Backbreaker Video: Offensive Passing Alpha Gameplay

[kjcheezhead]

Quote: Originally Posted by BigZell20

I wish they would give us some Pro Mode videos...maybe that would help some of the issues people have. I assume switching to Pro does more than just take away the glowing ball and open up the playbooks, it probably ups the AI difficulty too. That would possibly resolve the QB seeming to stand in the pocket all day. I also pray that it creates more variation in ball trajectory and location, like others have mentioned they all seem to be to the same spot. Everything looked smoother than the previous gameplay vids, but the audio sticks out like a sore thumb.

Pro mode would really help. It's possible the dline has been taken back some on this level as well. Kids wouldn't enjoy the game if they have Jared Allen caliber rush crushing them from the blindside on easy mode,lol.

[Gort77]

I was happy to see a new video for this game.

I liked it. I saw some great stuff, like the DBs colliding trying to defend the ball, and some not so good stuff, like the DE stopping and running into a OL on the first play. Unfortunately since these are completely custom teams and players we have no idea of how good or bad they are, so these mistakes we see might be because of a low rated player or bad programming. Its easier to watch game play footage of madden and say "that's bad bad programming for the linemen" because we generally know how good or bad teams OL and DL are. Overall im still excited, sure the DB doesn't watch the ball the whole play, but neither do pro players and even still, is it truly a game killer? I think not.

[TheKasmar]

The replays looked really nice and the QB throwing animation looks way better in slo-mo.

The interaction between the WR/DB's on the first play transitioned well. It looks like there will be a lot of possibilities in the pass game.

[bjones16]

What are some of you guys talking about. The OF/DEF line play look miles ahead of Madden. To the guy that said the dt wasn't blocked. Did you see he was doubled the the offensive line actually switched?? I have never seen that in Madden and when the dt was one on one he was able to get past him.

And DB on that play was NOT supposed to turn around. From playing db and wr in hs. The second you turn around you are out of position. You put your hands up and try to make a play! Which the db did! How many times do you see the db turn around. Hardly ever bc one the db turns around you allow the wr to make a huge play!

My only gripe is the de making a horrible angle to the qb....otherwise very realistic game!

[o Mass Murda o]

game looks good to me. i saw some decent blocking on the line. i did however see the dt, i believe, take that pause in his step though before hitting the qb after he threw it. the good thing is before he got there he at least came off of what looked like a realistic block.im gonna write that off as either human controlled, low rating, or the easy AI (glowing players n ball). i still dont like the clumsy and clunky looking qb dropback and steps. it look like hes gonna trip over his own feet during the game, but thats NOWHERE near a game killer or realism killer to me.

contrary to the others in this thread, its looking better and better to me.

[lofeazy]

No game is ever perfect on a Alpha build.(Few hiccups)

Can't wait to see gameplay on the beta and gold build.

[JMD]

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

I was really excited about this game when we first got gameplay footage (i.e. developer's diary). With the first batch of IGN gameplay footage about a week ago or so, I was still sort of excited especially the 3rd person camera view. I watched it many, many, many times and each subsequent time, I was extremely pumped, ... ... my hype for this game is spiraling downhill, fast. As I suspected: 1. DB vs WR interaction still looks very poor. The DB is completely turning his back when he really should not be doing so. What exactly was the DB/CB doing on the first play from scrimmage. Replay tells the whole story. 2. DL pass rush is off the charts, poor. They have no speed. What in the world was the defensive end (DE) doing (left side of screen)? The QB should have been blind sided; the QB should have been put out of commission on the first play from scrimmage. As I suspected, there is no legitimate pass rush in this game as it appears. DE hesitated, and wasn't even rushing the quarterback but simply engaging with the offensive OL. (First play from scrimmage). Revisit past gameplay footage and you'll notice that all sacks happen directly in the QB's field of vision. There are absolutely no weak side or strong side sacks, ever. 3. The DL rushing directly at the QB's field of vision, hesitates his step. There is absolutely no speed in these defensive lineman. (first play from scrimmage). I am going to either have to release these linesman during free agency, or tell them that they are off the squad, or do I permanently put them on the bench as bench warmers. 4. Also take note of the OL that allowed the DL to rush directly down the middle at the QB. The OL says "well, the DL got by me, I'll just let him go straight to my QB, and I'll see if I can pick up another block on another DL directly in front of me. It's fine if I let my assigned DL sack the QB. No biggie." Blocking here is definitely a problem. 5. The sole reason the OL/DL interaction looks poor is because there is a lack of aggressive pass rush. Even though blocking is an issue. Overall, blocking is not even the major problem at this point, it's the lack of aggressive pass rush. OL is programmed to block the DL. But if the DL fails to rush hard at the QB, there is no reason for the OL to do their job effectively. I'll tell you what though, I am excited for the incomplete pass--haven't technically seen that before. I think I must pray harder. Or do I just stop praying. My excitement has been shattered. Still looking forward to May's release though. If team NaturalMotion doesn't improve gameplay quick, this could be simply a rental or used pick-up, or if I have $50 bucks lying around for no good reason. Advice anyone. Are things going to look brighter come next month? Plus, apparently users over at the official Backbreaker forum are giving high praise for this video gameplay footage. If developers are only reading that forum, they are going to get the wrong idea.

Wow, I amazed you get come to all those conclusions looking at a 62 second video clip that is running on the easiest setting. Some of you pro game critics (NOT) might want to wait until the game comes out and we have more then 62 seconds to look at before you pick apart every play.

[y3llowboi]

Quote: Originally Posted by strawberryshortcake

I was really excited about this game when we first got gameplay footage (i.e. developer's diary). With the first batch of IGN gameplay footage about a week ago or so, I was still sort of excited especially the 3rd person camera view. I watched it many, many, many times and each subsequent time, I was extremely pumped, ... ... my hype for this game is spiraling downhill, fast. As I suspected: 1. DB vs WR interaction still looks very poor. The DB is completely turning his back when he really should not be doing so. What exactly was the DB/CB doing on the first play from scrimmage. Replay tells the whole story. 2. DL pass rush is off the charts, poor. They have no speed. What in the world was the defensive end (DE) doing (left side of screen)? The QB should have been blind sided; the QB should have been put out of commission on the first play from scrimmage. As I suspected, there is no legitimate pass rush in this game as it appears. DE hesitated, and wasn't even rushing the quarterback but simply engaging with the offensive OL. (First play from scrimmage). Revisit past gameplay footage and you'll notice that all sacks happen directly in the QB's field of vision. There are absolutely no weak side or strong side sacks, ever. 3. The DL rushing directly at the QB's field of vision, hesitates his step. There is absolutely no speed in these defensive lineman. (first play from scrimmage). I am going to either have to release these linesman during free agency, or tell them that they are off the squad, or do I permanently put them on the bench as bench warmers. 4. Also take note of the OL that allowed the DL to rush directly down the middle at the QB. The OL says "well, the DL got by me, I'll just let him go straight to my QB, and I'll see if I can pick up another block on another DL directly in front of me. It's fine if I let my assigned DL sack the QB. No biggie." Blocking here is definitely a problem. 5. The sole reason the OL/DL interaction looks poor is because there is a lack of aggressive pass rush. Even though blocking is an issue. Overall, blocking is not even the major problem at this point, it's the lack of aggressive pass rush. OL is programmed to block the DL. But if the DL fails to rush hard at the QB, there is no reason for the OL to do their job effectively. I'll tell you what though, I am excited for the incomplete pass--haven't technically seen that before. I think I must pray harder. Or do I just stop praying. My excitement has been shattered. Still looking forward to May's release though. If team NaturalMotion doesn't improve gameplay quick, this could be simply a rental or used pick-up, or if I have $50 bucks lying around for no good reason. Advice anyone. Are things going to look brighter come next month? Plus, apparently users over at the official Backbreaker forum are giving high praise for this video gameplay footage. If developers are only reading that forum, they are going to get the wrong idea.

Come on, get some more information before posting your review based on this video. First off, noticed how the ball is glowing, not just in this video, but in almost ALL the videos. In developer's diary 1 and 2, the ball is glowing. It's on ROOKIE mode, so of course the AI will be dumbed down because of this. We have no video evidence that this will occur when playing on normal or hard mode. You are being to hasty in your decisions and reviews.