Backbreaker: It's a tough sell - RaychelSnr's Blog

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RaychelSnr's Blog

Backbreaker: It's a tough sell Stuck

Posted on December 2, 2009 at 07:59 PM.

(20)

Natural Motion either has one of the greatest playing football games in the history of the world or it is about to heavily disappoint football fans around the world.

Without a franchise mode, at least in name, Backbreaker is going to have to rely on it's gameplay to pull in sales, and even still sales might just be tough to come by.

However, I see glimmers of hope here. If the game is able to deliver full customization options on a level not yet seen before so players can create NFL, college or even high school likenesses, then the game might have a chance if it catches on online.

From what it looks like, without anything more than screenshots, a few teaser previews, and a rather vague fact sheet, Backbreakers gameplay will be rooted in simplicity. This could be both a blessing and a curse as some developers are able to make a game layered like an onion, where there are more complex layers as you go deeper on top of the simple face. On the other hand, other developers can't make a game fun for more than a bit since they can't seem to make simple gameplay variable gameplay.

I'm not so sure we are going to see anything close to greatness from a first generaton game on a next-gen console. With a season mode which is customizable, there is some hope for replay value. But a Madden killer this game won't be. Given the fact sheet on top of everything else we already know, I'm going to be semi-bold in predicting Backbreaker could end up being a moderately solid game, but it won't be quite ready for primetime.

Comments

# 1 njd.aitken @ Dec 2

I'm interested in the game but without a franchise mode, I am not sold yet.

# 2 jyoung @ Dec 2

Actually, the developers have confirmed that there is a franchise mode:

http://forum.backbreakergame.com/showthread.php?t=3648

Quote:


	Quick clarification: There are more than 32 teams. The game features a multi-year season mode incl. drafting and scouting. We're not calling it Franchise right now because we know how fussy you guys are about Franchise mode. We will call it Franchise in the future when we feel we can meet all the expectations that that term evokes. Hope that clears things up a bit.

# 3 stlstudios189 @ Dec 2

franchise mode will move it up on my radar

# 4 clarkerots @ Dec 2

20 years of development has yet to catch up to a game 5 years old.....

# 5 bigsmallwood @ Dec 3

If there is full Customization, then I think it may have a chance to be a pretty good game.

# 6 CreatineKasey @ Dec 3

I can't envision Backbreaker even scratching the surface on playbooks and plays overall. That's where I think Madden separates itself big time. Their playbooks are authentic and very well done. Some players spoiled with this may not enjoy the very simple playbooks that are surely to be included with Backbreaker.

Who knows, if the experience is a whole new exciting thing... it could take off. It's hard to judge what's going on because from what I've read, the game will play far different than the recent football games released.. more first person-ish. They really emphasized cinematic effects and maybe that'll be something special.

# 7 GlennN @ Dec 3

Great news that BB will have multi-season play with drafting/scouting! Now, I am on board, if only to encourage the developer to stay with the project. I am not sure it is reasonable to expect a first generation game to compete with such an established market. They will have a hard enough time outselling APF 2k8

# 8 Sherman91587 @ Dec 3

Does anyone know about anything to do with broadcast yet. I know a lot of All Pro people who are big on the broadcast things. I mean I will get this game no matter what because I am a football addict, but I would like to see some real annoucers and stuff.

# 9 RaychelSnr @ Dec 3

I don't think we know much about the Presentation Sherman, except Backbreaker is going to try a new camera angle. I'm wondering about that aspect of the game as well, but we'll see. I'm sure the next couple of months we'll find out a lot about the game.

# 10 LingeringRegime @ Dec 3

I'm sold.

# 11 Steven123 @ Dec 3

Im dying for real football, bring it on

# 12 rudyjuly2 @ Dec 4

It think this will be a massively disappointing beta. I just don't think it's possible for anyone to produce a half decent football game on it's first try. Plus there has been 100 times more speculation than actual evidence that this game can be any good. To quote Jerry Maguire, "Show me the money!" Until people actually get a chance to see, play and talk about this game, I really think this is a big farce.

# 13 superstarshad @ Dec 4

You people and your physics! I guarantee you'll be able to put up over 100 points, at will, on this game engine-and that's the reason this game will not have a franchise mode. If Natural Motions were smart they will use the engine to produce an NFL Blitz clone. EA has little to worry about.