Backbreaker Patch "Greathouse" Impressions (PS3, 360)

[TheWatcher]

The passing game is much improved, although passes are still too prone to INT's both Human and CPU. Still too many fumbles, too.

I can't run anymore. The upside is that the game is harder now. If there could be one more patch, I'd decrease the defensive catch attributes some more and do something to open the run game a little.

[JayBee74]

Quote: Originally Posted by zmcman1

Just wrapped up another game. Charleston (me) (69 Offense, 31 Defense, 47 Overall) vs Cincinnati (80 offense, 66 defense, 75 Overall) Got down 24-0 early on in the game due to a huge 76 yard run by their RB and a few defensive lapses on my part (switching control to CBs and taking them out of position to defend the pass.) Final ended up being 41-24 Cincy. Weren't too many drops this time around for the CPU as I wasn't in position to force them. Still had a good amount of success passing...31/41 489 Yards, 3 TD, 3 INT with Greathouse. CPU Cardona went 14/19 for 197 yards and 3 TD. Their pass rush is what got me though. Team ended up with 11 sacks, 7 from the left side of their defense. 3-4 may have been my fault from dropping back to deep, but for the most part they just torched my OL. Better competitive match-up than the match before, though I did cut down on their offensive production a lot in the second half (first half: 237 yards. second half: 98) Trying the Indy/NE matchup again.

You must have played on MEDIUM.

[zmcman1]

Nah, it was definitely on hard. I had saved the settings in the Options menu to prevent having to adjust it each time I wanted to begin a new game. I just played an error-free game, no turnovers.

Just wrapped up the Indy/New England game. Lost 35-17 after throwing 3 pick 6's, 2 other INTs, and fumbling the ball away 3 times. The fumbles were very costly as they two of them came from within my 30 yard line (one on a KR, the other after a receiver made a catch.)

Still noticeably outgained the opponent 338 to 181 with less TOP (9:34 to 10:26). Indy's QB did put up a pretty efficient game of 16/26 for 155, INT.

I overreacted from calling the game easy based off of one game. The CPU offense isn't particularly hard to defend against, but I could see it very challenging if run blocking weren't screwed up. Good AI backs are very good at slipping tackles using skill moves, so I could picture them being pretty damn hard to contain with good blocking. But the defense will make you pay if you don't place your passes properly. I messed up on the pass leading a few times in that game and they jumped them for pick-sixes.

If NM can fix the run blocking issues, Pro-Hard will be an extremely challenging mode.

[ac-greasy]

Impressions:

The game is "harder" but the problem is it's to easy on "easy" and it's impossible to run the ball on "medium"...haven't really tried "hard" because medium is enough of a challenge and if I can't run the ball now it's going to be even more frustrating on hard.

I think they compensated for the extra time you get while passing by incorporating more random dropped passes. I'm not really sure how I feel about this, it doesn't really bother me when a WR drops a pass when he gets stuck right when the ball arrives but the wide open drops are getting annoying. Like I said, running is next to impossible on any level other than "easy". It's weird how the pass blocking is now so good yet run blocking is non-existent. Even when the O-line has a number advantage on the D a D lineman just blows right by the blocker, consistently.

There seems to be less crazy and exciting bounces of the ball. I've played over a dozen games and haven't seen a tipped pass for a pick yet. Overall I'm kind of disappointed with the patch. They did correct some glaring problems but the end product produced some new glaring problems. It's one step forward two steps back and I'm right back to where I was pre patch...just scratching my head at the problems and I feel like I'm gonna shelf the game again and wait to see if they fix the new problems.

Mind you these are impressions against the cpu...I have had some fantastic games online. Problem is, there's rarely anyone online to play. Human v. human the game is alot better than playing the cpu, in that sense it's probably the best football game I've played against another person.

[JayBee74]

Quote: Originally Posted by zmcman1

Nah, it was definitely on hard. I had saved the settings in the Options menu to prevent having to adjust it each time I wanted to begin a new game. I just played an error-free game, no turnovers. Just wrapped up the Indy/New England game. Lost 35-17 after throwing 3 pick 6's, 2 other INTs, and fumbling the ball away 3 times. The fumbles were very costly as they two of them came from within my 30 yard line (one on a KR, the other after a receiver made a catch.) Still noticeably outgained the opponent 338 to 181 with less TOP (9:34 to 10:26). Indy's QB did put up a pretty efficient game of 16/26 for 155, INT. I overreacted from calling the game easy based off of one game. The CPU offense isn't particularly hard to defend against, but I could see it very challenging if run blocking weren't screwed up. Good AI backs are very good at slipping tackles using skill moves, so I could picture them being pretty damn hard to contain with good blocking. But the defense will make you pay if you don't place your passes properly. I messed up on the pass leading a few times in that game and they jumped them for pick-sixes. If NM can fix the run blocking issues, Pro-Hard will be an extremely challenging mode.

You had 0 turnovers the first game, 8 the next. How is your rushing?

[JayBee74]

Quote: Originally Posted by ac-greasy

Mind you these are impressions against the cpu...I have had some fantastic games online. Problem is, there's rarely anyone online to play. Human v. human the game is alot better than playing the cpu, in that sense it's probably the best football game I've played against another person.

Isn't the run blocking a problem online too?

[zmcman1]

Quote: Originally Posted by JayBee74

You had 0 turnovers the first game, 8 the next. How is your rushing?

I just passed better the first game. The second game I made a few errors with my lead passing that I didn't the ball in the spots I wanted. New England's DBs made good plays on the ball. And can't explain the fumbles. Prior to that game, I hadn't had more than 1 fumble in any game since the patch released.

My rushing is pretty bad. If I struggle at it early on, I almost abandon it completely. Usually its between 2-3 YPC, but I've had a few games of 4-5. I've used passing teams a lot since the patch came out and haven't really played with a rushing based team.

[ac-greasy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JayBee74

Isn't the run blocking a problem online too?

Yes and no...it's not stellar online, but you can run the ball decently at times...much easier than against the CPU...I think it has alot to do with the play calling and a human controlling one of the guys on defense which in my opinion opens up opportunities. When you play the CPU, it stacks the box if you're running a run play...regardless of down and distance and that limits your ability to run. That's not taking into account the crummy run blocking, that's still a problem online and in general but at least you have a chance against a human player.