Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 83 | 15 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 86 | 245 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 1 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 4 reviews sampled · 2 total reviews in window · weighted 2 up / 0 down · computed 10h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (14)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“Backfirewall_ is an enjoyable comedic romp that gives us a glimpse into the corners of the telephone realm as we've never had the chance to see it before. The great audiovisual design and humor of OS9's narrator is something the developers have done well. It's a shame that the logic puzzles are a bit easier, but that doesn't matter in the end.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Backfirewall_ is a great mix of solid storytelling, clever puzzles, and tech puns. While it offers nothing new to the first-person puzzle genre, it's a well-crafted experience with a unique premise and an interesting cast of characters.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Swiss team Naraven Games has created a satirical adventure full of meta-commentaries with Backfirewall, which amused me greatly but also made me nibble at some puzzles.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While Backfirewall_ might not be the most challenging puzzle game on the market, it makes up with its unique charm and humor. While some of the jokes and punchlines feel like meta-humor from a decade ago, the game does a great job of making you feel hurt when you’re unable to help certain characters. Throughout the five-hour story, players will understand the failure of a boss and his need for preservation.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Backfirewall_ is filled with creative puzzles that are never obtuse. There are a few collectibles here and there. The script may have never made laugh out loud, but it was clever. The game may not be as memorable or replayable as its sources of influence (then again, that’s an incredibly high bar), but I had a pretty good time with it. It’s funny, well-designed and unique, with the latter being its most important quality.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“With good exploration, creative puzzles and a lot of good humor, Backfirewall_ is a great game, which makes use of a fun setting to deal with themes of our daily life, in a world where we are constantly depending on technology.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A fun little tragicomic narrative adventure game, Backfirewall_ gets a lot right, with its vibrant environments, apt audio tracks, and authentic characters. The only thing holding back this brief but bombastic game is a slow start to the story and its easy puzzles. An excellent choice for gaming beginners, or people looking for a relaxing way to wind down.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“Backfirewall_ tells a story about change and how it-though frightening-should be managed and metabolized. Overall, this is a wonderful, intelligent, witty, and at times emotional experience, thanks to a well-developed and well-told narrative plot. The gameplay is interesting, thanks to reasoned, if all too simple, puzzles. At a budget price, to say the least, we are talking about 14.99 € you can experience an out-of-the-box experience, ideal for carefree relaxation alone or in company.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Backfirewall_ invites us to explore the digital world of our phone with humor and suspense in a fun and emotional adventure.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Backfirewall_ is a simple but effective idea that Naraven develops with intelligence and taste. The puzzle component is witty, well balanced and lightened by a hint system that averts the risk of frustration. The most interesting part, however, is undoubtedly the narrative.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Backfirewall_ has a unique premise and uses it pretty well, creating a variety of puzzles linked to the smartphone as a world. The game’s many quirky characters and moments create a weird universe and manage to generate emotions. But the puzzle-driven gameplay is what will keep players engaged.”
read full review ↗
INDIANTVCZ
GameGrin
Gaming-Village
Try Hard Guides
WayTooManyGames
Screen Rant
PSX Brasil
EIP Gaming
4News.it
NaviGames
The Games Machine
Softpedia…and 2 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- New Hotfix Available!Feb 16, 2023