The Binding of Isaac Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1122 Ratings

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  • Summary: Isaac is a roguelike shooter based on the dungeon structure of Zelda (nes). At its core it controls like Smash TV / Robotron in a randomly generated semi RPG world filled with powerups items and special abilities.

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The Binding of Isaac - Official Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 30
  2. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Oct 16, 2011
    100
    The Binding Of Isaac is pitch-black and hard as hell.
  2. Oct 7, 2011
    90
    With Binding, McMillen and Himsl created the rules of the world and then set it in motion. Yet this game is nearly as much fun as Super Meat Boy, and more profound. It proves that there's more than one way to make a masterpiece.
  3. Mar 10, 2012
    90
    One may play for an hour or two, but they're constantly tempted to go back in and uncover the scads of remaining secrets. It's a style of game that really intrigues me, and one I want to see more of
  4. Oct 3, 2011
    85
    I'll put it simply: If you can roll with the macabre toilet humor and if religion jokes don't put you off, AND if you enjoy games with non-optional permadeath, randomized content, tons of secrets and considerable replay value… it's hard to go wrong with The Binding of Isaac. Especially at five dollars.
  5. Mar 19, 2012
    83
    The Binding of Isaac looks like an old school game like the original Zeldas, but with a dark scenario and dark humor. It has the typical difficulty of a McMillen game, which is not found anywhere else these days. This game will motivate you to try and try again in such a simple way – just brilliant. If you like the style and the old school gameplay of The Binding of Isaac, you'll have a lot of fun with it.
  6. Oct 7, 2011
    80
    Funny and miserable, disgusting and endearing, the end result is a game that's smart enough to have things both ways, offering an often brutal critique of certain religious sacraments, while wallowing comfortably inside the rituals of one of gaming's oldest genres.
  7. Oct 2, 2011
    70
    It's a good game, with a surprising amount of content for the price, but it will definitely turn away those who don't like even cartoon gore, and leave a slightly bitter taste in even the most hardened gamer's mouth... and mind.

See all 30 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 26 out of 262
  1. Aug 17, 2013
    10
    Unfortunately we live in times when you don't have to learn how to control your character, you don't have to get used to the game and wholeUnfortunately we live in times when you don't have to learn how to control your character, you don't have to get used to the game and whole game should be able to complete in 5h. "New generation" of gamers rate Isaac low, but don't mind them because this game is masterpiece once you actually START playing, and we all know they can't focus on one game for more than few hours and are not interested in learning controls. You need to beat it few times to even unlock last boss which will take 20+ hours of solid gameplay, by then your controls are perfect (once again don't listen to kids, don't even try to use controller, keyboard gives superior edge).
    Possibilities in this game are limitless, with thinking and item juggling you can easily win the game even on 3rd-4th floor by getting pumped as late Zyzz. Combinations of items and THINKING how to use them out of the box is not for new generation of gamers, if you are one don't even come close to Binding of Isaac because it will chew you and spit you on the floor like all those who rated it low.
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  2. Jan 10, 2012
    10
    What a weird, wonderful game. Extremely creative - imagination is the main ingredient here; I've logged more hours in this than my recentlyWhat a weird, wonderful game. Extremely creative - imagination is the main ingredient here; I've logged more hours in this than my recently purchased Arkham City (which is amazing in it's own right) -- but the nature of this game is easy to pick up, hard to put down. The difficulty spikes rapidly, and even though you die a lot there are constant unlocks and madness to be discovered by repeat play. Every so often you'll get the perfect storm of items that will vindicate the often punishing difficulty. Ironically, when I finally beat the game, it was with a mediocre character build - which goes to show that you can never get too comfortable, as my over-powered creations quickly died when I got too ****

    Not much can be said that hasn't been said by other users that enjoyed it - it's a zelda-style dungeon (think SNES link to the past) mixed with a 2d shooter, with heavy rogue-like elements (procedurally generated maps, randomized bosses, and a ton of items that drastically switch up the game play, making each game a unique **** of destruction and depravity!) Highly recommend!
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  3. Sep 30, 2011
    10
    This game is awesome, awesome, and more awesome. Obviously the previous guy who rated this a 2 just doesn't "get" the appeal of this kind ofThis game is awesome, awesome, and more awesome. Obviously the previous guy who rated this a 2 just doesn't "get" the appeal of this kind of game. It's based on an old model of PC gaming (called roguelike) where you die once and the game is over--completely. There are no saves, no continue spots--you're dead and you have to start all over. But that's exactly what makes this game so damn addictive! I have the Battlefield 3 beta on my computer and I've barely played it because The Binding of Isaac is sucking up all of my time. Because every playthrough is completely randomly generated and you'll never play the same levels twice, dying is not a big deal. Death feels the same way it feels in Super Meat Boy; you die, and die, and die again--but you get better each time, and it makes you want to start the game right back up again. Like SMB it's a throwback to a time long ago when you needed actual skill and quick reflexes to complete a game, and it's precisely that which makes it so appealing to me. Oh...that and the absolutely awesome and hilarious abilities and powerups, which I definitely wouldn't want to spoil here. The game is full of surprises and has a very dark tone about it, feeling like a mix between The Legend of Zelda and Splatterhouse. The fact that it's only 5 bucks doesn't hurt either, but it shouldn't give you any indication of the quality of the game. I've paid 50-60 bucks for games that weren't nearly as fun as this. Just buy it, play it, and enjoy some excellent old-meets-new gaming for less than the cost of a sandwich. Expand
  4. May 11, 2013
    9
    Incredibly fun game. It has an insane amount of replay value as the combination of weapons are endless. It's dauntingly difficult at first,Incredibly fun game. It has an insane amount of replay value as the combination of weapons are endless. It's dauntingly difficult at first, but once you get more familiar with the controls, enemy movements, and the gameplay mechanics, it becomes a lot more enjoyable. I poured days into this game, I've gotten the absolute final achievement, but I keep playing this game. Every new game is literally a new game. You'll never know what item you'll get on the first floor, and what kind of unique combination it'll have with the item you get on the second. Expand
  5. Nov 28, 2011
    8
    Utterly hard.. but how much fun! This is a kind of game in which you will die a lot. Mastering it will take some time, but it's also prettyUtterly hard.. but how much fun! This is a kind of game in which you will die a lot. Mastering it will take some time, but it's also pretty enjoyable. Overall randomness makes it all very tempting... to try another time and see what you'll come up with. Random levels, random powerups, random bosses.. You can't beat this game unless you will be ready for EVERY outcome. There's no saves, no checkpoints. No easy ways. This is why it keeps you in front of your screen - it's really challenging;) .. And after you beat all 6 levels, there's at least two bonus ones. Not mention the unlockable characters. Only one complain - it's a flash game and flash games have their issues. Oh, well. Go play it. Expand
  6. MB1
    Dec 15, 2011
    8
    This is a very fun game and also very hard. I think there are six different playthrough characters and I have only been able to beat the gameThis is a very fun game and also very hard. I think there are six different playthrough characters and I have only been able to beat the game with the first one. This game would be great to have on a PSP or similar device. Expand
  7. Jan 20, 2013
    0
    As ColombiaGames said this game should be for a cell phone, the story makes no sense.

    for me 0 because you need to pay to 10 dollars for
    As ColombiaGames said this game should be for a cell phone, the story makes no sense.

    for me 0 because you need to pay to 10 dollars for this game.0
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See all 262 User Reviews