As with Gamebreaker 2000, 989 Studios has proven time and time again that no one can capture the spirit of thousands of college fanatics rooting for their favourites. When it comes to the presentation of the whole game, it's unmatched by any other sports game. The menus are nicely streamlined and generally have a good 'feel' to them. It's something like a well worn shoe; you just feel comfortable with the front end of the game.

The gameplay on the other hand isn't so well worn. As with Gameday 2001, you need to master Total Control Passing before you have any chance of succeeding against any of the 115 NCAA teams or 64 All-Star teams represented in the game. Total Control Passing allows you to lead your receivers so that they'll have a better chance of catching your passes. For example, if you have a Wide Receiver on your left and you have him do an Out, you can press Left on the D-Pad (or Analog stick) so that you'll lead him more to the left, possibly evading any of the Secondary's attempts to intercept the ball, and believe me, intercept they will. At any small chance they have, the cornerbacks will take away your sureshot pass into the endzone and dash your hopes quicker than a sorority girl with an attitude.

The game also introduces a special move button which allows you to do all the great evasive actions (hurdle, spin, etc) all encompassed into one button. While beginning players might find this to be a great addition, I'd rather have total control over the way I want to get around my would be destroyers. There are times where you'd rather spin around rather than just hurdle over someone because of an opening you see upfield. Otherwise, I think it's a good feature that will undoubtably let newcomers have a chance with the veterans to the series.

The best thing about Gamebreaker is that it allows you to go into Career Mode and lead your favourite team to victory in any of the 20 Bowl games available in the game. The big time Bowl games are represented here, such as the Rose, Orange and Cotton Bowl, so you can be sure that there will be some major competition to ward off as you pave your way to the Bowl of your choice. While in Career Mode, you'll have some of your top players competing for player-specific awards, such as the highly touted Heisman Trophy. The game keeps an organized and easy to read record of your nominated players while you're playing out your season, so you can keep track of them compared to their competition. You (the coach) can also be up for some nominations as well. If you're able to guide your team to victory after victory, the offers will start rolling in from the Ivy league schools, wanting you to jump ship and abandon your current crop of players.

As with any sports game, the ability to play a season is the single most important feature, and can very well make or break a game. For Gamebreaker, it definitely gives it an advantage over it's competitors. With it's streamlined interface and it's virtual cornicopia of statistics, any football nut will feel right at home with Gamebreaker.

But these great additions are unfortunately hampered with medicore graphics and sound. While Gamebreaker's graphics aren't the worst I've seen on the PlayStation, but they pale in comparison to NCAA Football 2001. The bland colours and the jumpy framerate (created oddly by improvements in the motion capture department) keep this game from being visually great. On the audio side of things, while the commentary is outstanding, the rest of the clips 989 has used come off overused (it seems they used the exact same ones from previous Gamebreaker/Gameday game) and tired.

As a huge football fan in my own right, I believe Gamebreaker 2001 would be a great addition to any fan's collection. While the graphics and sound might not be the best I've ever seen, the gameplay is solid and easy enough for new fans to get into the mix without frustration or yelling expletives at their screen. And hell, any game that'll let me guide my Fighting Irish to a complete romp over those damn Gators has to be good.

Bottom Line: Pick this one up, but only if you are a true college football fanatic.

· · · Reno