Backbreaker is a simulation-style American football game, which allows the player to take control of a team of football players and compete against the CPU or another player in a variety of game modes.[2] The game features 56 built-in teams plus three unlockable teams, and also allows the player to create 32 additional ones for a total of 91 possible teams.[2] It lacks any licensing from the National Football League, due to the fact that they were not able to negotiate a licensing agreement with the NFL or NFLPA[3] Because of this, the developers emphasized the game's customization tools.[2]
Creating a logo in the team creator feature. Created teams in Backbreaker can be used online, in a custom league, or in "Road to Backbreaker" mode. The team's main, helmet, and endzone logos are all fully customizable.
Backbreaker relies on the Euphoria engine, a real time animation engine developed by NaturalMotion that has been used in games such as Grand Theft Auto IV, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and Red Dead Redemption.[4] This allows animations for tackles and blocking to be created on the spot instead of using a limited set of canned animations.[2] Due to this, developers pushed to advertise that "no two tackles are the same" in an attempt to draw players to what they called a more physically realistic football game than its competitors.[2] The physics system was rated well by the reviewers, who commented that the integration of realistic physics created a very lifelike interaction between the players on the field.[3][5]
Along with the Euphoria engine, Backbreaker also features a create-a-team tool and logo creator similar to the editor found in Forza Motorsport 2.[3] Players can create their own team or modify an existing team.[6] Players are allowed to take their custom teams online, but are restricted from using the names of existing NFL teams and players.[7]
Singleplayer[edit]
Backbreaker features several game modes, some that players can play quickly and others that may be played over a long period of time. In "Training Camp," new players can learn the game's controls and experienced players can practice certain skills and situations.[3] Different tutorials for offense, defense, and special teams are included in the Training Camp. This is helpful to players, as the controls in Backbreaker are different than most current football games.[3] In "Exhibition Mode," a player can play a single game with custom rules against either another local player or the CPU. Players can use any of the teams in the game, including ones that they have created.[3]
Another game mode included in Backbreaker is the mini-game "Tackle Alley." In this game, the player controls a running back who starts in their own endzone. The player then attempts to score a touchdown by running up the field and evading a wave of defenders to score points.[8] Special moves such as jukes and spins create a "combo chain," which multiply the player's score by an amount depending on the length of the combo chain.[8] After a player scores, they advance to the next wave of defenders and must repeat the process. If a player is tackled before reaching the endzone, they must start over the wave and lose a "life."[8] The game ends when all of the player's lives are depleted or the player passes all 100 of the waves, which become harder as the mode progresses.[8] According to NaturalMotion, only 0.88 percent of all Backbreaker players have managed to clear all 100 levels of "Tackle Alley."[8] Game producer Rob Donald states that the mini-game was meant to add an arcade feel to the game. "It was meant to be a complete diversion from the more realistic main game, a complete arcade challenge...Everything about it was meant to replicate the pressure and the frustration of playing a cabinet that you know is stacked against you," said Donald in an interview.[8]
Backbreaker also features two different franchise-style modes. The first, "Season Mode", allows a player to create a custom league of either 8, 16, or 32 teams and insert custom-made and/or default teams into it.[6] Season mode features a scouting and drafting system, but lacks trades and free agent signings.[6] Players can play for an unlimited number of seasons, building a team through scouting college players and drafting them onto their team.[2] The other franchise mode included is titled "Road to Backbreaker."[2] This mode allows the player to take a custom or default team into a league structured along the lines of the English Football League including promotion and relegation.[2] The player's team begins with a low rating in an 8-team league. By winning games, the player earns credits, which can be used to purchase the contracts of free agents.[3] By finishing high in the 8-team league, the player's team advances to a 16-team league and eventually a 32-team league. The player improves their team by periodically signing free agents, as the competition is tougher in each league.[2] The player wins the mode after winning a playoff tournament in the 32-team league.[3] Afterwards, they may continue if they wish.