Backbreaker News Post

Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

06:23 AM - May 21, 2010 by wickedbadman

The Backbreaker demo is now available on the Marketplace. Post your impressions here.

Quote:


	"BACKBREAKER� is a new, revolutionary football experience that takes you straight onto the field. Breakthrough euphoria tackles, non-canned animation, and stunning on-field graphics make BACKBREAKER� the first truly live football game."

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

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Member Comments

# 401 ZoneBlitz @ 05/22/10 09:42 AM

I love this game! Only one problem, the current camera makes me dizzy. When there is another camera angle - one that zooms further out, I will buy this game. If they confirm a farther out camera angle, I will buy it.

That being said, this game is awesome. It seems like you have to earn every play. I especially love playing defense. Forcing you to choose one person - and do something with him - adds such depth and purpose to playing defense. I got goosebumps!

Great job. Fix the camera angle - zoom it further out - and I'm hooked.

# 402 linkboy @ 05/22/10 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersfan7


	I only thing that I see wrong is you dont know when you are gonna get sacked. The gameplay is solid, takes a little getting used to the controls but its fun. Every play is different, no suction blocking!!!! Defense takes getting used to since we are all so used to the madden setup. All in all i think this will be a must buy, too bad u cant play a little bit longer games on the demo.

Playing QB in this game is probably the closest I've seen to the actual position in real life. Real QBs don't know when they're gonna get sacked either. How many times have we see a QB just get totally whacked by a defensive player that he didn't see coming.

I like how the QB only had 2/3 seconds to throw the ball before he gets sacked, that's pretty realistic (the 49ers last year used a 3 second clock to work on their QBs quick release).

I've logged about 4 games on this demo and I just keep getting better and better at it. Can't wait for the full version.

# 403 NFLHITMAN @ 05/22/10 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSkillz50


	i think the dissatisfaction with the camera is due to frustration and the fact that it's a little cluttered and nerve-racking. that's how football is though, the qb has to read the defense from that angle, they have to progress through their reads, they can't throw it to any receiver they want at will at any time during their routes. real qbs don't approach the game like you do in madden, they can't get that clear vision of the field until they go back and study the tape. i think people will learn how to pass from this new camera angle. the peripheral vision is fine, it's a decent 3rd person camera, its not the usual 120 degree fps vision. might not be perfect, but it's pretty reasonable.

Great point!

# 404 CreatineKasey @ 05/22/10 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altoonasfinest


	Question would you pick BB over madden or NCAA?

Absolutely not. M11 and NCAA11 for me. Online leagues are a major draw for me.

BTW, I think the camera is awesome in BB, but it doesn't take away from my issues with the game. I love the intense, frantic view.

# 405 Valdarez @ 05/22/10 10:18 AM

Just played the demo. Not a fan of the camera angle, and I can't stand the end of play. I was fairly certain of this from the game videos, and I have sounded off on it every chance I had. The demo only confirmed my reservations. The worst part is the slamming down at the end of the play followed by the completely unrealistic blurring. The blurring out at the end of the play kills my eyes. I'm not sure I can play the game because of it (eye condition). Why in the world did they blur it like that when the game looks so wonderful? Horrible design decision.

The controls are extremely difficult to get used to, but that's mostly due to the camera angle. They really need to make the angle adjustable, or just make it a first person perspective. What they use now seems to be the worst of both worlds.

I'll play some more later today and then report further.

# 406 Valdarez @ 05/22/10 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turftickler


	For all of you out there wondering about the controls and responsiveness. Play the demo for yourself and be amazed!!! This game has just started a revolution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Responsiveness is fine, sensitivity for right analog stick is not. It's too sensitive on the downward motions (has to be nigh spot on). They need to give more leeway there, and less to the sides (in general).

# 407 linkboy @ 05/22/10 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valdarez


	Responsiveness is fine, sensitivity for right analog stick is not. It's too sensitive on the downward motions (has to be nigh spot on). They need to give more leeway there, and less to the sides (in general).

Try using the alternate control scheme, it uses the fact buttons instead of the stick (I find it much better for passing, can't throw a lob at all with the stick).

# 408 Valdarez @ 05/22/10 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkyiii2k


	I know the camera angle maybe a problem for most players especially playing from a birds view most of our gaming lives but I think with practice which is the key....practice it can be exciting and definitely immersive. We have to train ourselves to forget how the Madden and 2k views were and start fresh.

Or they could have simply provided multiple camera views and let gamers 'choose' how they wish to play the game. Why limit your audiences fun of the game unnecessarily? Makes absolutely no sense. Horrible design decision. Mark my words, they will lose sales over the camera angle alone.

# 409 Valdarez @ 05/22/10 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkboy


	Try using the alternate control scheme, it uses the fact buttons instead of the stick (I find it much better for passing, can't throw a lob at all with the stick).

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely will do later on. Want to try to use the controls the way the developers wanted us to use them first.

I know after playing this that the movement makes Madden look like last years model. No wonder the guys over at EA are frantically working on locomotion!

# 410 CreatineKasey @ 05/22/10 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valdarez


	Or they could have simply provided multiple camera views and let gamers 'choose' how they wish to play the game. Why limit your audiences fun of the game unnecessarily? Makes absolutely no sense. Horrible design decision. Mark my words, they will lose sales over the camera angle alone.

I agree with this. I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal, but people really seem to be bothered by it. You know people are excessively positive during these early stages, so in a few months I expect people to be absolutely hating the camera.

# 411 TheWatcher @ 05/22/10 10:49 AM

To me, this camera view and its operations are a cross between First Person Football from NFL 2K4 and 2K5 (actually the core operational elements of the camera view are closely similar to 2K's FPF), Superstar mode in Madden and player lock in NCAA.

Now me personally, I've always liked those camera view concepts, but I find some extra difficulty with BB's because of the way the camera reacts to player movement. In my opinion, if a person doesn't like the types of views from the games I've mentioned, I doubt they'll like BackBreaker at all. The camera really does make a difference and it will be a deal-breaker for a lot of gamers.

That said, the in-the-trenches gamplay is definitely refreshing. You really have to be more on-point with timing than in other football games. If you make a false step you'll probably blow your assignment because recovery is not as simple or immediate as it is in other games. I like the risk-reward factor of that.

BackBreaker does a good job switching shots during replays. The first shot is usually a broadcast angle (something the other guys refuse to do for some convoluted reason), while the second shot tends to be a more on-the-field shot. What I think would've been great is if I could control the angle I want to see during auto-replays like what NBA Live did with 09, and I believe BCFX did this as well but I don't feel like popping the game in to check it right now...

Then there are the post-play angles. BackBreaker again does a better job than the other guy. NM chose an above waist, tight shot of the player post-play. The two presentation elements I mentioned are critical to presentation. The fact that they nailed this in a game that's not even broadcast-oriented says a lot more about the guys who aren't doing it properly...

You'll also notice that when a player is doing well in BB, he'll get that post-play shot above-waist with his stat card detailing his performance. It's really funny to me that on the first try in a game that's not even supposed to be broadcast, they can get this right, but the other game can't after 6 tries even though they claim to be broadcast...

I feel that in 2 more cycles, BackBreaker could be the best polygonal football game ever made. That time is not now however, but in a few more iterations I can definitely see it coming to fruition.

# 412 lasthour @ 05/22/10 10:52 AM

Played the game for a few hours last night and loved every minute of it. The camera angle just takes getting used to. You have to practice with the different positions, stay off the aggressive button and read the defense or offense pre-snap.

The only thing the God-view will do is make it easier to cheese and use exploits.

I like the nervousness the game can give you about being too aggressive. There is like a risk reward in using it. Also, this is what I thought next gen football should have always been like. This feels like THE advancement that the genre should have made in 2005. And the 4 teams feel different from each other.

Can't wait to get my hands on the full version. Some of you are not even giving the game a chance, but to each his own. Peace OS.

# 413 fikedemon @ 05/22/10 10:58 AM

Three years!!! You people have known about this camera for Three freakin years.If anything theyll maybe elevate the camera angle. Stop cryin and get your stick skills up. When running let go of the aggressive button read your blocks. Use the focus to see the field. When your quarterbacking read what the defense gives you and make you decisions accordingly. On defense thre focus button is your friend only go aggressive when you kno you got the player in your sights. If passing with the analog is too hard for you switch to the buttons. Simple.

# 414 RaiderKtulu @ 05/22/10 11:00 AM

I really really hope that they don't give in to the pressure to add more camera views. This game isn't meant to be played from God View. You're supposed to be down in the trenches in the middle of the action.

Just because God View has been the norm since 1992 or so doesn't make it the best option. People just don't like change. I'm sure if the internet had been widespread back then, there would have been people complaining about this new Madden game and it's overhead view being different from the Tecmo Bowl view they're used to.

# 415 steelersfan7 @ 05/22/10 11:06 AM

After playing a few more games I am beginning to adapt to the camera view. The game is a challenge, makes you make quick decisions while passing. I really love the animations, most realistic I have seen. I have yet to see the same tackle and player animation, unlike madden where you see the same thing over and over. Definatly gonna get this.

# 416 steelersfan7 @ 05/22/10 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fikedemon


	Three years!!! You people have known about this camera for Three freakin years.If anything theyll maybe elevate the camera angle. Stop cryin and get your stick skills up. When running let go of the aggressive button read your blocks. Use the focus to see the field. When your quarterbacking read what the defense gives you and make you decisions accordingly. On defense thre focus button is your friend only go aggressive when you kno you got the player in your sights. If passing with the analog is too hard for you switch to the buttons. Simple.

You go!!! I agree, it aint that bad passing. I played on medium pro and had over 100 yards passing. Practice, practice, practice!!!!!!!! Thats all there is to it.

# 417 Valdarez @ 05/22/10 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fikedemon


	Three years!!! You people have known about this camera for Three freakin years.If anything theyll maybe elevate the camera angle. Stop cryin and get your stick skills up. When running let go of the aggressive button read your blocks. Use the focus to see the field. When your quarterbacking read what the defense gives you and make you decisions accordingly. On defense thre focus button is your friend only go aggressive when you kno you got the player in your sights. If passing with the analog is too hard for you switch to the buttons. Simple.

And people have been saying they thought it would be problematic the entire time as well. Now we know it is. At the end of the day the developers should give folks a choice of how they want to play the game. Every respectable sports title from NHL, to NBA, to NFL provide multiple camera angles. Don't expect BackBreaker to get a pass on it by providing the worst camera angle available and trying to pass it off as the 'best way to play the game'. I can't believe the company is willing to forgo $$$ to push a single camera angle game experience. Makes no business sense, or even game design sense for that matter.

# 418 brezz2001 @ 05/22/10 11:23 AM

I guess one thing I don't understand is when to use focus and when not to. Can anyone explain the point of focus? Also, I'm assuming aggressiveness is more like "turbo", is this true?

Brian

# 419 NoDakHusker @ 05/22/10 11:28 AM

This camera argument is growing old. You either love it or you hate it, there is no right or wrong. We all love options but I wouldn't get my hopes up for a god view...which is fine because that's what other football games are for.

Personally, I like it. I think it could be zoomed out just a tad, but it's not that big of a deal to me.
Still enjoying the demo. I don't think I've ever spent so much time on a demo, which certainly says a lot.
The biggest issue I have is the AI playcalling and QB decision making. Some games it's pretty good but others...the CPU will have 3rd and 12 and call a draw play, which rarely gets anything beyond 5 yards. I find the CPU to be way too conservative. Maybe it's just those teams or maybe the AI wasn't implemented correctly for the demo or maybe that's just how it is.
I hope some of those little bugs get fixed, because this is a great demo otherwise and very fun to play.

# 420 Illustrator76 @ 05/22/10 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valdarez


	Or they could have simply provided multiple camera views and let gamers 'choose' how they wish to play the game. Why limit your audiences fun of the game unnecessarily? Makes absolutely no sense. Horrible design decision. Mark my words, they will lose sales over the camera angle alone.

I agree 100% and said the exact same thing a few pages ago. Giving us multiple camera options would have solved this issue quite easily. I also don't understand why some people are getting all defensive over others not liking the camera. I could understand if people were trashing the game as a whole, but I for one stated that the graphics were good and the physics were awesome, yet people chose to jump all over my "the camera sucks" comment instead.

I wish people would get off of their "this camera is for sim guys" high horse because your argument is totally invalid. You are playing a video game, so there will always be aspects about the game that aren't 100% like "real life" so that the game remains playable and fun. As I stated numerous times: "In real life receivers don't glow red when I look at them and my plays don't appear on the field when I push the right bumper." So please stop trying to take shots at others by acting like people who like this ignorantly named "God cam" are any less sim/hardcore than you are.

A game or gameplay style being "simulation" does not hinge on the camera being a certain way, there are alot of other factors that go in to making a game "simulation", and anyone who believes otherwise is borderline delusional. I guess I'm not a "sim player" and NBA 2K10 is not a "sim" basketball game because I play on the side camera instead of the one that goes up and down.....stop it people, please.

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