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9 Great Games Like Backbone

These are hand-picked games similar to Backbone. Our experts have spent time searching for great games like Backbone. We don't use automatic matching, instead, we identify games that are good to play if you have enjoyed Backbone, or as younger rated alternatives for players not ready for PEGI 12+ or ESRB TEEN games. These selections also include games that offer a different experience but address a similar theme or topic.
 

Backbone is an adventure game inspired by film noir where you role-play as a human-like raccoon detective. As a detective, you search for clues and evidence, talk to witnesses, and choose which leads to follow.

Unfortunately, Backbone is not available on Android, PS5, Xbox Series X|S or iOS. However, we recommend the following games that offer a similar experience or theme:

Game image Backbone

Backbone
2

DetailsGame Details

Expected Rating: PEGI 12+, ESRB TEEN

Release Date: 24/04/2019

Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Genres: Adventure, Puzzle and Role-Playing

Developer: @EggNutGames

Players: This is a single player game

Costs: Purchase cost

Game image Beat Cop

Beat Cop
3
PEGI Rating 18+ for Beat CopESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Beat Cop

Beat Cop

Rating: PEGI 18+, ESRB MATURE 17+

Release Date: 27/11/2018

Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Genres: Adventure and Narrative

Developer: @PxCrow

Players: This is a single player game

Beat Cop is a police crime drama where you have been framed for murder. Back on the street, you navigate the pixilated 80’s Miami Vice world to find out who did it. Your approach and decisions matter. Will you go in with the mafia or stay straight?...

Game image Fire Escape

Fire Escape
3
PEGI Rating 16+ for Fire EscapeESRB Rating TEEN for Fire Escape

Fire Escape

Rating: PEGI 16+, ESRB TEEN

Release Date: 29/04/2020

Platforms: Android and PC

Genres: Narrative and Puzzle

Developer: @iNKStories

Players: This is a single player game

Fire Escape is a murder mystery styled on Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. You sit on a fire escape and can see into the apartments opposite as well as hear the intimate conversations of your neighbours across the alleyway. You peer into the lives of the...

Game image Rivals

Rivals
3

Rivals

Expected Rating: PEGI 12+, ESRB EVERYONE 10+

Release Date: 21/09/2020

Platforms: PC

Genres: Narrative and Puzzle

Developer: @TimSheinman

Players: This is a single player game

Rivals is a puzzle game where you piece together the story of Josh and Luke and the breakup of their band. Playing detective, similarly to Return of the Obra Dinn, but rather than murder it's musical betrayal you are sleuthing here. You inspect sources,...

Game image Beholder

Beholder
1
PEGI Rating 16+ for BeholderESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Beholder

Beholder (Series)

Rating: PEGI 16+, ESRB MATURE 17+

Release Date: 09/11/2016

Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Genres: Narrative, Puzzle, Role-Playing and Strategy

Developer: @Beholder_Game

Players: This is a single player game

Beholder is a detective game where you spy on tenants in a building, discover their secrets and report violations of laws to the authorities. As the game unfolds and you see more of the controlling totalitarian state, an uneasy tension develops between...

Game image Tangle Tower

Tangle Tower
1
PEGI Rating 7+ for Tangle TowerESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Tangle Tower

Tangle Tower

Rating: PEGI 7+, ESRB EVERYONE 10+

Release Date: 19/09/2019

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC and iOS Apple Arcade

Genres: Narrative and Puzzle

Developer: @SFBDim

Players: This is a single player game

Tangle Tower is a murder mystery game, from the same developer as Snipperclips, where you explore a grand old house and it’s intertwining families to solve a mysterious murder. You are given the events of the murder, each...

Game image Framed

Framed
1
PEGI Rating 16+ for FramedESRB Rating TEEN for Framed

Framed (Series)

Rating: PEGI 16+, ESRB TEEN

Release Date: 12/11/2014, updated in 2018

Platforms: Android, Nintendo Switch, PC and iOS

Genres: Action, Narrative, Platform and Puzzle

Developer: @LoveShackers

Players: This is a single player game

Framed is a puzzle adventure where you re-arrange panels of an animated comic book to change the outcome and timeline of the story. With a noir-detective look, the puzzles start simply but soon get complex.

Game image Frog Detective

Frog Detective

Frog Detective (Series)

Rating: Not rated by PEGI or ESRB

Release Date: 22/11/2018, updated in 2019

Platforms: Mac and PC

Genres: Adventure, Narrative and Puzzle

Developer: @GraceBruxner

Players: This is a single player game

This is a comedy adventure game where you play a detective frog, named (unsurprisingly) "Frog Detective".

Game image Aviary Attorney

Aviary Attorney
PEGI Rating 12+ for Aviary AttorneyESRB Rating TEEN for Aviary Attorney

Aviary Attorney

Rating: PEGI 12+, ESRB TEEN

Release Date: 22/12/2015, updated in 2020

Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch and PC

Genres: Narrative and Puzzle

Developer: @Sketchy_Jeremy

Players: This is a single player game

A courtroom drama set in nineteenth-century Paris, populated with beautifully drawn animals. Guiding JayJay Falcon, defence attorney, you help investigate each case before each of the four court dates; combing crime scenes, interrogating suspects and...

Game image Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium
PEGI Rating 18+ for Disco ElysiumESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium

Rating: PEGI 18+, ESRB MATURE 17+

Release Date: 15/10/2019, updated in 2020

Platforms: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia and Xbox One

Genres: Adventure, Narrative, Puzzle and Role-Playing

Developer: @StudioZAUM

Players: This is a single player game

Disco Elysium The Final Cut is a role-playing game set in the fictional city of Revachol where you play Harrier "Harry" Du Bois who must solve a complex murder. Unusually, your choices and actions not only determine how the story unfolds but affect...

Backbone is in These Lists

In addition to the similar games listed above, which have been linked to this game specifically in the database, you may find games with a similar theme to Backbone in the following lists:

Solve a Mystery

Like a good crime drama or whodunnit novel, solving mysteries and puzzles is a good way to engage in a story. However, rather than just watching these mysteries while someone else does the heavy lifting, these video games place you firmly in the role of the detective. Gathering statements, sifting evidence and making intelligent leaps of deduction requires care and attention. These investigations makes these games slower than others, but it’s worth the effort each time you find the correct conclusion and move the story on.

These games present you with a mysterious scenario to be solved. Whether with direct puzzles, locations to investigate or crime scenarios to deduce, they offer a unique, first-hand sleuthing challenge.
 
Game image Yokus Island Express

Yoku's Island Express
9
PEGI Rating 7+ for Yokus Island ExpressESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Yokus Island Express
Game image She Dreams Elsewhere

She Dreams Elsewhere
1
Game image Five Nights at Freddys

Five Nights at Freddy's
9
PEGI Rating 12+ for Five Nights at FreddysESRB Rating TEEN for Five Nights at Freddys
Game image Nuts

Nuts
8
Game image Do Not Feed the Monkeys

Do Not Feed the Monkeys
6
PEGI Rating 16+ for Do Not Feed the MonkeysESRB Rating TEEN for Do Not Feed the Monkeys
Game image HoloVista

HoloVista
4
Game image Backbone

Backbone
2
Game image Uncharted Golden Abyss

Uncharted: Golden Abyss
12
PEGI Rating 16+ for Uncharted Golden AbyssESRB Rating TEEN for Uncharted Golden Abyss
Game image Open Roads

Open Roads
7
Game image Growbot

Growbot
1
Game image Last Stop

Last Stop
10
Game image Virginia

Virginia
9
PEGI Rating 12+ for VirginiaESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Virginia
Game image Paradise Killer

Paradise Killer
30
PEGI Rating 16+ for Paradise KillerESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Paradise Killer
Game image Uncharted The Lost Legacy

Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
8
PEGI Rating 16+ for Uncharted The Lost LegacyESRB Rating TEEN for Uncharted The Lost Legacy
Game image Uncharted Drakes Fortune

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
8
PEGI Rating 16+ for Uncharted Drakes FortuneESRB Rating TEEN for Uncharted Drakes Fortune
Game image Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis
15
PEGI Rating 12+ for MetamorphosisESRB Rating TEEN for Metamorphosis
Game image Disc Room

Disc Room
6
PEGI Rating 16+ for Disc RoomESRB Rating TEEN for Disc Room
Game image The Good Life

The Good Life
4
Game image Rivals

Rivals
3
Game image The Touryst

The Touryst
10
PEGI Rating 3+ for The TourystESRB Rating EVERYONE for The Touryst
Game image Tenderfoot Tactics

Tenderfoot Tactics
3
Game image Lost and Hound

Lost and Hound
4
PEGI Rating 7+ for Lost and HoundESRB Rating TEEN for Lost and Hound
Game image Luna The Shadow Dust

Luna The Shadow Dust
4
PEGI Rating 3+ for Luna The Shadow DustESRB Rating EVERYONE for Luna The Shadow Dust
Game image Love A Puzzle Box Filled with Stories

Love - A Puzzle Box Filled with Stories
3
Game image Reigns Beyond

Reigns: Beyond
1
PEGI Rating 7+ for Reigns BeyondESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Reigns Beyond
Game image Immortals Fenyx Rising

Immortals Fenyx Rising
21
PEGI Rating 12+ for Immortals Fenyx RisingESRB Rating TEEN for Immortals Fenyx Rising
Game image South of the Circle

South of the Circle
3
Game image Embracelet

Embracelet
4
PEGI Rating 12+ for EmbraceletESRB Rating TEEN for Embracelet
Game image Minit

Minit
4
PEGI Rating 3+ for MinitESRB Rating EVERYONE for Minit
Game image Frequency Missing

Frequency Missing
5
PEGI Rating 3+ for Frequency MissingESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Frequency Missing
Game image AltFrequencies

Alt-Frequencies
3
PEGI Rating 12+ for AltFrequenciesESRB Rating TEEN for AltFrequencies
Game image Timelie

Timelie
Game image Among Us

Among Us
378
PEGI Rating 7+ for Among UsESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Among Us
Game image Lifeline

Lifeline
2
PEGI Rating 16+ for LifelineESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Lifeline
Game image Dreamscaper

Dreamscaper
5
PEGI Rating 7+ for DreamscaperESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Dreamscaper
Game image As Dusk Falls

As Dusk Falls
5
Game image Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why
7
PEGI Rating 16+ for Tell Me WhyESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Tell Me Why
Game image Thousand Threads

Thousand Threads
37
Game image Eastward

Eastward
2
Game image Maquette

Maquette
3
Game image Agent A A Puzzle In Disguise

Agent A: A Puzzle In Disguise
2
PEGI Rating 7+ for Agent A A Puzzle In DisguiseESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Agent A A Puzzle In Disguise
Game image Returnal

Returnal
5
PEGI Rating 16+ for ReturnalESRB Rating TEEN for Returnal
Game image Roki

Roki
60
PEGI Rating 12+ for RokiESRB Rating TEEN for Roki
Game image Stray

Stray
3
Game image The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
9
PEGI Rating 7+ for The Legend of Zelda A Link to the PastESRB Rating EVERYONE for The Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past
Game image Before I Forget

Before I Forget
4
Game image The Simpsons Hit and Run

The Simpsons Hit and Run
6
PEGI Rating 7+ for The Simpsons Hit and RunESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for The Simpsons Hit and Run
Game image The Walk

The Walk
1
PEGI Rating 16+ for The WalkESRB Rating TEEN for The Walk
Game image Fire Escape

Fire Escape
3
PEGI Rating 16+ for Fire EscapeESRB Rating TEEN for Fire Escape
Game image Over The Alps

Over The Alps
2
Game image Murder by Numbers

Murder by Numbers
1
PEGI Rating 12+ for Murder by NumbersESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Murder by Numbers
Game image Omensight

Omensight
3
PEGI Rating 12+ for OmensightESRB Rating TEEN for Omensight
Game image Superliminal

Superliminal
4
PEGI Rating 7+ for SuperliminalESRB Rating EVERYONE for Superliminal
Game image Tangle Tower

Tangle Tower
1
PEGI Rating 7+ for Tangle TowerESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Tangle Tower
Game image I Am Dead

I Am Dead
9
PEGI Rating 7+ for I Am DeadESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for I Am Dead
Game image Recore

Recore
PEGI Rating 12+ for RecoreESRB Rating TEEN for Recore
Game image Ghost Trick

Ghost Trick
5
PEGI Rating 12+ for Ghost TrickESRB Rating TEEN for Ghost Trick
Game image Another Lost Phone

Another Lost Phone
PEGI Rating 16+ for Another Lost PhoneESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Another Lost Phone
Game image Aviary Attorney

Aviary Attorney
PEGI Rating 12+ for Aviary AttorneyESRB Rating TEEN for Aviary Attorney
Game image Alan Wake

Alan Wake
5
PEGI Rating 16+ for Alan WakeESRB Rating TEEN for Alan Wake
Game image Heavens Vault

Heaven’s Vault
3
PEGI Rating 7+ for Heavens VaultESRB Rating TEEN for Heavens Vault
Game image Spy Party

Spy Party
3
Game image Luigis Mansion 3

Luigi's Mansion 3
5
PEGI Rating 7+ for Luigis Mansion 3ESRB Rating EVERYONE for Luigis Mansion 3
Game image Outer Wilds

Outer Wilds
2
PEGI Rating 7+ for Outer WildsESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Outer Wilds
Game image Control

Control
7
PEGI Rating 16+ for ControlESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Control
Game image Fez

Fez
PEGI Rating 3+ for FezESRB Rating EVERYONE for Fez
Game image Rhythm Thief and The Emperors Treasure

Rhythm Thief and The Emperor's Treasure
1
PEGI Rating 12+ for Rhythm Thief and The Emperors TreasureESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Rhythm Thief and The Emperors Treasure
Game image Portal

Portal
12
PEGI Rating 12+ for PortalESRB Rating TEEN for Portal
Game image The Witness

The Witness
8
PEGI Rating 3+ for The WitnessESRB Rating EVERYONE for The Witness
Game image Tacoma

Tacoma
PEGI Rating 16+ for TacomaESRB Rating TEEN for Tacoma
Game image Dear Esther

Dear Esther
PEGI Rating 12+ for Dear EstherESRB Rating TEEN for Dear Esther
Game image What Remains of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch
3
PEGI Rating 16+ for What Remains of Edith FinchESRB Rating TEEN for What Remains of Edith Finch
Game image The Secret of Monkey Island

The Secret of Monkey Island
2
PEGI Rating 12+ for The Secret of Monkey IslandESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for The Secret of Monkey Island
Game image Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney
12
PEGI Rating 12+ for Phoenix Wright Ace AttorneyESRB Rating TEEN for Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney
Game image Night in the Woods

Night in the Woods
5
PEGI Rating 12+ for Night in the WoodsESRB Rating TEEN for Night in the Woods
Game image Gone Home

Gone Home
1
PEGI Rating 16+ for Gone HomeESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Gone Home
Game image Firewatch

Firewatch
13
PEGI Rating 16+ for FirewatchESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Firewatch
Game image Black Mirror Bandersnatch

Black Mirror Bandersnatch
2
Game image Telling Lies

Telling Lies
PEGI Rating 16+ for Telling LiesESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Telling Lies
Game image Her Story

Her Story
2
PEGI Rating 16+ for Her StoryESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Her Story
Game image Observation

Observation
PEGI Rating 16+ for ObservationESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Observation
Game image Everybodys Gone to the Rapture

Everybody's Gone to the Rapture
2
PEGI Rating 16+ for Everybodys Gone to the RaptureESRB Rating TEEN for Everybodys Gone to the Rapture
Game image Return of the Obra Dinn

Return of the Obra Dinn
8
PEGI Rating 16+ for Return of the Obra DinnESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Return of the Obra Dinn
Game image Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium
PEGI Rating 18+ for Disco ElysiumESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Disco Elysium
Game image Assassins Creed Black Flag

Assassin's Creed Black Flag
6
PEGI Rating 18+ for Assassins Creed Black FlagESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Assassins Creed Black Flag
Game image Assassins Creed Origins

Assassin’s Creed Origins
5
PEGI Rating 18+ for Assassins Creed OriginsESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Assassins Creed Origins
Game image Watch Dogs 2

Watch Dogs 2
3
PEGI Rating 18+ for Watch Dogs 2ESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Watch Dogs 2
Game image Twelve Minutes

Twelve Minutes
1
PEGI Rating 18+ for Twelve MinutesESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Twelve Minutes
Game image Nier Automata

Nier: Automata
4
PEGI Rating 18+ for Nier AutomataESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Nier Automata
Game image Rainswept

Rainswept
PEGI Rating 18+ for RainsweptESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Rainswept
Game image Zero Escape

Zero Escape
PEGI Rating 18+ for Zero EscapeESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Zero Escape
Game image Assassins Creed Odyssey

Assassin's Creed Odyssey
7
PEGI Rating 18+ for Assassins Creed OdysseyESRB Rating MATURE 17+ for Assassins Creed Odyssey

Branching Stories With Multiple Endings

All games offer you agency. You can win or lose. You can complete them or stop at any time. But there are some games that offer a story that genuinely branches. Where you end up will be different from other players. This not only makes your actions really matter but also gives you a reason to play them again.

Setting aside games that evolve through simulation, or games where once you die it's game over, these branching narrative games tell a story that ends in a certain way because of the choices you made.
 
Game image Burly Men at Sea

Burly Men at Sea
2
PEGI Rating 3+ for Burly Men at SeaESRB Rating EVERYONE 10+ for Burly Men at Sea
Game image Chroma Squad

Chroma Squad
1
PEGI Rating 7+ for Chroma SquadESRB Rating TEEN for Chroma Squad
Game image Closed Hands

Closed Hands
4
Game image The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle
2
PEGI Rating 7+ for The Talos PrincipleESRB Rating TEEN for The Talos Principle


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