IGN: Backbreaker Review

Backbreaker, despite its many flaws and poor design choices, actually does have potential thanks to the euphoria engine. The groundwork has been laid for a fine football experience (as you can tell from some of the cool-looking tackles) but the developers need to re-think some of the steps they've taken to get to this point, mainly in the core gameplay of Backbreaker. As it stands, this game feels more like a beefy Xbox Live Arcade or PlayStation Network release searching for its identity than something that belongs on retail store shelves.

Presenation - 4.0
Graphics - 7.0
Sound - 3.0
Gameplay - 5.0
Lasting Appeal - 5.0
Overall -

[Imperator]

Ouch.

[RememberThe357]

Yep.

[HolyOrangeCows]

Son of a-

That sucks. Madden desperately needs competition.

[Cevapi88]

did IGN forget that this game was made by a European dev...so actual FOOTBALL is everything they knew...i heard that they had to learn about american football before beginning development...this is why the game has this kind of set up....something similar to a soccer game....its funny how they bash the hell out of the game....yet the same game since 2005 to present from EA has been getting 7s or 8s....average scores yes, but we all know that if they didnt have the Madden name plastered all over it....it would be getting the same scores as Backbreaker

[brianleppez]

Madden it is.

[RememberThe357]

Madden is a joke.

[simplyRealistic18]

talk about a guy who live life through IGN, there just another site, they shouldn;t persuade you or negate you from buying any game

[brianleppez]

But I use reviews to decide whether or not to spend $60 on a game. I never really was enthusiastic about this game in the first place and this review helped me decide not to buy the game. I would rather spend it on better games.

[Elven6]

Well, it's not like IGN is the only site giving the game such reviews.

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

http://www.metacritic.com/g...

Reviews shouldn't decide everything but they can also be used as a basis to decide whether or not a game is worth it at a certain price. And I think Backbreaker is selling for $50.

[II Necroplasm II]

It's because people are scared of change these days.

This game is innovation...and people don't want that after playing Madden for years. Backbreaker is a big learning curve.

Yes, the game has it's flaws, but it's their first shot out the cannon with this. But so does Madden, even though a new game comes out every year... it still has it's own problems...but it's EA and people love their nano blitz, speed burst catches and scripted animations.

[feelintheflow]

Not that madden is all that awesome, but to think that the first iteration of a game would out do a game that has been around forever was crazy. A hot new physics engine does not make a great game.

[stephmhishot]

Honestly, even if the gameplay redefined the football game genre, the lack of NFL teams/players would have killed it anyway. Hell, as a kid, playing as Player 99 with the Bulls was miserably disappointing.

[cyborg6971]

Now would you say that if it had the nfl license? Madden hasn't changed since 04. And yes I'm a madden hater. This game will show how good madden could be, despite all of it's shortcomings. I say give it one or two more years. Madden is a cash grab and that's it. Didn't get it last year and won't this year, and I'll judge for myself how bad this game is.

@below Yes apexisfree is the guy your talking about in the vids. And he's right 04 was the zenith of madden. And until they get they're ducks in a row at ea I will not support them, which will be no time soon.

[stephmhishot]

@cyborg6971

what bothers me is that the 2004 madden was actually pretty awesome. then it just kept getting worse. even that guy on youtube who posts the 2k5 vs madden videos admitted that the 2004 madden was awesome and yet somehow EA sports screwed up a decent formula.

[jacksonsgames]

Ha just what I expected. Oh well at least they tried.

[stephmhishot]

How I hate you, yet I love you. I think that's how every gamer feels. It used to be tough to describe how I feel about Madden, but thanks to BP I finally have a metaphor. Every August when I buy the newest Madden I feel like I do now when I buy BP gas because its conveniently located two blocks away from my house...and always 10 cents cheaper than Mobil.

[HungPHAT]

Game is not a 5 ! 7.5 is more like it and it's a first year game and I think they'll get things worked out for the next game !

[simplyRealistic18]

the only problem i have with people not giving these games a chance is that they don't let them get a chance to innovate and improve even more the next time around

[RockmanII7]

if there is a next game

[dktxx2]

"But not having the NFL license isn't Backbreaker's real problem. Instead, what hurts it is its insistence on deviating so heavily from the formula that has worked so well for past titles."

BULL
F()CKING
SH!T

Give the game a try. Its hell of different and takes some getting used to but this beats madden in every single way imaginable. It's nothing like any football game ever made, and it should be applauded for that, not dismissed.

Ugh, this review made me want to throw up. How can you say that being original is a bad thing?

[Mustang300C2012]

I did give it a try and it ain't worth the money. This doesn't even have anything to do with comparing it to Madden. The game simply sucks.

[Elvfam511]

What's wrong with it... I really want to know so i can look when I get it.

Edit: I love the idea of third person camera, but that's just me.

[Mustang300C2012]

Simply the gameplay and camera hinder the game. Physics is great and what we have been wanting but physics doesn't make a great game.

[HungPHAT]

IGN really blows lately ! They burned Blur and I think it's the best Arcade racer I've ever played so what does it take to give a game a good score besides money!!

[Mustang300C2012]

So if you enjoy it why do you care what IGN or any person for that matter says about the game?

[Elvfam511]

Because some people depend and believe reviews.

[RockmanII7]

Blur better than Mario Kart and Burnout? That's a disagree.

[Bolts]

Something like a 6 or 7 would be about right considering what Backbreaker is trying to achieve. But the reviewer is right, the problem with Backbreaker is it's too much of a tech demo. These are not football tackles but rag doll physics tackles. Nobody in real life tackle like this without suffering career ending injuries or being ejected from the game. Safeties leading with the helmet and QB's being hit in the head and getting body slammed into the turf. It's like you're playing the game version of The Waterboy. But the most damning is the totally generic feel of the players. They all move, run, and turn like ragdoll 001, ragdoll 002, or ragdoll 003.

As a pure arcade game is fun to look at, but as a football sim it fails miserably. In the end Backbreaker is the game you play while waiting for Madden, no more, no less.

[The Lazy One]

safeties used to lead with the helmet a lot. And a defensive lineman will hit a quarterback as hard as he can given the option. The point is not to give them the option to hit you hard at least without getting a penalty.

The reason you don't see huge hits as often in the NFL probably has a lot more to do with the fact that the players are actually better at football strategy and know not to put themselves in situations where they get lit up than the game being a poor simulation.

[boogiedownbronx]

i was hoping for something other than madden. guess i aint getting shit then.

[dktxx2]

Why? Because IGN let some dumbass ass wannabe journalist share his opinion and let him use their "credibility?" try it out for yourself, there's a demo and you could always rent it for a day. make your own opinion about the game.

[RockmanII7]

this game has been getting bad reviews everywhere, it isn't just IGN

[dktxx2]

So? i don't care if every site in the world gave it a 1, it should be your own opinion that matters. who cares what other people think?

think of any gundam game. always gets bad reviews, but man i used to play the crap out of those, way before i started paying attention to sites like gamespot or ign. the minute i started reading reviews and paying attention to this lame ass game industry news is the minute i started not enjoying games. over the past month or so i haven't even looked at a gaming website, and the first game i played was backbreaker. hella fun. original and unique, and something different, all a game should be.

im just saying forget these dumb bastards, find out yourselves if you like the game or not. whats the point of being a gamer if you dont even play games?

[frankymv]

That's what I figured

[THE-JAGON]

play the demo then chose whather to buy it or not !

[meshuganeh]

I'm pretty sure that all the bad reviews are from people who tried playing this game and sucked at it. So, instead of saying "Oh, I suck" they say "This game sucks because the controls are 'wonky' and the gameplay is 'confusing'" Basically, Nate Ahearn or whatever the reviewers name is is a die hard Maddenite who is so locked in to Madden that he cannot possibly wrap his mind around the concept of their being another football game. He sucks at Backbreaker.

Backbreaker is a freakin awesome game. It's just new and like all new things, it takes some time to get used to. Ef you Nate Ahearn. Backbreaker rocks.

[xjoshbx]

This is honestly the first IGN review i've read in years that i completely disagree with...

This game is sooo much better than madden. I've played every madden since 95 and the gameplay/physics in backbreaker are far more realistic than any football game we have ever seen. ANYONE who actually plays the sport will tell you it's the closest thing to actually running through the line eyeing holes and watching as they collapse around you.

Honestly... For hardcore football fans that also play the sport, pick this game up. It's lacking in some areas but the core gameplay is the closest feeling you'll get to actually being on the field. I've never enjoyed a football game so much as i have backbreaker.

[iceman06]

But, I managed to keep my expectations pretty tame for Backbreaker...and because of that I find it enjoyable and rewarding. Backbreaker is surely not for everyone. The camera is right on the field and your field of view will be hindered. However, I just think of it as the difference between third person shooters and first person shooters. Some might say that this perspective isn't the best way to play football. I would say this is a more realistic take because you are basically given the limited view of a player on the field. It takes a LOT of adjustment if you are a video game football player for years. It is almost counter to everything that you have been taught by the likes of Madden and even 2K (aside from their attempt at first person football). The physics are beautiful. Sure, there are some minor unrealistic (in terms of football) moments. But, I wouldn't trade the engine for the bland, cookie-cutter animations of other games. There are some rules issues that need to be addressed. Presentation could use a little boost, maybe more on-field chatter, since there is no commentary...just a PA announcer. (because you are supposed to be on the field and couldn't hear the commentary anyway!)
As for the NFL license, I have found someone out there who is working to re-create the NFL teams and has already done half of them! Ultimately, this is a great start. Madden will have more features, but with some help from American football gamers, I think 505 Studios and Natural Motion can make this a GREAT game. Right now, it is just pretty good. 5 is harsh...I would say 6.5-7...I would have given Madden 10 an 8. One thing about Backbreaker...it takes time to understand the nuances of the physics and the AI...first 2 games I was held to about 50 total yards...now I am getting over 325 combined passing and rushing. If you don't like getting sacked or intercepted...this is NOT your game...it happens...it's not CHEAP...but it happens!