Introduction

In a world dominated by colorful Mario and flashy Call of Duty franchises, EggNut’s Backbone takes a bold dive into the murky waters of noir storytelling. You're not just any average raccoon; you’re Howard Lotor, a sleuth who would give tails a leg up on mystery-solving in a dystopian Vancouver—wait a second! Who decided a city full of anthropomorphic animals was a good idea? Buckle up, because we’re diving head-first into a game that attempts to juggle deep existential dilemmas while you’re just trying to figure out how to call the pizza guy without incriminating yourself.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Backbone unfolds in a beautifully crafted 2D world, where you guide Howard in a series of intriguing investigations that lead to puzzling results, akin to piecing together the leftover portions of your fridge. You’ll poke around in dark alleys, interrogate shady critters, and, yes, you’ll even elbow your way through a couple of stealth sections. You might find the controls a little wobbly—think of it as navigating a bathroom floor after a wild party—but it quickly becomes intuitive once you embrace the quirks. Puzzles are well thought out, and while you might groan at some dead ends, you have to admit, that fleeting victory once you crack a case feels as sweet as finishing a marathon, even if you've only run to the fridge for snacks.

Graphics

Visually speaking, Backbone is an absolute treat! It’s bathed in a smattering of stunning, pixel-illustrated charm that makes your eyes dance as much as your thumbs. With dynamic lighting and dark shadows playing hide-and-seek, the city has a character all its own. Imagine a moody graphic novel where every scene is just crying for your attention. But in a bit of classic ‘not strange but just weird’ fashion, the anthropomorphic characters can be quite the head-scratcher. A raccoon detective? Why not a walrus doctor while we're at it? You might spend half your day trying to get your head around the animal kingdom’s social hierarchy.

Conclusion

Backbone takes itself seriously—like that friend who cries at every Pixar movie, calling it ‘deep’—despite the ridiculous premise of a raccoon detective in a gritty society. It probes into themes of identity, alienation, and existential angst, but never forgets to sprinkle in humor and absurdity, because who doesn’t love a raccoon with self-doubt? It is indeed a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts that are as layered as your grandma’s lasagna. For those seeking a dose of noir with their furry friends, Backbone is a delightful leap into the muddy puddles of the morally ambiguous. So grab a snack, some soda, and embark on Howard's journey. Just remember to dodge the existential crises on your way out!

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