The Binding of Isaac

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1122 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 898 out of 1122
  2. Mixed: 148 out of 1122
  3. Negative: 76 out of 1122

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  1. upi
    Dec 19, 2012
    2
    If you are hoping to find a 21-century version of nethack, simply move on, there is nothing to see here. Nothing, that is, but ugly, uninspired graphics and badly designed mechanics. Some games are *good* because you are at the mercy of a Random Number God, but it takes good design and atmosphere to make that work.
  2. gabriot
    Jul 14, 2012
    2
    This game will make you rage, and for all the wrong reasons. Where do I begin... The idea of randomly generated dungeons is a good one... but it ends about right there. The level design in this game is ATROCIOUS! You wanna know the difference between a good game like Link to the Past and an awful one like Binding of Isaac? Everything has purpose in the dungeon. Not in BoS though, hereThis game will make you rage, and for all the wrong reasons. Where do I begin... The idea of randomly generated dungeons is a good one... but it ends about right there. The level design in this game is ATROCIOUS! You wanna know the difference between a good game like Link to the Past and an awful one like Binding of Isaac? Everything has purpose in the dungeon. Not in BoS though, here you'll have COUNTLESS play-throughs where there will be items and areas that are just completely in-accessible because of the way the dungeon is "designed". For instance, if you don't give even one key or bomb in the entire first dungeon, why oh WHY would you have a bunch of locked chests, boulders that block areas off, and locked doors? That's **** AWFUL design, and it's a complete cop-out to call this level of randomness a "feature". It's just lazy, sloppy programming at its finest. On top of that the powerups and items are so imbalanced that on some playthroughs I will go so far as to say that it is literally IMPOSSIBLE to beat it with what's given you. For instance, there are enemies in later dugeons that are so fast that if you didn't get enough speed upgrades (or got screwed by pills or items that permanently slow you) you will have NO CHANCE of outrunning them, and thus cannot beat them without taking TONS of damage. Moreover, if you didn't get proper firepower upgrades randomly generated for you, there will be rooms with hordes of beasts that can't actually be beaten. That is **** INEXCUSABLE. That doesn't scream "feature" to me, it screams "MAJOR DESIGN FLAW" to me. Most enemies can fire diagonally, but you can't. Your best bet is to slightly angle your shots by running in the direction. It's just plain awful, and there are SO many god damn things that can screw you over in this game. For instance if you beat a boss and happen to be standing on the place where the "stairs" open up, you immediately get thrust into the next level BEFORE you ever get a chance to collect your much needed powerup. This is also **** awful design, horrible horrible horrible horrible. Put a **** delay in at least for christ's sakes. Overall this game is just plain ass. There are not many redeeming qualities, it really should be a free game because I already regret the 1 dollar I spent on this piece of **** and the 20 bucks I'll have to pay to buy a new god damn keyboard from slamming it in frustration. **** this game and **** the developers for knowingly releasing such a piece of trash. Didn't the release Super Meat Boy? How did they go from THAT to THIS??!! Makes no sense, maybe they bumped their head somewhere along the way and got brain damage.

    Avoid this game at all costs, I am convinced the people who enjoy it don't actually enjoy it, but are rather buying into the hype because it's made by the SMB developers. If they took one god damned second to critically look at this game they'd realize how **** awfully designed it is.    … Expand
  3. GREW50ME
    Jul 15, 2012
    5
    I love the idea of the game. The story was wonderful. Unfortunately, the control and graphics options are anything but. When you first load the game, it goes into a windowed cinematic. That is where the problems begin. I don't know what size the windo is, but it looks as if it takes up less than 1/4 of my 32" screen. As another reviewer mentioned, the control scheme (think Smash TV)I love the idea of the game. The story was wonderful. Unfortunately, the control and graphics options are anything but. When you first load the game, it goes into a windowed cinematic. That is where the problems begin. I don't know what size the windo is, but it looks as if it takes up less than 1/4 of my 32" screen. As another reviewer mentioned, the control scheme (think Smash TV) really seems to fit a dual analog controller. So, what do they do about it? They tell you to Google it in the options. That's right. In order to control the game, you need to Google the settings. At least the program they suggest is designed for the game, right? WRONG! The program they suggested doesn't even have dual analog support. The very least they could have done was have a link in the options that links right to a program that actually has dual analog support. Total time played: 27 mins. Total time spent actually doing stuff in game: 5 mins. I am just too frustrated to spend any more time on this game. Too bad, because if the options worked, I would have given it a much higher score.… Expand
  4. drSpockwa
    May 4, 2013
    3
    The introductory movie was interesting and entertaining, but that is about all I can put in the pros column. The game play is something you'd see 15 years ago. I know, nostalgia is becoming all the rage, but it feels like a cop out that indie developers are using to put out poor production value. I'm not slamming all indie work, there is quite a bit of good stuff out there. Next, thisThe introductory movie was interesting and entertaining, but that is about all I can put in the pros column. The game play is something you'd see 15 years ago. I know, nostalgia is becoming all the rage, but it feels like a cop out that indie developers are using to put out poor production value. I'm not slamming all indie work, there is quite a bit of good stuff out there. Next, this is a rougelike. Again, I know rougelikes are becoming popular. But I just don't find it fun to loose all progress and start over from the beginning with a randomized map. It makes me feel like I wasted my time. I got a bit intrigued about the various items and collectibles, but you apparently have to use them to find out what they do, and even then I wasn't sure what happened. You can't jump on the Apple bandwagon of providing no user assistance, when your user interface is not intuitive. There may have been an interesting story here, but I'm not going to punish myself to unfold it.… Expand
  5. fhouse
    Oct 1, 2012
    1
    Very-very disappointed. Controls are bad. Shooting sucks with Joytokey either. The visuals are nice, but overall it's an unfair, almost completely luck based, cheap flash game. (Today I learned what "rouge like elements" mean.)
  6. Jfoxx64
    Aug 25, 2012
    6
    The game is a fun for a few runs if the gory interesting looking characters don't make you wonder why exactly you decided to get the game. The numerous upgrades and entirely random gathering of them with little explanation of what anything does makes it hard to find what exactly it is your looking for without researching elsewhere but what ultimately ruins this game is the low replayThe game is a fun for a few runs if the gory interesting looking characters don't make you wonder why exactly you decided to get the game. The numerous upgrades and entirely random gathering of them with little explanation of what anything does makes it hard to find what exactly it is your looking for without researching elsewhere but what ultimately ruins this game is the low replay value. Once you run through it once it really becomes a "collect the other objects" game and there are plenty of other games with better graphics and more interesting objects to collect.… Expand
  7. iseeall
    Apr 26, 2013
    7
    This game has a great story and absolutely terrific artwork. The sense of humor of whoever wrote the in-game texts is excellent. The music is great as well. Unfortunately, the gameplay is pretty much mediocre, I mean it's just a 2D top-down view arcade game, and the fact that you can only shoot in horiz/vert direction and not just at the clicked spot makes it's pretty difficult to play andThis game has a great story and absolutely terrific artwork. The sense of humor of whoever wrote the in-game texts is excellent. The music is great as well. Unfortunately, the gameplay is pretty much mediocre, I mean it's just a 2D top-down view arcade game, and the fact that you can only shoot in horiz/vert direction and not just at the clicked spot makes it's pretty difficult to play and the fights too chaotic. Overall, this game is good for having a look, enjoying it for one evening and then dropping it, because in the long run the thing which could hold you in front of the screen (the gameplay) is missing. Art: 10!, Music: 10, Sounds: 10! Design: 4… Expand
  8. KJFK
    Nov 5, 2012
    7
    The game is very fun and very addicting. You will likely find yourself playing over and over again just to see what wacky combinations of items you can beef up your character with. The game can be challenging at times, but for the wrong reasons. Dodging skill is required to really get anywhere in this game, but whether you win or lose is based almost entirely on randomly generated items.The game is very fun and very addicting. You will likely find yourself playing over and over again just to see what wacky combinations of items you can beef up your character with. The game can be challenging at times, but for the wrong reasons. Dodging skill is required to really get anywhere in this game, but whether you win or lose is based almost entirely on randomly generated items. Finding a few good item combos in the beginning almost ensures a win and getting a few bad ones means you are nearly hopeless regardless of skill. The story is also pretty weak, which gives it a very arcade-like feel. Overall the game's interesting gameplay and addictive nature is going to make it worth the price tag, but its over reliance on luck and story, or lack there of, is going to hurt its score.… Expand
  9. KonataGoTimotei
    Dec 15, 2012
    6
    This game is unique in the way that it brings a new, interesting art style, with many MANY different enemies, bosses, and power-ups to collect, and with its dark story. But what it accomplishes in some areas, it falls short in many others.
    The power-ups you collect don't change the game-play in any way, its always a boost to health, damage, or bullet type, there are almost no power-ups    This game is unique in the way that it brings a new, interesting art style, with many MANY different enemies, bosses, and power-ups to collect, and with its dark story. But what it accomplishes in some areas, it falls short in many others.
    The power-ups you collect don't change the game-play in any way, its always a boost to health, damage, or bullet type, there are almost no power-ups that actually dramatically change the way the game plays, its always the same "Walking around crying on turds". I can respect the attempt to create a different, dark, and gruesome art-style that this game tries to portray, but in terms of game-play it really isn't that enjoyable past your first couple play-throughs. Yes, there are many different items to collect, but even with the items, power-ups, and enemies, its still always the same boring, meme-filled garbage for every room and every floor.
    Really, all in all I can respect the premise and idea of the game, but the way it was executed was poor.    … Expand
  10. Faundleroy
    Jan 3, 2013
    2
    There is a trend emerging in the last years for loving games just for them being hard. Be it "Dark Souls" (which is a great game in itself without taking the difficulty into account) or McMillen's previous hit "Super Meat Boy" (which also is a great game DUE to its very rewarding level of difficulty), and apparently this is the reason why everyone hails "The Binding of Isaac" as much asThere is a trend emerging in the last years for loving games just for them being hard. Be it "Dark Souls" (which is a great game in itself without taking the difficulty into account) or McMillen's previous hit "Super Meat Boy" (which also is a great game DUE to its very rewarding level of difficulty), and apparently this is the reason why everyone hails "The Binding of Isaac" as much as they do. However, there is a major flaw that keeps the difficulty from beeing rewarding: It is the system of randomization. While beeing a great asset in theory because it may increase the replayability, it just doesn't work out with a rogue-like game of this difficulty and in these dimensions. Rogue-like is usually all about trying out different builds, improving your strategies and skill and thus doing better and better in every try. In "The Binding of Isaac" however the majority of your runs will end so early that you aren't able to become any better, and that is not necessarily your fault. If you just get bad items on the first levels (or close to none because no keys dropped) and pick some of the harder bosses for the first level then you are going to have a very bad time. Also there is no choice of character build which means you are even more reliant to good drops. Another major problems is that many of the items have disadvantages that you don't know of before picking them up, and there is no way I know of to unequip picked up gear. The trinkets introduced in the expansion "Wrath of the Lamb" are even more of a pain in the butt because their effects are passive and it is incredibly hard to find out some of them. Some other items render a majority of dropps useless because they change your form.
    The general tone of the game is very dark and straight out nasty. While that may appeal to some, for me it is mindlessly provocant. I don't get the point of crying on turds and using a used and rotten sanitary napkin as weapon.
    The enemy design is good mechanics-wise and all have different patterns to accustom to, but the bosses all look generic. They are all just huge hunks of meat and/or maggots with some blood splattered in. Some of the bosses also require specific gear or they are incredibly hard, which is unfair considering that its just pure luck if you have said gear or not.
    In summary, I guess the majority of people loving the game so much in their reviews never played the games which "The Binding of Isaac" considers itself a homage to, and think it makes them some kind of retro-god to have finished the game. I for my part will just stick to "Dungeons of Dredmor" when I want some modernized piece of rogue-like. Or I will just play one of those old games instead.
    2 points is all I can give.    … Expand
  11. ColGamers
    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 this game.0
  12. grbolivar
    Jun 18, 2013
    2
    WARNING: this game is luck-based, meaning you can beat it ONLY if you are extremely lucky, like the lottery. Most of the time (99%) the game is uber-difficult and almost unbeatable. There are only 5-6 levels to beat but at level 4, if you weren't lucky enough to get "good drops", the game gets insanely difficult and if you die you have to start over AGAIN, making this a total frustrationWARNING: this game is luck-based, meaning you can beat it ONLY if you are extremely lucky, like the lottery. Most of the time (99%) the game is uber-difficult and almost unbeatable. There are only 5-6 levels to beat but at level 4, if you weren't lucky enough to get "good drops", the game gets insanely difficult and if you die you have to start over AGAIN, making this a total frustration to play.

    I'm 8 hours in and I still can't pass level 4 and I haven't beat the game yet, and it's not because I suck at it, this game has little to do with skills, it's because "I'm not lucky enough" to get the essential drops that will help me kill a boss that fires constantly in 8 directions while jumping around dropping flies and vomiting acid, all at the same time, and you only have 2-3 hearts meaning you can only endure 2-6 hits before you are death.

    Very good game ruined by insane difficulty and luck-based chances of winning. Don't waste your time with this, specially if you like, you know, beat and see the endings of your games. It gets 2 points because of the concept, gameplay and good music.    … Expand
  13. AWG
    Jun 26, 2013
    5
    Everything in this game is random, everything in this game is bad.
    Wasted potential everywhere, and way too much references to "funny" memes from the internet.
  14. SlyguyTheCritic
    Sep 30, 2013
    4
    The Binding of Isaac has a neat idea, but in the end it's not worthwhile and boring. Some people will like it, but I feel quite a few people will be bored to death with the simple combat, dumb story, dumb, pandering humour, and item drops which often feel unfair or stupid. Did I mention, the item drops often just result in the game taking a long time to beat, as opposed to making the gameThe Binding of Isaac has a neat idea, but in the end it's not worthwhile and boring. Some people will like it, but I feel quite a few people will be bored to death with the simple combat, dumb story, dumb, pandering humour, and item drops which often feel unfair or stupid. Did I mention, the item drops often just result in the game taking a long time to beat, as opposed to making the game harder? Yeah, it just gets boring for me. But, some people might get a kick out of it if they really really like rogue likes.… Expand
  15. Tulk
    Jul 30, 2013
    1
    I never understood the appeal of this game. The graphical theme is disgusting, to say the least. The atmosphere depressing. The gameplay is overly frantic. And nothing, nothing is explained to the user. Look, you found a thing. What does the thing do? We won't tell you! You have to play hundreds of hours to find out for yourself! On top of that, you get Steam achievements for findingI never understood the appeal of this game. The graphical theme is disgusting, to say the least. The atmosphere depressing. The gameplay is overly frantic. And nothing, nothing is explained to the user. Look, you found a thing. What does the thing do? We won't tell you! You have to play hundreds of hours to find out for yourself! On top of that, you get Steam achievements for finding random stuff. No skill involved, just luck. Look ma, I played this game for 200 hours until the random number generator gave me that elusive last achievement! Meh.… Expand
  16. debigman
    Aug 4, 2014
    0
    This game is so ridiculously difficult that it makes Dark Souls set on hard look like a kid's game. You can expect to live about 3 or 4 minutes on average. I don't know how people can think this is a good game when you can only play 3 minutes before dying. It is not even fair how poor the controls are. You have basically no chance to win. Look at the stats. On Steam, 37% of the playersThis game is so ridiculously difficult that it makes Dark Souls set on hard look like a kid's game. You can expect to live about 3 or 4 minutes on average. I don't know how people can think this is a good game when you can only play 3 minutes before dying. It is not even fair how poor the controls are. You have basically no chance to win. Look at the stats. On Steam, 37% of the players couldn't even get the EASIEST of the 84 achievements. How sad is that? Unless you are a masochist, please don't waste your money.… Expand
  17. Draculamarth
    Nov 5, 2013
    2
    To the person who says that people who hate this game "don't get the concept of a roguelike", please stop talking. I've played roguelikes. Hell, Nethack is one of my favorite games of all time and I consider it the best RPG ever made (Keep crying, Skyrim and FFVII fanboys). This is nowhere close to a roguelike. For one thing, Roguelikes don't constantly rely entirely on luck. Skill has noTo the person who says that people who hate this game "don't get the concept of a roguelike", please stop talking. I've played roguelikes. Hell, Nethack is one of my favorite games of all time and I consider it the best RPG ever made (Keep crying, Skyrim and FFVII fanboys). This is nowhere close to a roguelike. For one thing, Roguelikes don't constantly rely entirely on luck. Skill has no place in The Binding of Isaac. They had to leave it out for more references to poop and Newgrounds videos. If you get dealt a bad hand, you can't make the most of it. You will get killed to the point of frustration. At least in Nethack, you rarely can blame the game for your bad playing.

    The graphics? Do I even need to explain why they are bad? I don't mean in an artistic sense, even. If you like naked formaldehyde babies in a "cutesy" art style, then you might like this game. Also, I never want to meet you. I mean in a technical view. It is literally made in Flash. Flash is an AWFUL animation program, especially when you want to look professional. You mean to tell me that Edmund McMillen couldn't use any of his Super Meat Boy money to buy actual animation software? How lazy is he?

    Speaking of Flash, did you know that this game is also CODED in Flash? So when your game crashes or has inconsistent performance (Achievement sounds loudly blaring when you turn off sound and music), thank Flash for that.

    The "indie sense of humor" (toilet humor and "funney innernet joeks") is in full. References to meme faces, poop, and a bunch of Newgrounds games make up the humor. It's like Epic Movie except people who aren't entrenched in internet culture won't get the jokes and nerds like it because it "appeals to them". Give me a break. Binding of Isaac sucks. It's $5 and often goes down to a buck. Not even worth it at that price. You can get a real roguelike like Nethack for free.    … Expand
  18. Nintendont
    Jan 23, 2015
    1
    This "Game" made me seriously consider quitting video games from its very dark thems and its barbaric depictions of mutilated babies. I'll give it a one because uninstalling it made me feel better. Lets try out the sequel!
  19. G_Mackzy
    Dec 29, 2012
    5
    This game is comparable in depth of the gameplay to many flash games you'll find on the net, which is why I wouldn't pay anymore than the $1.25 I did during the most recent Steam sale. In saying this it is still a fun game that'll push you to keep playing til you beat it. The random elements of the game can make it unforgiving and incompletable on some runs however you will also haveThis game is comparable in depth of the gameplay to many flash games you'll find on the net, which is why I wouldn't pay anymore than the $1.25 I did during the most recent Steam sale. In saying this it is still a fun game that'll push you to keep playing til you beat it. The random elements of the game can make it unforgiving and incompletable on some runs however you will also have playthroughs that frequently reward you with good loot. This kind of variety means each time is different and you'll have to adjust your play style to suit your upgrades. Worth giving it a go if you're bored and have a few loose dollars to burn.… Expand
  20. DogFacedGod
    Mar 16, 2013
    9
    A cheap ,dark zelda styled dungeon crawler mixed with rogue elements with very disturbing themes. Challenging with lots to discover. It can feel a bit unfair in the beginning but you will learn to love it. Lots of replay value, especially with the addon "Wrath of the Lamb"

    For fans of very dark humor and who look for a challenge. Not recommended for pious religious people. :p
  21. Jaffacake
    May 7, 2012
    9
    A surprisingly deep game, once you battle the initial fear of its difficulty. Multiple plays reward you with improved skills and greater variability (including new challenges), and the procedurally designed levels give it randomness that will always make all attempts to succeed interesting. An expansion due May 2012 is expected to give greater depth still. Well worth picking up!
  22. Ravager
    Nov 8, 2011
    7
    Sleek and simple, yet deep and complex at the same time. A wonderful blend of both roguelike and the 2D Zelda games of old. Its not something you'll spend countless hours at a time with, rather you'll say "Oh, I've got half an hour on hand, I'll try my hand at this game again"

    My only complaints are that the FPS often drops when there are multiple projectiles on the screen at once, and    Sleek and simple, yet deep and complex at the same time. A wonderful blend of both roguelike and the 2D Zelda games of old. Its not something you'll spend countless hours at a time with, rather you'll say "Oh, I've got half an hour on hand, I'll try my hand at this game again"

    My only complaints are that the FPS often drops when there are multiple projectiles on the screen at once, and that (for me at least) it is an easy game once you take 5 minutes to figure out the basics. After dying twice, I was able to beat the game on my third try. Nevertheless, I still play it just to see the different combinations of items.    … Expand
  23. MrQaz
    Oct 23, 2012
    10
    Isaac is a roguelike-like, dolloped in the middle of a delicious Zelda/Smash TV sandwich. Zelda veterans will be met with a pleasantly familiar experience upon starting the game, as the game is predominantly based on it. The game has buckets of charm thanks to Ed McMillen's (Super Meat Boy, Gish) macabre/cutesy/gory art style and a haunting and epic soundtrack courtesy of Danny B (SuperIsaac is a roguelike-like, dolloped in the middle of a delicious Zelda/Smash TV sandwich. Zelda veterans will be met with a pleasantly familiar experience upon starting the game, as the game is predominantly based on it. The game has buckets of charm thanks to Ed McMillen's (Super Meat Boy, Gish) macabre/cutesy/gory art style and a haunting and epic soundtrack courtesy of Danny B (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt). A talented team of yay and most certainly woo. Projectile upgrades, useable powers and character stats (Power, Range, Speed, Luck) are all given through items which are given to you, selected at random. this forces you to play the game differently every time. The game rewards you on your accumulated knowledge, which is bestowed unto you after many upon many a death. You must experiment with items, make risks against stupidly unfair odds and die die die DIE DIE SO SO MUCH. Only after you start to recognize the usefulness or how to use a particular item or overall build, do you start to get better.
    ...and that's a great feeling!
    The beauty of it being a rogue-like-like, is that it's simultaneously a very accessible jump-in game and the biggest time-sink since that last RPG you developed insomnia over.
    I have clocked over 100 hours on Isaac, and i'm STILL finding new items I've never seen before and the game in general never stops popping up with little entertaining item combo surprises.
    It always feels fresh, there's loads to unlock and explore.
    Go buy it!
    It's also very cheap! :O
    You won't regret it c:    … Expand
  24. Matseb2611
    Nov 7, 2015
    9
    A pretty addictive rogue-like dungeon crawler. This game doesn't look like much at first, but you'd be wrong to judge it on first impressions.

    You play as Isaac, and your goal is to make way through numerous dungeons and slay nasty monsters dwelling in them by shooting tears at them. Each dungeon floor has a boss at the end, which is randomly chosen from a batch of half a dozen of    A pretty addictive rogue-like dungeon crawler. This game doesn't look like much at first, but you'd be wrong to judge it on first impressions.

    You play as Isaac, and your goal is to make way through numerous dungeons and slay nasty monsters dwelling in them by shooting tears at them. Each dungeon floor has a boss at the end, which is randomly chosen from a batch of half a dozen of possible bosses for that dungeon area. After every 2 floors, the dungeon area changes and you meet new enemies. And of course all along you come across a massive variety of items and upgrades, some have a passive effect, like increasing your damage, others require to be activated, and some can even act as pets. With so many items to find, every new dungeon run is guaranteed to feel different.

    Most of all I enjoyed the boss fights (from those I've faced so far). Each boss has a unique design, personality, and battle strategy, and I always get positively psyched every time I come across a boss room, wondering who is going to try and mash me into the floor this time.

    The game has many unlockables, such as playable characters for example. You can even unlock new bosses to spawn in the game by meeting certain criteria, like by beating the basement level 25 times, or completing the game, and so on.

    Unfortunately, just like most rogue-likes, this game is heavily dependent on luck - whether you find good stuff, what sort of enemies you come across, what is the design of the room you fight them in, and so on. You even find differently coloured pills as items frequently, and they always have a random effect, sometimes a harmful one. So that luck aspect of it can be a little annoying.

    But in general this is one of those fun, "just one more try and then I'm done" games that's easy to jump into. I'd easily recommend it for fans of rogue-like dungeon crawlers.    … Expand
  25. Zane
    Feb 23, 2012
    9
    I'm not entirely sure why, but I find myself wanting to play this game more often than any other in my Steam library. Perhaps it's its fairly short playtime that doesn't require a ton of free time, or maybe it's its cute design and layout, with a different setup each playthrough. It's a deceptively long game that never seems tedious, though it may cause you to "ragequit" occasionally.
  26. GolovA
    Aug 12, 2013
    6
    I will strongly disagree with some of the reviews that sell this as a game that will never become boring. It did become very boring very fast (after 3 hours) to me. Here's why: it is very hard and unforgiving when you die, you start all over again. The success of the passing of a certain level will depend on the random generator of the game if you get lucky and find a good improvementI will strongly disagree with some of the reviews that sell this as a game that will never become boring. It did become very boring very fast (after 3 hours) to me. Here's why: it is very hard and unforgiving when you die, you start all over again. The success of the passing of a certain level will depend on the random generator of the game if you get lucky and find a good improvement (let's say a gun that shoots through obstacles) you have a 300% better chance of passing. But if you find something else you will probably not pass the level. This is frustrating, and also pointless in replay value. The story is unique, the setting is weird and fascinating, the monsters are disturbing and imaginative, but the game play is repetitive and boring, though challenging and absurdly tough.… Expand
  27. brand_eins
    Sep 6, 2012
    10
    bought the game steam sale. The original "Binding" and the DLC "Wrath of the Lamb" for something about 3 bucks. Wow, what a game! I played more then 40 hours. There are still new sides to discover in that game. It's very highly re-playable. It's worth every penny, really.
  28. wallofjericho42
    Nov 14, 2013
    8
    Essentially a game that lasts forever. For $5 dollars, you get countless hours of fun. The game has you rely a lot on luck, which can be frustrating, but it works for the most part. A few slowdowns, even on powerful machines, due to flash. Still great worth the low, low price!
  29. keefbaker
    Oct 17, 2013
    8
    Nails, great little shooter that both infuriates and delights at an equal level, the dark psychology behind the setting is just superb and as old school 2D semi RPG shooters go, you're onto a winner.
  30. Orujimaru
    Nov 9, 2011
    8
    The Binding of Isaac is a great game with a lot of replay value for its price.
    Before picking this up you need to know that it's a hard game with permanent death, which means if you die you die, no respawning. This is not a problem most of the time since the levels are randomly generated, however sometimes you feel like it's a bit too random and it can get frustrating if you only get weak    The Binding of Isaac is a great game with a lot of replay value for its price.
    Before picking this up you need to know that it's a hard game with permanent death, which means if you die you die, no respawning. This is not a problem most of the time since the levels are randomly generated, however sometimes you feel like it's a bit too random and it can get frustrating if you only get weak items or can't reach items.

    This makes The Binding of Isaac a very unbalanced game, one playthrough you might have got all the powerful items and are plowing through the levels without taking any damage and the next time you'll barely hurt the bosses with your tears (projectiles).

    If you're brave enough to jump into a hard game with permanent death and can see beyond the balancing issues The Binding of Isaac is a great game, you won't find a game with more play value for the $/â    … Expand
  31. All4n
    Nov 10, 2011
    9
    This game is fun, lots of items that you can get/unlock lots of monsters. It has quite much content. It is damn hard at the start and you will die a lot, but keep trying!
  32. ETisME
    Nov 10, 2011
    8
    A really well made game, except it suffers from the technical issue that probably is due to the flash.
    It also put a lot of stress onto the eyes, which doesn't happen to me except DJ max for 2 hours straight.
  33. Einsteinium
    Nov 11, 2011
    8
    At 5 dollars, The Binding of Issac is one of those little gems that pays for itself within a few minutes. The initial play through in my opinion is too short. From start to finish it's only about 20 - 25 min in length. Of course that's when you manage to not die over and over and over. After you manage to beat the game the first time, is when Isaac really begins to shine. There are two newAt 5 dollars, The Binding of Issac is one of those little gems that pays for itself within a few minutes. The initial play through in my opinion is too short. From start to finish it's only about 20 - 25 min in length. Of course that's when you manage to not die over and over and over. After you manage to beat the game the first time, is when Isaac really begins to shine. There are two new levels added that really make the game even more difficult by having you take double the damage of the other levels. Not to mention that there are new bosses, including the four horsemen of the apocalypse. There are several items to start out, but as you beat the game again and again, new items and characters will unlock, providing even more fun. One of the detracting features, as mentioned before, is the difficulty. I personally like a challenging game, but when it takes you two or more hours to beat the game for the first time,considering how small it is, and after dying more times than I can count, it really makes it frustrating, and difficult to buckle down and start from scratch time after time. However, after you do manage to beat it, the feeling of overwhelming accomplishment is more than enough to convince me to keep playing. Another detracting feature is the redundancy of the soundtrack. While the music they have is great, and really sets the tone for the game, they could really benefit from producing more tracks.… Expand
  34. Izumo199
    Nov 21, 2011
    9
    This game is amazing! And for only $5! It starts out hard and a little slow but once you figure out what your doing and really get into it you will have a blast! Theres a bunch of different items and power ups, the bosses are original and have a lot of variety and the graphics aren't perfect but they do the job and they have there own little shine to them. Something that I find interestingThis game is amazing! And for only $5! It starts out hard and a little slow but once you figure out what your doing and really get into it you will have a blast! Theres a bunch of different items and power ups, the bosses are original and have a lot of variety and the graphics aren't perfect but they do the job and they have there own little shine to them. Something that I find interesting about this game is the extreme amount of satanic themes and references. I also love how they took a lot of influence from classic Zelda. Definitely worth the $5. I reccomend this to anyone.… Expand
  35. Billick
    Jun 26, 2012
    9
    What do you get when you cross a roguelike with the original Legend of Zelda, and throw in the twisted style of Edmund McMillen? The Binding of Issac is the answer to this bizarre question, the result is a surprising satisfying experience. Each play through of the randomly generated dungeon will include a different combination of rooms, crazy loot and bosses. The game starts out veryWhat do you get when you cross a roguelike with the original Legend of Zelda, and throw in the twisted style of Edmund McMillen? The Binding of Issac is the answer to this bizarre question, the result is a surprising satisfying experience. Each play through of the randomly generated dungeon will include a different combination of rooms, crazy loot and bosses. The game starts out very easy in the early levels, but the difficulty ramps up quickly. The game is pretty short, but new items are unlocked by playing, giving it a lot of replay value. The music is excellent, although McMillen's art style is a bit of an acquired taste. Overall, it's a fun little game for a cheap price.… Expand
  36. Marlfox
    Dec 13, 2011
    7
    An amazing game with a drop of humor. It reminds me a lot of Dungeon of Dredmor except this game is simpler and a lot shorter. I was not impressed that the items and cards you collect have no explanation on what they do exactly. I mean at least tell me what they do once I've gone thru a game using one(there are too much to memorize), but no- you are left deciding whether to risk using themAn amazing game with a drop of humor. It reminds me a lot of Dungeon of Dredmor except this game is simpler and a lot shorter. I was not impressed that the items and cards you collect have no explanation on what they do exactly. I mean at least tell me what they do once I've gone thru a game using one(there are too much to memorize), but no- you are left deciding whether to risk using them because a lot of them lead to close death or disappointment. The price is worth it though.… Expand
  37. Xman490
    Dec 13, 2011
    8
    This cheap title is worth the money as a retro Zelda-like game based on avoiding projectiles and defeating hideous enemies with tears and items. The game really acts as a gamble, though. You could be good at it and die to a blood donation station because you thought you would get higher max health and healing for it. You could also damage yourself with pills that could instead heal you.This cheap title is worth the money as a retro Zelda-like game based on avoiding projectiles and defeating hideous enemies with tears and items. The game really acts as a gamble, though. You could be good at it and die to a blood donation station because you thought you would get higher max health and healing for it. You could also damage yourself with pills that could instead heal you. Bombs, keys, and coins have to be kept in check because the game always throws (wasted) opportunities at you. I have not even got past the second third of a playthrough (there are 6 levels total with soaring difficulty).… Expand
  38. 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 game with the first one. This game would be great to have on a PSP or similar device.
  39. Visko
    Jan 6, 2015
    10
    Simply an amazing game. Everything from the "Story" to the Gameplay had me enjoying the entire experience from beginning to end. I took this game on the road with me everywhere I went if I could, simple small and fun.

    Randomized dungeons every play. Randomized items with a huge variety, changing the overall experience with each play through. Aesthetic preferences aside, this game    Simply an amazing game. Everything from the "Story" to the Gameplay had me enjoying the entire experience from beginning to end. I took this game on the road with me everywhere I went if I could, simple small and fun.

    Randomized dungeons every play. Randomized items with a huge variety, changing the overall experience with each play through. Aesthetic preferences aside, this game delivers. Difficult and challenging for a beginner perhaps, but it's a game that requires some skill. Refreshing to see in this day and age of ours. Worth the very very very miniscule price tag that completely undervalues the product.

    I'm pretty sure I've bought this game more than twice.    … Expand
  40. lahjaunelmia
    Nov 18, 2012
    9
    Awesome game. It's so addictive I mean it was until I got platinum god and that took like over 80 hours to get that. There are so many different items, every run is different, nice music and yeah. This game can be kinda tough at first but soon you'll learn all the tricks and controls can be hard too at first. Game is luck based but I think that's awesome. Great game overall and it's so cheap.
  41. LopsterPopster
    Jan 5, 2013
    10
    The most addicting game I've ever played. I can't put this game down. If you see me on my laptop, 9/10 times I'm playing this game. It's so wonderfully dark, creepy, and just plain amusing. For being a flash game, some of these monsters really do scare the hell out of me. The music for this game is absolutely wonderful as well. The replay value of this game is very high, the randomlyThe most addicting game I've ever played. I can't put this game down. If you see me on my laptop, 9/10 times I'm playing this game. It's so wonderfully dark, creepy, and just plain amusing. For being a flash game, some of these monsters really do scare the hell out of me. The music for this game is absolutely wonderful as well. The replay value of this game is very high, the randomly generated dungeons, items, and monsters are a blast to find. My only complaint is once I find a really nice item that gets me far in the game, after I've died I can almost never find it again. The best part about this game is that it's super cheap, and Steam has sales on it all the time. Sometimes you can get it for under a dollar. This is one of my favorite games there is.… Expand
  42. RexMan85
    May 8, 2012
    8
    The Binding of Isaac is a really good game, with a great replay ability, it will get you a lot for your money, and you can get in to it really fast, and the music, is AMAZING...
  43. Timber
    Jan 25, 2013
    6
    Looks like a flash game but its no reason to not play it. The concept is interesting with EVERY map and weapons being random but personaly i didnt find it that much satisfying.
  44. sterlingwriter
    Jul 21, 2012
    7
    Great game for the price (especially if you get it for 75% off on Steam). It's very challenging, meaning that you probably won't beat it on your first, second, tenth, or even fiftieth play through. It takes a fair amount of skill and a bit of luck in finding good items to beat this game. When you first start, you will need to get used to the feel of the game -- like figuring out how theGreat game for the price (especially if you get it for 75% off on Steam). It's very challenging, meaning that you probably won't beat it on your first, second, tenth, or even fiftieth play through. It takes a fair amount of skill and a bit of luck in finding good items to beat this game. When you first start, you will need to get used to the feel of the game -- like figuring out how the enemies line up on the screen, and when to stop moving so your character doesn't accidentally go through a door, but once you get used to the controls, the awkwardness isn't as noticeable. I like the randomly generated levels and items, despite the fact that I sense it's trolling me at every opportunity (ie, having 54 coins for three levels and never finding one more coin I could pick up to get 55 and unlock Cain). If games make you rage, you might want to stay away from this one, because there are times you can have a near perfect run, and still lose due to the random nature of the game. A lot of the items are buggy as well, and it can be tough to play this one without a wiki at your side, since the game doesn't actually tell you what any of the items do (and I'm not usually one to like using wiki's for help at all, but it feels necessary in BoI). Overall though, not too shabby!… Expand
  45. iamkyo90
    May 19, 2012
    8
    It has awesome graphics but the gameplay is very good! Every time you start playing, change the levels, enemies, bosses, items. Have much variety in every way. It is very addictive. Thoroughly recommend it.
  46. LordFoortwenti
    Jul 8, 2014
    9
    This is a great game, that can give you hundreds of hours of varied gameplay, for a low price of admission. I would best describe this as a Rogue-like meets the original Legend of Zelda, but it really goes way beyond that simple description. Basically, you play through randomly generated dungeons reminiscent of the dungeons from LoZ using a choice of six different characters, w/ eachThis is a great game, that can give you hundreds of hours of varied gameplay, for a low price of admission. I would best describe this as a Rogue-like meets the original Legend of Zelda, but it really goes way beyond that simple description. Basically, you play through randomly generated dungeons reminiscent of the dungeons from LoZ using a choice of six different characters, w/ each character playing like a traditional RPG "class" like the Warrior, Druid, Cleric, etc. There are a total of six "chapters" for each play-through, and each "chapter" contains two floors. On each floor you will find at least one treasure room, 2 secret rooms, and one boss room, w/ a lot of other possible "bonus rooms" thrown in like the Shop, Arcade, or Library. The general idea of the game is to battle your way through each floor collecting power-ups that do things like give you a different type of shot (for example homing shots, or turning your regular "bullets" into missiles), increase your stats (Health, Speed, Damage, Shot Rate, and Range), or give you other items that alter the way you interact with the world and the enemies. This is what some of the other reviewers here don't seem to get, this game is all about finding, and using, all the really neat and widely varied power-ups with the different characters to complete the game in different ways. It's easy to see that some of the other reviewers did not spend a lot of time with the game b/c the true genius of this game isn't apparent after just an hour or two, or even a play-through or two. Since the game features randomly generated rooms, strung together to form new dungeons every time you play, when you mix that with the literally HUNDREDS of items, and power-ups that significantly alter game play, you will never play the same game twice.

    I can understand not everyone "getting" this game, it IS quite difficult until you really get a hang of the feel of the controls, and there are certain points where the game actually makes itself harder (after defeating certain bosses, or completing the game a certain number of times) and for the longest time I played w/ the browser open in the background so I could look and see what a certain item did. Then there is the story...which is a bit, weird (to put it mildly). The story is loosely based off of the Biblical story of Abraham and his son Isaac, whom god ordered Abraham to sacrifice as a show of faith, fear and obedience. I don't see why anyone would take offense, but then again, I'm not a very religious person. But, imho, all these are very minor quibbles with what I have found to be one of the best values for my gaming dollars EVER.

    If you ever see this game on sale during a Steam sale, do yourself a favor and grab this game, you can get both the original + the xpac for like $3 when they have it up at 75% off. At that price, this should be a no brainer.    … Expand
  47. Netetkan
    May 27, 2012
    8
    Really nice little game. Easy to get used to and a whole lot of fun. The graphics are simple and do not hinder your experience. The controls are very simple. It could be a bit lengthier though.Can be a bit...odd at times, but it is worth whatever price you pay for it.
  48. Rolento
    Nov 7, 2012
    8
    Quite luck-based, I'll admit, and yet addicting, fun and definitely not a no-brainer as it might look. Gamers often complain about repetitiveness, non-replayability, preaching about dynamic gameplay and whatnot... if you are going to complain about this game as well, you might as well stop playing any game. It's giving you everything you ever wanted!
  49. asdf3011
    Jun 9, 2012
    10
    Great game I see my self play when listening to some or have no internet but it one of the best game to have a back round on.Plus I pay like because I not 100% in to it but it worth 8$ 5$+3$.And even more if you really like these this.Even if only 50% like it or maybe less buy it.It lots better than most thing and stay at the same level of fun and is long.And to shoot you only need toGreat game I see my self play when listening to some or have no internet but it one of the best game to have a back round on.Plus I pay like because I not 100% in to it but it worth 8$ 5$+3$.And even more if you really like these this.Even if only 50% like it or maybe less buy it.It lots better than most thing and stay at the same level of fun and is long.And to shoot you only need to click one time which is silly thing to bring it down for that much.Even if it was like that the dev listens to people and would fix it.… Expand
  50. Minja
    Jun 9, 2012
    9
    For only $9.99 (About 8 euros,) this game is a gem. When Isaac's mother hears the voice of God, telling her to murder her own son, Isaac hides in the basement, bracing the evils and terrors to come...
    TBOI is a randomly generated dungeon-crawler with a sense of humor. There's nothing like that adrenaline rushing through your veins when you defeat a boss. That tingling sensation when you    For only $9.99 (About 8 euros,) this game is a gem. When Isaac's mother hears the voice of God, telling her to murder her own son, Isaac hides in the basement, bracing the evils and terrors to come...
    TBOI is a randomly generated dungeon-crawler with a sense of humor. There's nothing like that adrenaline rushing through your veins when you defeat a boss. That tingling sensation when you come across a treasury. Very few games, especially indie, capture that feeling that TBOI does. As you delve deeper into the basement, the enemies get tougher, and your chances of survival slowly but surely narrow. My only problem is it's difficulty. TBOI is so damn hard, I wanted to throw my laptop at the window sometimes, usually when you're so close to beating it. In short, The Binding of Isaac is a hard-as-hell game that really can't be missed, whether you're a Zelda or Super Meat Boy fan.    … Expand
  51. Withinmdot
    Jun 11, 2012
    10
    I believe this game is worth every penny I spent on it. It is full of fun. It is not a game for everyone though and can get frustrating for some. Not an easy game for most, but a breeze for others. For me, it was quite difficult at first and I died a ton. The controls were a little odd too but after a while I actually got used to them. You have to have interest in the game to keep playingI believe this game is worth every penny I spent on it. It is full of fun. It is not a game for everyone though and can get frustrating for some. Not an easy game for most, but a breeze for others. For me, it was quite difficult at first and I died a ton. The controls were a little odd too but after a while I actually got used to them. You have to have interest in the game to keep playing and that is how you'll get the most of the game. Once again, the game is not for everyone. Playing it the first few times won't do anything for you. The story is open for interpretation and it is a lot deeper than what is shown in the intro (at least that is how I interpret it). The artwork is adorable and that is why I can stand all the blood and cruel designs. The Binding of Isaac helps make those moments where you have nothing to do to go faster. I absolutely love this game and I would definitely (and already do) recommend to my friends. I'm always itching to play another game just to see how far I will get this time and what items I could obtain. Tip: There is a demo, try it first.… Expand
  52. Dakoda
    Jun 13, 2012
    9
    Great game at a $5 price. Cute little animated movies, creepy monsters, awesome power-ups and hours of playing. This is what some people call "rogue-like" which is just where you spawn into a world, try to get as far as you can and if you die; well, you have to start over from the beginning. I'm not that type of player, although I do challenge myself sometimes and play games that are likeGreat game at a $5 price. Cute little animated movies, creepy monsters, awesome power-ups and hours of playing. This is what some people call "rogue-like" which is just where you spawn into a world, try to get as far as you can and if you die; well, you have to start over from the beginning. I'm not that type of player, although I do challenge myself sometimes and play games that are like this. (like on Minecraft/Hardcore mode) Enjoyable game and a moderately-high playback, meaning you'll wanna keep playing this game over and over again.… Expand
  53. a7quantum
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    Definitely the best Indie game of 2011! At first I couldn't even realize what to do, but eventually I had just stuck to a monitor and tried, and, and tried... Finally I've completed my first time after 45 hours and... 170 attempts. Kinda creepy you think? Way noooo! Desirable design, action gaming, shivering secrets, awesome dialogs, perfect storyline, hidden truth and, finally, beautiful Isaac!
  54. whataruckus
    Jun 13, 2012
    10
    This game is maddeningly addictive. I can play it for a few minuets, or look up bleary eyed from a 4 hours session. Almost 100 hours into the game I am still discovering new things, playing with item combinations, and enjoying myself. Do yourself a favor and give this game a shot.
  55. Xsonic
    Jun 16, 2012
    9
    good game for its value. This is probably one of the indie games that I spent most of the time playing due to its replayability. Everytime I start a new game, I always hope to find a new item. This game's level randomization plus a vast array of item upgrades makes you want to play over and over again.

    If you are not offended by the theme of the game and focus on Gameplay, well, this    good game for its value. This is probably one of the indie games that I spent most of the time playing due to its replayability. Everytime I start a new game, I always hope to find a new item. This game's level randomization plus a vast array of item upgrades makes you want to play over and over again.

    If you are not offended by the theme of the game and focus on Gameplay, well, this game might be for you.    … Expand
  56. Le_Moose
    Sep 7, 2012
    8
    Holy cow, I have played a few games in my time that have needlessly driven me over the brink of insanity, but The Binding of Isaac easily takes it's place in the top 10. No game has brought me more frustration than earning a great amount of items and then suddenly losing them in one fell swoop. But therein lies the beauty that is The Binding of Isaac. It teaches you to get out of yourHoly cow, I have played a few games in my time that have needlessly driven me over the brink of insanity, but The Binding of Isaac easily takes it's place in the top 10. No game has brought me more frustration than earning a great amount of items and then suddenly losing them in one fell swoop. But therein lies the beauty that is The Binding of Isaac. It teaches you to get out of your typical, "I've got lives to spare," gaming lifestyle and treasure those precious hearts at the top of the screen. This game truly requires you to play with precision and speed. In it's simplicity it becomes incredibly difficult! And that is why it's fun! Sure, frustration happens when you build up your hero to his highest stature and it all crumbles before your eyes, but the game restarts and a new adventure begins! If there ever was a game to teach you to learn self-control, the value of life, and how to truly make you a new dungeon experience on every playthrough, it was this game! Add it to your collection!… Expand
  57. GratefulLoC
    Jun 21, 2012
    10
    Most replay value I've come across in a game in the past 10 years or so. I think this game is seriously underrated, the people giving it a low score clearly haven't progressed to the point that the item combos get incredibly interesting. Whole new play styles emerge past certain points, making it essentially a whole new game just after you think you've finally beat it. Tough game,Most replay value I've come across in a game in the past 10 years or so. I think this game is seriously underrated, the people giving it a low score clearly haven't progressed to the point that the item combos get incredibly interesting. Whole new play styles emerge past certain points, making it essentially a whole new game just after you think you've finally beat it. Tough game, incredibly rewarding and ultimately the best 5 dollars I've spent in a LONG time. I'd recommend it to anybody, in fact I've purchased 5 copies just to give to friends to ensure nobody misses out on this game.… Expand
  58. SoCalCris
    Jun 22, 2012
    10
    Awesome game! This just throws you into the fray and lets you find out everything for yourself and has a lot of dark or funny items and references. Amazing replayability because you never get the same experience. Great game especially for 5$.Completely worth it.
  59. Sir_Callahan
    Jul 2, 2012
    9
    Great game, check it out when on steam specials. It can get repetative, as the no-save system means redoing levels frequently. However, levels are randomly generated, so this keeps things interesting. Definately best with it's expansion. The amount of items is great for such a small game. Well worth it, you could do a lot worse.
  60. NDHCemployee
    Oct 8, 2012
    10
    People who complain about this game are those who play games like CoD, where "skill" is all that matters. Binding of Issac is not about skill. It's about manning up, taking what the game gives you, and shutting the **** up about it. This isn't a game where you can say "Give me the OP weapon" and expect it to give it to you. This is a game about blind luck. This is a game doesn't hesitatePeople who complain about this game are those who play games like CoD, where "skill" is all that matters. Binding of Issac is not about skill. It's about manning up, taking what the game gives you, and shutting the **** up about it. This isn't a game where you can say "Give me the OP weapon" and expect it to give it to you. This is a game about blind luck. This is a game doesn't hesitate to knock you down and kick you in the balls if you're **** or don't know anything about what you've been given. This is a game where the incompetent, weak, and unlucky and ruthlessly crushed, and only the quick, the adaptive, and the strong survive. And I love it to death for being such a bastard hard game.… Expand
  61. KingVrox
    Jul 21, 2012
    9
    This is a highly difficult, but fun and addictive game. The game is short, but that fits the theme of the game, as there are no saves and you have to restart completely when you die, which happens a lot. Due to the dungeon's random loot and dungeons, your game play is very different each time, and never gets repetitive.

    The game presents you with some difficult choices as well. Do you    This is a highly difficult, but fun and addictive game. The game is short, but that fits the theme of the game, as there are no saves and you have to restart completely when you die, which happens a lot. Due to the dungeon's random loot and dungeons, your game play is very different each time, and never gets repetitive.

    The game presents you with some difficult choices as well. Do you want to spend 2 hearts of health for some mysterious new power to aid you in battle? Do you want to enter the room with a spiked door, which hurts you when you enter or leave? Do you use your last remaining key to enter the shop, which might not even have anything you want, but could have the health you desperately need, or do you save the key to open a treasure room to get an upgrade of some sort? The game isn't just a hack 'n slash game, there's a lot of choices you have to make as well.

    The graphics are fine for the style of the game, and the way your character's appearance changes when you get loot is great.

    The music gets repetitive, but you can easily just turn the music off and listen to your own music instead, just leaving the sound effects on.

    The only downside is that most of the details about the hundreds of different items in the game are not explained very well in-game. I wound up going to the game's wiki to check what the item I just got did very often.

    To sum up, its a great game worth buying, just be warned that it is a very, very difficult game.    … Expand
  62. Loku
    Aug 28, 2012
    9
    Funny, fast, hard. Hard. Hard. Hard. Funny. Funny. Funny. You'll lose days trying to get Isaac out of the dungeons. Really enjoiable game. Buy it! Now with a cheap dlc!
  63. Stokedninja
    Jul 23, 2012
    7
    I found this game fun but really, hard. I could not get past the first level. but soon a bit of help from youtube and my friends got me to the next level. But after i died in the second level. Trust me this is a good game... for those who aren't noobs and know how to play. im a casual gamer. this game caught my attention and, my friends kept talking about it. i bought the game and enteredI found this game fun but really, hard. I could not get past the first level. but soon a bit of help from youtube and my friends got me to the next level. But after i died in the second level. Trust me this is a good game... for those who aren't noobs and know how to play. im a casual gamer. this game caught my attention and, my friends kept talking about it. i bought the game and entered a code on steam. Because of the story and the gameplay it had me coming back for more.… Expand
  64. camagun1
    Aug 3, 2012
    10
    dont listen to camagun aka micheal shave listen to scott c jones and victor lucas this is game of the year and micheal shaves pin to his debit is ****
  65. Kyo
    Aug 5, 2012
    8
    This is really a fun and amusing game. I usually don't like games like this that give you only one chance to get to the end, if you die in this game you die meaning you have to start all over again, but starting over will give you a different experience. With the 100+ different power ups you will have a new set of abilities each run. Everything is randomized, from the levels, to bosses andThis is really a fun and amusing game. I usually don't like games like this that give you only one chance to get to the end, if you die in this game you die meaning you have to start all over again, but starting over will give you a different experience. With the 100+ different power ups you will have a new set of abilities each run. Everything is randomized, from the levels, to bosses and the power up's with tons of unlockables for even more stuff. You feel a sense of accomplishment when you get to the end of the game, I literally cheered when I beat the last boss which turns out was only one of many end bosses. The first boss kill is only the beginning. Just to watch Isaac's transformation as you get deeper in the basement with all the power up's, can be a site of horror or humor depends on how you take it! :)… Expand
  66. andrew77
    Aug 16, 2012
    10
    I just couldn't get enough. I played it and played it. the pseudo creepy characters were fun but tough. I loved the random mapping and I knew that I could always play through in about an hour. I made just over 100 full trips before the expansion came out. I had to do about 100 to get all the items. But I loved every one and my four year old daughter loved to watch and tell me what to do next, too!
  67. ComradePB
    Aug 28, 2012
    8
    The Binding of Isaac is an interesting case. If you are not a hardcore gamer, then this game is probably not for you, if you are, read on. One of the biggest drawing points to The Binding of Isaac is that fact that no two play throughs are the same, this is good for replayability which I cannot praise enough, it's always good to keep the game interesting so the player doesn't get bored.The Binding of Isaac is an interesting case. If you are not a hardcore gamer, then this game is probably not for you, if you are, read on. One of the biggest drawing points to The Binding of Isaac is that fact that no two play throughs are the same, this is good for replayability which I cannot praise enough, it's always good to keep the game interesting so the player doesn't get bored. This could be said for the multiple endings as well, that is, if they were done properly. Rather than going the traditional route of having your actons affect the outcome of your playthrough the game instead gives you a different ending everytime you complete the game. I feel like this takes away from the replayability because you're not really doing anything different, it's just another run through. Speaking of which there will no doubt be a lot of run throughs. The Binding of Isaac has no checkpoints, savepoints, or even extra lives. When you die you start all over losing all of your progress. At first it makes you just angry enough that you want to keep playing and you'll probably think to yourself "I can beat this!" but then 20 death later it may have you on the verge of rage quitting. That said it may help some players to hear that there are only 8 total levels in the whole game. Now before you start saying "that's too short", let me just clairify a few things. First of all, the amount of time you spend in a level is entirely up to you. You can choose to go straight to the boss or take a second to find any items you can before moving on. Second the levels are like mazes that gradually get more complicated and more difficult to traverse with every passing level so you probably won't notice. Also I should warn you that the game does tend to be rather...disturbing, but one thing that helps to balance things out is the game's cartoony style which is simple yet at times very detailed and I enjoy it. Finally I should point out that this game is being sold at the very low price of $4.99 on Steam, so it's very easy to pick up.… Expand
  68. ThaEpicBunny
    Sep 3, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is one of the best games I've played, and I've played many. The thing that makes this game so awesome is the random elements, one time you could get a knife which freezes enemies and bosses. The second time you could get a item that makes your tears piss and you're going around looking for range up's and the third time you could get touched by a fly and die because you couldn't kill it in time because you're playing as Eve. The games is very luck based but you do actually need to have some skill, like knowing an enemy's patterns so you can successfully dodge it's attacks. Or being able to throw bombs from your face, because of a fetus, and actually hitting fast enemies with them. It's very fun and it's so cheap that your just silly for saying that you wasted your money on it. It's only five dollars.… Expand
  69. Claytality
    Aug 4, 2014
    7
    Be warned: this game is ROGUE. If you do not like dying a bunch and restarting from scratch over and over, this is not for you. If you do not like challenging games, borderline frustrating deaths, this game is not for you. I died over 300 times in 60 hours= about one death (restart) every 12 minutes.

    This is the epitome of old-school rogue games. Main difference is that each    Be warned: this game is ROGUE. If you do not like dying a bunch and restarting from scratch over and over, this is not for you. If you do not like challenging games, borderline frustrating deaths, this game is not for you. I died over 300 times in 60 hours= about one death (restart) every 12 minutes.

    This is the epitome of old-school rogue games. Main difference is that each play-through is random instead of the same exact thing every time. That said, you will often find yourself playing in much the same manner over and over again. Items are random, so some runs you will get lucky and others you will get unlucky.

    At one point I considered it just barely above a flash game, now I find it's pretty decent, I played over 60 hours, though not all of them were fun. Buy it on sale, I don't value it at $5. If you're patient and willing to master the simple but challenging gameplay, give it a shot.    … Expand
  70. Viacota
    Oct 16, 2012
    7
    Lo bueno: Rápido y aditctivo. Dificultad aceptable, un gran número de objetos(si es que tienes el DLC wraith of the lambs), habitaciones, itemes y enemigos aleatorios.
    Lo Malo: Básicamente para pasarlo no dependes de tu habilidad sino de la suerte de que te salgan los buenos itemes. Enemigos muy parecidos en apariencia. Si vas con buena racha de itemes se te    Lo bueno: Rápido y aditctivo. Dificultad aceptable, un gran número de objetos(si es que tienes el DLC wraith of the lambs), habitaciones, itemes y enemigos aleatorios.
    Lo Malo: Básicamente para pasarlo no dependes de tu habilidad sino de la suerte de que te salgan los buenos itemes. Enemigos muy parecidos en apariencia. Si vas con buena racha de itemes se te hará muy corto el juego.    … Expand
  71. DaedricDave
    May 18, 2013
    10
    I will try to keep this short. This game is so hard, yet so addictive. For it's ABNORMALLY low price, it will keep you entertained for way over 50 HOURS at LEAST. One of the best, if not the best rogue-like shooter I have ever played.
  72. MatthewTheDark
    May 13, 2013
    9
    After playing a game like Super Meat Boy, I wondered just how screwed up in the head Edmund was for making such a game that had no right being so amazing. "What could he think of next?" I would ask. The answer I got was disturbing but oh so pleasing, The Binding of Isaac. This game is as creepy and mental as the trailer leads it on to be. You fight demonic entities, decapitated bodies,After playing a game like Super Meat Boy, I wondered just how screwed up in the head Edmund was for making such a game that had no right being so amazing. "What could he think of next?" I would ask. The answer I got was disturbing but oh so pleasing, The Binding of Isaac. This game is as creepy and mental as the trailer leads it on to be. You fight demonic entities, decapitated bodies, giant worms, biblical figures, mirror copies yourself (it's complicated), and other abominations throughout the game while keeping a consistent tone for the most part. It can get comical how outrageous this game gets. References, scenes, and power-ups lighten the tone slightly as the game gets weirder and weirder. As you play, you get more characters, more bosses, and even make the game harder. There are lots of endings to spare as well as power-ups to find and unlock. The game evokes a feeling of satisfaction whenever I play it, giving me a great experience. The game is hard however, so you may wanna be careful. If I personally have one complaint, it's the engine. Flash is an engine that, in my opinion, isn't much more complex than the wheel. It's just as primative too. For the most part, the engine behaves, but lag, bugs, and worse can happen without a moment's notice. But I feel all this is fair considering a game that kicks THIS much ass is only $5. I love this game. Go buy it.… Expand
  73. bloodnaught
    Dec 23, 2012
    10
    buy it now on the humble bundle you won't regret it
    (extra characters lololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololololol)
  74. PianoRepairman
    Dec 29, 2012
    10
    I have spent more time on this game than on any of the big blockbuster games on my PC. (Skyrim, Dishonored, Bioshock) And not just time, but quality time. This game has tremendous replay value, and for the negative reviews I've read saying that it's all about keyboard mashing and it's just too frustrating, I should point out that you're playing it wrong. Yes, you have to play for a littleI have spent more time on this game than on any of the big blockbuster games on my PC. (Skyrim, Dishonored, Bioshock) And not just time, but quality time. This game has tremendous replay value, and for the negative reviews I've read saying that it's all about keyboard mashing and it's just too frustrating, I should point out that you're playing it wrong. Yes, you have to play for a little bit before you pick it up, but that's not because it's poorly designed and frustrating, it's just very difficult and that's part of what makes it so fun!… Expand
  75. AlanComek
    Jan 8, 2013
    9
    An absolutely brilliant and well-polished game with very nice core mechanics and a fantastic art style. Only problem: THE DIFFICULTY IS FREAKING ABNORMAL. Seriously, I have died so many times that the number of deaths I have equals the number of times I was sent to detention in school, meaning a lot. Psuedo-9.5/10
  76. doniell
    Feb 1, 2013
    6
    Though I generally like difficult games, I am not a fan of The Binding of Isaac. You do get better every time you play it, and it is very rewarding to beat the game and it's always fun to find new items. But I don't like the whole Everything-Is-Random concept. It makes chance a big part of the game. And you have to try again and again until you not only play well enough but also are luckyThough I generally like difficult games, I am not a fan of The Binding of Isaac. You do get better every time you play it, and it is very rewarding to beat the game and it's always fun to find new items. But I don't like the whole Everything-Is-Random concept. It makes chance a big part of the game. And you have to try again and again until you not only play well enough but also are lucky enough to beat the game. And trying so many times seems like such a waste of time to me.

    To me the weird look and setting was ok. I liked it, but it wasn't great. The soundtrack is great I really like Danny's work! But I don't understand why it is just mono and such a bad sound quality. Maybe there were limitations in the sound engine, because also there are short dropouts during playback probably when the loop starts over again. But still that's a shame.



    All in all it is a game worth playing, but not worth spending too much time on it.    … Expand
  77. mckw
    Jan 22, 2013
    8
    Addictive. The game got me hooked for hours just playing and playing it through. Despite having some difficulty spikes, the game is still adorable, simple and you just can't stop playing it! Though, I feel the price does not justify the purchase of this game
  78. Sdric
    Feb 16, 2014
    10
    +Infinite replay value ; every run is different
    +Challanging ; you have to play with what you get
    +Hilarious ; the appearance chance can makes Issac very funny looking

    -Might be too difficult for people who're new to the genre
  79. ninja_dolphin
    Feb 5, 2013
    10
    This is one unique game, playing like the original zelda but in my opinion far better. This game requires hours upon hours to see everything. It took me 10 hours to beat the game due to it's brutal difficulty. However despite being challenging it rarely feels unfair and whenever you die it's never due to the controls. It does somewhat rely on luck due to you needing some good items toThis is one unique game, playing like the original zelda but in my opinion far better. This game requires hours upon hours to see everything. It took me 10 hours to beat the game due to it's brutal difficulty. However despite being challenging it rarely feels unfair and whenever you die it's never due to the controls. It does somewhat rely on luck due to you needing some good items to stand a chance on the later floors. The animation is fantastic and genuinely weird. The designs of the monsters are extremely unique and the items all have cool effects. This is a great game to just open up and play for half an hour if your bored or need a break from work. I can see why people don't enjoy this game but for me this is a near perfect game.… Expand
  80. var0592
    Oct 15, 2013
    7
    pleeease first understand that this game was made for a niche audience, not for everyone and its not the kind of game one expects to see in this age of gaming.... nevertheless the game goes on to sell millions of copies... why??

    cause it rocks... thats why... binding of isaac's design is based of the legend of zelda dungeon structure, except that its randomly generated and has a huge    pleeease first understand that this game was made for a niche audience, not for everyone and its not the kind of game one expects to see in this age of gaming.... nevertheless the game goes on to sell millions of copies... why??

    cause it rocks... thats why... binding of isaac's design is based of the legend of zelda dungeon structure, except that its randomly generated and has a huge number of items which changes the way his bullets (tears) behave and/or change your appearance and/or your stats... and add ahealthy dose of ed mcmillen's weird humor ...

    the game manages to keep itself interesting THANKS ONLY TO THE LARGE VARIETY OF ITEMS AND BOSSES and for no other reason whatsoever... so if you go in expecting strategy, and usage of brains, then you will be disappointed to say the least... this game demands precise dodging and good ability to read the enemy patterns (which most old school gamers possess)...

    so what is good about the game as i said is its large variety of items and bosses, all for a price of a cuppa coffee... many ppl may lose 100s of hours, but i dont see more than 10 hrs of game here, anything more is pointless (read artificial extension of gameplay time)

    whats so bad for it to deserve a 7?? its not very well thought out... as i said earlier, the dev didnt expect the game to sell at all, so he just made it a hotch potch, half assed effort (purely imo)... i believe if he had spent a little more time, this could have been an excellent game worthy of universal praise

    (which i hope binding of isaac rebirth will be)    … Expand
  81. Seryin
    Jul 19, 2013
    8
    The best words to sum up this game would be "omg" and "wtf."
    The opening video for the game is worth half the base price alone. Really funny random humor.
    The gameplay is hard as hell, and I rarely make it past the first stage, but the game is designed to play in an arcade type fashion so I can accept the unforgiving difficulty.
    Great indie game. Must buy for an indie fan.
  82. TeamBlueFox
    Mar 10, 2013
    10
  83. pills
    Mar 22, 2013
    9
    A quite smashing game, i love how creepy it can be at points with all of the satanic influence throughout it. i thoroughly enjoyed wasting countless hours on this game when i should've been doing my work
  84. MisterNoodles
    Mar 31, 2013
    9
    The game is cheap at about $5 and it always seems to stay interesting when you find a new item or enter the next room. Though it does tend to get boring after awhile, but you will at least need to spend a good 32 hours before it gets boring. And I can't help coming back and playing it again time to time.
  85. Herska
    Apr 2, 2013
    9
    With the wrath of the lamb, the 8€ cost of Isaac is still ridiculously cheap. I've played the game for ridiculously long, currently clocking at 84+ hours. Still, the game experience seems to be only enhancing as new items, bosses and areas are introduced. Through skill and tactics the player learns to master different floors, and the process is always swinging from tidious to extremelyWith the wrath of the lamb, the 8€ cost of Isaac is still ridiculously cheap. I've played the game for ridiculously long, currently clocking at 84+ hours. Still, the game experience seems to be only enhancing as new items, bosses and areas are introduced. Through skill and tactics the player learns to master different floors, and the process is always swinging from tidious to extremely enjoyable. The challenge is moderate and the controls are fluent enough, so there is no one to blame for your mistakes.

    The roguelike element can be pretty tiring at times, for a run can last almost a full hour. As long as you know what you are doing (or know how to google a item and/or floor guide) Isaac offers a really well balanced and nice retro-like rogue challenge. Its problems have not bothered me during my 84 playing hours, and I still return to it from time to time.    … Expand
  86. Herkkutatti
    Apr 16, 2013
    9
    Great fun, lots of items and replayability, Randomly generated rooms,nice musics,good variety of monsters,cheap DLC with good amount of new content And the best thing, it is cheap for that good indie game. Solid 9.
  87. ST0rmbr3ak3r
    Apr 6, 2013
    10
    The binding of Isaac is an awesome indie-game! I love it, that you have to play the game again and again to get better items and stuff, but also fight stronger bosses and mobs. To beat the final boss in the dlc wrath of the lamb and to get all the achievements you need to be very patient, you need a lot of luck and also skill! This is actually what an indie game should be!
  88. Sidekick_Otto
    Apr 16, 2013
    8
    I'm a big fan of rouge-like games and The Binding of Isaac is probably one of the best game of it's kind I've ever played And I've played a few! It's addictive, and harder then hell. It's a buy!
  89. Lord_FibreMedic
    Apr 25, 2013
    10
    I bought this game on sale on Steam for $3, as well as the DLC for 2$ for a total of 5$ (you don't say). All i have to say is, best 5$ i ever spent. I have over 150 hours logged in The Binding of Isaac and I'm still FAR from completing the game and getting every achievement. Despite being a very unforgiving rogue-like game, it's just so smooth, fun, and with near perfect controls, everyI bought this game on sale on Steam for $3, as well as the DLC for 2$ for a total of 5$ (you don't say). All i have to say is, best 5$ i ever spent. I have over 150 hours logged in The Binding of Isaac and I'm still FAR from completing the game and getting every achievement. Despite being a very unforgiving rogue-like game, it's just so smooth, fun, and with near perfect controls, every time i died, it wasn't because the game had bad controls or unfair mechanics. It was my fault for my deaths, and when I finally beat the the final boss(es), it was one of the most rewarding things I have experienced.… Expand
  90. Fraz
    Apr 29, 2013
    10
    Binding of Isaac is a great game that you'll never get bored of and never have the same run twice! It looks simple but plays allot more complex. The Art style and Story is what you expect from Edmund McMillen, Creepy but simply amazing. Like Super Meat boy, this game is quite difficult for inexperienced players and may make you rage allot due to dying and restarting the game from theBinding of Isaac is a great game that you'll never get bored of and never have the same run twice! It looks simple but plays allot more complex. The Art style and Story is what you expect from Edmund McMillen, Creepy but simply amazing. Like Super Meat boy, this game is quite difficult for inexperienced players and may make you rage allot due to dying and restarting the game from the beginning.

    I have a load of games on my PC, but The Binding of Isaac is at the top for most time played. This game is really enjoyable and makes the player really want to finish the game! You can pick up this game on Steam for a couple of pounds and highly recommend picking it up.    … Expand
  91. darkside1510
    May 11, 2013
    10
    The best game ever! anyone who gave this less than a 7 does not know what they are talking about!
    The best game ever! anyone who gave this less than a 7 does not know what they are talking about!
  92. xTreeCutterx
    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, 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 isIncredibly 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
  93. colonelgaraffi
    May 17, 2013
    9
    Easily worth it's relatively cheap price, Isaac is a brilliantly refreshing game. I really enjoyed it's controls and random generation. Great for casual pick up and play moments. Very difficult, but many would not call this a downside. Get it.
  94. mooker19
    Jun 13, 2014
    8
    I am conflicted about what to say about TBoI. On the one hand, I have played it obsessively and found it fun and frustrating in equal turns. Of course, that is how I felt about Edmund McMillen's other smash-hit PC game, Super Meat Boy, and that is one of my favorite independent games. Isaac has a similar sense of humor, though it is even darker, and that could certainly turn some peopleI am conflicted about what to say about TBoI. On the one hand, I have played it obsessively and found it fun and frustrating in equal turns. Of course, that is how I felt about Edmund McMillen's other smash-hit PC game, Super Meat Boy, and that is one of my favorite independent games. Isaac has a similar sense of humor, though it is even darker, and that could certainly turn some people off (but, hey, if you look for two seconds at the game you're purchasing, you should know what to expect). I found most of the grotesquery pretty amusing, but certain things still managed to turn my stomach. The art design and music are both absolutely perfect (I suggest a soundtrack purchase, honestly), and the game feels like a cohesive piece of morbid art. Where it has issues is in the gameplay. Isaac is a rougelike, meaning you progress through randomly generated levels with little foreknowledge of what to expect, little idea of what to do, and when you die, you come all the way back to the start. One of the hallmarks of the rougelike is the typically insane difficulty, and this is due in part to the lack of information given about items, enemies, and the like. I love rougelikes (this game is among the three best on Steam, in my opinion, with Dungeons of Dredmor and FTL filling out the list) for these very elements--it's great, for instance to equip an item, only to learn that it has a high risk-reward factor, and say, "So it's going to be one of THOSE runs"--but I can understand that the high difficulty would again turn some away. Isaac's issues don't come with the randomness, but rather, with the controls. Isaac feels too slippery, especially when you receive speed boosts, and this can lead to many, many "cheap deaths." Also, the game is set in mostly confined rooms, and Isaac's sprite is just too large; his hit box can even grow with certain items, making his life extremely difficult to save. Also, after beating the main boss for the first time (I'll leave them nameless so it can be a surprise), I felt a rush of achievement and exhilaration...only to not get the achievement. I looked it up--certain achievements are a bit glitchy, meaning they could come the next time you open the game, or maybe you might have to just re-achieve them. Oy vey! I purchased the DLC for the game as well, which is a great expansion, but I suggest getting used to the base game first because the DLC is even harder. For what it's worth, if you're ready for the challenge of your life, pick this game up and revel in its silly, macabre humor. Good luck. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, you ought to back away slowly, and pretend you never stumbled into this game.… Expand
  95. DanielWesoly
    Jun 15, 2013
    9
    I religiously play this game atleast once a day to see if I can finally defeat the final boss. I never succeed, but that's what keeps me coming back for more! each time you play through, the game gets randomized in every aspect. Different enemies, different map layouts, different items, healths, difficulty! almost everything. And I seriously love that aspect in games, it's what keepsI religiously play this game atleast once a day to see if I can finally defeat the final boss. I never succeed, but that's what keeps me coming back for more! each time you play through, the game gets randomized in every aspect. Different enemies, different map layouts, different items, healths, difficulty! almost everything. And I seriously love that aspect in games, it's what keeps gamers coming back for more. The thrill of having the game change when you come back to it. I've clocked up 24 hours of gameplay and I am still finding bosses that I have never fought before! suprises enemies, and items! the game's soundtrack is really nostalgic too, for some reason it reminds me of real old school gaming years. Since this game is also 3£ on steam, it is certainly worth picking up! you will not regret it!… Expand
  96. ibitato
    Sep 28, 2013
    7
    If you can get it really cheap or ina bundle get it.
    It's good for casual gaming and short bursts.
    Even the game is not pc demanding at all, graphic settings on high can lag a laptop (WTF) controls with keyboard are tricky BUT NOT BAD. People are wrong when the say keyb on this game is broken. First, movement counts on your firing altering direction. Second, put the graphic options    If you can get it really cheap or ina bundle get it.
    It's good for casual gaming and short bursts.
    Even the game is not pc demanding at all, graphic settings on high can lag a laptop (WTF)
    controls with keyboard are tricky BUT NOT BAD.
    People are wrong when the say keyb on this game is broken.
    First, movement counts on your firing altering direction.
    Second, put the graphic options on LOW to make sure there is no input lag for the keyb.
    third, there is some kind on inertia when you move, so be careful.

    You have to be really lucky to get the right stuff to finish the game.
    If you only feel happy with a game if you finish it, dont play. the joy of this game
    is based on how random it can be,aming it difficult. If this wasn't like this,the game
    would be short as in wft.
    conclusion, there are better rogue like games out there but this one can be enjoyable.    … Expand
  97. a0puncfan
    Jun 23, 2013
    9
    In short: It's good. Buy it if you're into rogue-like dungeon crawlers with heavy Legend of Zelda elements.

    So I bought this game during a sale where it was $1.24, but originally it's a $5 game. You play as Isaac, a young boy who flees to the depths of his basement after his over religious mother hears God command her to kill her son. From there Isaac must gather powerups and items    In short: It's good. Buy it if you're into rogue-like dungeon crawlers with heavy Legend of Zelda elements.

    So I bought this game during a sale where it was $1.24, but originally it's a $5 game.

    You play as Isaac, a young boy who flees to the depths of his basement after his over religious mother hears God command her to kill her son. From there Isaac must gather powerups and items to help him defeat his mother in combat.

    So it's simple, and fun. Fun. Well, it's basically the Legend of Zelda (the first one that is) on steroids. It's basically screen to screen rooms, fighting a boss and fighting enemies along the way. After you kill the boss, you can go down another floor, rinse and repeat. It's just addicting, as each floor gets larger and larger, with great boss battles and interesting secrets to be found.
    There are several characters to unlock by doing several little challenges, and each has their own little perks and stats.

    There's very few criticisms to think of at time of writing, besides that the game can be a little unforgiving at times. Death and Isaac go hand in hand and you will spend endless hours trying to outdo yourself and your own progress.
    The game has endless replay value and will have you playing for hours and hours.
    The score by Danny Baranowsky is just amazing, the music being unique and great to hear during the time you spend on this game. Credit goes out to him and his skill.

    If you like this genre, check out the demo, and if you like that, go ahead and purchase the game.    … Expand
  98. benpaco
    Feb 6, 2014
    9
    A great "five more minutes game". I'll just try it one more time. Oh, I almost made it to the womb. OK, I gotta try again. Oh, I unlocked a new item. Better go look for that.

    There is no stopping this game.
  99. Shockderment
    Jul 11, 2013
    9
    Very Good Game. Very hard at first but will get easier. My Win/Death was at once 7-17. Now its 75-67. After a while it will get easy. If you buy this game and don't like it... Its just 5 bucks so calm down.
  100. blodgettza
    Aug 25, 2013
    10
    Amazing art, music, sound, humor, and gameplay. McMillen has shown me over and over again how great he is as a game designer and the amount of effort he puts into making his fans happy goes above and beyond anyone I have seen. Thank you for sapping so many hours of my life.
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Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best PC Game of 2011
25
#25 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
21
#21 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. GamingXP
    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.
    Read full review
  2. GameCritics
    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
    Read full review
  3. 4P.de
    Feb 28, 2012
    87
    Zelda meets Robotron: Isaac celebrates old school topdown action in randomly generated dungeons.
    Read full review
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