Backpack Hero

There are a few major video game franchises that have an entire metagame surrounding their inventory management systems. Making sure you have space for all of your necessary equipment while leaving space for loot and extra items is always an intoxicating challenge, and it is the core mechanic of Backpack Hero.

Created by developer/publisher Jaspel, Backpack Hero is a first-of-its-kind roguelike where you’ll manage the inventory in your backpack simultaneously as you combat enemies in dense dungeons. If you got a kick out of the inventory system in Resident Evil 4 and need more of that sweet space management, then here is everything you need to know about Backpack Hero.

Placement is Power

In Backpack Hero, How you arrange all of your items is almost as important as WHERE you place them. Moving items around within your backpack during combat encounters can have a huge effect on the power of that item.

If you find yourself in a tough spot and need a slight leg up over your enemy, simply shifting the position of your weapons can give you the minor buff that will allow you to come out victorious. Meticulous inventory checking is now rewarded instead of being frowned upon.

Items, Enemies, and Dungeons, Oh My!

Explore an infinite number of randomly generated dungeons with your fluffy mouse hero. Each level you encounter might have special encounters or even challenges that you couldn’t have possibly predicted. You’ll also engage in combat with over 40 unique enemy types that have complex attack patterns, and meet many friendly animal characters who now call the dungeon you’re exploring home.

Of course, you can’t manage your inventory without items, and Backpack Hero has plenty of those to keep you busy. There are hundreds of different items in the game, and each one has a set of base effects and an extra set of bonus effects that can be brought out if they are in the right placement.

Organization is Law

Backpack Hero takes place in the world of Orderia, a place that is built on the concepts of neatness and aesthetics. Orderia has unfortunately fallen into disarray, but the titular Backpack Hero can turn it all around and make sure everything is organized again.

Pros

• Hundreds of unique items to collect and lots of extra bonus effects to discover
• Addicting organization mechanics
• Fun combat encounters with just enough strategy
• Overworld upgrading and management is like an entire extra game

Cons

• Simple graphics might not be for everyone
• Unwarranted difficulty spikes might be off-putting for some players