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Post by xeo on May 20, 2010 13:01:25 GMT -8
For XBOX Live Gold members!  Here are the details... sounds AWESOME! Thanks to Stu, Tom & Mike for putting together a very good guide to the demo... enjoy!
1: Getting to grips with it.
Backbreaker was designed around a new control scheme and a new way to play. Seasoned football gamers will instinctively want to hit the buttons to spin/juke/pass/truck etc. This is normal, but with a little practice you’ll be pulling off evasive and aggressive moves without thinking about it. To help get the hang of things:
i: Complete the training camp drills before leaping into Exhibition, this will give you all the tools you need to play the game.
ii: Consider playing Tackle Alley before Exhibition to help hone your basic running game skills.
iii: If you really don't get on with the dual stick controls after this, select "Alternate Controls" on the controller select screen. This moves the majority of controls to the buttons.
2: Tackle Alley tips.
i: Power moves are harder to pull off than jukes and spins, but earn you more points.
ii: After missing a tackle, the defense will get up and try to chase you down - be aware of who may be catching up behind you.
iii: Showboating will earn you more points, but you are much slower.
iv: Going over the red boundary is as bad as being tackled - wave over.
3: Exhibition tips.
i: Don't be afraid to start on Easy Arcade and work your way into the game.
ii: When kicking, or indeed receiving a kickoff, watch the wind. With strong winds, you can get a pretty good idea how far (or short) the ball is going to go.
iii: Player stats matter in Backbreaker! In the demo there are 6 teams to choose from with varying abilities. Here is the QA team's **unofficial** assessment of those you get to play with!
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UPFL Teams
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The UPFL sits below the BBFL in Road to Backbreaker, it's the 'middle' division. The teams that play in this league represent the 'Average' teams of Backbreaker. They have their individual strengths and weaknesses:
Charleston Cougars:-------------------
This team is heavily biased to the offensive side of the ball, based around a long-time star player.
Strengths:
Behind the Center sits Cougar Greathouse, The Cougars' star Quarterback is regularly chosen as starting Quarterback for the UPFL division's All Star team. He's the cornerstone of the Cougar's offense, backed up by steady players at Fullback, Halfback and Receiver slots. Unlike some of the weaker teams in their division, they are capable of leaning on the passing game whilst still mixing up their playcalling.
Weaknesses:
With the team being built around the talent of Greathouse, their Defense has lacked the big star names needed to dominate. Though they play hard they can sometimes be exposed when playing tougher opposition.
Smart teams attempt to break down the Cougars by attacking their O-line, which isn't as strong as their passing numbers make out. Many teams seek to blitz through and bring down Greathouse before he can make the play. No Greathouse, no Cougars.
Columbia Colonels:------------------
A well rounded team, with their star player, Craig Swanson, bringing the pain at the outside LB position. Marshall Coy at Quarterback has a strong arm but is often restricted by his receiving corps, which lack a stand-out passing option. They favor maintaining possession, controlling the clock and slowly moving up the field rather than throwing long for big gains.
Strengths:
Strong all round team, good Defense.
Weaknesses:
Often lack the ability to make that one big play against a superior team.
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BBFL Teams----------
The BBFL contains the best teams in Backbreaker. In all there are 32 BBFL teams, 4 of which are represented in the demo. All these teams should be able to hold their own against the UPFL teams relatively easily - when playing with them, bear the following in mind:
Pittsburgh Pioneers-------------------
The Pioneers are one of the more unusual teams in the BBFL. While Devonte Levy at TE typically wins the praise as the Pioneer's main playmaker, their true strength perhaps lies in their special teams where they have a strong set of players with which to gain strong field position, put points on the board and swing close games in their direction.
Strengths:
One of the best Special Team units in the League. Their kickers are accurate and powerful, while Isai Kelly, at Kick Return, piles the pressure straight back on whenever he touches the ball.
Weaknesses:
They have problem positions, Donavan Sexton at FB often getting the brunt of the blame, having not lived up to the promise he showed when he was drafted by the team, Sexton has increasingly proved himself to be a weak link in the Pioneers' offense.
Chicago Talons--------------
The talons are one of the weaker teams in the BBFL. With the exception of Alan Gomez, star RB, their Offense often lacks the power to make the big play when under pressure. In an offensive shoot-out, the Talons have a habit of coming out second best. When things are going their way they rely on shutting down opponents with their strong D and trying to keep momentum rolling with their running game.
Strengths:
Very strong D, especially at CB. Good special teams. Though Gomez often has to carry the weight of his team on his shoulders, if can break into the open field, he can do major damage.
Weaknesses:
Lack of options on offense, can struggle to get back into a game if it starts going against them.
Indianapolis Spartans---------------------
The Spartans are a tough team to beat. Taking them down requires containing their offense - easier said than done. Those trying to break through their O-line by Blitzing are often forced to rethink things pretty quickly. Getting through to sack Reed Wagoner at Quarterback is easier said than done.
Strengths:
Awesome offense. Even though McPherson is said to be somewhat slow at WR - the Spartans have enough options in their receiver corps to spread the ball around. Once a defense has been weakened, they often strike a killing blow with their star Tight End, Stone Lara.
Weaknesses:
It's hard to find any, which is why they are currently sitting pretty near the top of the BBFL. Their Defense isn't the best in the league, but it won't help most teams that come up against these guys. You need to bring your A-Game against the boys from Indiana.
Oakland Scourge---------------
The scourge are a team built from the backfield. Their secondary is amongst the best the league has to offer, and they tend to keep a lid on somne of the league's toughest offenses. Their star player on offense is Dexter Houston a Running Back, renknowned for being tough and reliable. Houston is at his best when running downhill for consistent gains that are tough to stop. Strong fast and agile, Houston embodies the way the Scourge play. It's often said that the addition of a world class QB would put the scourge right up there amongst the best of the best.
Strengths:
Very strong secondary makes it difficult for opponents to make big gains. Often teams will be reluctant to throw long against the scourge, as it's a team that prides itself on Ballhawking.
Weaknesses:
They talk about replacing the QB for a reason. Corey Stark could be generously described as an average BBFL QB. |
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Post by jag on May 21, 2010 11:19:00 GMT -8
The animation engine is very impressive, more impressive than any sports game to-date.
But the learning curve is steep... at first I wasn't feeling the game at all, then I started coming around a little. The passing game is very tough, but it basically uses Madden 2006's vision cone, the cone that everyone hated so much they took out of Madden.
I was one of the few that liked the cone, and I like it here for the most part. I almost wish the camera was first person when throwing, because something about it seems off with it just above the QB.
The interior line seems to get bull rushed a bit too easily. I was sacked multiple times before I could really finish my drop, some of the running plays feel a little odd, like the sweep out of pro split. Having zero presnap adjustments seems weird, also 60 teams and only 13 stadiums seems even odder. Sometimes you can throw into a crowd of people and the defenders just do not react, but I guess this has been a problem with sports games for years.
I need to play it some more... not really 100% sure whether I like it or not.
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Post by jag on May 22, 2010 0:40:49 GMT -8
I must say, this game is more realistic than Madden.
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Post by benrichardson on May 22, 2010 9:05:28 GMT -8
This game is amazing.
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Post by xeo on May 22, 2010 11:59:57 GMT -8
I love it.
Hell of a start... once they get to weaking this, future games in the series can really overthrow madden all the way in the gameplay dept...
definitely more sim... probably too sim for some...
i'd love to play some of the haters here in it... heh.
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Post by jag on May 23, 2010 1:12:00 GMT -8
So no one else here has tried this demo?
I thought this was a sports site!
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Post by Coomar on May 23, 2010 6:45:18 GMT -8
I'll give it a try later today!
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Post by jag on May 24, 2010 16:11:15 GMT -8
*crickets*
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Post by Denoginizer on May 25, 2010 11:52:46 GMT -8
I have a feeling this is gonna be one of those "awesome engine, shame about the game" type games. I really wish there was a standard camera instead of just the over the shoulder viewpoint.
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Post by xeo on May 25, 2010 12:34:22 GMT -8
::wakes up::
Huh!!?!?!? What!?!?!? Did someobody... say... sum-tha.... zZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzzzzzzzzzzz...
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Post by xWarRydaZx on May 25, 2010 13:21:10 GMT -8
prolly can find so many games u said that then give u another month and its completely different  |
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Post by Stodds13 on May 31, 2010 18:16:41 GMT -8
I finally tried this out and it's pretty badass...a little weird to play at first, but def a fun game. I still don't think it will take over as a mainstream football game. I played a game of madden on PS3 right after and it was tough to get used to the flow of madden for a couple of series. I also wish there was a standard view rather than only the over the shoulder view as well...debating on if I'll actually buy the game...how many people are actually buying it?
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Post by Denoginizer on Jun 1, 2010 5:42:47 GMT -8
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Post by xeo on Jun 1, 2010 6:25:10 GMT -8
game rocks... Ben and I own it and play it regularly...
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Post by xeo on Jun 1, 2010 7:26:21 GMT -8
my girl just called it RelationshipBreaker...
so you KNOW it gotta' be good!
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Post by Scubasteve0141 on Jun 1, 2010 10:59:06 GMT -8
the game was very good... Demo).. i liked it.. i just dont see us getting a league for it and theres no reason for me to buy it then... i love the camera angle... but theres so many things that are just ahh blah... its hopefully something that pushes madden at the very least.... the made up teams an players still bug me alot actually,.,..
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