Backpack Battles

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,836 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • replayability
Backpack Battles Game Cover
Play in Arcadia
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"Backpack Battles" is a game where you build and customize your backpack with various items, which you can then use to fight other players. The items you choose and how you organize them in your backpack can greatly affect your combat abilities. With different classes, items, and modes to choose from, you can customize your strategy to your liking and battle other players in a relaxed, timer-free environment.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Web Browser
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,836 reviews
gameplay107 positive mentions
grinding19 negative mentions
  • gameplay231 mentions

    The gameplay of "Backpack Battles" is widely praised for its innovative mechanics that blend strategic inventory management with engaging auto-battler elements, allowing for deep customization and creative item combinations. Players appreciate the relaxed pace, enabling them to strategize without time pressure, while the frequent updates keep the experience fresh. However, some users express a desire for more content and balance, noting that the gameplay can become repetitive after extended play.

    • “The core mechanic of piecing together items to maximize damage is both rewarding and engaging, offering endless possibilities for creative setups.”
    • “The gameplay revolves around making tactical decisions to optimize your backpack space, and every item placement feels meaningful.”
    • “It strikes the perfect balance between casual fun gameplay and a very deep strategic game with countless interesting approaches.”
    • “It just seems skin-deep in terms of design and gameplay loop.”
    • “A lot of gameplay mechanics are also not explained and the dev has said that he has no plans explaining them because he does not want people to 'optimize' the game mechanics.”
    • “After maybe 2~3 hours of gameplay, you'll be very bored.”
  • graphics84 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the charming and cozy art style that evokes nostalgia for flash games, while others criticize it as simplistic or reminiscent of low-quality mobile games. The visuals are generally described as cute and engaging, complementing the gameplay, though some players find the character designs off-putting or cringeworthy. Overall, while the graphics may not appeal to everyone, they are often seen as a fitting backdrop to the game's addictive mechanics.

    • “With a diverse but consistent item pool and strong art style, it's truly a gorgeous game.”
    • “The graphics, while not overly flashy, are charming and have a distinct style that complements the overall tone of the game.”
    • “The game's charming pixel art style and addictive gameplay loop make it a fun and engaging experience for fans of both auto-battlers and puzzle games.”
    • “The graphics look like they raided a mobile game from 2010.”
    • “Aside from that, the artwork is incredibly cringe and reminds me of a 14-year-old girl drawing their first attempts at anime characters.”
    • “If you can get over the 2007-ish browser game art style, then it's solid for the price.”
  • replayability51 mentions

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, driven by a wealth of item synergies, diverse classes, and regular updates that keep the experience fresh. Players appreciate the strategic depth and variety of builds, although some express a desire for additional content to enhance long-term engagement. Overall, it is considered addictive and enjoyable, with many users noting its potential for infinite replay value.

    • “Whether you're crafting new weapons or discovering synergies between items, the depth of the system adds a lot of replay value.”
    • “All of this combined with the crazy player builds that you face keep the game fresh and endlessly replayable.”
    • “It has infinite replayability, a developing metagame, cool builds, competitive gameplay... and it's all asynchronous so you can play at your own pace.”
    • “Its really missing an endless mode as the run ends when your build is the best, which ruins the fun, but the game has enough replayability to still enjoy it.”
    • “I'm happy I got good playtime out of this game, but I'm sad it doesn't have the replayability as other games in this category.”
    • “Cool idea, but needs a lot more items/combo for long-term replayability and maybe some kind of long-term progression.”
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, described as engaging, catchy, and fitting the game's tone, though some players note it can be repetitive over time. Many appreciate the relaxing background music that complements the medieval setting, while others express a desire for more variety in the soundtrack. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable to play along with.

    • “The art style is charming, the music is engaging, and the battles are surprisingly deep yet accessible for newcomers.”
    • “The game has relaxing background music, synonymous with the medieval setting.”
    • “The music is really well done and fits the whole premise of the game so exceptionally well.”
    • “I hear the main menu music in my sleep.”
    • “Music is a bit repetitive but I'm guessing that will get solved in time.”
    • “Art style, music, and voice acting reminds me of old flash games.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its lightheartedness and comedic elements, with players finding it both funny and enjoyable. Many highlight the amusing character designs, quirky item interactions, and clever puns, such as the "eggcalibur" upgrade. However, some players note that while the humor is initially entertaining, certain mechanics can become frustrating over time, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “This game is funny and new.”
    • “Surprisingly funny auto battler that successfully manages to combine class-oriented builds with min-max inventory management mechanics.”
    • “I had flashbacks to Tangled and I burst out laughing when you could upgrade/evolve said frying pan into the mighty 'eggcalibur'.”
  • grinding20 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially at higher levels, while others appreciate the depth it adds to gameplay. Many users express a desire for more rewarding systems to alleviate the grind, suggesting that while the game can be enjoyable for extended play, it often feels like a chore. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a double-edged sword, providing both engagement and frustration.

    • “Thought-provoking but not tedious.”
    • “The grind feels rewarding and keeps me engaged.”
    • “I appreciate how the grinding system encourages strategic thinking.”
    • “Even when you try and get serious and optimize your bag positioning, it just feels tedious rearranging everything.”
    • “After a while, the game gets tedious and repetitive.”
    • “Aside from that, it's addictive, but there needs to be more rewarding than what it is; the rewards are too sparse, boring, and far too grindy.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with players appreciating the depth of item synergy and the various strategies available for each class. The developers are committed to ongoing improvements, ensuring smooth performance across platforms like Surface tablets and Steam Decks, with no significant bugs reported. Overall, the game offers extensive opportunities for inventory management and competitive optimization, appealing to fans of strategic gameplay.

    • “There are plenty of ways you can go about playing each of the four classes, since item synergy and optimization have to be approached much differently depending on what items you choose from those made available to you.”
    • “One of the game's key strengths is its ongoing development and optimization—it's clear that the developers are committed to making the game better with every update.”
    • “Thus enough time and especially possibilities for optimization for the optimization fanboys.”
    • “There's so much room for cleverness, creativity, and optimization.”
    • “Meaning the item combinations and item placements within the bags are what drives your offensive and defensive performance.”
  • story11 mentions

    The reviews indicate a strong desire for a more developed story element within the game, with players expressing interest in additional characters, solo missions, and a campaign mode. Many feel that the current lack of a narrative detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that a fleshed-out story mode could enhance gameplay and engagement. Overall, the consensus is that while the game is enjoyable, it would benefit significantly from a more robust storytelling component.

    • “Maybe a fleshed out story mode would be a good addition to the game.”
    • “I think the devs will keep adding things as it goes along, would like more characters, maybe some solo story missions, more rankings, definitely more items and more combos.”
    • “Would be nice if they had more characters, a leveling up system, and some type of campaign/story.”
    • “No story mode.”
    • “Great game, but lacking story and some form of good progress.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game heavily relies on advertisements, prompting some users to consider alternative options on platforms like Steam before spending money to remove them. While the game itself is well-received, the presence of ads has drawn mixed reactions from players.

    • “I decided that before I give them money to make the ads go away, I would check to see if there was something similar on Steam for a comparable amount of money.”
    • “Great game, great advertisement.”
    • “I've seen games with ads before.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, users report good stability for an early access game, with only minor visual glitches noted. The game performs well on the Steam Deck and does not negatively impact performance when running alongside other PC games. Players generally find the experience bug-free and enjoyable.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck as well as alongside other games on PC without worsening performance or causing alt-tab issues.”
    • “Plays great, amazing items, bug-free!”
    • “I experience small visual glitches, but otherwise stability is good for an early access game.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of variety, with players encountering only minor variations of four generic character designs repeatedly. The designs, described as "fishy anime," do not resonate well with some users, leading to a perception of superficiality in character representation.

    • “You will find yourself playing as and against minor variations of the same four character designs over and over again.”
    • “I am not a big fan of the character designs, as they all look rather generic.”
    • “My prime objection is the fishy anime character design, which is expected for an Asian game.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Users find the emotional aspect of the game engaging, as it captivates them quickly despite initial visual discomfort. The immersive experience creates a strong connection, making them feel invested in the gameplay.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its appealing energy and distinctiveness, effectively complementing the

    • “It has a really nice atmosphere and energy while also presenting its own unique challenges.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

42hMedian play time
98hAverage play time
15-72hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 41 analyzed playthroughs

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