Backpack
Battles

Backpack Battles (2024) is an inventory-management battle game where you arrange synergising items in your backpack to beat other players in 1-vs-1 clashes. To play you strategically purchase items to fit into your backpack, then watch fights automatically play out using any enhanced items this creates. It stands out for its complex web of item relationships that enable multiple strategic approaches and reward forward-thinking.

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You play as one of four warrior classes and aim to win ten battles without losing all five of your hearts. Once selected, battles play out automatically. The skill is in setting up the items in your backpack (weapons, armour or potions) to interact with each other for maximum damage, healing and abilities.

Before each battle, you buy items to place in your backpack. Positioning your items is crucial as their orientation and relative position trigger enhanced stats and abilities. Some items can also be combined to craft stronger versions. For example, a sword placed next to a whetstone deals increased damage, but placed next to two whetstones merges to give a stronger hero’s sword. Each class of warrior has a unique starting backpack as well as special items and abilities such as the reaper class’s mushroom that poisons the opponent.

The result is a game where preparation and good packing are what win battles, rather than quick reactions and button combos. This makes it more of a puzzle game than a fighting game, where you must carefully position each item exactly where it needs to be in the limited space available.

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Our examiner, Jake Kendall, first checked Backpack Battles 6 weeks ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 6 weeks ago.