BackBreaker demo.

[weemadando]

I've sunk a bit of time into this now and am deeply torn. On the one hand it's finally a Euphoria driven sports game with a new control scheme that is simple and effective, it's presentation is a little lacking but it's stylised enough that I don't really care. The AI is pretty good (as far as I can tell - I'm sure some hardcore folks with find 'sploit plays) and the way it meshes with Euphoria is excellent - guys will reach to ankle-tap you if you juke their dive etc.

On the other hand it's lacking in polish in many areas (as first generation sports titles are wont to be) and in it's most egregious and unforgivable sin, it's lacking a replay feature. The only way you can replay is to rewatch the exact view you had of the play. Which is kind of pointless. Especially for a game where there is AWESOME UNIQUE STUFF happening that you might just happen to miss unless you are lucky enough to have it on screen and can replay it from there. For example:






And hilarious after the play unintentional stuff like this:


Anyone else put any time into this?

[weemadando]

Also, apparently in addition to the lack of a decent replay system, they haven't implemented injuries.

WHAT THE HELL. You've got an animation model that is based around skeletal and muscular modelling. I'm pretty sure you could put in code that lets you determine whether a guy's knee got jacked on that play, or if that whiplash was enough for someone to have to take a week off.

Or, you know. If someone has their fucking BACK BROKEN.





The AI also has moments of genius like this:

That is remarkable - and completely impossible in Madden AFAIK.

The biggest downside? The soundtrack. You'll see what I mean.

[Havok]

While I am hoping this does well, it is only for the sole reason that I hope that the good points will be adapted by Madden. I honestly can not stand to play a football game without the NFL brand attached to it. I don't want to spend a week editing teams and uniforms, although some may think I do. Also without a deep franchise mode, this game is pointless to me. Stand alone games are fun for a while, but there is nothing like the wear and tear grind of an NFL season and the fun of building a successful team. The player modeling is crap too... based on real bones and muscles and you give me that?

I may pick this up used for the game play, but that is about it.

[JointStrikeFighter]

You are so fat hav

[weemadando]

While I am hoping this does well, it is only for the sole reason that I hope that the good points will be adapted by Madden. I honestly can not stand to play a football game without the NFL brand attached to it. I don't want to spend a week editing teams and uniforms, although some may think I do. Also without a deep franchise mode, this game is pointless to me. Stand alone games are fun for a while, but there is nothing like the wear and tear grind of an NFL season and the fun of building a successful team. The player modeling is crap too... based on real bones and muscles and you give me that?

I may pick this up used for the game play, but that is about it.

I'll probably pick it up when Madden comes out and it's had a price drop, simply because by then someone else will have gone through and created a full roster of NFL teams with picture perfect logos and uniforms and recreated all the players.

[Havok]

You are so fat hav

It's a gift.

Or a practiced skill.

Actually both.

[Havok]

While I am hoping this does well, it is only for the sole reason that I hope that the good points will be adapted by Madden. I honestly can not stand to play a football game without the NFL brand attached to it. I don't want to spend a week editing teams and uniforms, although some may think I do. Also without a deep franchise mode, this game is pointless to me. Stand alone games are fun for a while, but there is nothing like the wear and tear grind of an NFL season and the fun of building a successful team. The player modeling is crap too... based on real bones and muscles and you give me that?

I may pick this up used for the game play, but that is about it.

I'll probably pick it up when Madden comes out and it's had a price drop, simply because by then someone else will have gone through and created a full roster of NFL teams with picture perfect logos and uniforms and recreated all the players.

Well hopefully someone will do that, but it won't change the fact that the player models look like balls to me. This is precisely why I never could get into the All Pro series.

[Havok]

So this is out. All the review sites (I know, I know) are giving 5-6/10. Operation Sports is also giving it a 5/10, which is saying something (although people there seem to be pissed about the review.)

I haven't played this yet as the 360 is still down, but from the looks of it, it is pretty much what I thought. Innovation, but poorly presented and with crap gameplay, which is to be expected... I guess, from a first attempt. (I mean, they did have like 4 years to work on this correct?) The supporters are mad because it isn't getting a 7 or 8 based on it basically not being Madden and having a new camera angle and the Euphoria engine, but from the looks of it, the GAME is mediocre at best. Not to mention, not having the NFL license which seems like a deathknell regardless of how good it was going to be.

I will give a comprehensive review when I get my XboX back. Until then, maybe Weemadando can weigh in.

[Stark]

Ken says it's both awful but great; the lack of the licence, the crap polish and some wierd design decisions are terrible. But the bits that work work really well. He end up buying it.

[weemadando]

I really love some of it, but hate other parts.

HOW CAN IT NOT HAVE INSTANT REPLAY THAT DOESN'T SUCK?

The licenses etc don't bother me greatly, but there's just enough bits that lack polish to put me off.

[Stark]

Yeah, Ken describes it as the best and worst football game ever. The replay this is particularly awful.

[Havok]

So basically, EA will buy the game and incorporate it into the next Madden. Or just find a an equivalent engine.

The thing with me is that what I can see in the demo is what makes me dislike the game and no amount of cool engines or never repeated tackles is going to make me like it.

[weemadando]

Holy shit.

I saw on Giant Bomb that they just patched the shit out of Backbreaker.

The highlights of this patch:
*Brand new replay system with the addition of seven fully functional cameras, including free flight mode and a cinematic 'ball-lock' option.
*More than 100 new plays added, including an additional nine formations.
*Improved Quarterback camera view and passing game.
*A user-catch system, giving the player a much greater level of control over the on-field action.
*Interception control, the user is now given full control over interception attempts when controlling a defensive player.
*Comprehensive review of the penalty rulings following an analysis of reported errors.

Full patch notes:
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/k ... thouse.pdf


This might actually be a viable competitor to Madden now. But I'll probably still be buying Madden anyway because I'm a filthy, dirty whore.