The Binding Of Isaac Review
A solid rogue-like foundation and a laughably irreverent aesthetic guarantee a good time with this quirky Indie title
A bigger issue is the fact that there is no way to save your progress: once dead, you’ll need to start all the way back at the beginning. However, with such short levels and fast gameplay, this isn’t as bad as it may sound; The Binding of Isaac is meant to be played fast and fierce, beaten in one shot or not at all. Furthermore, with such a wide range of randomized items and power-ups, the game stays intriguing and fun whether it’s your first attempt or your hundredth. This makes ‘The Binding of Isaac’ an absorbing combination of extreme factors that work well together: randomized dungeons, action-focused gameplay, and an utter lack of save points keeps the game short and sweet while staying challenging. The first few hours of Binding of Isaac are spent simply getting a little bit further with each attempt, and that mental urge to immediately start over as soon as the death screen pops up is a great hook. It’s the excellent replayability of the game that makes such harsh measures as unexplained powerups and one-shot gameplay not only acceptable, but absolutely necessary for the game. It isn’t your job to worry about extra lives or Identify scrolls; it’s your job to cry your way to freedom through the hellhole basement of nightmares.
Like the story, the visuals in The Binding of Isaac are a vibrant mix of the horrific and the comedic. All enemies and obstacles are drawn in a classic Flash cartoon style, but it’s what they depict that really jars you: maggots, flies, piles of poo, and what can only be described as demon fetuses. Power-ups and items follow this macabre pattern - for example, the wire coat hanger power-up, which pries Isaac’s eyelids open to allow for more fire power. It’s altogether an exciting mixture of the revolting and the laughable - a pleasantly simplified visual style that hearkens back somewhat to Super Meat Boy, a game the developers were previously involved with. The music in game reinforces the themes of the story and visuals, with overly dramatic electric guitar strums or violin screeches hinting at the demonic or horrific themes. Otherwise, the sounds in the game are what you would expect from any similar, small Flash game, but thankfully don’t distract from any of the action.
Playing through The Binding of Isaac is a little like downing an in-store sample of Tabasco sauce: not particularly deep or filling, but powerful while it lasts and well worth the slight trouble it took to get into it. The gameplay is engaging and challenging, but the bold direction for story and aesthetic is where the real interest lies. Especially for such a low price, The Binding of Isaac is a fun experiment in casual gaming, and is worth a try if you think you can stomach it.
Our ratings for Binding of Isaac on PC out of 100 (Ratings FAQ)
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Nov 3, 2011 17:05:20 (Nov 3, 2011 17:05)
