Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

[fikedemon]

Its as close to sim as its gonna get. We know its a video game. We know its not real. But its more real than what weve been getting for 20 years. Its a breath of fresh air. This game is not Madden, 2k, All pro ect. Its backbreaker. Theres no god mode view its meant to be on the field.

[mrprice33]

Quote: Originally Posted by Clemalum2007

It is a better representation of football than Madden. A QB cannot see the whole field in real life and shouldnt be able to in a game.

And in real life my body doesn't take up more than half of my field of vision. This game has a lot going for it, but the experience of actually playing it is awful. Anything going laterally is extremely awkward, and the controls/camera make you feel like you're incapable of making precise, quick reactionary movements that are necessary to enjoy/succeed in a football game. And besides all of that, it's pretty much impossible to play the ball in the air. There are fundamental aspects of football that are impossible in this game, all because of flawed design decisions.
All of that said, it almost doesn't matter, because the turnovers and AI are borked, especially for CPU offense. Even the "good" QBs do silly stuff like jump pass into triple coverage, or hold the ball way too long. Combine that with AI teammates double-spearing a punter (each had one leg), and it's clear to me that this is a tech demo. The engine is capable of putting out very realistic tackles/player interactions (saw some pileups that were particularly awesome), but it's missing fundamental football common sense.

[CreatineKasey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Clemalum2007

OH ok so because you cant see the whole field there is no strategy involved...

Thanks for putting words in my mouth. I said: "less strategy"

[raiders81tim]

Quote: Originally Posted by CreatineKasey

Thanks for putting words in my mouth. I said: "less strategy"

How so?

[MrE_Gamer]

Here are my impressions. While no football game is perfect, one thing is evident from playing the 3 modes available in the demo (Training camp, Tackle Alley, and Exhibition) gameplay and on the field experience was the focus.

Training Camp:

Gives you the basics on running, passing, tackling, pass defense, and kicking. One thing that was apparent to me was how sensitive the controls were to your movements. Sometimes I found myself going in the wrong direction when running, but after a couple of tries I got use to the movement.

Tackle Alley:

Is the most additive part of the demo even though I suck. The objective is to reach the endzone. But dodging each defensive player on the way. It goes in waves starting off with 2 defensive players then 3 and so on. Performing different moves get you points (juking, spinning, stiff arming, etc). Very fun mode.

Exhibition Mode:

The videos out there dont do this game justice. Everything in the game looks clean and sharp. Even the grass has an 3D look to it. I love the sounds when hard hits are made. I wish the crowd could be louder and more responsive to the plays on the field. Playing this game is nothing else that I've played before. From how the players move, tackle, fall down, interact with one another seems so organic and natural. Being physics based certain things players do I have never seen in any football game. On one play I caught a pass with the TE. Lowered my shoulder to get the first down, so as Im falling to the ground there's 2 players hanging and my momentum is taking forward. Then my guy reaches out with his arm to get the first down. Playing QB you feel as though you're actually playing QB. Having to look over the Oline,make quick reads, and use proper timing to complete passes. For most of us who play other football games playing QB in BB could get frustrating. With the camera option and WR not being mapped to buttons it takes getting some use to. Running the ball is also realistic looking to find the hole and read blocking.

Playing defense is to me the hardest thing to do, because of the camera angle. Playing LB is the easiest position to play on D. It's important before the play starts to press LB. This allows you to see your player's assignment. If the ball is on the other side of the field press LT this allows you to focus on who has the ball on the field making easier to make a play. To make interceptions you must be in aggressive mode(LT) when jumping.

Notes:

Obviously this is a demo and some of these thing can be different with the final product.

- There seemed to be quite of few INT in just 4min of play
- Sacks also seemed to be happening often
- I saw a couple of weird animations where a guy would be on the ground and then be standing up instantly.
- If you play Arcade mode you have a very limited playbook. Based on the people that play football in this forum go with Pro. The playbooks resemble Madden in terms how you pick plays

Overall: I was on the fence with this game but after playing the demo was impressed. It's just a completely different take on football gaming.

[Joshua1207]

This game has a lot of frustrating parts mostly in the running game and defense. It is very difficult to control the runner and make defenders miss. My natural reaction is to plunge forward into defenders using aggression, and I broke 1 tackle in like 4 games. In fact well over half the time I didn't even fall forward. This pisses me off, a lot, that I can plunge head-on into a safety and still manage to fall backwards. Also the jukes don't work nearly as much as they do in tackle alley, and the spins are tough to pull off.

Passing is realistic but very difficult to adjust from Madden. It's hard to see where the pressure comes from, it's really difficult to see your receiver.

Playing defense feels ********. It's difficult to tell what is going on and it is WAY WAY too easy to get pancaked. I usually got pancaked about every running play that I didn't make the tackle when I played on the front 7. It's like the aggression mode in the running game, it really doesn't seem to do anything when bull rushing blockers. I get pancaked often when bull rushing, which just feels unrealistic.

I think a lot of people saw these types of problems coming.

[backbreakersteel]

Ive been playong this game all friday and some today. The game has a learning curve to it. You have to move arounf in the pocket and you cant throw into triple coverage and hope to complete the pass, THIS ISNT MADDEN. I hate how everyone compares it to madden, we should be comparing it to real football and it is a close representation without all the pain.
The run game is also fun and realistic. You arnt breaking of 30 yard runs every play. you gain 3 or 4 yards. Run up the middle and protect the ball.
Defense is also enjoyable but I wish it was harder and the QB got rid of the ball quivker. Otherwise playing safety and corner are fun, unlike madden and Linebakers are also great to play woth in pass coverage when you can nail the WR coming over the middle.
Overall I had great fun with the demo. Once you get over the learning curve it is an amazing game to play.


PS: Who else thinks the line interaction is great

[CreatineKasey]

Quote: Originally Posted by raiders81tim

How so?

I feel like there was less thought in my route combinations and run calls based on the front I was seeing in comparison to just calling plays. I didn't really feel the difference in choosing different run plays in different situations. Pre-snap, it's pretty vanilla.

I DID like playing QB and reading the safeties. I could clearly see cover 3 zone/cover 2. That was a lot of fun. I could make sense of what the defense was doing for the most part.

I felt handcuffed on defense. I don't think many plays involve 8 players in the box. It felt like the CPU AI failed no matter what defense I called. It's not like I made smart decisions on D, the offense just kept failing regardless. The lack of swat logic bothers me a lot. If it's there, its weak.

Here's the thing, I like the fact that there is competition on the market and am glad people are enjoying the game. I don't want to flood this impressions thread with my negative views on the game. I'd rather people decide for themselves what they enjoy/don't like.

So, don't take it from me. Maybe I see things wrong. I don't want to turn people away from this game.

Strategy does exist in this game, I just don't think it's as prominent as in other games, that's all. Nothing wrong with that. Other games don't have the interactions or intensity this game brings. Each has a slightly different take on the game, and that's fine!

If there were solid online leagues, no lag online, and a way to easily transfer other people's customizable rosters I'd consider playing this more. I just have concerns moving forward that leave me apprehensive about putting time into this game.

Is there any word on online CAP team limits? Is it going to be a sea of 99 OVR teams duking it out? Any online modes that have gone unannounced? Any word on how the ladder may work? Reputation? Quitting? Anything stopping people from running hurry-up all day? Fatigue sure isn't.