The Legend of Bum-bo

 PC
The Legend of Bum-bo Image
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 17 Ratings

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  • Summary: A puzzle based deck building rogue-like prequel to The Binding of Isaac... Made of cardboard.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. TheGamer
    Dec 14, 2019
    80
    Even with current bugs and shortcomings, it's been hard to stop playing. 14 hours later, I still want to take just one more turn.
  2. Twinfinite
    Dec 11, 2019
    80
    The Legend of Bum-bo is a highly worthwhile experience. Though flawed in places, it makes good on many of its ambitions, bringing together gameplay genres and capitalizing on ideas for an experience that can enthrall longtime fans and newcomers to the Binding of Isaac universe alike.
  3. CD-Action
    Jan 10, 2020
    75
    I still don’t know if I pulled all those all-nighters with the game despite its bugs because of my Stockholm syndrome or because it’s really that good. [01/2020, p.59]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. PC Gamer
    Nov 15, 2019
    72
    A fun blend of puzzle and roguelike that inspires forward-thinking, but cuts your strategy short.
  5. Screen Rant
    Nov 21, 2019
    70
    It’s an intriguing and fun puzzler mashup with easter eggs and callbacks to serve the horde of Isaac fans raving in the stands, and maybe that’s enough.
  6. PC Games
    Nov 19, 2019
    70
    The Legend of Bum-bo is more entertaining than I thought. But - and this is the big 'but' – I really hat Bumbo the Stout. I just don't like his playing style. But well, Isaac also has characters I don't like to play with (Blue Baby). I'm too spoiled by The Binding of Isaac in terms of size, and I've got a lot more combinations there because of the higher number of items you can collect (and keep). The bugs are annoying, the crashes too of course - after all, the developers try hard to quickly add patches. In the future I will see myself playing a fast run more often - and maybe another one, and another one. Presentation and faecal humor are a matter of taste, just like the rest of McMillen's games.
  7. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Mar 6, 2020
    69
    Beneath the simple “match-three” surface lies a very conscious attempt to subvert the traditions of this trite genre. [Issue#243, p.58]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Lstknt
    Nov 12, 2019
    9
    A great opening for the next installment in the “Isaac” saga! This prequel has entirely new gameplay mechanics as it switches from aA great opening for the next installment in the “Isaac” saga! This prequel has entirely new gameplay mechanics as it switches from a twin-stick Zelda homage to a match 4 dungeon crawler. Still present are the rogue like elements and also Edmund’s signature art style for the series. I really have enjoyed the change of pace for the series, and the items in the game are just as esoteric and run changing as in the The Binding of Isaac. There ARE bugs (some game breaking) as of writing however Ed and co. are hard at work fixing them for a update tomorrow. I give it a 9 because Edmund and team have always delivered when it comes to their games, and have a proven track record when it comes to being a developer worthy of the fans trust. Therefore I have little doubt that this game will end up becoming better and better as they continue to improve not only the base game but also add to it with additional content as has happened in the past.… Expand
  2. Feels64
    Nov 21, 2019
    8
    This game takes the formula of mom browser games like Bejweled and makes it very interesting and fun. The reason I was never able to get intoThis game takes the formula of mom browser games like Bejweled and makes it very interesting and fun. The reason I was never able to get into Bejweled or Candy Crush or any game like this is because there is never any sense of progression. That is not the case in Bumbo though. You progress through levels and fight bosses and gear up. Another thing I don't like about these games is a lot of the time, you're doing things that you don't realize you're doing. You'll match some tiles then boom, bam, you get like an explosion of matches all across the board in a completely accidental combination. While that does occasionally happen here, it is far less common. If you wanna do well, you need to really work for it. It's a difficult game. It requires careful planning and a good strategic brain. Creating a real build rather than just choosing strong items hoping they get you through. In Isaac, you typically just take whatever you can scavenge. Things are a lot more strategic here and the items you choose need to help strengthen your build. This has become my favorite game of this year and considering I don't really even like this sort of game, that has to be saying something. The only really bad thing here is the fact that mousing over things doesn't give you any sort of feedback. Tiles aren't highlight, neither are options or anything. It feels like a port of a mobile game. I really hope they add some mouseover glow.… Expand
  4. schindlabua
    Nov 21, 2019
    7
    This game certainly seems like it's trying to capitalize on the indie-gamers' thirst for Slay the Spire-like games, and I would say it does aThis game certainly seems like it's trying to capitalize on the indie-gamers' thirst for Slay the Spire-like games, and I would say it does a good job at catering to that. There's a surprising amount of depth I didn't expect at first and runs turn out pretty varied.

    That being said Bum-Bo hasn't quite managed to capture me as much as StS has; maybe it's because there's limited creative deckbuilding and most of your brainpower goes into making good plays on the board which, at times, can be a bit mechanical.

    I'm looking forward to pouring more time into the game though to explore it in it's entirety, and I'd say it's definitely worth 12 bucks. I'm looking forward to more updates aswell.    … Expand
  5. inoffensive
    Dec 15, 2019
    6
    Probably the best match four game I have played, but it does get a bit boring after a while. It is also a bit disheartening to take no damageProbably the best match four game I have played, but it does get a bit boring after a while. It is also a bit disheartening to take no damage for 30 minutes just to die in one room, these difficulty spikes don't feel great.… Expand
  6. PanMrkvicka
    Feb 12, 2020
    6
    Its not bad and its fun but lacks content and theres very little to do and its not even that hard sadly.
  7. Tromble
    Jun 30, 2021
    5
    Legend of Bum-bo isn't a bad game, it just never found itself. The most disappointing thing is how this game was treated after launch.
  8. Vulgrim
    Feb 3, 2020
    4
    So much waiting for any product and I got something so stripped down and boring? It deserves attention only for its graphic style. InSo much waiting for any product and I got something so stripped down and boring? It deserves attention only for its graphic style. In addition, it looks like clogging up waiting for the postponed BOI expansion.… Expand

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