System backup and restore with help of Google's system backup feature doesn't seem to work I have had my phone set up from the start to backup to Google. I have done 3 resets now and none of my settings and apps or anything seem to come back. Is there a way to force this to happen? Perhaps, I'm mistaken thinking that this even happens?

Phone is a Samsung S2 GT-I9100 running Android 4.0.4.
Unfortunately, it is very temperamental and depends on the device using the Google setup wizard.

It works a bit too well on my s2 with Cyanogen 10 - Cyanogen uses the default Google setup wizard.

When you reset, ensure you follow the setup wizard, and especially notice the part about restore - it should be checked by default, but may not be.