It’s been a good 18 months since we first heard of Backbone – the post-noir detective adventure in which we play as a raccoon private investigator – but finally the time has come for us to fall into those shoes, as Backbone releases on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, through Xbox Game Pass and on PlayStation.
Coming from Raw Fury and the development team at EggNut, Backbone has us joining private dick, Howard Lotor, as he heads to a dystopian Vancouver in order to solve the most intense of cases.
Delivered via a high-res pixel art style, Backbone is a game which is firmly focuses on storytelling and the expressing of emotion. It’ll have you taken in a ton of dialogue as you and Lotor try to work out what the hell is going on in this weird world. The thing is, this has been inspired by a host of ideas, from weird sci-fi offerings, to political takes, the works of Lynch and Kaufman and more.
A linear tale which is hugely cinematic, the connections you make with the characters of Backbone will, ultimately, dictate the route that is run. It’s not going to be an easy ride though and eventually you’ll just have to begin to understand the pain of existence and loss.
The key features of Backbone on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5 and through Game Pass include…
- Post-noir dystopia – Backbone’s Vancouver is a dangerous place, bleak and dreary, but not entirely without hope. It’s a tale of a cold and uncaring world, interspersed with genuine connections and a bruised but undying drive to make a difference. Everyone wants to change the world, but not always for the better.
- Stunning visuals – The breathtaking combination of high-resolution pixel art and 3D effects like dynamic lighting, pouring rain, volumetric fog and neon lights bring the sprawling City to life. Visit iconic Vancouver locations like Gastown, Granville and Fairmont Hotel, reimagined in a world now inhabited by anthropomorphic animals.
- Evocative and unforgettable soundtrack – Original doom jazz soundtrack by Danshin and Arooj Aftab features an innovative combination of classic jazz and electronic music. Backbone’s OST is expertly crafted to create a cinematic, atmospheric, and simply jaw-dropping soundscape that serves and enhances storytelling.
We’ll be on the review of Backbone real soon, so stay tuned for our thoughts. In the meantime, you’ll be able to pick it up yourself from the digital store of your choice. The Xbox Store is here.
Game Description:
Backbone is a post-noir narrative adventure. Become raccoon private eye Howard Lotor and explore dystopian Vancouver inhabited by animals as you uncover a deeply personal story of change and transformation. Backbone is inspired by film noir, weird sci-fi, post-soviet aesthetics, modern political regimes, the works of Lynch and Kaufman, and existential philosophy of Sartre. It is a linear, cinematic narrative experience that subverts genre and challenges your perception of what it means to be a person.
