The Binding of Isaac
Developer: Edmund McMillan
Publisher: Valve
Release Date: 28/09/2011
Format: PC
First things first, The Binding of Isaac is a deliciously sinister concept. For those who are unaware, the story is taken from the Bible story where God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. (I wont go deeper into religion than that though you can research the story yourselves) This time however its Isaac's mother who is after him after watching Christian broadcasts and believing that she has to cleanse her son of all sin. I guess not a game for those who could be offended by religious views , but then again I guess there are far worse premises for games out there!
The game released in November 2011 on Steam for PC and is a superb little indie game, effectively its a top down 2d shooter/dungeon crawler where you take control of Isaac who is trying to escape from his mother. The clips that show the story panning out are fantastic and have very comical elements too, The music that accompanies the game is fantastic too and really sets the pace.
You'll start as Isaac in the first level of the dungeon (which are all randomised so you'll never get the same experience twice) using wasd to control Isaac and the arrow buttons to fire in the desired directions very much similar to smash TV for example. You also start out quite weak in terms of fire power and have three hearts (each hit takes half a heart)
Isaac shoots "tears to take out baddies and you can then power this up by collecting various items throughout the dungeons. These range from "mums lipstick" "underwear" "dead pets" and other totally crazy objects oh and lets not forget the toothpicks which prize your eyes wide open for greater firepower :-) There are also pills and tarot cards which can grant great things or make life tougher.
Publisher: Valve
Release Date: 28/09/2011
Format: PC
First things first, The Binding of Isaac is a deliciously sinister concept. For those who are unaware, the story is taken from the Bible story where God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. (I wont go deeper into religion than that though you can research the story yourselves) This time however its Isaac's mother who is after him after watching Christian broadcasts and believing that she has to cleanse her son of all sin. I guess not a game for those who could be offended by religious views , but then again I guess there are far worse premises for games out there!
The game released in November 2011 on Steam for PC and is a superb little indie game, effectively its a top down 2d shooter/dungeon crawler where you take control of Isaac who is trying to escape from his mother. The clips that show the story panning out are fantastic and have very comical elements too, The music that accompanies the game is fantastic too and really sets the pace.
You'll start as Isaac in the first level of the dungeon (which are all randomised so you'll never get the same experience twice) using wasd to control Isaac and the arrow buttons to fire in the desired directions very much similar to smash TV for example. You also start out quite weak in terms of fire power and have three hearts (each hit takes half a heart)
Isaac shoots "tears to take out baddies and you can then power this up by collecting various items throughout the dungeons. These range from "mums lipstick" "underwear" "dead pets" and other totally crazy objects oh and lets not forget the toothpicks which prize your eyes wide open for greater firepower :-) There are also pills and tarot cards which can grant great things or make life tougher.
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Personally when I play it seems like I get to tempted to clear every room in the dungeon before moving onto the end of level bosses. You don't have to play this way, and if you were to pick a correct fast route directly to the boss then you could do it this way, although come later levels you'll be wishing you were maybe a little bit more beefed up power wise for later enemies. Ultimately your goal is to clear all levels of the dungeon , defeat each end of level boss and then deal with "MUM" along the way you'll be able to visit shop like areas to spend your coins on items to aid you.
I guess the dungeon layout reminds me a bit of the early Zelda/Link games which can only be a good thing hey? Its devilishly moreish as you know you'll do better that next time. You could in effect actually run through the game in around 30 minutes to an hour if you were on the ball (I mean lucky) but the replay factor of this game is huge, also once you finish the game it'll open up some more characters to play as , of which there are six in all. I also have the challenges option which opens once you have completed the standard game. There are ten modes here each with varying advantages / disadvantages for you to go through the game with (don't know if this is only in the wrath of the lamb DLC though)
In summary The Binding of Isaac is a great game and well worth a look, also with the price tag of £3.99 and downwards its a lot of bang for your buck. Also I believe that Nintendo are looking into procuring this for their machines so keep an eye open for what is in my books a fantastic little game which will keep you busy for hours on end.
I guess the dungeon layout reminds me a bit of the early Zelda/Link games which can only be a good thing hey? Its devilishly moreish as you know you'll do better that next time. You could in effect actually run through the game in around 30 minutes to an hour if you were on the ball (I mean lucky) but the replay factor of this game is huge, also once you finish the game it'll open up some more characters to play as , of which there are six in all. I also have the challenges option which opens once you have completed the standard game. There are ten modes here each with varying advantages / disadvantages for you to go through the game with (don't know if this is only in the wrath of the lamb DLC though)
In summary The Binding of Isaac is a great game and well worth a look, also with the price tag of £3.99 and downwards its a lot of bang for your buck. Also I believe that Nintendo are looking into procuring this for their machines so keep an eye open for what is in my books a fantastic little game which will keep you busy for hours on end.
positives + Fantastic re-playability.
+ Amazing price. + Great soundtrack. |
negatives - Can enrage you quite quickly.
- Can be frustrating having to start all over again when you die (although that's also the beauty I guess?) - Ok I guess I'm clutching at straws trying to find negatives, I just cant really as for the price and for what your getting it awesome BUY IT |
Clint Tokley 8.5/10
