Backseat

Backseat is a narrative driving game set at night. The player’s wife has been kidnapped, and to get her back the player must follow instructions from an entity known as BK26. These instructions involve picking up passengers described as killers, thieves, fraudsters and unstable strangers, learning what they know, and completing each ride without giving them a reason to turn violent.

During rides, the player listens to passengers and observes their behaviour to work out what they are concealing. A logbook is used to profile each passenger, and the player chooses how to phrase questions in order to gather clues without provoking a dangerous person. An in-car computer allows the player to search databases and browse the deep web for information, which the developer states may include how to defuse a bomb placed under the car.

Missions from BK26 involve delivering passengers, submitting notes and following a trail intended to lead to the player’s wife. According to the developer, mistakes made either inside or outside the taxi can result in the player’s death. The player can choose whether to obey BK26 or look for another way out, and decide how much risk to take on.

Backseat is developed and published by a third-party studio and is listed on Steam.