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Backbone Is a So-So Post-Noir Narrative Adventure – Review in 3 Minutes

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Backbone is a post-noir narrative adventure by EggNut. You are Howard Lotor, a raccoon private eye that gets caught in the middle of a twisted and deadly power struggle between the city’s elite after accepting a menial case from a concerned wife.

Overall, the game sets up the right ideas but never really expands upon them. Based on the engaging prologue, the potential is undeniably there. The story itself is interesting and the characters are cool, but the poor pacing from a lack of mechanical diversity and the mixed quality of the writing leave the five-hour game feeling underwhelming in comparison to its strong start. With some time, I hope that EggNut is given the chance to refine this game into the experience that it could be.

Backbone is available now on PC via Steam, Epic, GOG, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and the Windows 10 Store for $24.99, with a 10% launch discount on some platforms. The game will launch later on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox.

Watch our full Review in 3 Minutes for Backbone.


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Amy Campbell
Amy Campbell is a contributor for The Escapist. She spends her days behind the scenes, helping develop video games as a Producer within the Australian game development scene. By night (or very early morning), she turns her attention to celebrating and discussing the latest wonders of the industry she loves. Having started her career in games with OnlySP back in 2018, Amy has continued to engage and critique a wide range of indie and AAA games over the years in written, video, and live-streamed formats. Highlights of her work include interviews with composer Austin Wintory and actor Michael Mando, as well as Adventure Is Nigh! – the D&D series exclusive to The Escapist. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, Diploma of Game Design, and a Certificate IV in Fitness, making her the most game-obsessed fitness instructor you’ll ever meet.