Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

[hatisback]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Didn't the info they gave us on the teams a say Greathouse, the qb of the Cougars was actually the best qb in the game and perennial all star selection?

Has anybody compared his 4 ratings to the other qb's? If they are lower, that has to mean their are other attributes we can't see.

Cougar Greathouse
F-88, A-73, SP-82, ST-80

Which means by just those numbers, Columbias QB should be better I would think.

[blazer003]

Initial thoughts: This game is sweet. After play a bit, I think it's going to be fun, I am going to buy it, but there are some concerns.

The Good:

Animations are off the hook. So many realistic situations. It's all physics based, so it makes sense but interactions look like they should. Night and day compared to NCAA/Madden.

The feel like you are the player you are controlling. Some won't like the camera, but I love it.

Making big plays is rewarding. When you make a big play, you feel like you did. I pulled off a kick return for a td with some nifty moves, some sweet sacks from the DE and LB possition, and a sick Int where I read the play with the safety and stepped up and picked off the pass.

The Not So Good:

Too many interceptions. I just had the CPU throw 4 in my last game. Have had a couple others that were interception fests.

The running game doesn't seem to be very effective. I've broken a couple decent runs and one long one, but by and large running is usually -2 to 1 yards. Same for the CPU, though they too have busted a couple on me here and there.

Player control (sometimes): I'm sure this is probably just getting used to it, but especially when I'm running a toss or throwing to the flats, it seems like it takes forever for my guy to turn up field. Maybe I just need to break my EA habit of holding turbo all the time.

[CreatineKasey]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Ok, so I played a game against Indy using the Cougars who have have 29 rated defense on hard. I punted the ball anytime I got in order to maximize their possessions on offense. They had 5 possessions total and managed only 64 yards and one field goal. Good news is their qb looked decent, didn't throw a pick. I only called a 2 blitzes, one worked the other didn't.

A 73 rated offense should manage more than 64 yards on 5 possessions against a 29 rated defense. I also sacked their qb 3 times.

Unfortunately another issue cropped up in this game that I have been noticing and that is cpu clock management. They were at my 26 with about 27 seconds left in the half and decided to kick a field goal. They had no timeouts but still they are kicking a field goal with 27 seconds left in the half.

I then punt the ball back to them after the field goal and kickoff. They have about 15 seconds left and are at midfield. Instead of throwing it to get into field goal position they run the ball on first down to about the 45. Then they spike the ball with about 8 seconds left, throw an incomplete pass. With 2 seconds left instead of throwing ball into the end zone from my 45 they run the ball instead.

I think people should do what I did and play Indy using the two worst defenses on hard. Punt them the ball back when they get the ball and see what they do on offense. That seems like a good test to me.

I use the Cougars like that, too. I also agree that they still don't rip through that soft Cougar defense like they should. The MLB I user sheds blocks too good for my liking against superior OL.

[MarkAdrianPI]

PS3 and XBOX owner, still waiting. Any word on PS3 demo release? I refuse to pay for gold or any form of online. With that said any word on PS demo release?

[linkboy]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

PS3 and XBOX owner, still waiting. Any word on PS3 demo release? I refuse to pay for gold or any form of online. With that said any word on PS demo release?

Probably Tuesday. Sony only updates PSN on Tuesdays.

I've been playing the demo some more and I'm getting better at the game. The camera is hit or miss with me. Wouldn't mind seeing it raised just a bit higher. I think that would solve a lot of the complaints, but still allow for what NaturalMotion wanted.

This is going to be one of my favorite football games ever, I totally love it. Can't wait for the full version.

[michaeljordanjr]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

People who've played it, do you see this engine working its way to Madden? Or even NBA games or sports games in general?

Do you feel its something that would work in other sports? Or strictly for Football?

[raiders81tim]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

People who've played it, do you see this engine working its way to Madden? Or even NBA games or sports games in general?

Do you feel its something that would work in other sports? Or strictly for Football?

This engine in general I doubt, but a custom physics engine is no doubt something we will see in future versions of madden.

[Valdarez]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Has anyone found a way to move the camera during a replay? It looks like it's stuck on the player you controlled. I wanted to get an overall picture of the gameplay, which is looking pretty bad from what I can see, particularly decision making and coverage.

For example, I completed a pass to a receiver covered by 4 guys who had no concept that the ball was coming. Problem with that is there were literally 4 guys on 1 CB, and the 2nd problem is they couldn't cover the pass. I was 'focused' when I passed, but still, 4 on 1 and the WR is able to stop catch it while the DB's look lost?

Anyhow, I digress. If anyone can explain how to move the camera (or if it's possible) in a replay like we have done in other football games, I would appreciate it.

[Valdarez]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

People who've played it, do you see this engine working its way to Madden? Or even NBA games or sports games in general?

Do you feel its something that would work in other sports? Or strictly for Football?

It could work for any type of game. It's in GTAIV (not sure about the recently released Red Dead Redemption). There's no reason it couldn't be used in other football or sports games (I actually hope it is).

[NoDakHusker]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Has anyone found a way to move the camera during a replay? It looks like it's stuck on the player you controlled. I wanted to get an overall picture of the gameplay, which is looking pretty bad from what I can see, particularly decision making and coverage.

For example, I completed a pass to a receiver covered by 4 guys who had no concept that the ball was coming. Problem with that is there were literally 4 guys on 1 CB, and the 2nd problem is they couldn't cover the pass. I was 'focused' when I passed, but still, 4 on 1 and the WR is able to stop catch it while the DB's look lost?

Anyhow, I digress. If anyone can explain how to move the camera (or if it's possible) in a replay like we have done in other football games, I would appreciate it.

You can't move the camera in replay, however [supposedly] the final version of the game has a better replay mode.

[Clemalum2007]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

Has anyone found a way to move the camera during a replay? It looks like it's stuck on the player you controlled. I wanted to get an overall picture of the gameplay, which is looking pretty bad from what I can see, particularly decision making and coverage.

For example, I completed a pass to a receiver covered by 4 guys who had no concept that the ball was coming. Problem with that is there were literally 4 guys on 1 CB, and the 2nd problem is they couldn't cover the pass. I was 'focused' when I passed, but still, 4 on 1 and the WR is able to stop catch it while the DB's look lost?

Anyhow, I digress. If anyone can explain how to move the camera (or if it's possible) in a replay like we have done in other football games, I would appreciate it.

Replay system is dumbed down in the Demo... Full game will have that capability.

[coconut267]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

yup madden thirteen would look just like this

[sasquatchboy]

This game is spectacular for a demo. Madden should stick to making games for Wii. Cartoonish and for kids. Backbreaker is a man's game with realistic physics that Madden cannot begin to compete with. Yes, EA has monopolized the NFL, but no matter because the edit feature in Backbreaker will allow you to make your fave college or pro team. From any era. The Backbreaker demo alone crushes any Madden from any era.

[Valdarez]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

You can't move the camera in replay, however [supposedly] the final version of the game has a better replay mode.

Replay system is dumbed down in the Demo... Full game will have that capability.

Got it, thnx guys. I kept trying combination of buttons out trying to pick the proverbial camera locks so to speak but kept coming up dry. Hard to watch the play develop even when your not playing the position. I wanted to follow the pathing of the DB's over the course of the play to see how they were covering their zones, play man coverage, determining when to make a play on the ball versus a play on the player, etc.

[mrprice33]

Re: Backbreaker Demo Available, Post Your Impressions Here

It could work for any type of game. It's in GTAIV (not sure about the recently released Red Dead Redemption). There's no reason it couldn't be used in other football or sports games (I actually hope it is).

The collision system seems a little too touchy for basketball. But it could certainly work for sports games where contact is key (boxing, MMA, hockey, wrestling, football, etc)

and yes, the tech is in RDR. It's better implemented there than in GTA4, IMO.