Backfirewall_ similar games & best alternatives

Backfirewall_

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S • 2023

Should you play it?

Hello and welcome to Backfirewall_, a first-person tragicomic adventure set inside a smartphone. You are the update assistant. Solve wacky puzzles to counter the update and save the previous operating system from deletion. The fate of the System is in your hands!

What works
  • Engaging and emotional story
  • Creative and humorous writing
  • Unique and imaginative setting
  • Accessible and fun puzzles
  • Strong voice acting and sound design
Things to keep in mind
  • Lack of replayability features like chapter select
  • Some bugs and optimization issues
  • Missable collectibles requiring full playthrough
  • Short game length
  • Minor control and ui frustrations

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • OneShot: World Machine Edition

  • A Space for the Unbound

  • Bugsnax

  • What Lies in the Multiverse

  • The Crown of Leaves

  • Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams

  • Papo & Yo

  • FixFox

  • Farewell North
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • What Lies in the Multiverse

  • Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams

  • FixFox
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Backfirewall_: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Expression, Story.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players freely explore the phone's contents and decide how to investigate, reflecting high personal control and decision-making."

    Capsule for Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story

    "Players have control over their actions and decisions, exploring the smartphone world and choosing how to interact with characters and puzzles."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    2

    "Puzzles are generally easy to moderate, providing some skill challenge but not highly difficult or complex."

    Capsule for A Fisherman's Tale A Fisherman's Tale

    "Puzzles are creative and satisfying but generally easy to moderate in difficulty, providing a sense of effectiveness without high challenge."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal story progression and puzzle solving without competitive elements or player comparison."

    Capsule for Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

    "Focus is on personal story progression and puzzle solving without competitive elements or player comparison."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players express strong attachment to characters and story, with desire to replay for different outcomes."

    Capsule for Tales from the Borderlands Tales from the Borderlands

    "Players express strong attachment to characters and story, with desire for replay to explore alternate endings and collectables."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -3

    "Gameplay is single-player narrative focused with limited collaboration; social aspects are through story interactions rather than player cooperation."

    Capsule for BUSTAFELLOWS BUSTAFELLOWS

    "Gameplay is primarily single-player and narrative-driven with limited social or cooperative interaction."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Each screen presents unique puzzles and mechanics; the game constantly invents new situations and challenges."

    Capsule for Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio

    "Game features unique setting, inventive puzzles, and creative world-building inside a smartphone OS."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are balanced and respectful."

    Capsule for Say No! More Say No! More

    "No evidence of exerting control over others; interactions are balanced and respectful."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

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    "Players use the game to immerse in nostalgic, humorous, and challenging fictional worlds."

    Capsule for Angry Video Game Nerd I & II Deluxe Angry Video Game Nerd I & II Deluxe

    "Players use the game to immerse in a fictional, imaginative world with humor and emotional storytelling."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Deep Rock Galactic Deep Rock Galactic

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different puzzle solutions and story choices, exploring multiple endings and strategies."

    Capsule for Catherine Classic Catherine Classic

    "Players explore different puzzle solutions and alternate story paths, encouraged by multiple endings and secrets."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on discovering new areas of the phone and piecing together hidden story elements."

    Capsule for Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story

    "Game rewards discovering hidden areas, collectables, and story elements throughout the smartphone environment."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some personalization through solution design, but limited character or environment customization."

    Capsule for Kaizen: A Factory Story Kaizen: A Factory Story

    "Some character and environment personalization through choices and interactions, though limited customization."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Imaginative fiction with meta elements, character-driven story, and surreal desktop adventures."

    Capsule for Outcore: Desktop Adventure Outcore: Desktop Adventure

    "Strong imaginative fiction with anthropomorphized OS and apps, meta humor, and surreal narrative."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -3

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement described."

    Capsule for Frog Fractions: Game of the Decade Edition Frog Fractions: Game of the Decade Edition

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community engagement described."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and gain knowledge through puzzles and narrative progression."

    Capsule for An English Haunting An English Haunting

    "Players develop problem-solving skills and gain knowledge through puzzles and story progression."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Insecticide Part 1 Insecticide Part 1

    "No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and follow narrative; not a casual or background game."

    Capsule for Who's Lila? Who's Lila?

    "Requires focused attention and engagement to solve puzzles and follow story; not a casual or background game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Players develop emotional attachment to characters and experience meaningful social bonds within the narrative."

    Capsule for Homicipher Homicipher

    "Players form emotional attachments to characters and experience meaningful narrative connections."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or management roles; player follows tasks and story without directing others."

    Capsule for Happy's Humble Burger Farm Happy's Humble Burger Farm

    "No leadership or authority roles; player follows story and interacts without directing others."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    3

    "Players collect items, achievements, and unlock bonus content, showing clear progression through story and extras."

    Capsule for Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala

    "Players collect items, achievements, and unlock story content, showing clear progression through the game."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Game balances humor and light challenge to create a relaxing and enjoyable flow state."

    Capsule for Catgirl Catgirl

    "Game balances light challenge with humor and story to create a relaxing and enjoyable flow state."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable visuals, voice acting, and sound design provide pleasant sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for CraftCraft: Fantasy Merchant Simulator CraftCraft: Fantasy Merchant Simulator

    "Enjoyable audio-visual design, voice acting, and humor provide positive sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Achievements and collectibles exist but social recognition or popularity is not a core focus."

    Capsule for Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition Shantae: Half-Genie Hero Ultimate Edition

    "Achievements and collectibles exist but social recognition or popularity is not a core focus."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Strong narrative immersion with well-developed characters, emotional plot, and multiple endings."

    Capsule for Perfect Gold - Yuri Visual Novel Perfect Gold - Yuri Visual Novel

    "Strong narrative immersion with well-developed characters, emotional depth, and multiple endings."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    2

    "Puzzles require some planning and problem solving but are generally straightforward and accessible."

    Capsule for LEGO® Voyagers LEGO® Voyagers

    "Puzzles require some problem solving and planning but are generally straightforward and accessible."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    1

    "Some suspense and emotional tension in story, but gameplay is low-risk and controlled."

    Capsule for UNREAL LIFE UNREAL LIFE

    "Some emotional tension and suspense in story, but gameplay is mostly controlled and low risk."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high entertainment value, humor, and replayability relative to price."

    Capsule for Fashioning Little Miss Lonesome Fashioning Little Miss Lonesome

    "Players report high perceived value for price due to story, humor, and replayability."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on narrative and puzzle solving."

    Capsule for Eternal Threads Eternal Threads

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive puzzle solving and narrative."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -4

    "No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; stable gameplay environment."

    Capsule for Contract With The Devil Contract With The Devil

    "No survival mechanics or threat avoidance; stable gameplay environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026