Bound

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 155 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 155
  2. Mixed: 47 out of 155
  3. Negative: 27 out of 155

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  1. waredati
    Apr 24, 2017
    10
    i suggest to play this game on VR , both visual art and narrative have much more joy and emotional impact when you are there! the story is so personal and the art is kind of psychedelic so it's better in 3d 360 view.
  2. geistreiches
    Oct 17, 2016
    10
    you need to play this in VR, this is absolutely amazing, it kind of reminds me of the cell movie, you are stuck in a world you don't know, it's psychedelic a bit frightening and absolutely stunning.. visuals and sound top notch as well
  3. nicsolarfield
    Aug 17, 2016
    10
    If Ico and Rez had a baby this might be it. Stunningly beautiful. How did they make such an amazing game? One of the best games this year. 10/10 from me.
  4. mixiladall
    Aug 16, 2016
    10
    This game has an incredible beauty, each pixel and well used , the game despite seem boring and a lot of fun , the graphics are very good, the story does not lack , the gameplay is simple and magnificent , my score is 10.
  5. Aretino89
    Aug 17, 2016
    10
    It's amazing, visually moving, overflowing with style and musical talent, and narrates a captivating story while proposing valid platforming levels, organic, ever-changing and rich of secrets.
  6. DizzyVizion
    Oct 11, 2016
    10
    Visually stunning! Your eyes will feast on the fluid, graceful movements of the princess as she makes her way through the abstract landscape towards her next memory. The soundscape adds to the immersion beautifully. No guns. No scores. This is art. Enjoy!
  7. FuturePanda
    May 1, 2017
    10
    An already great game becomes a reality bending future classic in VR. The art and ambition on display here -from the graceful ballet movement of the lead character to the psychologically heavy Jackson Pollock-like flashbacks- is a revelation in virtual reality. Reminiscent of everything from MC Escher to Pans Labyrinth, Bound conjures up some beautiful and sometimes fearsome scenarios. TheAn already great game becomes a reality bending future classic in VR. The art and ambition on display here -from the graceful ballet movement of the lead character to the psychologically heavy Jackson Pollock-like flashbacks- is a revelation in virtual reality. Reminiscent of everything from MC Escher to Pans Labyrinth, Bound conjures up some beautiful and sometimes fearsome scenarios. The game play is great, but its the amazing world that will stay with you. Frequently I'd put the controller aside to gaze at the stunning landscapes. In my book its one of the most interesting games of this generation, both visually and thematically. There's a free demo available, so give it a try. Highly recommended, especially in PSVR.… Expand
  8. harrisonisdead
    Aug 2, 2017
    10
    In virtual reality, this game is astounding. The addition of a following camera in a later update was a very welcome change, and brought the game to my top 5 list of PSVR games.

    First of all, visually this game is amazing. The simple graphics help to keep it running at 60fps and beyond, as well as keep the beautiful imagery crisp even looking at objects from a distance. While the game    In virtual reality, this game is astounding. The addition of a following camera in a later update was a very welcome change, and brought the game to my top 5 list of PSVR games.

    First of all, visually this game is amazing. The simple graphics help to keep it running at 60fps and beyond, as well as keep the beautiful imagery crisp even looking at objects from a distance. While the game is relatively short at 2-3 hours, every minute of it is captivating and it is no secret that it was meant to be played all in one go as if it were a film.

    The animations of the main protagonist help me appreciate motion capture technology as it is today. Every movement from the character was graceful, moving, and fluid. This also keeps the game from getting boring, as every second felt like an art piece of its own.

    The charming landscapes, while perhaps lost when the game is played in 2D, are quite the sight in VR. Stopping to admire the the breathing, flowing landscape and the simple shapes that made up the world in VR extended the game by a good bit for me. The whole game there was a sense of being in that world despite it being in the third person. While the landscapes were simple, they were breathtaking and I think the simplistic nature contributed to what made the game great.

    The metaphorical beauty of it is what really makes Bound shine. The satisfaction of every parallel and flashback in the game all coming together into a coherent story is unforgetable, and even though it ends simply, it does so gracefully and relatably.

    For $20 it is a must buy if you have a Playstation VR headset, and it may even be worth it on the flatscreen if you can appreciate beautiful landscapes, animations, and narrative in a shorter game. It isn't too replayable, but I played it thrice: once on the flatscreen and twice in VR. And even though I have finished it, I plan on sharing it with friends so they can also appreciate the beauty of it.

    I will say that anyone who discredits or criticizes this game should at least experience it in virtual reality. Even though it existed without VR support for a good while before the PSVR came out, it is immediately made clear when putting on the headset that the two are a match made in heaven. Being up close with the landscapes and characters adds to the experience in a huge way, and though this game isn't for everyone, in brilliant virtual reality one cannot deny the beauty of it all.    … Expand
  9. SSJoanYT
    Nov 17, 2017
    10
    Visualmente es muy bonito, pero falta una mejor explicacion de la historia y objetivos en gameplay.

    Visually it is very nice, but a better explanation of the history and objectives in gameplay is lacking.
  10. hokido
    Aug 30, 2016
    9
    Very pretty game that controls really well quite easy to master but not so easy that it becomes boring, platforming can be a little on the bland side on occasions but the narrative and movement of player controlled character more than make up for it and at £15.99 here in the uk is pretty good value for money, and additionally I had more fun with this game and played it for longer than iVery pretty game that controls really well quite easy to master but not so easy that it becomes boring, platforming can be a little on the bland side on occasions but the narrative and movement of player controlled character more than make up for it and at £15.99 here in the uk is pretty good value for money, and additionally I had more fun with this game and played it for longer than i did with No Man's Sky which is twice the price overall this is a 8.7 out of 10 for me rounded up to a 9/10 the platforming just letting it down.… Expand
  11. GamingNinja
    Aug 17, 2016
    9
    Beautiful polished, artistic, story based platformer.
    Only thing holding this back from perfection is the boring platforming.
    Good to see more unique games, if you love games like journey, abzu, or are a fan of dancing, you will most likely enjoy this game.
  12. masterofholland
    Apr 28, 2017
    9
    love the game first i tough what the f.ck is this but after playing bit just wow love it! and real game for the psvr! :) so guys give it go! its worth it!
  13. ali-polo
    Aug 19, 2016
    8
    One of the best narrative experiences, with stunning art-style, Ballet movement, and music.
    Lacks in the game-play department for challenging platforming section during first play-through, but there is plenty of secrets to come back to.
    It is an experience you would enjoy in the right mindset.
  14. Valkyrie117
    Aug 31, 2016
    8
    This game was a really wonderful experience. The game itself is short so don't be looking for something to get you endless hours of gameplay. The gameplay you do have is spectacularly beautiful. If you enjoy abstract art and beautiful visuals you are in for a serious treat. The princess is so fluid its unlike any other character I have controlled. Sometimes I just stop to dance and seeThis game was a really wonderful experience. The game itself is short so don't be looking for something to get you endless hours of gameplay. The gameplay you do have is spectacularly beautiful. If you enjoy abstract art and beautiful visuals you are in for a serious treat. The princess is so fluid its unlike any other character I have controlled. Sometimes I just stop to dance and see what I can do. The story is broken up and can be decoded after a few levels but leaves you wanting to see it through.

    If you are open to this kind of game then you'll enjoy it for sure. The downsides are how short the game is, and that the dancing begins to become repetitive. I was hoping to incorporate more moves together but it begins to repeat very quickly. While most things are transitioned between smoothly some moves do not transition overly well.    … Expand
  15. HTGamer
    Nov 11, 2017
    8
    Bound is one of the greatest "experiences" in gaming, even though it doesn't rank as high as thatgamecompany's unforgettable Journey.

    The visuals on display are marvelous (I happen to appreciate abstract art), with weird floating shapes forming the surroundings, but the main character's motions are simply beautiful. The player controls a young woman who traverses the levels in the most    Bound is one of the greatest "experiences" in gaming, even though it doesn't rank as high as thatgamecompany's unforgettable Journey.

    The visuals on display are marvelous (I happen to appreciate abstract art), with weird floating shapes forming the surroundings, but the main character's motions are simply beautiful. The player controls a young woman who traverses the levels in the most graceful way I have ever seen in videogames, she constantly moves like a ballerina, and thanks to advanced motion capture technology her animations are astounding. The game always runs at 60 fps, and the photo mode is one of the best on PS4, plus the game's art style lets the player capture some really awesome photos.

    Bound tells a barebones story with no real dialogue nor cut-scenes, it only provides visual hints through what I believe to be memory fragments of the female protagonist. The game takes place both in the surreal world but also in the real one. I won't spoil the details, but I think the "real world" sections break the game's pace and should have either been improved or removed.

    Gameplay-wise the game is very simple, I danced through the game's levels but unlike other walking simulators I enjoyed doing this. But the game can become a bit boring when there is so little to actually do. And it can't match Journey's powerful impact on the player. Even though Bound lasts only a few hours, I 'd suggest people play it for 1 hour or so at a time.

    On the downside, Bound has a few bugs/glitches. For instance, when jumping from an aerial ball to a platform I jumped low and clipped through the wall, I was stuck there for a few minutes before I was popped out by the game's engine and continued my journey. Also it's very easy to fall off a platform's edge, especially during sections involving numerous jumps.

    Finally, Bound supports Playstation VR, but since I don't have the headset I can't judge the VR mode.

    All in all, Bound is a great experience. Anyone who enjoys art and wants to experience something different, should play this game.    … Expand
  16. Greysteel
    Aug 17, 2016
    8
    A plat former unlike any you may have played before. Suffers from a few issues of pacing, perhaps even a little long winded in some places, but the class behind it inevitably shines through. There are more imaginative, more charming, games of it's ilk out there but Bound does certainly hold its own.
  17. m4nstr0s1ty
    Apr 28, 2017
    8
    Bound was a jaw-dropping experience for me. I mean, for all intents and purposes it's just a platformer with some heady story. A very compelling and well presented story, but it's still a platformer with a story. Nothing new here.

    However, to call Bound *just* a platformer really misses the point. I was blown away from the very first scene. Having the character you control...    Bound was a jaw-dropping experience for me. I mean, for all intents and purposes it's just a platformer with some heady story. A very compelling and well presented story, but it's still a platformer with a story. Nothing new here.

    However, to call Bound *just* a platformer really misses the point. I was blown away from the very first scene. Having the character you control... right... THERE. So many games pull you out of the experience by presenting a world through a window across the room. Not Bound. In Bound you are *IN* the experience. It changes everything! The sense of presence you have in the game world is just awesome.    … Expand
  18. wesker2012
    May 2, 2018
    7
    Bound's immersive atmosphere is simultaneously beautiful and otherworldly strange. The game plays well in both 2d and VR; but the VR really takes it to a whole other level. The 3d effects really stand and pop out in VR. Gameplay-wise its very simplistic; but it works well here especially in VR. It can get kind of boring gameplay-wise but as an experience, it works.
  19. SuperkenGaming
    Aug 19, 2016
    7
    Bound
    beautiful and dull at the same time
    In bound you play as a dancer who has to save the kingdom from a monster… This is a platforming game where you adventure through 6 gorgeous and ever changing levels…. These levels are great to look at and a joy to experience and complete as they unfold in front of you initially but ultimately I found no real substance here… These levels aren’t    Bound
    beautiful and dull at the same time
    In bound you play as a dancer who has to save the kingdom from a monster…
    This is a platforming game where you adventure through 6 gorgeous and ever changing levels….
    These levels are great to look at and a joy to experience and complete as they unfold in front of you initially but ultimately I found no real substance here…
    These levels aren’t very challenging other than when solid platforms will for some reason not be solid causing you to unfairly fall through, good luck with that no deaths trophy.. and I didn’t really find them fun either… just different…
    Your character clearly has grace, and dancing around the levels are such a change from what youre used to that a smile will uncontrollably appear on your face…but once this feeling wears off in about 15 minutes… youll come to realize movement is just not satisfying in terms of functionality… its almost like that running through water feeling….
    Youll occasionally have to dance to stop these shards from slowing down your character which slows progress down even more… and this is really the only obstacle in the game.. dance through pain
    At the end of each level you get more to the story… which is fun to uncover…
    This is one of those games you play once and forget… and unfortunately the developers of this game lack any self awareness as the entire trophy list is one of those forced replay trophy lists…
    Not only is this lack of self awareness made apparent in the trophy list, but in the game itself as you unlock a speed run mode after you complete it…
    This game is only 2 hours long so im not surprised.. but this isn’t the type of game for that…
    During an organic run I only got 1 trophy for finding a secret area in the final level.. final… secret…
    meaning theres a chance you can beat the entire game with a big fat goose egg in your trophy collection which id honestly prefer since I could at least delete it…
    Other than a couple secrets, everything comes down to speed running…
    Beat this level under this time.. beat the game under this time, beat the game in a different order, beat the game without dying… in a game that just isn’t fun to play and feels like youre running through water…
    It’s a garbage list and a garbage package…
    Bound is far from a bad game…
    Its decent.. its just that the experience is better than the game and the developers seem blind to this fact leaving the overall package to feel like a bit of a disappointment..
    I give bound a 7/10    … Expand
  20. GoodApollo88
    Aug 24, 2016
    7
    A beautiful game with ever changing and shifting level design. With the tap of a few buttons you can perform balletic dancing/movement to progress through each level. Although beautiful to experience and watch the game itself feels like it's missing something. It lacks character and the same emotional intensity of some other indie titles. The story it's trying to tell is fairly vague.A beautiful game with ever changing and shifting level design. With the tap of a few buttons you can perform balletic dancing/movement to progress through each level. Although beautiful to experience and watch the game itself feels like it's missing something. It lacks character and the same emotional intensity of some other indie titles. The story it's trying to tell is fairly vague. There are moments of wonder like the sections where you elegantly slide to the next part of the game. The sections where you have to piece together fragmented memories can become a little tedious. Sometimes the controls can be a little wonky and often you will find yourself falling to your death. A decent first game from Plastic and fair play to them for coming up with something a little bit different, might no be everyone but still well thought out game.… Expand
  21. pikby
    Nov 8, 2016
    6
    Bound's art style is beautiful, and fans of this genre will surely enjoy the game, however compared to most other games out there, it offers little to truly recommend

    68%
  22. pacific1
    Feb 7, 2019
    6
    The game looks great in VR but the actually gameplay is not that exciting, it's ok
  23. Empidonax
    Apr 2, 2022
    6
    It is a beautiful game, with a beautiful soundtrack. The best part of the game is riding the ribbon at the end of the levels; it feels very good, and you get to see so much of the beautiful art. That is only a small part of the game, though. Unfortunately most of the normal gameplay is quite bland.
  24. BrianDavid94
    Sep 11, 2022
    6
    Quick background on me the reviewer, I tend to like single player games that is heavy on narrative the most. I also play a lot of racing games and use to play multiplayer games in my high school days but now that it's hard for me and my friends to find a good time to link up so now it’s rarer for me to get into a multiplayer game. Up to try any genre of games and sometimes I find somethingQuick background on me the reviewer, I tend to like single player games that is heavy on narrative the most. I also play a lot of racing games and use to play multiplayer games in my high school days but now that it's hard for me and my friends to find a good time to link up so now it’s rarer for me to get into a multiplayer game. Up to try any genre of games and sometimes I find something new that I didn't think I'd like. I own a PC (built by me), Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, PS3, PS4, PS5, and a Switch. I prefer Playstation due to their focus on narrative games. For scoring, I’ll be using the Gameinformer review scale and of course influenced by my personal opinions.

    (6) Limited Appeal. Although there may be fans of games receiving this score, many will be left yearning for a more rewarding game experience.

    Let’s start off on the things this game does well, the graphics and art design are great. It has an organic world that opens up as you dance through it. Has a good message to share about mental health and moving forward in your own way. Now the bad, there is no gameplay here. You just move through the levels while dancing, and since there is nothing for you to do it seems pretty boring until you get to part that has good music, and that is actually quite often. The music is something else this game does well. It’s just, what is the point of this game? Even though it has a good message, there is no narrative or story besides seeing pictures, flashbacks here and there. There is no gameplay, just going through the motions to get your character from point A to point B. I guess if you like Art and Music give this game a try but doesn’t really make sense to make this a video game.    … Expand
  25. bane864
    Jan 26, 2019
    5
    a fantastic game visually, the world is dynamic and has a unique artistic style, but everything else lacks. Boring linear gameplay and the story failed to draw my attention. Played it when I couldn't sleep and it helped quite a bit.
    At the end of each stage you have to watch your character slide down a path for what feels like an eternity, and you can only rotate your camera. Then a    a fantastic game visually, the world is dynamic and has a unique artistic style, but everything else lacks. Boring linear gameplay and the story failed to draw my attention. Played it when I couldn't sleep and it helped quite a bit.
    At the end of each stage you have to watch your character slide down a path for what feels like an eternity, and you can only rotate your camera. Then a cutscene plays. Could probably go to the gym, take a shower and go get food before the next stage starts.    … Expand
  26. SuperDuck23
    May 28, 2017
    5
    Bound is a commendable failure. The game's intriguing and unique art design cannot save its lacklustre story and gameplay, which attempts to pull the player's heartstrings but falls short.
  27. ourtimehascome
    Dec 8, 2016
    5
    Bound relies too much on its narrative qualities, which might be the most interesting part about this 3-D platformer. Unfortunately, the gameplay is extremely slow and unrewarding, focusing more on speedrun-type gameplay than engaging platforming. It doesn't add anything new to the conventions of gameplay, though it is visually interesting, the levels are geometric in nature and rarely addBound relies too much on its narrative qualities, which might be the most interesting part about this 3-D platformer. Unfortunately, the gameplay is extremely slow and unrewarding, focusing more on speedrun-type gameplay than engaging platforming. It doesn't add anything new to the conventions of gameplay, though it is visually interesting, the levels are geometric in nature and rarely add anything new. The character you play as performs ballet movements which is unique, but everything else falls flat.… Expand
  28. DanBenevenuto
    Mar 10, 2018
    5
    Bound has pretty graphics and awesome effects at the scenary. The gameplay and the history are both interesting. But at some point in the history I got bored. The game becomes repetitive. But I liked to play.
  29. Armin4
    Jun 29, 2020
    5
    Story is ok not unique
    Graphics and designs are perfect
    Gameplay is boring
    And it's not rewarding
  30. Underpants158
    Aug 18, 2016
    4
    PROS:
    -Artstyle.
    -The dancing is pretty CONS: -Controls: it is like they had intended to create a platformer but the controls were so cumbersome that they just decided to go with walking simulator. For example there was a part where I couldn't run jump from one beam to another. I tried multiple times and I made sure I hit jump at just the right moment but it never worked. I had to go    PROS:
    -Artstyle.
    -The dancing is pretty

    CONS:
    -Controls: it is like they had intended to create a platformer but the controls were so cumbersome that they just decided to go with walking simulator. For example there was a part where I couldn't run jump from one beam to another. I tried multiple times and I made sure I hit jump at just the right moment but it never worked. I had to go to the edge of the beam, stop, and jump forward. Why? Idk. Then there is one section (one small section!) in the game that is straight up a platforming section in the midst of this walking simulator and it handles like crap. The camera is fighting you and the jumps are inconsistent. There are ribbons at the end of each level that you slide down and you quickly realize you don't need to control it. You can move yourself around the ribbon but there is no point! Put the controller down and gawk. So pretty right? What really annoys me most about this game compared to similar games like Journey and Abzu is the illusion of gameplay. Just be a walking simulator. This half hearted attempt is doing you no favors.
    -Enemies are more accurately described as environmental hazards. The cure? Dance! You hold R2 and nothing can hurt you. The dancing actually has no gameplay purpose it's solely there to communicate to you something about the story. Dancing just slows you down and the necessity for it becomes annoying
    -The story is so simple a child, albeit a slightly disturbed child, could write it. Even the scant dialogue is right out of a 3rd graders storybook project.

    Conclusion: I really disliked this game. Nearly every aspect. I'm not a fan of the genre, walking simulator, but I don't actively hate on it. The "emotional" story is cheesy, the controls are cumbersome, the style is directionless, and the dancing feels tacked on so as to seem more artistic.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 62
  3. Negative: 2 out of 62
  1. CD-Action
    Nov 18, 2016
    45
    Mocap team, the dancer and the choreographer did a great job, and it’s a pity their effort was wasted on such a mediocre game. [11/2016, p.58]
  2. Games Master UK
    Nov 9, 2016
    65
    A remarkable visual experience paired with an average game that is sometimes less than fun to play. [Nov 2016, p.74]
  3. games(TM)
    Oct 26, 2016
    70
    As a game, Bound is clearly flawed – its structure, however, is excellent and well realised to support multiple playthroughs with noticeably different experiences – but as an experience, as a piece of interactive art, it’s frequently sensational.
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