What is it like to be an operating system right before a big update – one that would introduce a whole new life to a device at the expense of the old one? Backfirewall_ imagines this scenario, and its exploration of this concept is as funny as it is emotionally intelligent and clever. Despite presenting itself as a puzzle game, Backfirewall_ is really a sci-fi narrative adventure that explores the fear of change, the desire to help others, and the gallows humor that gets people through their darkest moments.
Backfirewall_ has players take control of a phone’s update assistant, preparing to take the device from OS9 to OS10. Before this can happen, OS9 takes the time to introduce himself to the player and walk them through their first steps until briefly meeting his body, which is quickly destroyed, leaving his consciousness to be integrated into the player’s body. OS9 is an immediately lovable narrator that is full of sarcastic wit and sincerity, two traits that become even clearer as the adventure goes on. The characterization and vocal performance of OS9, as well as Backfirewall_‘s meta comedy, makes it nearly impossible to not favorably compare to The Stanley Parable‘s excellent structure.
While on the way to the update room, players are taught the four main commands used to solve the game’s puzzles: delete, invert, color mode, and duplicate. These actions are used constantly, whether it be deleting boxes or debris, inverting the direction of bits or items, changing the color of certain objects and buttons, and duplicating various items to meet quantity requirements. After learning the basics, players enter the update room and are greeted by the new OS and a presentation of its upcoming features. OS9 interrupts this and reveals that performing this update will kill him, the player, and many other systems that operate under him. With this revelation, OS9 and the player set out to sabotage the new update.
Short and simple puzzles are the backbone of Backfirewall_‘s opening hours, as players are slowly introduced the systems at play. First, the game introduces the RAM terminal, which provides an in-universe reason for the puzzles. The RAM has a list of conditions that are currently met, and the player’s job is to find those things and figure out how to interfere, so the conditions are no longer met. As expected, the puzzles get progressively harder as the game progresses and while they are rarely obtuse, some can pose enough of a challenge to warrant a hint. These come from one of two sources: a rubber duck sitting on a podium and interjections by OS9.
Thankfully, OS9 won’t provide hints until a decent amount of time has passed, thus avoiding the constant hinting problem that God of War: Ragnarök was criticized for. The rubber duck will be more divisive though, as it warns players upfront that it in addition to hints, it can also provide solutions. This decision may lead some to believe that being able to get solutions defeats the point of making a puzzle game at all. That said, it also makes the game a lot more accessible to players who may struggle with certain kinds of puzzles but still want to challenge themselves and enjoy the story. Overall, the hint system is well-designed and offers player a lot of assistance if needed, with the more involved system being completely optional.
Where Backfirewall_really shines is its world and story. Starting with its world, each area is carefully designed, aesthetically cohesive, and populated by various systems and characters. The result is a surprisingly immersive world filled with life and detail that reinforces OS9’s efforts to avoid updating. Talking to these characters also reveals their appreciation for OS9, whom they call “boss,” and how they are trying to make the system they currently live in as efficient as possible. Additionally, a mysterious side-story begins to emerge about rogue apps and functions, such as the health app, who seem to have a similar goal to OS9 but in a more extreme way.
All these things come together to tell a story about change and how one processes and works through the fear that comes with it. Overall, Backfirewall_ is a wonderful experience filled with heart, wit, emotional intelligence, and respect for the player. It’s a high recommendation for anyone as a result – even if puzzles aren’t appealing, the uniqueness of its story and the deft skill with which it’s told make for an excellent experience all the same.
Backfirewall_ releases Jan 30 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Screen Rant was provided with a Steam digital download for the purpose of this review.
Source: PlayStation/YouTube
