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Backbone is a post-noir adventure with a vulnerable and powerful story in which private investigator Howard Lotor finds himself battling oppression and nihilism.
For EggNut, a studio made up of remote employees from Canada, the United States, Russia and the Netherlands, Backbone represents an astounding achievement in terms of concept, design and execution. EggNut first introduced its post-noir world when it released Backbone: Prologue on Steam in 2019. Prologue gave players the opportunity to play through the first act of the game and was greeted with extremely positive reviews: the potential offered by the full version.
Backbone is described by its developers as “a post-noir investigative adventure” in which players navigate the dark and dystopian city of Vancouver, BC as a raccoon private investigator named Howard Lotor. What begins as a standard case of a “cheating husband” turns into something infinitely darker and puts Howard in direct conflict with the oppressive system of the city. Thankfully, he has some help in the form of a reporter named Renee and her trusty driver / best friend, Anatoly.
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Backbone’s mechanics include stealth, exploration and elements of classic point and click adventure games. While it features many puzzles and moments of tension, Backbone’s main element is its expansive dialogue. Each interaction involves a variety of responses that influence the decisions of whoever Howard is speaking. While it wasn’t said directly, it quickly becomes clear that players should interact with everyone and everything they can to navigate each puzzle and interaction in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
What is immediately striking about Backbone is the art direction and soundtrack. Thanks to the versatility of Unreal Engine 4, Backbone’s graphics are composed of a mix of 3D effects and high-resolution pixel art. This gives Backbone a unique style thanks to the ability to incorporate dynamic lighting and weather effects to help make a world cold and existential. The soundtrack by Danshin and Aroof Aftab elevates the experience, providing musicians with what EggNut aptly describes as “dystopian jazz doom”. Not only does it capture the aesthetics and style of detective noir, but it conveys the complex emotions felt by Backbone’s characters and the city itself.
The themes and comments in Backbone aren’t subtle and that’s all the better for that. Most obvious is the commentary on class struggle and oppressive societies, highlighting how those in power devour and spit out those stuck in cycles of poverty and subtly segregate them through rampant systemic racism. this commentary only delves into the player’s connection with Howard and Howard’s connection with others. As the story progresses, the genre and tone shift seamlessly towards something more surreal and focuses on the existential nature of mortality.
Howard’s journey ends far, far away from where it began and each step continually develops the emotional investment for everyone in this world. While there are minor mechanical issues like the “interaction” input which isn’t always immediately responsive, every element of Backbone is polished and expertly crafted. a must-see GOTY competitor who deserves every little mainstream recognition that receives and exceeds the usual reach of its genre, creating a compelling experience that even those with little interest in point and click adventures will find it hard to abandon.
Next: Famicom Detective Club Review: A Revitalized Classic
Backbone will be released on June 8 for PC, with future versions planned for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch. A digital PC code was provided to Screen Rant for the purpose of this review.
Our rating:
5 out of 5 (Masterpiece)
The Airship portrait room has a fantastic Easter egg between us
About the author Jacob Zeranko (41 published articles)
Jacob is a writer, actor, and musician based in Baltimore, Maryland. He had an original play, The Voyager, produced at Towson University, contributed articles to HaloScope magazine, and is currently producing the “Bus Ride Talks” podcast for Greatest City Collective. His hobbies include: playing games, making great coffee and listening to prog-metal.
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