Having been able to read the original review, I can say that there were a number of errors.
(Tip: Anyone in Publisher's Club can probably find the full written review if they use an RSS feed)
Based on the written review, you would think that the reviewer hasn't played a football game since around 2003. The controls in all EA football games has stayed the same since it introduced the right stick controls for juking (they were then modified about 5 years ago to include the "truck stick" by pushing up on the right stick and the Reggie Bush back juke by pressing down). I will say that the effectiveness of a normal juke has been reduced but it's because it more accurately reflects player momentum and ratings and you can't stop on a dime and make a defender miss by 2 yards unless you really set it up well. Of course, the spin move is overpowered but that's another issue entirely.
In the written review, the reviewer wrote the following: "The choice of plays is streamlined, with only three options for any given situation on both offense and defense." This is flat out wrong. Any play in the entire playbook is open to you at any time if you are playing a normal game. It's just a matter of changing the play selection menu from the coach's advice or whatever they're calling it this year to plays by formation or plays by type.
In Road to Glory, you are restricted in terms of playcalling. When you arrive on campus. you're given one play. No option to change it, flip at line of scrimmage, call a hot route or audible at the line. As you gain coach's trust, you gain these abilities. I'm doing my Road to Glory as a QB so I have these options but I'm not sure if other positions are allowed to change the plays.
The interface at the line of scrimmage can be clunky if you're not used to playing Madden or NCAA. If you've played these games in the past 5-10 years you'll be right at home. Hit square (or X), up on right stick for quick pass, down for run, right for deep pass, left for playaction pass. The face buttons all map to different plays. You can actually see what these are IN GAME if you press the right stick in - which is a useful tip for anyone with problems with the presnap adjustments in general because it will show you the presnap controls without having to go to the menu.
Pointing out that you have to have good timing and know you're receivers routes to have an effective passing game isn't a bad thing, as the reviewer seemed to indicate - it's something anyone who appreciates the sport will find to be an improvement. (Of course, the amount of dropped passes by computer controlled receivers, especially by your receivers in Road to Glory can be frustrating since the ball will often hit them in the helmet or they won't even put their hands up and it will go right past them.)
I watched the video review a few days after reading the written review and will say that the video review was much less offensive and painted a better picture of the game.
The conclusion for any review of NCAA Football 12 should basically be - if you've liked NCAA football in the past, you'll like it again this year. Don't expect any major improvements but you'll appreciate the enhancements. And beware of bugs because there are a number of them.
I was absolutely shocked when I saw that The Escapist retracted the review but I applaud it for having the integrity to admit its mistakes. While everyone is entitled to their opinion about a game, making mistakes about the content of the game or the control scheme such, as the purported inability to juke or use a stiff arm, means that the game was not given a fair evaluation.
