Backbone

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,723 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 1,723 reviews
story618 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions
  • Stunning pixel art and beautiful visuals that create an immersive atmosphere.
  • Engaging story with interesting characters and witty dialogue that keeps players invested.
  • Great soundtrack that complements the game's mood and enhances the overall experience.
  • The story takes a jarring turn in the second half, shifting from a noir detective narrative to a confusing sci-fi plot that feels disconnected.
  • Ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many plot points unresolved and players feeling disappointed.
  • Gameplay is mostly linear with minimal interactivity, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional adventure game.
  • story2,364 mentions

    The story of "Backbone" is a mixed bag, with many players praising its intriguing start and rich atmosphere but expressing disappointment in its abrupt tonal shift and unsatisfying conclusion. Initially presented as a compelling noir detective narrative, the plot takes a drastic turn into sci-fi territory, leaving numerous plot threads unresolved and characters underdeveloped. While the game's visuals and soundtrack receive high praise, the linear storytelling and lack of meaningful choices detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of frustration among those hoping for a more cohesive and fulfilling narrative.

    • “The story is promising, with compelling characters and an interesting story of political intrigue.”
    • “Super atmospherically and aesthetically pleasing, and I appreciated the unexpected twists in the story.”
    • “I love the dark and melancholy dystopian strangeness of the story.”
    • “This game clearly suffered from lack of budget, and they took the story to places they could not handle.”
    • “The ending feels abrupt and rushed, if not just a bit disappointing, however it is obvious that the story is cut off the way that it is to leave an opening for a sequel.”
    • “The story goes from a classic tension filled noir to grinding to an absolute halt about midway.”
  • music651 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers praising the beautiful soundtrack that complements the stunning visuals. However, some players noted a lack of consistent background music during certain segments, leading to moments of silence that detracted from immersion. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as a highlight, its sporadic use has left some players wanting more throughout the gameplay.

    • “Absolutely gorgeous game with an amazing soundtrack.”
    • “The music, the backgrounds, the lighting, the character designs and personalities, all add up together to create a stunning piece of artistry.”
    • “The soundtrack is truly unique.”
    • “It's okay, the minimal use of music throughout the game makes it a very silent and lonely experience, however.”
    • “My only issue with the game is after the prologue, there's a severe lack of effort put into the soundtrack and backing music.”
    • “There are some parts where the game is just oddly devoid of music.”
  • graphics565 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art style and atmospheric design, often described as breathtaking and immersive. Many reviewers highlighted the intricate details, vibrant colors, and the effective use of lighting that enhance the overall noir aesthetic, making it a visual standout in the indie game space. However, some critiques pointed out that while the visuals are exceptional, they sometimes overshadow the narrative quality, which can feel underdeveloped or inconsistent.

    • “The visuals in this game are superb, the music is sublime, the characters are interesting but the story is slightly confusing.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the characters are interesting and contain depth, even when the interactions are incredibly brief.”
    • “The pixel art graphics are well drawn/animated with lots of vibrant colors and detailed backgrounds which makes the areas feel lively.”
    • “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
    • “Visually, this is a ham-fisted mess, a dog's breakfast of bad visuals, and this kind of laziness and poor quality should never be foisted on gamers.”
    • “There were huge glitches in the graphics and at one point the gameplay mechanic for a certain level completely broke, making it impossible for me to progress, so I had to get it refunded.”
  • gameplay407 mentions

    The gameplay of "Backbone" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant shift from engaging mechanics in the prologue to a more linear, visual novel format in the later chapters. While the initial chapters feature stealth and puzzle elements that enhance the narrative, these mechanics are largely abandoned, leading to a gameplay experience that feels rushed and underdeveloped. Overall, the game is praised for its stunning visuals and atmosphere, but criticized for its lack of meaningful gameplay and player agency, making it more akin to an interactive story than a traditional game.

    • “For the first half of the game, stealth and item use mechanics hold enough interest to carry the plot along.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, you walk around your area, collect clues, interact with the people, and hide if necessary.”
    • “The mechanics were very good and not overly complicated; the scenery was amazing, and I really liked the audio and just overall a good story too.”
    • “The developers failed one of the most basic, fundamental requirements of game design: 'show, don't tell.' You'll spend a huge amount of time not playing the game, but clicking through endless lines of poorly written visual novel text cutscenes because the developers couldn't work out how to relate their narrative through the game mechanics.”
    • “However, the second half of this game feels incredibly rushed, and said mechanics are nowhere to be found.”
    • “The gameplay is very intuitive, but it fails to compensate with plot, which feels awkwardly-paced, yet still rushed.”
  • atmosphere192 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and compelling noir aesthetic, creating a rich and engaging experience. Many players appreciate the detailed pixel art and atmospheric music that enhance the storytelling, although some note a decline in atmospheric consistency towards the end of the game. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, drawing players into its unique world and narrative.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing.”
    • “One of the game's strong points is its atmosphere, which is composed of stunning graphics—some of the best I've seen in a 2D game—and a soundtrack that perfectly complements the game's beautiful visual style.”
    • “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.”
    • “This is the point where all the plot development and atmosphere of the game goes out the window.”
    • “Despite my negative feelings with the game's pacing, and narrative and character developments, I did honestly and sincerely enjoy my time with the game and while I wouldn't give it super high praise, I would for sure recommend it for its atmosphere and setting.”
  • emotional61 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a deeply engaging narrative that evokes a wide range of feelings, from joy to heartbreak, often enhanced by a beautiful soundtrack and striking visuals. While many players appreciate the emotional depth and unexpected twists, some express dissatisfaction with the fragmented and unsatisfying ending, which can undermine the emotional investment built throughout the game. Overall, it offers a poignant journey that resonates with players, despite its narrative flaws and mixed reviews on emotional payoff.

    • “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 deep, layered, dystopic, dark, emotional, and heart-breaking.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, but the story lacks emotional depth.”
    • “I found the characters unrelatable, which made it hard to connect with the emotional moments.”
    • “While the game tries to evoke feelings, it ultimately falls flat and feels superficial.”
  • humor41 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and witty dialogue, often blending dark humor with lighthearted moments that enhance character development and storytelling. Players appreciate the variety of dialogue options, which can lead to hilarious interactions, and many found themselves laughing at both scripted lines and unexpected glitches. Overall, the humor is seen as a strong aspect that complements the game's deeper themes, making it an engaging experience.

    • “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 development30 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the initial strong character arcs and interactions, as well as the stunning character designs and visuals. However, numerous players express disappointment over the abrupt decline in character development and unresolved storylines, particularly towards the end, leading to a sense of confusion and dissatisfaction. Overall, while the aesthetic elements are highly regarded, the narrative and character growth are seen as lacking depth and resolution.

    • “The music, the backgrounds, the lighting, the character designs and personalities all add up together to create a stunning piece of artistry.”
    • “I loved most of the game: the aesthetic, the puzzles, the story and character development, the soundtrack, the art, the pixel work... then the end just kinda... happens and it's like I fell off a cliff and it was over.”
    • “All the character interactions were really good, and I enjoyed watching their character development play out.”
    • “Plot and character development is dropped entirely in exchange for confusion and vague prose in an attempt to appear meaningful.”
    • “I really wanted to give this game a good review (even with all the negative reviews I saw), because dammit, 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.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in later sections. Issues include broken mechanics, buggy achievements, and graphical glitches, which have led some to refund the game due to progression halts. However, a few players noted that despite these problems, they still enjoyed the overall experience and are hopeful for future patches to improve stability.

    • “Falls off in the later parts as stealth sections become buggy, puzzles disappear, and the game becomes a walking simulator where you go through the motions only to move the story along.”
    • “There were huge glitches in the graphics and at one point the gameplay mechanic for a certain level completely broke, making it impossible for me to progress, so I had to get it refunded.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many players noting that it offers limited value beyond the initial playthrough due to its short length (3-6 hours) and lack of branching paths or significant changes in story outcomes. While some appreciate the option to explore different dialogue choices and hunt for achievements, others feel that the absence of meaningful replay incentives makes it hard to justify its price. In summary, replayability exists but is often deemed insufficient for a game of its length and cost.

    • “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.”
  • 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 a drawn-out ending 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.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its beautiful performance and lack of technical issues, providing a smooth experience on capable rigs. However, some players noted a slight input delay, which may affect gameplay responsiveness. The 8-bit aesthetic contributes to a visually appealing atmosphere, enhanced by immersive audio elements.

    • “...and what a beautiful performance it turned out to be.”
    • “The scene is absolutely gorgeous and the atmosphere is only amplified by the 'live' performance that the game allows players to sit through, the ambiance of people chattering away and glasses clinking together made me wish there were more levels like it.”
    • “It may be the performance, but it feels like everything registers 0.5 seconds after input.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for misleading advertising and broken promises, leading to disappointment among players who expected a different experience. While it is not viewed as a typical cash grab, the disconnect between the game's actual content and its promotional material has significantly impacted user satisfaction.

    • “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.”
    • “I think it's almost entirely a matter of advertisement, why people are unhappy with it.”
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 29 analyzed playthroughs

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