Packing A Punch: Backpack Battles
Crush your opponents with whatever you manage to carry.
‣ Backpack Battles
From: PlayWithFurcifer, IndieArk
Platforms: PC
Release: April 2024
Steam Page • Demo Video
Pack your bag and go! We mean it! Get out of here! Go shopping! Then, use those talents to win battles and collect trophies! Start some fights in Backpack Battles, an infuriatingly addictive, genre-defying roguelike. Choose a class (the demo has two), then auto-fight other backpackers for glory and undeniable proof of your packing skills. You don't control the battles—victory depends entirely on your backpack's items and how you arrange them within the limited space.
Items give proximity bonuses. Potions and buffs turn the tide of battle. In some cases, the banana is mightier than the sword. Between battles, buy new items and expand your pack space. More is not always the best strategy. BackPack Battles has a lot of depth created by proximity bonuses, crafting recipes, and unique items. Failure means the hoarder's nightmare: lose enough battles, and you lose it all. Start again and collect those trophies. It's very hard not to go just one more round... BackPack Battles is due in April 2024 (but the demo is already substantial).
Best Demo Moment: Down to the wire...
AIIG's Take: Backpack Battles stands out because it is unlike the niche gameplay mechanics that inspire it: deck-building and inventory management puzzles. The game doesn't feel like it’s making you draw cards or arrange an inventory puzzle. It's a hoarder's roguelike: Buy as much stuff as you can fit into your backpack, then put it all on the line for rewards to buy more stuff! Backpack Battles is consumerism at its most fun: those who have the best stuff in this game don't die.
You battle other human players, matched by your health bars. It's intense and exhilarating. Win trophies to get character cosmetics, and play ranked matches to gain rank and dominate your fellow hoarders. The game's depth is impressive, and AIIG's video barely scratches the surface. Overall, Backpack Battles has a winning formula. Simple, addictive, loud, ridiculous, and yet full of depth. Whoever thought packing would be so compelling?
Explore The Game with Youtube Chapters:
📽 00:17 Let's buy stuff!
📽 01:24 To battle!
📽 01:44 We suck
📽 03:32 More space
📽 06:10 We're on a winning streak!
📽 10:56 That's a big sword
📽 12:29 Eek, last life!
📽 13:00 Let's try again
📽 16:46 Sorting the bag
📽 23:26 Look at that sword!
📽 30:06 Six trophies!
📽 34:42 Reaper class
📽 41:48 Special items
📽 44:59 Some creative organising
📽 54:06 Seven trophies!
📽 58:58 Last chance...
Thanks for reading Adventures in Indie Gaming! Subscribe to receive new posts.