Michigan, I saw names I knew, on both offense and defense. There was no HB #7, it read D.Edwards, for Donovan Edwards. My elite corner was not DB #2, it was W. Johnson, for Will Johnson. That, for me, is the coolest new aspect. They have the main college football announcers. We have Rece Davis, David Pollack and Jesse Palmer calling the games. They have teams' entrances down pat. Michigan comes out for every home game and they smack that banner. That is here in the game. When I played Washington earlier, they had their husky dog run on the field. I'm sure Clemson touches the rock and Oklahoma has their Schooner. 

This game truly feels like it has it all for all college football fans. The game play is smooth like I said, but also realistic. I know I keep mentioning Michigan, but that is the team I play with. And they have it spot on. Alex Orji is fast, but inaccurate. Will Johnson is elite and the computer barely throws his way. Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant eat up o lineman. Donovan Edwards is fast, but goes down easy. Jaishawn Barnham is a heavy hitter. It feels like I am controlling a real football game. I feel like a coach. I am up here in my home playing this game and motioning for first downs or telling the opposing team I held them on third and it is now fourth down. I'm a 41 year old father of two. That is crazy.

"NCAA Football 25" is everything I hoped it would be. This is the exact game I wanted and I couldn't be happier. It is back although it almost feels like it was never gone. I'm ecstatic. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go play some more. What an incredible game. Well done EA Sports. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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