Backbreaker

Re: New Football Game, "Backbreaker". Terrific Physics Engine.

From a gameplay point of view it is, definitely more of a simulation than Madden. Having played a touch of American Football at University this feels a lot more similar to the real thing. The way the players move, the timing aspects all feel authentic.

Don't be fooled by the Arcade mode, you can switch to Pro or a customisation of both which are a lot tougher and more lifelike.
 
Re: New Football Game, "Backbreaker". Terrific Physics Engine.

Bad news for those hoping that USA saves could be used by EU gamers.

Q:
I dont know where to post this but i know that todd is very active and works wih the devs so maybe he can help. i live in the uk so am waiting for BB to be released here and im just wondering if saved rosters/custom teams from people in the US will work once downloaded thru my computer and put on to my xbox, or wont the save files be comparable if not will they if i were to import a us copy of the game or are they region locked? thanks for reading hopefully ill get an answer.
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RE:

Im not sure I am allowed to answer that question as I don't think I should be advocating altering system/save files. Sorry.

Todd.
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http://forum.backbreakergame.com/showthread.php?t=7753

The stupid thing is they have a section for sharing your saves and showing off what you've created and CLEARLY they know that the fans will want to download an NFL save. Are they purposely trying to block sharing these saves for their customers? Are they that fucking stupid?

Insane. Looks like I won't be buying this now until I see someone from the EU is working on a nice save file.
 
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They're pro-EA and love Madden, of course they don't like Backbreaker ;).

In terms of modes/career/licences Backbreaker is a little thin on the ground, but the gameplay is great and IMO a lot more enjoyable than Madden. The majority of the review is based around the camera angle which is how it is meant to be played, yet they can't seem to get over that.

The gameplay takes some practice as it is tough until you remember all the controls and get a feel for it, so I'm guessing they just couldn't get on with thinking/timing the passing as they're so used to the assists in Madden or playing proper defence that doesn't automatically do everything with one press of a button.
 
"The atmosphere and gameplay - save for the use of NaturalMotion physics - are non-existent"

Non existent gameplay? How does a game work.. if it actually has NO gameplay?

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Another thing I noticed.
"From the few games I was able to find and play, the experience is no different than playing solo, except for a few hiccups due to lag and disconnections."

Completely contradicts what I've read elsewhere.
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I completely agree with some of their other points like the player switching. I've not even played the demo, I've only seen videos and it looks disorientating enough on them already.



From the reviews I've seen for this only kotaku so far have actually given the game a fair looking over. They give it a fair review and do not shit all over it for not being Madden.

http://kotaku.com/5553825/backbreaker-review-the-challenger-crashes
 
Just got this and it is pure cack! Fooking player switching one poxy camera view and the bloody logo cutting through the replays makes this a sure shot return for me.
 
Trying to add the NFL into this game but being colour blind... it's damn hard to guess and still get the right colours. :(

2mw8hp0.jpg
 
Huge patch revealed

Here it is, the long awaited Greathouse change list. I've already posted the big features, this is an extremely in-depth look at everything in the patch. If you just want a quick look at the major features you can read the other thread, but if you've got some time I highly encourage you read this one. Please Tweet, Facebook, and MySpace about Greathouse This is a major patch, here's a look at what Natural Motion has done:


From the NaturalMotion Games team:

Over the past few months, the team at NaturalMotion Games has been talking with the community and listening to all of their ideas for Backbreaker. We’ve taken it all on board and, as you know, we’ve been working hard on an update. As a tribute to the Backbreaker forums’ favourite player, we’re naming this update “Greathouse” and it does a whole lot more than simply tweak a few things here and there. We’re very nearly done and now we want to share with you exactly what “Greathouse” will bring to Backbreaker.

One final thing. We take great delight from seeing all your videos and we’re humbled by your support and enthusiasm. If you’ve seen something uniquely amazing in Backbreaker that made you smile, laugh, point, call a friend or rub your eyes in amazement, then you ‘get’ Backbreaker… and we’ve made this game, and “Greathouse”, for you.

Key Additions

Brand new replay camera suite

• New free-flight camera
• Sideline and Endzone cameras including ball lock, pan and tele-zoom function
• A player-centric camera including zoom and rotation function. Track any player on either team.
• Ball camera including zoom and rotate
• Complete replay suite functionality added to Tackle Alley
• Added pause/play to all replay cameras for greater footage control
• Added ability to remove OSD for clean footage capture


Offensive Gameplay Camera

• The Quarterback camera has been pulled back and raised a little. This still keeps the feeling of being down in the action, but provides a slightly wider view and vision over the line
• Added a ‘glance’ button which allows you to instantly check your blind-side


Expanded Playbook

An Extra 59 Offensive plays consisting of these formations:
• Ace – Double Tight End
• Spread – 4 Wide
• Bunch – Bunch right
• Empty – 5 WR!!
• T-form – Old fashioned power football, 3 running backs in the backfield

An Extra 51 Defensive plays have been included consisting of these formations:
• 44 – 4 Defensive linemen, 4 linebackers.
• 46 – Traditional old school defense born of Buddy Ryan
• 33 – Nickel package with 3 defensive linemen and 3 linebackers
• 3 Deep – 7 defensive backs package with 3 deep across the back.

Gameplay Enhancements

Improved Passing Game & Reduced Interception Frequency

Following valuable feedback from reviews and Backbreaker forums, we rewrote elements of the AI that will help make passing a more effective way to gain yards.

Here is a summary of the changes:

• We’ve improved the O-Line for teams throughout the game. This will give you longer in the pocket to make your reads correctly and go through your progression
• We’ve increased the passing animation speed and increased the minimum distance where a long windup will be required. You will now be able to execute the pass more quickly and hit your target more effectively
• There were too many dropped passes to the flats. We’ve introduced a new pass classification for these simple passes and have ramped up the accuracy of the QB when performing this type of pass
• The accuracy of QBs has been increased across the board
• Defensive Backs now fully respect their visibility cone, only seeing interception opportunities when appropriate. The DBs will continue with the assigned role until the either “see” the need to change, or “hear” the need to change, which is typically about 1-2 seconds after the snap
• We’ve tweaked the amount your QB will lead a receiver when activated
• Moved pump fake to shoulder button to make lob passes easier to execute
• Improved mechanism for Quarterback scanning the field
• Reduced penalty applied for throwing out of focus mode




User Interceptions and User Controlled Catching

• Following community feedback, the user is now given full control over interception attempts when controlling a defensive player. Interception attempts are made by holding the left trigger (focus mode), ie. by actively looking towards the ball as it comes in
• Wide Receiver catching in now also uses this mechanic (i.e. hold left trigger when ball is approaching)
• To signal an incoming ball, the user-controlled WR will be highlighted red when targeted by the QB

QB AI Logic

The QB AI has received a major overhaul. Firstly, the opposition QB will now recognise double coverage better. He is also more likely to throw the ball away rather than risk a throw / take a sack. This results in fewer AI interceptions and sacks. We’ve also reworked the QB receiver selection logic and increased prioritisation of throwing to the primary.

Improved Pocket Protection

Following numerous tweaks, the pocket is more solid. Pocket time now averages around 5 seconds and is all linked to the players’ attributes.

Show and Hide Blitz

New ability to show and hide blitz, pre-snap , by pressing the shoulder button.

Jukes and spins

The animation speed of these has been increased and better linked to a player’s agility attribute.

Improved AI Time Management, Audibles and Play-calling

Sophistication of play selection, audibles and timeouts has been improved. Additionally, the AI is more likely to flip their selected play depending on the situation.

Opposition AI

This has been given an overhaul and you should find your opponent much more of a threat. We’ve also rebalanced Easy, Medium and Hard settings to be more challenging and linked almost all AI decisions/speeds to their attributes. Also, you should be aware that all of the notes relating to AI, animation and behaviours above will apply to your opponent as well. These are game-wide changes.

New RB Focus Mode

When holding the left trigger, the camera will turn upfield when the RB is heading towards the sidelines. This is NOT automatic – you need to press the hold the trigger to manually glance upfield.

Stumble Mechanic

We have added a stumble recovery mechanic for when your player has been knocked off course. To recover from a stumble, just press the Action button as quickly as possible.

Fumbles

• Fumbles are now more likely to happen for non-QB players.
• Passes backwards are now classified as fumbles (respecting QB arm movement direction)
• Catches bobbled / dropped within 2 steps as a result of a tackle are marked as incomplete passes rather than fumbles (player deemed not in control of ball)
Bug Fixes & Other High Priority Issues

Friendly Fire!

Your players occasionally reacted too strongly to friendly physical impact. This happened especially when controlling a RB/FB and clashing with your line. We’ve dialled that back, which should make your running game more effective. Players will still react to the collision but will be less likely to be knocked down

Penalties

Users have been reporting a multitude of penalty issues. We have done a comprehensive review of all penalty complaints and bugs (including the infamous roughing-the-kicker) and have been able to resolve them. We believe you will find this drastically improves the quality of the game.

Online Gameplay

• Reduced online lag slightly
• Built in a new protection system against people hacking the game to create a “super team” and taking it online
• Removed the Cancel Stats Posting option as reported by the forum. People were abusing this to avoid losses showing up in their profile
• Fixed a number of other stat posting related issues

D-Line

• Users playing as part of the D-Line were experiencing a slower-than-desired speed in getting off the mark due to a delay in input control. This has been solved
• Users playing D-line can now bat the ball (pull down on the right-stick)
• Spins, rips and swims are now more effective to help you get that sack

Too much Boom!

Stopped “Boom” playing every kickoff. It now only occurs at the start of each half. Yay!

Team Ratings

Offense, Defensive and Overall ratings for teams have been recalculated and now more accurately reflect the quality of the team if all the best players are on the field.

Play Exploits

Thanks to feedback from the forums we have put tweaks in place to prevent exploits on the following:
• RB spinning through the line
• QB sneak
• FG block
• Punt block
• Nanoblitz

Rule Fixes

• Players must take 2 steps before they gain possession of a caught ball
• Tipped punts and kick-offs that touch receiving team players and subsequently go out the back of the endzone no longer cause safeties (just touchbacks).
• Intentional Grounding penalty now causes a loss of down.
• Scrimmage kicks (punts/field goals) can only be returned by the kicking team if blocked before the line of scrimmage
• Two Minute Warning will only stop the game clock after the play has ended.
• Defensive/Offensive Pass interference rules are turned off when the ball touches a player.
• Pre-snap penalties (Encroachment, Delay of Game, False Start) no longer stop the game clock.
• Touchbacks and Safeties are determined by whoever intentionally touched the ball last, instead of whoever physically touched it last.
• Failed field goals restart at the 20 yard line or the point the ball was kicked from (used to be from the 20 yard line or the previous LoS).
• Improved Pass Interference detection.
• Defensive Holding rule now active during punts.
• Game clock is only stopped by a penalty if it is within the last 2 minutes of the first half, or the last 5 minutes of the second half.
• No longer declaring a pass as incomplete if a player catches it in the air with their feet out of bounds (the feet must be grounded).
• Fumbles on a 4th down, or within the Two Minute Warning, can only be advanced by the Defense or by the player who fumbled the ball.
• Improved the "ball carrier" logic.
• Now awarding a touchback when the punting team catches a non-live ball in the opponent’s endzone
• A ball is only considered blocked/batted if it changes the impetus of the ball.
• Intercepting the ball before your own endzone but being carried into the endzone with momentum will now give a touchback instead of a safety.
• If a QB fumbles a ball while in the motion of throwing (i.e. hands moving forwards), then this is now considered a forward pass.
• Ineligible receiver downfield during a pass down penalty now excludes tight ends.
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Holy crap! Thats how you do a patch.

Is this game any good Rad? Like a bit of NFL. Will this patch massively improve any flaws?
 
I like the game a lot but the flaws do hurt the game a lot. Mostly they're AI flaws with the other players on the pitch doing dumb things like constantly roughing the kicker or the opposing QB just not throwing the ball and taking sack after sack.

If this patch really sorts out a lot of the AI annoyances then it should improve the game a lot. But it's hard to guess at a list of text.

There is a demo on the USA store if you can get it but it will be the older non patched version.

The only other problem at the moment is no one has released a EU save file with NFL teams done. I started one but after 2 weeks of doing it on my own it became insanely boring so I needed a break from it. this patch will probably kickstart me back into finishing it off though.
 
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Radiation said:
I like the game a lot but the flaws do hurt the game a lot. Mostly they're AI flaws with the other players on the pitch doing dumb things like constantly roughing the kicker or the opposing QB just not throwing the ball and taking sack after sack.

If this patch really sorts out a lot of the AI annoyances then it should improve the game a lot. But it's hard to guess at a list of text.

There is a demo on the USA store if you can get it but it will be the older non patched version.

The only other problem at the moment is no one has released a EU save file with NFL teams done. I started one but after 2 weeks of doing it on my own it became insanely boring so I needed a break from it. this patch will probably kickstart me back into finishing it off though.
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Cool, ta - I'll grab the demo. Surprised nobody has released the patch for it though, big european NFL community isnt there...

Actually, that said, I havent properly watched NFL for a few years, so the players mean nothing to me anyway - and sometimes its good to have a 'fantasy league' sport. I.e. I didnt mind the PES Master League when it used to be Burchet, Ximenez, Castello and co! You can kind of use your own imagination to make up stories and feelings about the players (christ, cannot believe I said that, I'm 35 for fucks sake!!!)
 
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