- January 30, 2023
- Naraven Games
- 6h median play time
BackfireWall
Backfirewall_ is a great mix of solid storytelling, clever puzzles, and tech puns. While it offers nothing new to the first-person puzzle genre, it’s a well-crafted experience with a unique premise and an interesting cast of characters.
Platforms
About
"BackfireWall" is a single-player comedy action game with an interesting plot, featuring a tragicomedy set within a smartphone. As the update assistant, players must decide whether to save the chatty operating system, OS9, from deletion by countering the update. The game offers ingenious gameplay with clever puzzles, cheat-codes to manipulate the environment, and the chance to meet colorful app characters in various areas of the phone. The game promises a hilarious and wholesome story.











- Backfirewall_ features a clever and engaging story that combines humor and emotional depth, reminiscent of games like The Stanley Parable and Portal.
- The game offers a variety of simple yet enjoyable puzzles, with a unique setting inside a smartphone that adds to the overall charm.
- The characters are well-developed and memorable, with witty dialogue and a strong voice acting performance that enhances the gaming experience.
- The game suffers from technical issues such as framerate drops and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including save file problems and unresponsive puzzles.
- There is a lack of replayability due to the inability to revisit previous levels for missed collectibles, which can frustrate completionists.
- Some players found the humor to be hit-or-miss, and the puzzles may not provide enough challenge for those seeking a more difficult experience.
- story134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The story of the game is widely praised for its humor, engaging characters, and clever writing, often described as a charming and entertaining experience that keeps players hooked. Many reviewers highlight the unique setting within a smartphone and the depth of the narrative, which includes interesting plot twists and emotional moments, although some found it occasionally lacking in focus or depth. Overall, the storytelling is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay and providing a memorable adventure.
“I was expecting a short and funny puzzle game, but it feels like so much more. The characters and story are amazing, the music works really well, the puzzles are quirky, funny, and unique. The game didn't feel repeatable even for a moment, and the writing makes it all the better.”
“The game shines with clever writing, plenty of easter eggs, and a story that really took me by surprise.”
“To conclude, this game is like a Pixar movie in the form of a video game, with well-developed characters and a story that will keep you entertained from start to finish, and again all the little details everywhere make it amazing.”
“The story is not very well-written; the dialogues are kind of wacky.”
“The comedy is predictable and boring, the dramatic moments don't leave any impact, the character dialogue ranges from boring to bland, and the overall story beats are mostly just confusing and made me want to rush through by the end.”
“If you don't care about the collectibles, then the game may seem empty and shallow; the story is slow, and there is just not much to do in the environments.”
Backfirewall review
Backfirewall_ is a fun, interesting mix of exploration and puzzles in a setting that feels different and enjoyable to explore.
75%Backfirewall_ Review
Backfirewall_ is a great mix of solid storytelling, clever puzzles, and tech puns. While it offers nothing new to the first-person puzzle genre, it’s a well-crafted experience with a unique premise and an interesting cast of characters.
80%Backfirewall_ review – Osmosis Jones for smartphones
While
80%