Backstage Pass Review

Costas Stephanides’s Review

A solid game that will challenge you in the latter levels.

Backstage Pass has got a great plot. You are roadie travelling with a rock band on their world tour. Your job is to collect their instruments that they have left before they go on to party the night away. It's not just a treasure hunt, you have to find coloured permits to get past the bouncers and also avoid the deranged groupies.

Each level in the game is supposed to be in a different world city although the backgrounds don't really reflect the venue. Apart from that the graphics are good although there is no sound during the game - only a little tune at the beginning.

The game itself consists of you running around the level trying to find the instruments and the permits. This is more of a puzzle game than a platform game. You need to plan your routes and your tactics for the level. You can freely walk around the level but you can only hold one permit at a time. Once you have given the bouncer your pass, a roadie is usually not far behind. Unfortunately do not diappear and are a constant thorn in your side. This is why planning is imperative and it will take several attempts to complete some of the later levels.

The controls are simple and responsive. The usual four buttons/D pad are used to control your man. There's no jumping or shooting in this game. It is not just a pure strategy game though, you do still need some platform skills and good timing to avoid the groupies and use the lifts.

With 11 levels the game will keep you busy for quite a while. It even boasts a stats section showing how levels you've attempted and passed. Backstage Pass is a good mix of a platform/strategy game and for somebody who likes both genres it's a great game.