Backbone

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,334 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Backbone Game Cover
Backbone features a compelling story and a well-realised post-noir dystopia, with engaging characters and some smart gameplay.
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"Backbone" is a single-player mystery role-playing game with a phenomenal story and impressive graphics, accompanied by a stellar soundtrack. As raccoon detective Howard Lotor, you'll explore a dystopian Vancouver full of anthropomorphic animals while unraveling a deeply personal narrative. The game boasts a dense atmosphere, emotional depth, and engaging dialogues, however, it has low replayability, is grind-heavy, and has some bugs.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,334 reviews
story485 positive mentions
replayability5 negative mentions
  • Incredible visuals and art style that create a captivating atmosphere.
  • Engaging story and characters that draw players in, especially in the first two acts.
  • Great soundtrack that complements the game's mood and enhances the overall experience.
  • The story falls apart in the third act, leading to an abrupt and unsatisfying ending.
  • Choices made throughout the game have little to no impact on the narrative, making it feel linear.
  • Gameplay mechanics, such as puzzles and stealth, are underutilized after the prologue, reducing interactivity.
  • story1,820 mentions

    The story of "Backbone" begins with a compelling noir detective narrative that captivates players with its intriguing characters and atmospheric setting. However, as the game progresses, many reviewers note a significant decline in storytelling quality, particularly in the latter acts, where the plot takes unexpected and often jarring turns into sci-fi territory, leaving numerous plot threads unresolved and resulting in an unsatisfying conclusion. While the game's visuals and soundtrack receive high praise, the overall narrative experience is marred by its abrupt shifts and lack of coherence, leading to mixed feelings among players regarding its execution.

    • “Somber, macabre and emotional, very engaging story and dialogues paired with beautiful art and a world that feels much bigger than just the immediate events the character is involved in.”
    • “The story is engaging and all the characters feel so fleshed out and unique.”
    • “The story is rich and the writing is immersive.”
    • “Essentially, the game devolves into a visual novel in the second half, and in my opinion, the overarching story is not fleshed out enough to maintain the compelling gameplay the first half offered.”
    • “The story goes from a classic tension filled noir to grinding to an absolute halt about midway.”
    • “The plot introduces many different plot threads at a breakneck pace then seems to forget about them just as quickly.”
  • music488 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, effectively setting a moody noir tone that complements the visuals. Many players highlighted the soundtrack as a standout feature, with some tracks being particularly memorable, although there were occasional criticisms regarding the lack of background music in certain sections. Overall, the combination of stunning art and evocative music creates an immersive experience, making it a significant draw for players despite some narrative shortcomings.

    • “The music, the backgrounds, the lighting, the character designs and personalities, all add up together to create a stunning piece of artistry.”
    • “The music is stunning, often I've stopped playing to hear the voiced songs.”
    • “The soundtrack is perfectly moody.”
    • “I found many sections with zero background music.”
    • “The music is also subpar.”
    • “There are some parts where the game is just oddly devoid of music.”
  • graphics433 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style, immersive atmosphere, and attention to detail, creating a visually captivating experience. Many players highlighted the beautiful environments and character designs, often describing the visuals as breathtaking and a significant strength of the game. However, some noted that despite the impressive graphics, the narrative and gameplay fell short, leading to a disconnect between the visual appeal and the overall storytelling experience.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and the storyline is intriguing and draws you in!”
    • “The visuals are stunning and the OST is amazing.”
    • “The art style is incredible and the story takes some pretty crazy turns near the end.”
    • “This game is mostly held up by its cute pixel graphics and decent audio; however, its poor gameplay and storytelling make you wish that the writers had put more effort into it.”
    • “Bottom line: I'd say it could be worth playing for the aesthetic, music, and the first few chapters if you're looking for a quasi-noir/dystopian vibe, but I honestly left this game feeling like I had been duped into buying into a story that wasn't what it presented itself as, and left with a vague ending that was either sequel-bait or just unsatisfying.”
    • “In short, it feels like Backbone put a lot of its effort in the visuals but not enough into the writing, and the writing is the most important part of this kind of game.”
  • gameplay320 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant decline in engagement after the prologue. Initially, the game features interesting mechanics like stealth and puzzles, but these elements are largely abandoned in favor of a linear narrative that resembles a visual novel, leading to feelings of disappointment and frustration among players. While the art and music are praised, the overall gameplay experience is criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth, with many mechanics introduced early on never being fully utilized throughout the game.

    • “The gameplay is simple, you walk around the area, collect clues, interact with people, and hide if necessary.”
    • “The gameplay itself is relatively simple, consisting mostly of walking and talking, but it's a heavily story-driven game after all.”
    • “The gameplay, as I refer to this game, is quite alright.”
    • “However, the second half of this game feels incredibly rushed, and said mechanics are nowhere to be found.”
    • “The gameplay after the prologue devolves to walking slowly and clicking through faux-choice dialogue prompts that have no effect on story or character.”
    • “Unfortunately, however, most of the mechanics you encounter in the prologue are barely present in the full game.”
  • atmosphere141 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and strong noir elements, creating a compelling and moody experience. Many players appreciate the intricate details that enhance the setting, although some express disappointment with the narrative's execution and pacing, particularly in the latter parts of the game. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it worth experiencing for fans of atmospheric storytelling.

    • “The atmosphere this game has is top tier, with little details that really sell the mood and setting.”
    • “I love the style, bleakness, moodiness, beautifully drawn backgrounds, noir atmosphere in general.”
    • “The atmosphere, the story, the music, the characters, the depth.”
    • “If the intention was to deliver a story-rich detective experience with a quintessential 'noir' atmosphere, the game falls short of this objective.”
    • “Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that there is a major tonal shift after act three and a major change of pacing, suddenly instead of the contemplative and brooding atmosphere of a noir, the air changes to that of a sci-fi thriller with no happy or cathartic ending.”
    • “It's disappointing how this is the end result I get from waiting two whole years since the release of the prologue. The beginning few acts are gripping and compelling, engaging the audience through that noir/mystery atmosphere this game seemed to exude, but the more it reached the end it fell short and even left me absolutely cold.”
  • emotional45 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of poignant storytelling, beautiful art, and a haunting soundtrack that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to heartbreak. While many players appreciate the depth and complexity of the narrative, some express dissatisfaction with the fragmented ending and lack of emotional payoff for certain character arcs. Overall, the game offers a compelling emotional journey, though its execution may leave some players feeling unfulfilled.

    • “Somber, macabre and emotional, very engaging story and dialogues paired with beautiful art and a world that feels much bigger than just the immediate events the character is involved in.”
    • “The story goes from banal detective tasks to the uncovering of a weird criminal operation, to a mystery around disappearances... to then find yourself in the middle of a high level corruption scandal with grotesque scientific experiments, psychological intrigue and post-apocalyptic wanderings, dotted with haunting abstractions, shocking reversals... I laughed, I cried, I gasped.”
    • “It is a great and emotional experience, despite its flaws.”
    • “The game has stunning visuals, but the story fails to evoke any real emotions.”
    • “While the graphics are beautiful, the narrative lacks depth and leaves me feeling disconnected.”
    • “The emotional moments feel forced and do not resonate with the overall gameplay experience.”
  • humor33 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and witty dialogue, often blending dark humor with lighthearted moments that resonate well with players. Many reviewers highlight the natural and engaging conversations, as well as the amusing character interactions, which contribute to a rich narrative experience. While some found certain slang or humor to be hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that the game's humor adds significant charm and depth to its storytelling.

    • “The conversations felt natural and even had me laughing so hard at times.”
    • “The writing is superb, oftentimes hilarious.”
    • “This game is beautiful, it's funny, it's entertaining, it's amazingly written, the dialogue is impeccable, the characters are interesting and unique, it's all just so neatly woven together.”
  • character development23 mentions

    Character development in the game starts strong, with engaging designs and interactions that draw players in, but ultimately falters as the story progresses. Many reviewers express disappointment over the abrupt ending and the lack of resolution for key characters, leaving numerous loose ends and a sense of incompleteness. While the aesthetic elements are praised, the overall character arcs are criticized for not being fully realized, leading to a disjointed narrative experience.

    • “The story starts off really strong, with good character development, interesting side stories, and a strong foundation.”
    • “All the character interactions were really good, and I enjoyed watching their character development play out.”
    • “I thought the character development was solid overall, and I really enjoyed learning more about all of the characters.”
    • “I loved most of the game: the aesthetic, the puzzles, the story and character development, the soundtrack, the art, the work... then the end just kinda... happens and it's like I fell off a cliff and it was over.”
    • “I really wanted to give this game a good review (even with all the negative reviews I saw), because damn it, the story and the character development started so strong... until all of it abruptly collapsed on itself.”
    • “The main plot had been completely abandoned, character development went downhill, and there were so many loose ends by the extremely abrupt ending.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the opportunity to explore different dialogue options and hunt for achievements, many criticize the lack of branching paths and the short gameplay duration of 3-6 hours, which limits the incentive to replay. Unskippable cutscenes and a linear story further detract from the replay value, leading to a consensus that the game may not justify its price for a single playthrough.

    • “Fortunately, the game has an interesting story and good replay value.”
    • “The art was really amazing, and I appreciate the hidden achievements, which add a little replay value.”
    • “Regarding the dialogue, this game does have replay value because there are many options to choose from.”
    • “The game itself is short, about 3-4 hours worth of gameplay with no replayability unless you're going to go for all achievements.”
    • “Not much replayability since it is a mystery game, so once you know how everything comes together, that's kind of it.”
    • “However, the lack of any replayability makes it a hard sell for $25 when you'll probably only get one run out of it between 3-5 hours.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, particularly related to achievements, graphical glitches, and input issues. Many players experienced game-halting glitches that disrupted progression, especially in later acts, while others noted inconsistencies with controls and interactions. Despite these technical shortcomings, some players expressed optimism for future patches to improve the overall experience.

    • “It feels tremendously unfinished, even the loading screen glitches visually.”
    • “There are absolutely game halting (not breaking) glitches that need to be patched, specifically in act 4.”
    • “Backbone not only had a large number of visual glitches, but some that actively stop or mess with your progression such as dialogue boxes skipping themselves or being unable to click a response option.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a significant drawback, with many players finding the pacing slow and tedious, particularly in the latter half. While some appreciate the cinematic storytelling and retro aesthetics, the lack of chapter select options and drawn-out endings contribute to a frustrating experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Luckily, there are no tedious mini-games, but sometimes it felt a little too much like a movie.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story goes from a classic tension-filled noir to grinding to an absolute halt about midway.”
    • “It then gets so tedious I was literally checking my watch as the story crawled on and everything ends unresolved.”
    • “And as the game continues to become darker and depressing, the gameplay feels pointless and tedious rather than engaging.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for broken promises and misleading advertising, leading players to feel deceived about its true nature as a linear visual novel. While it is not viewed as a typical cash grab like many AAA titles, the disconnect between expectations and reality has left a negative impression on users.

    • “With the added context of broken promises and disingenuous advertising, it's a disaster.”
    • “But in the end, it wasn't anything near what it was advertising itself as.”
    • “Despite its advertising, the game is a linear visual novel.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game features a retro 8-bit aesthetic that generally runs smoothly on various systems, with users reporting no significant performance issues or stuttering. Overall, the optimization appears to be effective across different hardware configurations.

    • “The game runs smoothly on my system, showcasing excellent optimization.”
    • “I was impressed by how well the game utilizes system resources, resulting in a seamless experience.”
    • “The game is heavily 8-bit in style, and depending on the rig, it may run well without any stuttering.”
    • “From a technical standpoint, I had no performance issues with this game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
4-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 25 analyzed playthroughs

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