The Binding of Isaac

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Very Positive

Total: 22.6 ThousandPositive: 21.4 ThousandNegative: 1.16 Thousand
95%
5%
Steam review score: 8

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AI Review

The Binding of Isaac scored 89.37 % rating
The Binding of Isaac is a darkly captivating action RPG shooter with heavy rogue-like elements, blending intense gameplay with a haunting narrative. Players guide Isaac through randomly generated dungeons filled with grotesque enemies, bizarre treasures, and challenging bosses. With over 100 unique items that visually and functionally transform Isaac, no two runs are ever the same. The game boasts an AI Community Rating of 89.52%, with players praising its replayability, creativity, and rewarding difficulty. However, some find its reliance on RNG and unforgiving mechanics frustrating. Despite its Flash-based origins, the game’s retro-style graphics and eerie soundtrack create a unique atmosphere. If you enjoy challenging, skill-based games with endless variety, The Binding of Isaac is a must-play.
ActionAdventureIndieRPG
Single-playerSteam AchievementsSteam Trading CardsFamily Sharing

What the community wishes

We analysed the 10 most impactful community reviews and collected 20 ideas and suggestions on how the game could be better.
Improve item descriptions clarity
Many items lack descriptions, forcing players to look up guides. Adding in-game descriptions or tooltips would enhance accessibility and reduce reliance on external resources.
Optimize performance for modern PCs
The game, being Flash-based, runs poorly on modern systems. Optimizing performance and ensuring compatibility with current hardware would improve the overall experience.
Balance difficulty in Hard Mode
Hard Mode features undodgeable attack patterns and excessive enemy speed. Balancing these elements to make them challenging but fair would improve gameplay.
Fix achievement bugs
Achievements are bugged and sometimes don't unlock or appear randomly after closing the game. Fixing these bugs would enhance the sense of accomplishment for players.
Increase item diversity and balance
Item diversity is lacking, and some items are poorly balanced. Expanding the item pool and ensuring balanced synergies would make runs more varied and enjoyable.
Reduce reliance on RNG
The game is heavily reliant on RNG, which can make runs feel unfair. Reducing RNG dependency and increasing skill-based elements would improve consistency.
Improve enemy attack patterns
Some enemies have attack patterns that are borderline undodgeable. Revising these patterns to be more intuitive and fair would enhance gameplay.
Add more synergies
The original game has fewer synergies compared to Rebirth. Adding more synergies would increase replayability and make runs more interesting.
Enhance visual and audio polish
While the graphics and audio are good, they could benefit from modern enhancements. Updating these elements would make the game more appealing to new players.
Address game-breaking bugs
The game has several game-breaking bugs that can ruin runs. Fixing these bugs would improve the overall stability and enjoyment of the game.
Improve tutorial and onboarding
New players struggle with understanding mechanics and item effects. Adding a more comprehensive tutorial or onboarding process would help new players get into the game.
Expand lore and story elements
The game has some lore but could benefit from deeper storytelling. Expanding the narrative elements would add more depth and engagement for players.
Reduce grind for completion
Completing the game requires significant grind, which can be frustrating. Reducing the grind or adding more rewarding progression systems would improve the experience.
Add more consistent difficulty scaling
Difficulty scaling is inconsistent, with some enemies becoming easier in Eternal Mode. Ensuring consistent difficulty scaling would make the game more balanced.
Improve item generation mechanics
Item generation mechanics are less predictable compared to Rebirth. Improving these mechanics would make runs feel more strategic and less luck-dependent.
Add more meaningful rewards
The game lacks meaningful rewards for progression. Adding more impactful rewards for completing challenges or runs would increase player motivation.
Enhance enemy variety
Enemy variety is limited, making runs feel repetitive. Adding more enemy types and behaviors would keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Improve early-game pacing
Early levels can feel tedious and slow. Improving pacing in the early game would make the experience more enjoyable from the start.
Add more accessibility options
The game lacks accessibility options for players with different needs. Adding options like adjustable difficulty or control schemes would make the game more inclusive.
Expand on Eternal Mode mechanics
Eternal Mode has interesting mechanics but could be expanded. Adding more unique elements to Eternal Mode would make it a more compelling challenge.

Reviews

Toxicity trend

N-Grams

Most relevant voices from the community
solid game whenLOVE and HATEinferior version ofvery challenging gamemore complicated inhelps me improvesuper good andheaps of funinfuriates me onmodern day PacManborderline creepy whichmore game-breaking bugswell made challengingpioneer in thetons of funincredible for theborderline insane whenminor bugs sometimesGREAT VEG gamevery difficult also

Keywords

Top 15 keywords for sentiments
What the community loves
We collected 226 positive keywords.
fun
11
recommend
7
better
5
awards
4
good
4
Very good
4
thumbs up
4
Worth the price
4
great
4
pet
4
enjoy
4
reward
3
nostalgic
3
worth
2
incredible
2
Where the community is undecided
We collected 286 neutral keywords.
items
5
rogue-like
4
cat
4
original
3
roguelike
3
story
3
random
3
Minor bugs
3
luck
3
hours
2
Potato
2
buy
2
upgrades
2
version
2
DLC
2
What the community dislikes
We collected 198 negative keywords.
hard
4
difficult
3
frustrating
3
bad
3
terrible
3
annoying
3
bugs
3
unforgiving
2
recommend
2
fun
2
impossible
2
waste
2
inferior
2
bullshit
2
disappointed
2

In-depth analysis of most impactful community reviews

Positive

This game is heaps of fun, but if you are deciding on getting this game please realize there's The Binding of Isaac Rebirth which is way better optimized then this "flash game turned EXE" version. Small addition after now finally achieving Eternal God: You have to both LOVE and HATE how much RNG this game tosses at you, I took me several runs to finish the game on Hardmode with Isaac, but with Eve the RNG was so much in my favor i facerolled every boss in my run... Some enemies are borderline insane when they are Eternal, while others just don't get harder but easier when they are eternal. The most notable one was It Lives, Yes the enemies it spawns are harder, but if you get a group of enemies and you manage to leave 1 alive you can keep basically kite It Lives till it dies...

  • Sentiments

    • I find this game to be heaps of fun, which makes it an enjoyable experience overall.
    • I feel that The Binding of Isaac Rebirth is better optimized compared to this version, which feels like a 'flash game turned EXE'.
    • I have a love-hate relationship with the RNG in this game, as it can either make runs extremely challenging or surprisingly easy.
    • I appreciate how the RNG can sometimes work heavily in my favor, like when I easily defeated every boss with Eve.
    • I find it frustrating that some enemies become borderline insane when they are Eternal, making them much harder to deal with.
    • I noticed that some enemies don't get harder but actually become easier when they are Eternal, which feels inconsistent.
    • I found a clever strategy to kite It Lives by leaving one enemy alive, which made the fight much easier.
    • I feel that the game's difficulty can be inconsistent, with some Eternal enemies being disproportionately harder than others.
    • I enjoyed the challenge of completing the game on Hardmode with Isaac, even though it took several runs.
    • I think the game's RNG adds a layer of unpredictability that can be both rewarding and frustrating, depending on the run.

Positive

I can only recommend this game to fans of [i]The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth[/i] that have already completed 100% of the game with the DLCs and want to experience the original. The original Isaac has fewer synergies, more game-breaking bugs, and it's more unfair altogether. I'm a huge fan of Edmund's games, so I still enjoyed it, but those with less patience who do not feel nostalgic over it will definitely see it as an inferior version.

  • Sentiments

    • I can only recommend this game to fans of The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth who have completed 100% of the game with the DLCs and want to experience the original.
    • The original Isaac has fewer synergies compared to its successor, which makes it less enjoyable for some players.
    • The original Isaac has more game-breaking bugs, which can be frustrating for players.
    • The original Isaac is more unfair altogether, which might deter players who prefer balanced gameplay.
    • I am a huge fan of Edmund's games, so I still enjoyed the original Isaac despite its flaws.
    • Players with less patience who do not feel nostalgic over the original Isaac will likely see it as an inferior version.

Positive

The original Flash Isaac is a very challenging game yet a great game nonetheless. If you've never played this game you should definitely give TBoI Rebirth or Afterbirth a try, (they're much easier than this original game, look better, and play better too.) That isn't to say this first game is bad it's quite the opposite. It's just I personally have what we call in the biz' a "skill issue" so I suck at this game, that won't subtract points though as I recognize how well made, challenging, and fun this game is. Would recommend : 10 crying babies out of 10

  • Sentiments

    • I find The original Flash Isaac to be a very challenging game, which adds to its appeal and makes it a great game.
    • I recommend trying TBoI Rebirth or Afterbirth because they are easier, look better, and play better than the original game.
    • I acknowledge that the original game is not bad; in fact, it is quite the opposite, being well-made and fun.
    • I personally struggle with the game due to what I humorously call a 'skill issue,' but this does not detract from my appreciation of it.
    • I recognize the game as well-made, challenging, and fun, which makes it worth playing despite its difficulty.
    • I would highly recommend the game, giving it a perfect score of 10 crying babies out of 10.

Positive

Ok its is super good and fun and re-playable. The thing is rebirth is so much better. If you want to get a little taste of issac try this game only 4 dollars. if you do enjoy it play rebirth. I have rebirth on xbox and its tons of fun. Check out both of them. Binding of Issac is AWESOME. (Prob No One Would Read This Comment NGL)

  • Sentiments

    • I find the game to be super good, fun, and highly re-playable, which makes it an enjoyable experience.
    • I believe that Rebirth is a much better version of the game compared to the original, which sets a high standard.
    • I recommend trying this game for only 4 dollars to get a small taste of what Isaac has to offer.
    • I suggest that if someone enjoys this game, they should definitely play Rebirth, as it is an improved experience.
    • I have Rebirth on Xbox and find it to be tons of fun, which reinforces my positive opinion of the series.
    • I encourage others to check out both the original game and Rebirth, as they are both worth playing.
    • I strongly believe that The Binding of Isaac is an awesome game, which reflects my overall enthusiasm for it.

Positive

I bought and played this game because I promised it to someone who was once important to me that I would try it out one day.I always keep my promise. When I got it, it was on sale. It's nice to play when I just need some relaxation. Sometimes it's more fun than other games. Poor Isaac, he died so many times because of me :( But I still enjoy playing it. It helps me improve my dodging skills and it's a fun game. I would recommend buying it.

  • Sentiments

    • Overall, I find the game to be fun and enjoyable.
    • I would recommend buying this game to others.
    • Sometimes the game is more fun than other games I play.
    • Poor Isaac, he died so many times because of me, which makes me feel a bit sad.
    • Despite Isaac dying often, I still enjoy playing the game.
    • The game helps me improve my dodging skills, which I find beneficial.
    • I bought and played this game because I promised it to someone who was once important to me, and I always keep my promises.
    • The game was on sale when I purchased it, which made it a good deal.
    • I find the game nice to play when I need some relaxation.

Negative

At this point, this game is more of an archive piece. It is fantastic, and I love it. I cannot, however, recommend it because The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth exists. If you have any interest in this game, go buy that one.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the game to be fantastic and have a deep love for it, which reflects a strong positive sentiment toward the game.
    • I consider the game to be more of an archive piece now, which suggests a neutral sentiment about its current relevance.
    • I cannot recommend this game because The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth exists, which indicates a negative sentiment about its value compared to the newer version.
    • I suggest that anyone interested in this game should buy The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth instead, which reflects a negative sentiment toward the original game's appeal.

Negative

It can be fun if you like small indie top-down roguelikes. The further you get into the levels the harder and more exciting it becomes. Has some fun elements which can be used to think tactically. Infuriating how easy it can be to die and have to start all over again with a random seed, where you liked your previous gear, which you wont get back. Really annoying having to start over in the early levels which are really annoying with the flies. You need to look up what all your pick-ups do because the game wont always tell you. The game is okay but it gets really dull. The more I played the less I wanted to play more afterwards. Maybe it was better playing it at launch in 2011.

  • Sentiments

    • I find the game fun if you enjoy small indie top-down roguelikes, as it offers an engaging experience with increasing difficulty and excitement as you progress through the levels.
    • I appreciate the tactical elements in the game, which make it enjoyable to think strategically about how to use the available tools and mechanics.
    • I feel frustrated by how easy it is to die and lose all progress, forcing me to start over with a random seed and losing the gear I liked from previous runs.
    • I find it really annoying to have to replay the early levels, especially because of the flies, which make the experience tedious and repetitive.
    • I dislike that the game doesn't always explain what pick-ups do, requiring me to look up information externally, which breaks immersion and feels inconvenient.
    • I think the game is okay overall, but it becomes dull over time, and the more I play, the less I want to continue.
    • I feel that the game might have been more enjoyable at its launch in 2011, but now it feels outdated and less engaging compared to newer titles.

Negative

I really enjoyed it back in the days, but this one doesn´t feel very good anymore. Rebirth is just so much more polished, feels much less clunky and is just a more expanded, modern and enjoyable experience. It was a great game back then, but got improved massively in the newer rendition.

  • Sentiments

    • I really enjoyed the game back in the days, which gives me a sense of nostalgia and fond memories.
    • This version of the game doesn't feel very good anymore, which makes me feel disappointed compared to my past experience.
    • Rebirth feels much more polished, which gives me a sense of satisfaction and appreciation for the improvements.
    • The game feels much less clunky now, which makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable for me.
    • Rebirth is a more expanded version, which makes me feel like I’m getting a richer and more complete experience.
    • The newer rendition feels more modern, which aligns with my expectations for current gaming standards.
    • The newer version is a more enjoyable experience overall, which makes me feel more engaged and satisfied.
    • The game was great back then, which makes me appreciate its legacy and impact at the time.
    • The newer rendition has improved massively, which makes me feel like the developers put in significant effort to enhance the game.

Negative

For the time this game came out, it was very impressive, and its creation led to Rebirth and its DLCs, which are some of my favorite gaming experiences ever. With all that said, this game is really fucking bad. The bullet speed is way too fast, it lags as soon as there's two (2) enemies on screen, and the so-called "Hard Mode" is just an excuse to make the player sit through bullshit attack patterns that are borderline undodgeable unless you have flight or orbitals. There is literally only one thing about this Hard Mode that I think is interesting, which is the fact that you get a lot more eternal hearts due to bosses frequently being their eternal variants. I think it adds an interesting element of strategy and rewards you for playing the mode. Unfortunately, this reward is ripped out of you as soon as you run into a room with more than one eternal enemy. Great! Winning or losing a run comes down to whether you run into Book of Shadows, Guppy's Paw or a health generating item like The Relic or Book of Revelations, regardless of what else you have, making it much less of an actually skill-based experience than Rebirth (and subsequent versions). Cool for historical purposes and the influence it had, but going back to it, it's insane to think that this is what people sunk hundreds of hours into at one point.

  • Sentiments

    • I find it impressive that this game, for the time it came out, led to the creation of Rebirth and its DLCs, which are some of my favorite gaming experiences ever.
    • I think this game is really fucking bad, with bullet speed that is way too fast and lagging issues as soon as there are two enemies on screen.
    • I feel that the so-called 'Hard Mode' is just an excuse to make the player sit through bullshit attack patterns that are borderline undodgeable unless you have flight or orbitals.
    • I appreciate the interesting element of strategy in Hard Mode, where you get more eternal hearts due to bosses frequently being their eternal variants.
    • I am frustrated that the reward of eternal hearts is ripped away as soon as you run into a room with more than one eternal enemy.
    • I believe that winning or losing a run comes down to whether you find specific items like Book of Shadows, Guppy's Paw, or health-generating items, making it less skill-based than Rebirth.
    • I think this game is cool for historical purposes and the influence it had on subsequent versions.
    • I find it insane to think that people sunk hundreds of hours into this game at one point, given its flaws.

Negative

البعض إذا شاهد رجل في الشارع بسروال قصير سيقولن عنه مجنون لا يستحي كيف يخرج هكذا أمام الناس ولكن نفس الشخص إذا صعد على المسرح بكلسون أبو خط وأبرز مؤخرته سيقولون عنه وحش بطل رفعت رؤسنا بعظلاتك و مؤخرتك من المجنون هنا ..!!

  • Sentiments

    • I feel that the review highlights a double standard in society, where certain behaviors are judged differently based on context, which is frustrating and unfair.
    • I notice a sense of irony in how people react differently to similar actions depending on the setting, which makes me question societal norms.
    • I find the comparison between a man wearing shorts in public and someone showing their buttocks on stage to be thought-provoking and critical of societal hypocrisy.
    • I sense a tone of sarcasm in the review, particularly when it questions who the real 'crazy' person is in these scenarios.
    • I feel that the review criticizes the way society glorifies certain actions on stage while shaming similar actions in everyday life.
    • I observe that the review uses humor to point out the absurdity of societal judgments, which makes it engaging and relatable.
    • I think the review effectively challenges the reader to reflect on their own biases and judgments, which is a powerful message.
    • I feel that the review expresses frustration with how people are quick to label others as 'crazy' without considering the context or their own behavior.
    • I notice that the review uses a rhetorical question to emphasize its point, which adds depth and encourages critical thinking.
    • I sense that the review is trying to provoke a reaction by contrasting two seemingly similar situations with vastly different societal responses.

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