Backstab review (iOS / Universal)

♫ “Well I’m gonna stab your back”

10 word description: 3rd person free roaming; climb, jump, fight, revenge action game.

I didn't start that, honest

10 word review: Decent, if predictably flawed, Assassin’s Creed style game with guns.

The slow trudge out of prison is a kind of interactive cut scene, vaguely reminiscent of the opening scenes of Batman: Arkham Asylum

You will like this if you enjoy: The way Gameloft often manage to copy something but not quite get the feel of it spot on.

The first few missions take you quickly through some very different environments, almost as though the game is saying, "Look at me, look how diverse and entertaining I am." And, for a while at least, it actually is.

The good news: It’s an enjoyable game, fairly easy, looks good without scenery popping up in front of your face (well done there) and has most of the expected AC components in place. The controls work very well which is quite surprising, considering how agile and prone to ridiculous outbursts of chaotic fighting Mr Henry Blake (you) seems to be.

Draw the guards' attention? I bet they will. I can't take my eyes off them, my dear.

The bad news: I like the linear mission bits more than the free roam city bits which feel like they’ve been included just because it’s expected, rather than because they add anything much to the game. There are some glitches. I got stuck behind a cannon and had to load a save to get out of that particular predicament.

The British. Of course. Enemies of revenge-fuelled skinhead psycho ex-naval free-running nutters everywhere.

Arcadelife verdict: If you go in expecting it to be a fairly blatant Assassin’s Creed rip-off but with a rather loose feeling and combat that is less about stealth kills and more of a button mashing clickfest, then you won’t be too disappointed. It’s hardly worth mentioning the revenge storyline, so I won’t. Overall, a pretty good mix of Parkour (unemployed thug with a funny haircut jumping around on a roof) and screen-cracking fight sequences. The puzzles are only puzzles if you have trouble finding your way out of your own house every morning.

Mission Completed: I finished the review without mentioning Jack Sparrow once

Arcadelife rating: 81/100

Version reviewed by Arcadelife is 1.0.0

Gameloft / Backstab website link

Arcadelife played and reviewed this game on:
4th gen iPod Touch (OS 4.3.3)
iPad (OS 4.3.3)