Backbreaker News Post

Backbreaker Updated Hands-On Preview: Angle of Attack (Gamespot)

11:13 PM - March 1, 2010 by adamgod8

Gamespot has posted their updated hands-on preview of Backbreaker. Video interview included.

Quote:


	"There's more to being a top-flight football player than tremendous strength, precise reflexes, and blistering speed. One of the more overlooked attributes of a position like running back is vision, specifically peripheral vision. After all, what good is all that strength, speed, and precision for a ball carrier who can't see a defensive end coming in from the side to clobber him? That's one of the challenges the developers at Natural Motion are facing with the upcoming Backbreaker, the upcoming unlicensed football game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3."

Game: BackbreakerReader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 51 - View All

Backbreaker Videos

Member Comments

# 21 SouthernBrick @ 03/02/10 02:32 AM

This was on easy/arcade mode because, of the glowing ball right?

I'm kinda digging the changing hands button depending on how effective stiff arms and certain contact is. Sorry to bring this up but, In madden the stiff arm is hardly ever triggers(hope its different in BB). I didn't like how some of those throws got into the tightly contested areas, It does happen though. None of the receivers dropped anything like it would be in madden on rookie or pro. This was only a glimpse of what is to come so I'm sure we'll see some drops eventually.

I can already tell this game is really going to take some getting used to. Hopefully the control scheme is good/comfortable for this game and has a few different ones and possibly customizable. Any info on that yet?

# 22 adamgod8 @ 03/02/10 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnyGivenSunday


	This was on easy/arcade mode because, of the glowing ball right? I'm kinda digging the changing hands button depending on how effective stiff arms and certain contact is. Sorry to bring this up but, In madden the stiff arm is hardly ever triggers(hope its different in BB). I didn't like how some of those throws got into the tightly contested areas, It does happen though. None of the receivers dropped anything like it would be in madden on rookie or pro. This was only a glimpse of what is to come so I'm sure we'll see some drops eventually. I can already tell this game is really going to take some getting used to. Hopefully the control scheme is good/comfortable for this game and has a few different ones and possibly customizable. Any info on that yet?

Here is the best link I can give you for controls, hope it helps... http://forum.backbreakergame.com/sho...arts+with+ends
(It is over 2 years old, but gives some good insight)

# 23 SouthernBrick @ 03/02/10 03:55 AM

Just some of the things I found important and interesting. Its old so It may not be interesting but, It was a pretty good read IMO. The bolded is my post.

"To put this in context lets take an example. Imagine you’re a wide receiver who has just received the ball and there are two linebackers heading directly at you. You remain in agile mode and by performing a semi-circular gesture on the right analog stick, spin around the first linebacker. There’s a lot of traffic ahead and you only need a few yards for a 1st down, so you switch into aggressive mode by holding down the right trigger. The camera moves closer behind the character and the sound design changes to highlight the threats in the vicinity of the ball carrier as he begins to pick up speed. A well-timed stiff-arm executed by tapping the right analog stick in the relevant direction thrusts the arm of the ball carrier into the face mask of the linebacker, putting him down. Releasing the right trigger the player switches back to agile mode and a tap up on the right analog stick allows him to jump over a low tackle from the left before he’s taken down from the right by a safety."

"So the resulting control system is one in which the player is continually evaluating the game situation and how best to approach it. To reinforce the different modes, we’re also doing some pretty cool stuff with the camera and sound design which helps communicate your chosen state and the threats around you."

I think I might like this but, I'm not sure. So basically the the analog sticks control just about everything you do with the ball carrier. I'm guessing the A button on a 360 will be to switch the ball from left hand to right hand hands as seen in the lastest interview video I believe. I have doubts about how this may work and feel but, I got some faith in this dev team(did a great job with camera).

Liked this quote: "This is especially true given that we have euphoria and morpheme giving us incredible fidelity and depth, which simply wouldn’t be accessible through simple button presses."

Most important: "Consider the player’s movement, for example. In Backbreaker, the left stick determines the player’s direction and speed. Push it forward a little, and the player starts jogging – push it further, and the player sprints. But the speed at which you move the stick is being monitored too: ease it back, and the player slows down to jogging speed – or if you suddenly flip it back, the player does an emergency stop. Equally, sprint forward and ease the stick to the left, and you’re banking left. Flick it to the left, however, and the player does a cut turn."

"This degree of player control is unachievable with old-style control systems. In Backbreaker, it allows us to give experienced players an incredibly deep skill differential to explore, whereas casual players can pick it up and play, without having to remember lots of buttons."

I thought all this stuff was pretty interesting. If they do indeed go with this there the response timing better be on point if analogs are this main basis surrounding the control scheme. I have faith this dev team knows what they're doing. My confidence is building for this game and the the potential control scheme had more depth to it than I originally thought(pending this is actually it). Which even though the article is very old I think it will be or at least be pretty similar.

# 24 JMD @ 03/02/10 08:49 AM

After reading that review and watching the video I am very pleased. When release day comes and I put this game in my console I am fully expecting to experience and completely new and exciting football game. As I've said before I've been playing video game football for 23 years, so I'm kind of set in my ways when it comes to camera angles and control schemes, but I am really looking forward to this new way to play. Yeah it will take me some time to get use to it, but I'm guessing after a few games it will be second nature.

Ultimately after I do get to play Backbreaker I'm hoping I'll finally be able to say two words, Bye Madden. I honestly believe once we experience the way this game will play we will not want to go back to the old way. I don't think I will, NFL or not.

# 25 Gusto1 @ 03/02/10 10:23 AM

Possible sleeper hit for 2010

# 26 sportyguyfl31 @ 03/02/10 11:14 AM

Im in love with the defensive camera angle.

The trenches action looks a little jumbled attimes from what I saw.

Im not in love with the fall away passes though.

The deciding point, for me, will be when I see full speed, gameplay footage.

I want to see how the play calling layout is done, if players align properly, how the AI players react to things around them, etc.

# 27 TheWatcher @ 03/02/10 11:31 AM

Looks very sick.

# 28 TheKasmar @ 03/02/10 12:42 PM

So let me get this straight. Speed and movement is determined by the left stick which means no turbo button? If that is correct then that will be sweet.

At certain points the running reminded me of GTA 4, especially when the runner leaned into turns.

Small detail: The play execution looks really good from what I see. Quarterbacks continuing to carry out the play after handing off the ball and running backs using the proper footwork on counters and delays. It will be interesting to see how they deal with pulling guards and tackles.

# 29 allBthere @ 03/02/10 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afrikan


	maybe this is just being optimistic....but I wouldn't be surprised if they added injuries after releases when they have their first or second patch.... they talked about it before and said it is possible....but there were probably problems implementing it realistically...and probably needed more programing and was one of the things they felt they can leave out for now, while focusing on other stuff like Leagues, franchise and stuff.... either way game looks nice and I'm even more excited... I can't wait. more previews this week...F'n yeah baby.... also I can see some reviewers just nitpicking the game for various things... this is a new game from a new company...they are an easy target.....example "its too hard to look behind you when running the ball and causes your player run in different directions"....well how about you don't look back....maybe look up at the jumbo-tron instead

Backbreaker is really coming along nicely and turning in to sweet sweet reality.

as far as injuries, I would like single-game only injuries so that you nail the qb and he's effed for the rest of the game. In other games like all-pro or madden if my star player gets injured and I see that it's out for 10 games = no save, and a redo.

Road to backbreaker is really cool for so many reasons. The biggest is that they are making at least 3 full seasons of franchise exciting and motivating. I'm not sure I've ever played (no simming) 3 full years of franchise, especially with real players where they retire and get traded and the league becomes unrecognizable or implausible. With this league (if you want) it's entirely fictional and there are no rules or expectations.

I'm very curious about stats. They will probably have them lol...but I'm wondering what their stats will be for '07?
maybe all NM created teams have players with some statistical history and your don't..or maybe they all have a 'career total' with year to year starting with your franchise play...who knows?

# 30 CreatineKasey @ 03/02/10 02:41 PM

It did look really fun scrambling around with that QB.

The blind side should really matter in this game. Scheming should matter more too, because you can't see everything every play... only results moreso.

Could be great!

# 31 boooey @ 03/02/10 02:58 PM

guys, is this really true? someone please pinch me so i am sure this is not a dream or fantasy..

Are we really given a choice this year? Are we finally getting the Football innovation we all deserve as gamers?

This feels like the end of the matrix trilogy when the dark clouds are finally lifted, and the beautiful ray of sunshine beams down on all of us.

# 32 djordan @ 03/02/10 03:04 PM

I guess im the only one not hype about this...Especially after seeing real gameplay. I hope they add a regular camera view because no way in hell will I be happy playing with that view. You can barely see anything. Some of the animations look stiff also.

# 33 boooey @ 03/02/10 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tito78


	BB is missing three major components of realism: real NFL teams and players, authenic appearing equiment, and injuries. I don't see how they're going to succeed.

EA has had 20+ years to perfect madden and they still cannot get it right, yet you are so quick to write off this 1st year game?

Try and see beyond the actual game for a minute.. and you will see how this will change sports gaming and finally bring us into the next generation.

Its not about whether this game is perfect or not man.. just open up your eyes for a minute and see the bigger picture here.

They have already succeeded..

# 34 boooey @ 03/02/10 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tito78


	This game has to sell well to change sports gaming. If it flops,which it will, the euphoria engine won't get much publicity and won't cause any change in the industry. Other developers have to feel threatened by this tech to actually want to scrap their own engine and adopt euphoria. Don't give me that " it's their first release" nonsense. They've been working on this game for three years and sports video games have had injuries since Sega Genesis. Let's see: there's no license, goofy equipment, and no injuries. This game won't do anything. Without injuries, they've already failed.

ok man.. so go back to playing Madden so you can have your colored cleats, hand towels, and injuries that don't matter..

the rest of us here in this forum are excited that we finally have a choice and some new technology for the first time in years..

go troll somewhere else man.. you are clueless

# 35 jdr4693 @ 03/02/10 03:47 PM

Now this is real INOVATION! New camera angles look sick! Cant wait to play from a defensive perspective and the tackles looks light years ahead of that other football game

# 36 AC IS ART @ 03/02/10 04:02 PM

I'm officially on the Backbreaker wagon. Can't wait to play as a FS or 3-4 OLB(If its in the game).

# 37 Glorious Arc @ 03/02/10 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boooey


	EA has had 20+ years to perfect madden and they still cannot get it right, yet you are so quick to write off this 1st year game? Try and see beyond the actual game for a minute.. and you will see how this will change sports gaming and finally bring us into the next generation. Its not about whether this game is perfect or not man.. just open up your eyes for a minute and see the bigger picture here. They have already succeeded..

I agree with this statement. BB isnt only being made to sell as a video game. It is being sold as the next generation of all sports gaming. The amount of money they are going to make off the engine is where the real profit is at.

I may have worded my opinion about injuries poorly. I meant that I both like and dislike injuries. They are a blessing for realism but when they happen they are a curse. Meaning I want realism but when it happens I find myself biting my tongue. Nobody likes to draft Matthew Staford with the first of first and lose him to a career ending injury in pre season.(I was simming it)

I honestly am on the fence if injuries make or break the game for me. I still need to see how or even if there is progression, What the rating system is like, scouting, ect ect before I say that the fact that there are no injuries hurts the game. I will buy the game because I love football and it looks like this is the first "real" football game in over 5 years that will represent football well.

Your other points about the game having funny looking uniforms and NFL teams are IMO fruitless. Yes a great deal of people will pass on the game because of those two things. Yes people will pass on the game because of the action angle. But as I said before the real sales of the game will not be the ending of BB. The fact is the few people who actually get to play BB are going to realize that NO other sports game will be able to compare when it comes to a realistic physic world and interaction. Devs who are ambitious will want to use this engine(meaning spending money to buy it) and will probably pay/hire some of the devs to teach them how to use it.

# 38 polamalu82 @ 03/02/10 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djordan


	I guess im the only one not hype about this...Especially after seeing real gameplay. I hope they add a regular camera view because no way in hell will I be happy playing with that view. You can barely see anything. Some of the animations look stiff also.

I'd at least rent it and see if you like it or not. If you're not willing to give it a try IMO it's your loss. I for one think this game will offer a fresh new perspective on football gaming. No doubt this game will take an adjustment for all of us, but I'm game. Can't wait for May.

# 39 Glorious Arc @ 03/02/10 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatisback


	And Madden has realistic injuries? Give me a break. Every player that gets injured (except that 1 in a million) is only out for a few plays anyway.

I forgot about this. Most players dont get hurt for longer then 5 plays and even then you can force them to keep playing and they barely lose any stats. I remember my friend using Vick and he had a high ankle sprain but he chose to put him back in. Vick comes in and looks like he is literally barely able to walk and he out runs Julius Peppers! If injuries are really that big of a point to you then you probably wont be buying madden right?

# 40 SouthernBrick @ 03/02/10 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatisback


	And Madden has realistic injuries? Give me a break. Every player that gets injured (except that 1 in a million) is only out for a few plays anyway.

Exactly. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a player get injured only to have tom(commentator) to tell me he won't be returning. Then the 2 or 3 plays later they pop right back in the game with no difference what so ever in there speed or anything. Injuries are there but, they hardly ever matter in madden so Its not like It should be that much worse than having none at all.

No injuries was a little disappointing but, Its not a make or break for me. I hope there is a fatigue system though that works well since there are no injuries. I wonder what real NFL players would think about BB? I think a lot or at least some would really take to this game because, they could really relate to it because, of the camera view.

« Previous 123 Next »

More Links

Backbreaker Updated Hands-On Preview: Angle of Attack (Gamespot)