Backbreaker: Why can't I shake that bad feeling? - RaychelSnr's Blog

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Backbreaker: Why can't I shake that bad feeling? Stuck

Posted on April 16, 2010 at 04:29 PM.

(15)

I can't shake this bad feeling about Backbreaker. I really want the game to be something special to give gamers at least somewhat of a choice when it comes to their football games. But I just can't shake the bad feeling I have about the game.

I've watched every video, I've gobbled up all of the info that has been coming out -- but I can't help but think I've seen this whole thing before.

There was a similar flurry of excitement about a new option for Football when Blitz: The League was approaching release. In a lot of ways, there is a bit more anticipation for Backbreaker due to the euphoria engine, but I can see some striking similarities between both games.

Both games tried to focus on a unique approach to the game of football by applying some gimmicks to change up the formula. Blitz tried to be edgy, Backbreaker is trying to get gamers to play the game differently with the camera angle and tackling engine. I just have a bad feeling Backbreaker will feature a lot of glitz and glamor, but after a week or two of playing the game a lot of gamers will find a rather porous game of football underneath.

I however, will continue to follow this game and hope that my gut is wrong. If Backbreaker is a hit, it will offer one of the more unique sports gaming experiences of the year. If the game is a flop, it will just join a long list of football titles which tried to be different but ultimately didn't do different all that well.

What do you think at this point? Is Backbreaker a future hit or will it join the rest of the non-licensed football titles in gaming obscurity?

Comments

# 1 SouthernBrick @ Apr 16

At this point I don't think It will be a hit or necessarily be a flop either. I think It'll be somewhere between the two. I'm starting to get that feeling to that maybe the only thing good about this game will be Euphoria but, I hope I'm wrong.

# 2 TreyIM2 @ Apr 16

I'm a skeptic although I look forward to the game. The several previews from various sites plus all the vids I've seen doesn't make it seem like it will be more than Euphoria engine tackles that will wow me. Even then, as I select The Ballad Of Gay Tony on this GTA Lib. City Eps disc for my PS3, I can marvel at the animations in these GTA games.
Yea, not quite the same as seeing the engine used in football, but still. I know how great the engine can be but what else will this football game hold for me? The players run very stiff like and too upright. Some things don't look that natural from the vids, such as many of the catches. AI sounds very sketchy, too. Lack of the NFL will hurt it in many ways for me but I can live with that since Madden 10 is my primary football gaming source.

Bottomline, I don't think the game will be all that and that's why it will only get $4-5 of rental money from me, to begin with. If it surprises me and I want to hold on to it more than just that 5 day rental, I'll get it...one day...maybe.

# 3 SHAKYR @ Apr 16

This game reminds me of that Microsoft Football game from a couple of years ago.

# 4 stlstudios189 @ Apr 16

I am very pumped for the game but, prepared for failure

# 5 LeonM @ Apr 16

Backbreaker could fail. It has an uphill battle to climb. Not having the license is the biggest hurdle but the game itself has alot to offer.

It's not only Euphoria but it's Morpheme as well. Morpheme is like the reported Locomotion animation tech for EA times 100. The thing that Backbreaker has that games like Blitz and APF didn't have is many different playable game modes and the deepest customization tools in football gaming history. Backbreaker has two seperate franchise modes. Blitz had a single storyline mode and APF had a single season mode. Both games lacked depth. The gameplay will be the key to Backbreaker's success. It may take some time for traditional football video game players to get adjusted and used to the new live action hands on approach that Backbreaker is trying to provide.

# 6 CreatineKasey @ Apr 16

I'm in the same boat as you, Chris. I just can't shake that feeling either.

# 7 allBthere @ Apr 16

If the gameplay is fun enough to warrant playing multiple games - it should deliver. The euro-style franchise pretty much guarantees that you'd play 3 full seasons during your franchise. It looks great so far imo,..my only concern thus far having seen everything is the run game. The qb-rb exchange looks odd and seems strange for some reason. The videos make it seem like it's super hard to run, yet also show that you can find time in the pocket. Almost as if the AI knows its a run play and ruins it before it gets started. I hope I'm wrong though. I think it has already shown some of the most dynamic gameplay elements yet in a sports title. Focusing on a specific reciever looks amazing to me, as do many of the tackles.

I'm getting it though, I can't wait...end of may is ridonculous! Alan Wake, Red Dead, UFC, Backbreaker, and some sniper game that will probably sucker me into buying it.

# 8 raidersbball20 @ Apr 17

I thought it sounded cool right away, but now I think it will just have cool tackling and that will be about it

# 9 Draxion @ Apr 17

For a first time game it looks pretty good, im not thinking its going to be the greatest football game ever but I think it will be solid. The difference between BB and EA FB games is the engine, BB uses a revolutionary engine that can change the way we play games, EA uses a older (well be it) well known engine that is starting to reach its max potential. I just think BB will mess up on some stuff (like all first year football games do) and wont get a chance to correct there mistakes.

If they do by some far flung chance get to make BB2 i think that will be a game that can take on Madden and NCAA, they will be able to focus more on making the engine better, presentation better and adding more features instead of building a entirely new game engine thats never been done before with a 8 man team from the ground up. Sadly I dont think they will get that chance.
If they did though, I will be very happy.

# 10 GlennN @ Apr 17

Yep, I am cautiously optimistic, but I fear the game will not live up to my hopes.

# 11 Eski33 @ Apr 17

If anyone thinks that Backbreaker is designed to compete with Madden then you are in for a huge disappointment.

I am taking this game for what it is -- a way to show off a new engine for football games. I am hopeful that the game is fun but it will not have the bells and whistles that sports gamers are accustomed to.

If it is more than $39.99, I won't even consider buying it...

# 12 shadthedad @ Apr 18

It'll be a unique experience, providing gameplay that EA can not offer at this time. The developer's say that instincts and physics are missing in video game football, so that's why the game was developed. I personally prefer Madden's restricted gameplay engine, because it makes the experience more of a chess match vs a fighting game.

# 13 10yard-Fight @ Apr 18

I know why you have that feeling and there is probably a very good reason for it. Be weary... I certainly don't plan on buying. I was somewhat excited up until they started showing actual footage of the game.

# 14 blackscorpion11 @ Apr 19

I cant remember the last time a game hinged so heavily on one factor, the camera angle....

If the camera angle is bad , the game is sunk.