Developer Jaspel announced on November 15th the inventory management roguelike game "Backpack Hero‘ was officially released. Compatible platforms are PC (Steam/itch.io). The Steam version costs 2,300 yen, and until November 22nd, you can purchase it for 1,955 yen, a 15% discount. The game supports Japanese display.
Backpack Hero is a roguelike game that focuses on inventory management. In this game, players choose from multiple main characters and advance through randomly generated dungeons. Then, you fight enemies, obtain items, and dive deeper into the dungeon while improving your equipment.
The main character carries a backpack that is his inventory, and a major feature of this game is how he manages items inside it. The inside of the backpack is divided into several squares, and the items you obtained are placed there. Since the number and shape of squares occupied differ depending on the item, it is necessary to manage the placement skillfully. Furthermore, synergistic effects are activated depending on the location in the backpack and the type of adjacent items. Rather than simply arranging them, arranging them in a way that brings out more advantageous effects will lead to a strategy.
Early access distribution for this work will begin in August 2022. Since then, it has been updated repeatedly, adding content such as the main character, dungeon environment, and items, as well as making balance adjustments. It was originally scheduled to be officially released in May of this year, but it was postponed and will be officially released today, November 15th, as a surprise.
In the update distributed in conjunction with this official release, a story mode was implemented. In this mode, the adventure is based in the town of Haversack Hill, the hometown of Perth, one of the main characters. The town has been destroyed by the evil Badger King, and the player must rebuild and develop it using items brought back from the dungeon based on quests.
More than 50 types of buildings can be constructed in the town, and similar to how you organize your backpack, specific effects and bonuses will be activated depending on what you build where and what decorations you place. In addition, various NPCs will also appear, and various shops will also be available. As the game progresses, the story surrounding Perth, his family, and Haversack Hill will unfold.
Please note that this work will continue to be developed. Plans include adding more items, NPCs, town side quests, bug fixes and balance improvements, adding music and providing better mod support.
"Backpack Hero" is a PC (Steam/itch.io) is currently being distributed. In addition, the Nintendo Switch version is also available overseas from November 15th. I hope it will be released in Japan soon.
