Backbreaker Review

[stiffarmleft]

Re: Backbreaker Review

First iteration of a new IP using new animation technology, I'll excuse the flaws with the understanding that most of the development time went into the technology. Even with all the development time you can tell the technology still needs work, I'm Impressed that they even got a playable game of football in there, some developers said it wasn't even possible. Label it a tech demo if you must but it has enough features and plays a decent enough if flawed version of football to warrant my $50, I can't wait for BB2. If BB4 has the same issues, then I'll make no excuses.

[khaliib]

What people fail to understand is that the "ONLY" two elements they wanted to push was:

1) Natural Motion
2) Customizaion (to show you don't need an NFL contract; notice how only "Uni's/Logos" are editable? )

Go back an review all the vid's and info by the Dev team, and you will see that these were the only 2 things they wanted to push during this release.

The mentioned things about the camera view, ratings etc... but always went back to these 2 area's because this was what they were selling. Go back and review!!!

As far as some of the other stuff people are mentioning pertaining to why they didn't like or rated the game so poorly is outside the scope of the intentions of their first game.

These are the 2 things they hammered on constantly.
Natural Motion is physics never seen in any other football game.
Custamization (spits into the face of the "Exclusive" agreements that forced competitors out).

So any review should be based only on these 2 functions of the game.
Did you like/dislike Natural Motion compared to the physics of current football games? Why/why not
Did Customization help to deal with the want of an NFL product? Why/why not

To me, the game gets high scores base off the 2 features they put a the forefront of the game.
Now they can introduce other area's.

If you really think about it, this is really smart because other's have tried to introduce a game in whole, without showcasing what was different from other football games. Thus, gamer's didn't see much innovation that seperated them from the "GIANT". But Backbreaker showcases it's innovation by trying to put focus on the game's foundation (Natural Motion and Customizaion). It's just we are used to a football game being presented to us in whole vs in parts.

I've had to "slow my role" with picking this game apart, to remember that this is their "1st" game.
Even 2k made a couple of games before 2k5.
Gameday and Gamebreaker had their time.
I've given up on Madden!!!!

Give them some space and let them do their thang!!!
Loved making College Teams on Backbreaker (if they allow college type playbooks, man!!!)

[mestevo]

Re: Backbreaker Review

The problem with your argument is people and reviewers expect a football game.

"So any review should be based only on these 2 functions of the game."

Just wow.

[mbmonk]

Re: Backbreaker Review

Probably for the same reason that the flaws people in excuse in this game would never be accepted in a Madden game, people have given excuses for everything that is criticized in Backbreaker.

Most of the things people complain about in Madden have been there for years. Madden was first released in 1989. They have had 20 years to fix problems. This is BB first release. Lets revisit you comment when BB21 releases if you want to be fair. Also the budgets to develop the two titles I am sure were extremely different.

EDIT: I have stated the review score is fair. The game has huge flaws. I wish it would have been polished way more. That being said I enjoy the game.

[Dogslax41]

Re: Backbreaker Review

Most of the things people complain about in Madden have been there for years. Madden was first released in 1989. They have had 20 years to fix problems. This is BB first release. Lets revisit you comment when BB21 releases if you want to be fair. Also the budgets to develop the two titles I am sure were extremely different.

EDIT: I have stated the review score is fair. The game has huge flaws. I wish it would have been polished way more. That being said I enjoy the game.

I can't cut them any slack for this being their first game. I love the game and think it was worth my $50, but at the same time you have to review what is produced and what they shipped doesn't justify above a 6 in my opinion.

But it does deserve to have what it does right highlighted and that has been the problem with alot of reviews. The natural motion is a huge leap forward, EA knows its the future because it is putting real time physics in their hockey game and madden is trying to emulate it as best as possible with their two stick system, which as anyone who has played NHL knows is right up there with the Show as one of the two best video game representations of a sport ever. The customization is unlike anything we have seen in sports outside Pro Evo. Those are two huge wins for such a small development team in their first showing.

But at the same time they chose to enter the football gaming market and you have to judge their offering as a football game.

Right now there are glaring AI probelms, but as I stated earlier it does sound like there is potential to fix those to some extent without a patch. I know I am enjoying it and can only hope that the community or the devs can help fix some of the problems without us having to wait for backbreaker 2.

[coolbreez35]

Re: Backbreaker Review

i really dont think some of yall know what the euphoria is . its not just physx its live animations that play out different every play. hit,tackles,etc. its dang cool. a

[coolbreez35]

Re: Backbreaker Review

i really dont think some of yall know what the euphoria is . its not just physx its live animations that play out different every play. hit,tackles,etc. its dang cool. a

[TreyIM2]

People just can't handle the "truth"...or a different opinion...especially if the opinion is dead on with a potential "truth". Hits too close to home for many and that causes lash outs.

[jmood88]

Re: Backbreaker Review

Most of the things people complain about in Madden have been there for years. Madden was first released in 1989. They have had 20 years to fix problems. This is BB first release. Lets revisit you comment when BB21 releases if you want to be fair. Also the budgets to develop the two titles I am sure were extremely different.

EDIT: I have stated the review score is fair. The game has huge flaws. I wish it would have been polished way more. That being said I enjoy the game.

I'm not going to give the company a pass because it's their first game. Look at NFL2k when it came out, it was comparable, and it some places surpassed, the football games that were out at the same time and they were a small team. The NaturalMotion people have money from licensing their engine to Rockstar and other companies and, as their fans love to point out, from that Tackle Alley app on the iphone. No, they aren't as big as Tiburon but they aren't four guys working out of their basement. It's crazy to me that there are people who hate EA so much that they tirelessly defend a game that is missing a lot of things. Most people who have been around here know that I didn't buy a football game after 2k5 until All Pro Football came out so I understand not liking EA/Tiburon, but I won't tell people to blindly buy a game just because it's something other than Madden.

[daboyz55]

Re: Backbreaker Review

Wow, if I had to depend on other's opinions I woildn't be enjoying this game right now. While it has it's flaws it isn't as bad as people seem to make it. One surprising thing from the review calling the online play "cheesefest". LOL. I usually just read and never really comment on this forumn but I just couldn't hold my tongue on this one. I think despite some kinks(lag or drops) online play is probably one of its stronger points. Case in point I NEVER have to worry about someone dropping back 20 yards and throwing a 90 yard bomb. In all this review is fair as everyone has an opinion but it wouldn't really say that I agree with the reviewers assesment.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Backbreaker Review

What people fail to understand is that the "ONLY" two elements they wanted to push was:

1) Natural Motion
2) Customizaion (to show you don't need an NFL contract; notice how only "Uni's/Logos" are editable? )

Go back an review all the vid's and info by the Dev team, and you will see that these were the only 2 things they wanted to push during this release.

The mentioned things about the camera view, ratings etc... but always went back to these 2 area's because this was what they were selling. Go back and review!!!

As far as some of the other stuff people are mentioning pertaining to why they didn't like or rated the game so poorly is outside the scope of the intentions of their first game.

These are the 2 things they hammered on constantly.
Natural Motion is physics never seen in any other football game.
Custamization (spits into the face of the "Exclusive" agreements that forced competitors out).

So any review should be based only on these 2 functions of the game.
Did you like/dislike Natural Motion compared to the physics of current football games? Why/why not
Did Customization help to deal with the want of an NFL product? Why/why not

To me, the game gets high scores base off the 2 features they put a the forefront of the game.
Now they can introduce other area's.

If you really think about it, this is really smart because other's have tried to introduce a game in whole, without showcasing what was different from other football games. Thus, gamer's didn't see much innovation that seperated them from the "GIANT". But Backbreaker showcases it's innovation by trying to put focus on the game's foundation (Natural Motion and Customizaion). It's just we are used to a football game being presented to us in whole vs in parts.

I've had to "slow my role" with picking this game apart, to remember that this is their "1st" game.
Even 2k made a couple of games before 2k5.
Gameday and Gamebreaker had their time.
I've given up on Madden!!!!

Give them some space and let them do their thang!!!
Loved making College Teams on Backbreaker (if they allow college type playbooks, man!!!)

Dude, come on....

This was reviewed AS ONE THING. A FOOTBALL GAME.

Do you know why? Because that is what it is.

[bill2451]

Re: Backbreaker Review

yeah, while I disagree in large of the content/tone of the review, I also think what khaliib said is ridiculous lol

you can't only review a game on what the developer wanted to push and ignore the whole package

[Afrikan]

Re: Backbreaker Review

yeah, while I disagree in large of the content/tone of the review, I also think what khaliib said is ridiculous lol

you can't only review a game on what the developer wanted to push and ignore the whole package

well true, and this is not directed to you Bill...

but this review and other ones ignore the whole package of what BackBreaker brings to the table for Football gaming.....it is not just "tackle animations"...it has to do with live interactions between the players and the environment.....they seem more alive in this game than another sports game out there....let alone football.

the little things the players do.....but this all gets ignored as just "great tackles" it is MUCH MORE than that.....and that is one of the reasons I'm soooo excited about the future of this football series as well as other football games who will have to answer to this.

[jfsolo]

Re: Backbreaker Review

The problem with your argument is people and reviewers expect a football game.

"So any review should be based only on these 2 functions of the game."

Just wow.

Dude, come on....

This was reviewed AS ONE THING. A FOOTBALL GAME.

Do you know why? Because that is what it is.

I have seen some unbelievable rationalizations here over the years, but that one may top them all.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Backbreaker Review

I have seen some unbelievable rationalizations here over the years, but that one may top them all.

I am flabbergasted at that rational. So am I an idiot for buying BB to play a football game? They sure had me fooled..