Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

[bkrich83]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

So I just witnessed another solid drive by the CPU...2 games today and both of them featured long drives by the CPU, this time by the Cougars and against me, the Spartans.
I also saw for the first time, the CPU scrambled with the QB and picked up 7 yards.
Am I playing the same demo I did yesterday??? lol.
Weird.

LOL. I'll try to see if it's any different for me.

[TracerBullet]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

So I just witnessed another solid drive by the CPU...2 games today and both of them featured long drives by the CPU, this time by the Cougars and against me, the Spartans.
I also saw for the first time, the CPU scrambled with the QB and picked up 7 yards.
Am I playing the same demo I did yesterday??? lol.
Weird.

CPU actually scrambled for like a 20 yard gain on me yesterday because my defenders started to run into each other yesterday. meanwhile I was way away from the play so I couldn't do anything about it lol. Glad you're enjoying the game ND.

[NoDakHusker]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

CPU actually scrambled for like a 20 yard gain on me yesterday because my defenders started to run into each other yesterday. meanwhile I was way away from the play so I couldn't do anything about it lol. Glad you're enjoying the game ND.

I'm having a lot of fun with it, the AI is very questionable though, which is why I was so surprised at those 2 games. If the AI is better in the full game, I'll be very happy.

[allBthere]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

My understanding is the demo playbooks re pretty generic and vanilla compared to the in game playbooks. Maybe that's a cause as well?

That could be, but don't you think the OL needs to be beefed up a little? I have had games mostly against indy where they do really well - it's also the limited time it's only 4min of gameplay. But personally I feel like better OL performance would tremendously improve the gameplay.

The playbook's aren't that bad in the demo though either as far as numbers.

In the NFL most teams have 60-70 plays right (for a single game)...so it's kind of around that (yet I do feel limited compared to say all-pro). What I didn't like about some of the BB plays is for example that one run-team with has some decent run plays, but none that was full power fb leading and towards the te side that I noticed. In other words many of the plays are bad to me because fail to give the runner the best chance possible as far as blockers taking on most possible pursuers. I feel like to run the ball I'd like more lead blocking because of the fierce penetration in the backfield.

Since the ratings really do seem to make a diff though, in the end I'll probably go around the league editing guys to either weaken some of the Defence or Power up some of the offence or a mix. Penetration in the backfield is coming too quickly though I think, so first it will be pumping up the oline, maybe diminsihing dline too.

[TracerBullet]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

That could be, but don't you think the OL needs to be beefed up a little? I have had games mostly against indy where they do really well - it's also the limited time it's only 4min of gameplay. But personally I feel like better OL performance would tremendously improve the gameplay.

The playbook's aren't that bad in the demo though either as far as numbers.

In the NFL most teams have 60-70 plays right (for a single game)...so it's kind of around that (yet I do feel limited compared to say all-pro). What I didn't like about some of the BB plays is for example that one run-team with has some decent run plays, but none that was full power fb leading and towards the te side that I noticed. In other words many of the plays are bad to me because fail to give the runner the best chance possible as far as blockers taking on most possible pursuers. I feel like to run the ball I'd like more lead blocking because of the fierce penetration in the backfield.

Since the ratings really do seem to make a diff though, in the end I'll probably go around the league editing guys to either weaken some of the Defence or Power up some of the offence or a mix. Penetration in the backfield is coming too quickly though I think, so first it will be pumping up the oline, maybe diminsihing dline too.

I definently think this would improve the game. At the moment sacks seem like they are occurring left and right.

[Joshua1207]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

I thought I posted this but I don't see it, anyways;
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.

[SIM RULES]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Yeah but in the extreme other direction. In my experience the QB is super easy to sack and can't compete a pass.

I agree that their are some AI issues that should be addressed, or hopefully we can adjust some things once the game is released. I think that it may be a side affect of not having scripted plays, and relying heavily on attributes and AI; if that makes sense. Could this also be a result of the QB's and WR's being less talented than the defensive players? Indy plays well, but I feel like the play calling and execution should be better.

Once I get the full game, I could compare other teams and players and see the extent of the issues, and if they are really issues at all.

[SIM RULES]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Backbreaker only has like 4 ratings.

I know, but other games have a ton, and only a couple seem to matter. Just my opinion.

[Jimixiii]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

I thought I posted this but I don't see it, anyways;
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.

These are not the problems I'm having, playing defense to me is by far one of the best improvements this game features beyond any other football game. The perspective makes it easier to follow whats going on & for the 1st time ever I can play any defensive position with confidence instead of just playing a a lineman as I'd always do in other games.

I don't seem to get pancaked often but then again I'm finally playing LB or Safety or even CB now like I mentioned. But even when I'm going for the runner I think I was pancaked just once the rest of the time I either close to the play or I'm getting stood up by a blocker in my case.

I've pulled off alot of good jukes, it all depends on the player though, Dexter Houston (who I think is with the Oakland Scourge @ RB) is the guy to play with to really feel how great the running can be in this demo though, he's a monster.

My frustration pretty much is just the CPU offensive AI at the moment & the learning curve for passing.

[CreatineKasey]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

I just saw a WR drag his feet to catch a ball on the sidelines. I'm not sure if it was just an animation b/c he had to dive for it or if he consciously dragged his toes. Regardless, it happened.

[SIM RULES]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

These are not the problems I'm having, playing defense to me is by far one of the best improvements this game features beyond any other football game. The perspective makes it easier to follow whats going on & for the 1st time ever I can play any defensive position with confidence instead of just playing a a lineman as I'd always do in other games.

I don't seem to get pancaked often but then again I'm finally playing LB or Safety or even CB now like I mentions.

I've pulled off alot of good jukes, it all depends on the player though, Dexter Houston (who I think is with the Oakland Scourge @ RB) is the guy to play with to really feel how great the running can be in this demo though, he's a monster.

My frustration pretty much is just the CPU offensive AI at the moment & the learning curve for passing.

Good post, I agree. I am also loving playing defense now.

[mestevo]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Yeah I had the most fun on defense, makes me wish there was a superstar mode so I could do just that.

Offense feels kinda like a sloppy mess in front of the QB and it can be hard to tell what's going on down the field from this perspective. We don't have the training and practice of a QB to make that very much fun for me... apart from WRs breaking free and clear it's hard to tell who's actually open especially if it's beyond your initial read. I appreciate that there is a lot of cool physic based pass blocking and stuff going on, but that kind of stuff is really only appreciated in slow motion.

[CreatineKasey]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

LOL I just made a tackle on defense by tripping the WR! I flicked the R stick forward, my guy dove way behind the WR and our legs tangled... for the tackle!

[Playmakers]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Backbreaker only has like 4 ratings.

This can't be true....

How are we suppose to seperate player ability with only 4 ratings

That seems pretty bland if you ask me

[CactusJunk]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

I know, but other games have a ton [of ratings], and only a couple seem to matter. Just my opinion.

Teddy Noankles!

As a PS3 guy, I'm really eager to get a look at this on Tuesday. If the only major issue for me is CPU AI (esp. on offense), I'm hopeful that either the retail version will not have the same problems or that the problem can be patched. What I'm seeing in the videos that have been posted has me thinking that I'm going to enjoy this. The idea that this doesn't have the NFL license and players is a plus for me, but I'm probably the only one who thinks that.