Backbreaker Preview - Natural Motion based football title

[GTHobbes]

Rod, LT doesn't have anything to do with lob throws (other than putting your QB in "focus" mode and increasing his accuracy). To throw a lob pass, pull back on the right stick and then quickly push up. It's a timing thing so it may take ya a few tries to get it down pat. Also, remember that holding the right stick up/down/left/right after throwing the ball will lead your receiver in that direction, so let go of the stick if you don't want to do that.

Lastly, since I saw JRod mention the drops again, don't forget to "catch" the ball (this is something the patch changed/added). You shouldn't have any problem with drops if you do that.

[wco81]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7A8Z8L_O1o

[Rodster]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7A8Z8L_O1o

Next time please put up a warning.

"Yo yo yo, wat up dog, om here to speak the troof about backbreaker.

[JRod]

The sad part about the game is that they are really close. Even the stats in RtBB look pretty good. If only the in-game stats could replicate the season stats the game would be close to excellent.

They need to fix the running game. I'm getting better but the CPU is pretty inept.

[GTHobbes]

The sad part about the game is that they are really close.

That's what confused me about Scoop's post. I get that people might not like the game -- different strokes, especially when there's another product on the market that has done it another way for 20+ years. But there's so much right about this game purely from a football perspective -- realistic ball physics, i.e., the ball bounces realistically when it hits the ground or a player, ballcarriers stretching the ball over the first down marker and goal line, counter and stretch plays that work, things I've never seen in a football game before, not even in 2k. Anyways, it's just nice to come out of the 5 year doldrums and have a great playing football game again. Sounds like Madden fans are happy with that game this year, too, so all's good.

[Rodster]

I'm enjoying this game as well especially now that I have all 32 NFL teams.

[Slumberland]

Bill Harris loves the patch. I can't say he's ever really steered me wrong.

Do the NFL rosters people have assembled play nice with the patch? Like, did they try and do any attribute edits to try and fix in-game problems that no longer apply.

[GTHobbes]

Bill Harris loves the patch. I can't say he's ever really steered me wrong.

Here's what Bill Harris had to say, specifically:

"The Backbreaker patch isn't good.

It's great.

Remember how we all wanted to like this game, and then it actually came out and we played it and said "Oh crap, this game has cancer"? And remember how 505 Games said they were working on a patch, and then they came out with a patch list that basically shat rainbows, and we all said there was no way they could pull it off?

Well, they pulled it off.

This may be the most dramatic improvement I've ever seen in a game via patch. All the possibilities that Backbreaker represented, all the unique qualities that were designed to capture the intensity of being on the field--they nailed it.

When this game was originally released, the average Metacritic score was 54. I wrote this:
"This game is a 90 that was released in 65 condition."

I also listed these problems with the game:
--the CPU A.I. was utterly incompetent on offense, both passing and running.
--sacks and interceptions were far too high.
--incorrect rules interpretations.
--no accelerated clock.

There was actually quite a bit more than that, but by then I felt like I was piling on.

So what is the game like post-patch?
--the CPU offense is entirely competent
--sacks and interceptions are within normal range.
--rules errors have been corrected.

There's still no accelerated clock. Hey, so Santa only left a dozen presents. I can deal with that.

The CPU A.I. is occasionally a bit baffling in the last two minutes (particularly regarding the use of defensive timeouts), and sometimes the safeties are too passive on pass plays, but otherwise, the gameplay is entirely stellar. It's a 90 game in 90 condition now.

Let me be clear about this. It's not just that the broken parts of the game have been fixed. It's that this game absolutely soars, in a way that I don't remember seeing since ESPN NFL2K5.

Yes, I thought Madden was a better game last year, but I still remember how blown away I was the first time I saw NFL2K5 in 480P on the Xbox. It was incredibly vibrant and totally breathtaking.

In 2010, so it is with Backbreaker.

How much fun have I been having? I stopped trying to score an early copy of Madden. I'm still doing a slider project, but it just didn't seem nearly as important after a few hours of playing Backbreaker post-patch.

This game is obviously competing in the same demographic space as Madden, but it's important to understand that it offers an entirely different experience, because the camera is so close that it offers a significantly more authentic experience than the "God cam" of other football games. In Backbreaker, even with the slightly elevated passing camera post-patch, you learn to read receivers as they pass in-between other players. You learn to study the defense with extreme scrutiny pre-snap, because you can't see everyone post-snap--players will be blocked by other players, and you can't see the whole field in one glance. On defense, you learn to identify and remember how many receivers are on each side of the field, and on what side the tight end is lining up. You can get away with not doing that particularly well in Madden, because with one glance during the play, you can see everything.

In Backbreaker, you can't really get away with anything. Not anymore, anyway.

It's really impossible for me to describe how dynamic the action feels. The animation is just so convincing, and seems so unscripted, that it feels almost entirely real. In one play last night, I played as a middle linebacker, then fought through three players for an eventual quarterback sack. It was a coverage sack, really, but it was a huge rush to watch the replay and see my player fighting through those blockers in an extremely realistic manner.

It's also a huge rush to see receivers stretching the ball out on their way to the ground in an attempt to get a first down. There are so many little moments like this, and they all combine to create a terrifically immersive experience.

This is also the first game I've ever seen that truly captures the brutality of professional football without turning it into a cartoon. Hits in this game will make you wince because they look so real.

There are many examples of how Backbreaker makes you experience football in a different way, but here's one excellent example. It's always said that on offense, the left tackle may be the most important player on the field, because he protects the quarterback's blindside.

In Madden or NCAA, that doesn't mean anything, because there IS no blindside. There's no camera where you can't see trouble coming.

In Backbreaker, there damn sure is a blindside, and you better watch out. A button was added in the patch that lets you glance to the side away from your primary receiver, but believe me, it can only help so much.

The defense means to harm you.

This is why, as I played in Road To Backbreaker Mode, that when I accumulated enough credits to buy a free agent, I didn't look at a better quarterback or a skill position player.

I looked, first, at left tackle.

Now, if you want to play the game, listen to this next section carefully. First, you need to do the tutorials. Don't even think about skipping them--the controls are extremely intuitive, but practice is definitely needed. On defense, it will take time for you to feel comfortable swinging the camera with the right stick when the ball goes past you. I'm doing it quite easily now, though, and you will be as well. On offense, it will take time to be comfortable switching receivers during a play. Again, though, that will come with a little practice, and it is a far more satisfying feeling to complete passes in this challenging environment.

In short, a sensational effort."

[Rodster]

Do the NFL rosters people have assembled play nice with the patch?

No problems with the NFL rosters and patch but you have to use the latest V10.

[ScoopBrady]

The sad part about the game is that they are really close.

That's what confused me about Scoop's post. I get that people might not like the game -- different strokes, especially when there's another product on the market that has done it another way for 20+ years. But there's so much right about this game purely from a football perspective -- realistic ball physics, i.e., the ball bounces realistically when it hits the ground or a player, ballcarriers stretching the ball over the first down marker and goal line, counter and stretch plays that work, things I've never seen in a football game before, not even in 2k. Anyways, it's just nice to come out of the 5 year doldrums and have a great playing football game again. Sounds like Madden fans are happy with that game this year, too, so all's good.

But there's also so much wrong about this game purely from a football perspective as well GT.

Ball carriers do not go down as easy as they do a lot of the time in Backbreaker.

Bodies do not go completely lifeless like they do a lot of the time in Backbreaker.

Ball carriers do not physically juke so drastically in real life as they do in Backbreaker.

You rarely see one defensive player dive and miss a ball carrier completely yet in Backbreaker it happens on nearly every play thanks to the previously mentioned unrealistic jukes.

Punts in the endzone have to be downed in Backbreaker.

The cpu does not know how to manage the clock no matter if they have a lead or are down.

The cpu quarterback routinely throws fumbles (passes behind the line of scrimmage) to the tune of 2-3 per game. I think you might get 2-3 in a whole season with all qb's combined.

Special teams coverage must be the hardest thing in the world to program because EA can't do it and you can add 505 to that list as well.

Something does not seem quite right to me with player speed, particularly with running backs getting to the outside or in the open field.

So while I am quite impressed with ball carriers stretching for that extra yard and the numerous cool tackling sequences where bodies don't go completely limp or get flipped in unrealistic directions and the fresh new approach to videogame football, I can't help but be taken right back to reality when I encounter the numerous things I mentioned. I'm sorry, I am not willing to overlook those things just because it is an upstart franchise. This franchise is years away from being something special IMO. I do sincerely hope they have the years to do it but I'm afraid poor sales for another version will all but kill the franchise.

[Danimal]

I have to agree with Scoop, my 3rd play post patch the CPU threw the ball to a RB behind the line (in the end zone and he ran out of the end zone for a safety.

But as GT said different strokes, it will be interesting to see if they do another version of this game. To call the games sales poor would be a huge understatement.

[Rodster]

I think we'll see a Backbreaker 2 and who knows what the NFL licensing issue will be like in 2012 which would be about the right time to release a sequel.

[GTHobbes]

I have to agree with Scoop, my 3rd play post patch the CPU threw the ball to a RB behind the line (in the end zone and he ran out of the end zone for a safety.

That sounds almost as bad as a QB who fakes the hand-off to the RB and runs back 60 yards for a safety.

Sorry, Dan..I just couldn't resist.

It's weird that you and Scoop have seen these things...but I'd complain about 'em too if I saw them.

[Danimal]

I'm not sure if you implying I am making stuff up or not. I would never go out of my way to complain about a game just for the sake of doing so.

I wish liked this game better, I really do because I love the dynamics of the engine but I'm tired of trying to force myself to like games (2 repurchases of Assassins Creed 2 taught me that)

[GTHobbes]

Sorry, Dan...I didn't mean to imply you were making things up. I don't doubt for a minute that you saw what you saw. But I know you're a big football fan, and if you can over look a few things (whatever they may be for you), there's a damn fine football game there.

[JRod]

I have to agree with Scoop, my 3rd play post patch the CPU threw the ball to a RB behind the line (in the end zone and he ran out of the end zone for a safety.

That sounds almost as bad as a QB who fakes the hand-off to the RB and runs back 60 yards for a safety.

Sorry, Dan..I just couldn't resist.

It's weird that you and Scoop have seen these things...but I'd complain about 'em too if I saw them.

I don't get how one play makes a game bad. I guess if it happened every time the CPU was taking it out of their endzone. And how much time passed before Madden's player learned there was a sideline, it wasn't until Madden 10 where they really worked on that.

Scoop says it's stupid but there isn't as much "stupidity" as much refinements are needed. f*** people expect this to be as refined as a 20 year old title. That's not going to happen. Complaining about the realistic of jukes...come on if we are going to nitpick let's go to Madden and see how realistic their jukes look.

BB is probably another patch away from making this year's game really good. I don't know if we'll see that much needed 2nd patch.

I think on the whole there's more potential here than with Madden. There are things in a game that are head scratchers but there are also things that look more football than other games. For a first year title that is going to have a lot of mistakes, I can personally look past some of the quirks.

[GTHobbes]

For a first year title that is going to have a lot of mistakes, I can personally look past some of the quirks.

My second time today quoting you in agreement, JRod.

Frankly, if someone had told me a year ago that BB would release with as few quirks as it's got, I probably wouldn't have believed it. It's amazing to me that a handful of Brits are behind this title and that it got as many things right about football as it did, when American developers haven't been up to the task in years (IMO, of course).

[Rodster]

For a first year title that is going to have a lot of mistakes, I can personally look past some of the quirks.

My second time today quoting you in agreement, JRod.

Frankly, if someone had told me a year ago that BB would release with as few quirks as it's got, I probably wouldn't have believed it. It's amazing to me that a handful of Brits are behind this title and that it got as many things right about football as it did, when American developers haven't been up to the task in years (IMO, of course).

But playing devils advocate and putting myself in EA's shoes they have a lot more riding on the line by making drastic changes to their aging games code than Backbreaker who are not bound to follow NFL rules. If EA royally screws up Madden it will cost them millions in sales. It's like Nascar introducing the Car of Tomorrow. See how that backfired on them.

Now many of you say, well physics should be in their game and the game should be doing this and that and on top of that get it right. I'm no game programmer but that sounds to me like starting from scratch with Madden. If I were EA I would start now on Madden next gen with 100% new code and NO MORE LEGACY CODE. Pay the Backbreaker guys or license their physics engine and implement it in their next gen game. EA has taken this approach before especially with their Nascar and F1 PC games by using the ISI racing games engine.

The problem is EA wants continued revenue with Madden and not potentially ruin their flagship game they make millions from every year.

[Danimal]

The problem is EA wants continued revenue with Madden and not potentially ruin their flagship game they make millions from every year.

The problem is Madden has become more then a football video game. It's a brand and it is tied into so many things that it's become so big it needs to remain what it is.

EA should honestly just make another game, I honestly think if they took Head Coach and developed on that and added the game play aspects they have a better foundation then they do with Madden.

[Rodster]

The problem is EA wants continued revenue with Madden and not potentially ruin their flagship game they make millions from every year.

The problem is Madden has become more then a football video game. It's a brand and it is tied into so many things that it's become so big it needs to remain what it is.

EA should honestly just make another game, I honestly think if they took Head Coach and developed on that and added the game play aspects they have a better foundation then they do with Madden.

Totally agree 100%, you nailed it and that's what I was trying to say is that Madden is more than just a videogame.

[matthewk]

I had a little better luck after resetting my custom teams. They must have done something with the logic of ratings when making custom teams. After going in to modify a team I changed the number of gold players down and then back u to where I wanted them, usually 10-11 offensive and 1-2 defensive. It seems like they no longer give you multiple golds at a position (like HB), which results in better (or more) gold linemen.

I'm still having trouble running inside, but with the adjusted custom teams it seems better for both sides.

[kevinpars]

If there is a new Backbreaker, I would suggest they come out early autumn in 2011. It will be interesting to see how a much improved (a big assumption) game would do against Madden during a lockout. Of course, the NFL players and owners could reach an agreement, but I am something of a pessimist when it comes to labor issues and sports.

It is hard for me to come to an opinion on this game - I just have a lot of trouble with the camera. I am too used to the "God Mode" view we have become conditioned to expect. There is no way in a video game to build in a way to 'feel' blind side pressure, so i feel like I am playing a game with one eye closed and mud in the other eye. It just isn't fun - forget the other issues.

[JRod]

I think people have problems passing because they are so used to the god view. If that's what you want, than that's one thing. I think the other thing people want is the Madden pocket where you can drop back dance around a bit and then find the open receiver. Madden doesn't not have a realistic passing game from the pocket, to time in the pocket, to coverage. We are used to this and have developed ways to beat the AI.

Now back to BB, if you dance around in the pocket you will get sacked, you have to make a decision quickly and I think people want to have the same amount of time you get in Madden.

[JRod]

I have to say, after a game with Madden this afternoon. You just never get that moment of wow with it.

While BB is tough and unbalanced, when you break off a long run, or make a play after a catch you feel like accomplished something. In madden, you get get hit, then have a animation that turns you around and carries you for 3 yards. Nothing you did prompted that animation, not a move, just some arbitrary ratings and the engine taking over.

I'm not saying BB is better or plays more realistic but Madden is simply a dated game now.

[Spooky]

I have to say, after a game with Madden this afternoon. You just never get that moment of wow with it.

While BB is tough and unbalanced, when you break off a long run, or make a play after a catch you feel like accomplished something. In madden, you get get hit, then have a animation that turns you around and carries you for 3 yards. Nothing you did prompted that animation, not a move, just some arbitrary ratings and the engine taking over.

I'm not saying BB is better or plays more realistic but Madden is simply a dated game now.

I felt the same way after playing the Madden demo. Yawn... Oh and the camera in Madden is WAY too removed for my tastes. I guess I'm getting old but I cannot tell what the heck is going on.