Publisher: Funforge
Designer: Edmund McMillen
Artist: Krystal Fleming
2-4 Players
Playtime: 20-60 Minutes
One of the most beloved roguelike games over the last decade or so is The Binding of Isaac. This strange little game is full of religious references, banger tunes, and creative designs. How does all of that translate to the table-top?
A Brief How To Play
Each player starts with a character card, a starting item, three loot cards, and three cents. The game progresses in turns, where players recharge their items, draw loot cards, and choose between playing a card, buying items, or attacking monsters from the central decks. Gameplay includes careful use of loot and treasure cards—ranging from resource-gaining effects to game-altering items with passive and active effects. During combat, players roll dice to defeat monsters and collect rewards.
The first to gather four souls, achieved through defeating boss monsters or fulfilling specific conditions with loot and treasure, is the winner. Players will balance cooperation and competition, as the game’s rules encourage bargaining and betrayal.
For a complete rundown of the rules, read the official rulebook here.
Pacing and Interactivity
Turns are quick in The Binding of Isaac, so the game has a nice quick flow that lends itself well to more casual players, or those who don’t want to wait around for a long time between turns. There are many interactions between the various cards, and the rulebook isn’t clear on every rule. It’s difficult to navigate when everyone is a first-time player, which is a shame because the game itself is incredibly easy to understand. If there isn’t at least one player who is comfortable with the rules, the game’s pace will take a much heavier hit than a game of this weight should. Still, watching a rules video can remedy this, and the pacing is excellent after.
There is plenty of interaction in The Binding of Isaac, as players will constantly barter and stab their opponents in the back. Players who don’t like the King-making and King-slaying elements of games like Munchkin might find themselves annoyed at how the late-game plays out, but it’s nice to have competitive card games like this have tons of opportunities for interaction. Table politics and economics play a large role in this game, and anyone who enjoys experiences like Root or Munchkin will find themselves right at home with The Binding of Isaac, even if it isn’t heavy.
Replay Value
There are tons of characters, enemies, and loot cards to keep the experience enjoyable for a long time. Like most games like this one, it will eventually wear out and players will need more, like the newly released Requiem expansion. Still, it would take at least 10 playthroughs for players to start to feel like there isn’t much more to discover, but that doesn’t mean that playing with the existing cards can’t be enjoyable. As groups play many times, metas will begin to form, and the game will become enjoyable in new ways as players try to outmaneuver and overcome their opponents, even as everyone has tons of knowledge about the value of the game’s various abilities and currencies.
If players dig The Binding of Isaac‘s lore and video games, this game’s replay value goes through the roof, as the many references will likely never get old.
Theme and Components
While some might picture aThe Binding of Isaac board game to have a board and rooms to traverse, it’s hard to imagine a game with this IP doing much better. Sure, players aren’t moving around in a pseudo-bullet hell, but they are collecting tons of loot, and taking down enemies and bosses. It’s so easy to picture these interactions happening in the video game, so The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls just works. The gameplay leans into the feel of the franchise just enough, and then the art, characters, and items finish the job. Various characters, items, and enemies have movesets and abilities that are translated incredibly well here. Fans of this game will be hooting and hollering every time they play. It’s a solid game without understanding the theme, but fans will find this game hilarious as they get exposed to new cards throughout their playthroughs.
The cards themselves are of fine quality. They don’t stand out in any way as far as thickness goes, but they do look great. The art is pulled straight from the game, with tons of flavor to go along with each effect or ability. The plastic coins feel great, and they are presented in their own rolls like you would get at the bank. The font looks great while still being easy to read, making this one accessible and pretty.
The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls Is Great For Fans Of…
Obviously, this one is here for the fans. Hardcore fans of this franchise who have 1-3 friends to play with will adore this game. It’s not exceptional from a gameplay perspective, but it does just enough to remain competent and enjoyable. Fans of Muchkin will also feel right at home here, as it is enjoyable, and sports the same strengths and weakness.
If one isn’t a fan of The Binding of Isaac or Munchkin, there isn’t too much here that feels new. It’s a fine game that can be passed on if that connection isn’t there.
