Backbreaker: Vengeance

Developer: Natural Motion

Publisher: 505 Games

Although not originally an ios game, Backbreaker made its name as a pick up and play mobile game that utilised touch and tilt controls. Giving players a fun little game that could easily fill in a commute to work or school.

Now though, Backbreaker has attempted to make the step back onto the home console market, but can a game famed for its simplicity and pick up and play nature provide an experience that is worthy of your money?

For anybody that hasn’t heard of Backbreaker, its a score attack game that places an NFL like player in an NFL like stadium. Gives them a ball and asks the player to try and make it from one end of the field to another. Meanwhile a number of opposing players attempt to bring the player down, preventing them from reaching the end zone. As the levels progress, different opponents are introduced, that require the player to perform different maneuvers in order to evade them, and obstacles are put in the way, such as hurdles and out of bounds areas.

This part of the game is much the same as the ios version, however, what sets it apart from its mobile counterpart, is that the visuals have been vastly improved and the controls have been tightened. Moving the player with the left stick and spinning round your opponents with the right stick is a simple scheme, but works very well. Players regardless of ability will be able to pick up the controller and know what is expected of them right away.

Thankfully, there are also other modes that have been introduced to add a little spice to proceedings. Players can take on the role of the tackler and also take their game online in any of the modes. However the best thing about the title is Supremacy mode. This has 3 players racing one another to the end zone with one tackler. Every time a player is brought down, they then become the tackler in the next round. This is great fun, and easily the best mode in the game.

Sadly though, even so soon after release, the game suffers from a lack of people taking the game online. This drastically reduces the replay value of the title, and although there are a few modes for player to sink their teeth into, players will quickly become bored. A split screen multiplayer mode helps, but the poor online presence is a shame.

The simplicity of the game, where on one hand is a positive, because it allows players to quickly get into the game, it is also one of the games major down points. With players being able to understand the ins and outs of the game so easily, those who buy the game will quickly realise that theres very little depth to the game. This is fine for an ios game, but for a home console game, it doesn’t quite cut the mustard.

Backbreaker is a fun little game, that benefits from some tight responsive controls, that people will easily understand and quickly get to grips with. Fans of the NFL, or even just fans of the crunching tackles that the sport provides will likely enjoy this game. Sadly though, the lack of game modes, and perhaps over simplicity let the title down, leaving it lacking in the value for money department. A good game, but costing 1200 Microsoft points is definitely a bit steep, making it hard to recommend to people. If this game ever goes on sale, then its something you should think about buying, but until then, it’s maybe best to wait.