Bound

The gorgeous locales and emotional storytelling shine through exceptionally well via PSVR. With that said, it seems that virtual reality was not in the design plans from the get-go. Sure, it doesn’t get players motion sick, but there’s often a feeling of being lost when playing in VR that isn’t there during non-VR gameplay. [Tested with PSVR]

Bound's metaphorical story isn't subtle, but playing it is a meditative – if shallow – experience. [Tested with PSVR]

Bound is a work of art, carefully crafted to give players a memorable experience. If the gameplay had been more challenging, fluid, and present in the game, Bound could have been a title discussed for years. Despite this, Bound is a powerful narrative with a robust camera mode, impressive visuals, and haunting sound.

Bound is not a traditional game, but more of an artistic project. The gameplay is unique and the ballerina moves in an authentic way. But it is too low paced and doesn't deliver on important aspects. Still, it's worth a try if you are willing to dance.

Bound can invoke a lot of different emotions in few short minutes, but overall it's a beautiful artistic vision with a very shallow gameplay.

Movement here isn't just treated as a necessity of the gameplay, but as an expression of joy and healing.

While it may feel a bit too brief and its gameplay elements are largely underwhelming, Bound’s charming and intelligent story allow it to overcome its flaws in design and remain a satisfying and captivating experience.

Bound is more a work of visual art than a proper game: it deals with complex, touching issues like the strength of family ties and the willpower to chop 'em off or sew 'em up after a gash, and it offers a mesmerizing aesthetic with a colorful, ethereal level design. But the proper gameplay is poorly crafted and far from perfection. Not to mention that it will take only a couple of hours in order to be completed.

Play Bound for its incredible graphics, strong audio and an atmospheric experience, but be prepared to be underwhelmed on the gameplay front.

Bound is digital art installation. It's only in the game's final moments, when you're able to view the full breadth of the work, that it's clear this is a work of art that could not be accomplished in any other medium but this one.

Russian ballet and Kazimir Malévich polygons walk together in this journey, trying to be a thrilling, emotional and kaleidoscopic trip, although it ends up being a platform game with not so tight controls.

It’s not without its issues, but Bound presents traditional platforming mechanics with an artistic flair that really sets it apart.

Despite being a relatively-simple 3D platformer, Bound’s fantastic sense of movement and strange, dream-like world make it utterly unique. It’s a testament to phenomenal controls and sense of grace that I was able to set aside the camera and design flaws, and fully immerse myself in this strange, beautiful story.

A powerful, poignant story that utilizes a brilliantly crafted world and movement mechanic to help get its symbolism across. Its short length and lack of gameplay depth hold the experience as a whole back, however.

It's one of those games where the feelings and the visual impact are the center of the experience, above the gameplay or the replayability. And, on the artistic side, it definitely achieves some unforgettable moments.

Bound is a strange title. It's not a platform, neither a walking simulator. Is a game that values aesthetics over any other aspects, and for this reason in beautiful, different and flimsy.

Bound is trying to be a unique platformer with deep storytelling. Unfortunately neither of these parts reaches its potential. But Bound is still worth playing – especially for the stunning graphical style and the fantastic setting.

This isn't quite the indie, arthouse Ratchet and Clank, then, but it's distinctive, unusual and frequently inspired.

If you fancy a game that is a unique experience, Bound is certainly one that will get people talking even though it doesn't entirely meet all its goals.

But, despite all its flaws, Bound is undoubtedly a celebration of the female form, both physically and spiritually. And, for that, it could be said to be a game better viewed as one to experience rather than to play, and the fact that it tries to encompass so many deep psychological metaphors in the videogame format is an ambition worth praising.

Bound is a remarkable product on the audiovisual side, but the gameplay is really too thin and shallow in order to be forgiven.

Bound is a fascinating experience... at a first glance. Soon it reveals its limited mechanics.

A remarkable visual experience paired with an average game that is sometimes less than fun to play. [Nov 2016, p.74]

It’s unfortunately obvious how much Bound wanted to be like Journey, but it’s even more unfortunate that they go so close and yet failed to fully capture everything amazing about Journey.

I want to love Bound - the game has many great qualities and it's very creative - but a lot of the ideas don't come together in the gameplay.

Sadly Bound may be undeniably beautiful but in the most superficial kind of way. The problematic depiction of its overarching allegorical plot fails to provide substance to our experience and the extremely elegant animations are nothing more than a showpiece lacking any actual connection with the world around them.

In the end, its linearity, lack of gameplay diversity, and the low latency feel of your in-game actions all conspire to trip this tiny dancer up. Wait for it to become a PlayStation Plus freebie. [November 2016, p78]

Bound is undeniably beautiful, but a chasm between the player and the characters makes it difficult to empathize with them — unless you're willing and able to bridge the gap yourself.

Bound attracts attention for its visuals but the playing experience isn't as original or satisfactory as you expect at the beginning. The potential of the idea remains untapped.

For all my complaints, Bound is an interesting beast. The way it incorporates its animation style has been rarely, if ever done so well. It's well worth experiencing in some fashion, just maybe not at full price.

Bound is beautifully presented and will make you think, but its basic platforming doesn't have the legs that developer Plastic thinks it has. Fans of emotionally charged titles like Gone Home will be satisfied with what's on offer here – but those looking for a quality platformer may want to dance with something a little more competent in that department.

It’s a shame there’s not more to Bound than there is. The artists are incredibly talented people and the visuals they’ve crafted can legitimately be described as poetry in motion. Sadly, graphics can only go so far and there’s nothing of significance past them, reducing Bound to being another beautiful art-house trifle that doesn’t capitalize on its potential.

I dare say I’d have had a lot more fun watching someone else playing it as opposed to playing it myself. Simply soaking in the color and music is captivating. All that splendor, however, is balanced with equal weight by the troubling truth that it’s just really, really not that enjoyable to play.