Backbreaker Football is a unique American football simulation game plagued by a lot of issues. It boasts a physics engine that throws canned tackle animations out of the window in favor of a physics system that makes no two tackles or animations the same.
On the field, Backbreaker's gameplay is messy. When controlling a receiver or defender, the camera switches to an over-the-shoulder view that obstructs your vision and makes it difficult to see incoming players. It makes the game feel more immersive, but results in a lot of frustrating play calls. Controls also feel very weighty and clunky; coupled with the obstructive camera, Backbreaker is often challenging to play.
Modes are pretty standard. Season mode allows for custom leagues, but lacks basic options like player trades and signing free agents. Road to Backbreaker, the Franchise Mode, plays as you expect as you take control of a low-rated team and develop your team into an all-star squad throughout a season.
The two best parts about Backbreaker are the team customization and the Tackle Alley mini-game. While Backbreaker is unlicensed and does not have real NFL players or teams, the game has a very detailed logo creator that allows players to create teams of interest along with the ability to name players. Quite cool to see people have created a full-on NFL League within Backbreaker. Tackle Alley (originally an iOS mobile game) is a 100 level wave-based arcade-like mini-game where you try to score from deep in your own territory all the way to the end-zone down field. Early waves are easy with few defenders, while higher waves get more challenging with more defenders, obstacles and out of bounds areas.
Backbreaker was truly something different and ahead of it's time. It's unfortunate that the game never lived up to its full potential and lacked a lot of features compared to EA and 2K's sports titles.
On the field, Backbreaker's gameplay is messy. When controlling a receiver or defender, the camera switches to an over-the-shoulder view that obstructs your vision and makes it difficult to see incoming players. It makes the game feel more immersive, but results in a lot of frustrating play calls. Controls also feel very weighty and clunky; coupled with the obstructive camera, Backbreaker is often challenging to play.
Modes are pretty standard. Season mode allows for custom leagues, but lacks basic options like player trades and signing free agents. Road to Backbreaker, the Franchise Mode, plays as you expect as you take control of a low-rated team and develop your team into an all-star squad throughout a season.
The two best parts about Backbreaker are the team customization and the Tackle Alley mini-game. While Backbreaker is unlicensed and does not have real NFL players or teams, the game has a very detailed logo creator that allows players to create teams of interest along with the ability to name players. Quite cool to see people have created a full-on NFL League within Backbreaker. Tackle Alley (originally an iOS mobile game) is a 100 level wave-based arcade-like mini-game where you try to score from deep in your own territory all the way to the end-zone down field. Early waves are easy with few defenders, while higher waves get more challenging with more defenders, obstacles and out of bounds areas.
Backbreaker was truly something different and ahead of it's time. It's unfortunate that the game never lived up to its full potential and lacked a lot of features compared to EA and 2K's sports titles.
Vaudevillain
1 year ago