Binary Domain

I would heartily recommended people to buy this game, as games which mentally engage you to such extent with satisfying combat mechanics are quite rare.

80%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

84% User Score Based on 3,972 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 5 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $2.42

Buy NowGet on Steam€14.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

"Binary Domain" is a squad-based shooter set in a futuristic Tokyo, 2080, where you must regain control from an emerging robotic threat. The game features a consequence system where every action and choice affects the story, and procedural damage that adapts to the damage robots sustain. Explore the dual-layered Tokyo and build trust with your teammates to succeed in this immersive and atmospheric experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+16

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,977 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

grinding49 negative mentions

Engaging story with interesting characters and multiple endings based on player choices.
Satisfying combat mechanics, especially the ability to shoot off robot limbs, which affects their behavior.
Fun and humorous dialogue that adds charm to the overall experience.

Poor PC port with clunky controls and a confusing configuration process for settings.
Voice command system is unreliable and often misinterprets commands, detracting from gameplay.
Some boss fights are frustratingly long and feel like bullet sponges, leading to tedious encounters.

story
2,600 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
50%
4%
The story of "Binary Domain" is a compelling blend of sci-fi themes, particularly focusing on the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and robotics, reminiscent of classics like "Blade Runner" and "I, Robot." Players navigate a narrative filled with engaging characters, unexpected plot twists, and a trust system that influences story outcomes, making it more than just a typical shooter. While some elements may feel clichéd or predictable, the overall execution and character interactions keep the experience entertaining and thought-provoking.
- “The story is a fun time, dumb but entertaining cutscenes with some funny dialogue and good set pieces, apparently the Yakuza developers made this game and it shows with its Japanese influence in some of the scenes, main plot focused on the presence of AI and how it affects the human race, very prevalent when playing today and has a few twists and turns in the story.”
- “Binary Domain is a captivating experience that blends compelling storytelling with satisfying gameplay.”
- “The story explores themes of AI ethics and what it means to be human, adding emotional depth to the action-packed gameplay.”
- “The story revolves around a topic that has been done to death, which is the whole AI versus human life conflict.”
- “However, the game's plot may seem convoluted.”
- “The story is bland and tedious.”
gameplay
1,265 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
55%
7%
The gameplay of "Binary Domain" is characterized by its solid third-person cover shooting mechanics, reminiscent of titles like "Gears of War," combined with unique features such as a dismemberment system for robotic enemies and a trust mechanic that influences squad dynamics and story outcomes. While the core shooting mechanics are generally satisfying, some players noted issues with clunky controls, particularly when using a mouse and keyboard, and the voice command feature was often criticized for being unreliable. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience with a mix of action, humor, and a compelling narrative, though it can feel repetitive at times.
- “The squad-based gameplay shines through its dynamic interactions with team members.”
- “The combat is satisfying, with fluid mechanics and a wide range of futuristic weapons.”
- “Binary Domain is a hidden gem in the realm of third-person shooters, offering a surprisingly deep narrative, robust gameplay mechanics, and a unique spin on player interaction.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are repetitive, but the weapons, in particular the shotgun, are satisfying to use; wish there were more of them though in terms of not just lead throwers, some sci-fi beam and laser weapons would have been a cool addition.”
- “The gameplay is a bit repetitive and sometimes frustrating; the dialogue is kind of cringe, but there's some good stuff in here.”
- “The gameplay is standard for the genre, but the voice acting and atmosphere is really great in this TPS.”
graphics
564 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
45%
6%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not groundbreaking, they are solid and visually appealing for a title released in 2012. The art style, particularly in character and robot design, is often praised, and some players find the visuals to hold up well even today. However, there are also criticisms regarding dated textures and inconsistent quality, particularly in environments, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The graphics in the game are pretty gorgeous and it paints a dystopian picture of the future which perfectly captures whatever vision the developers were trying to drive home.”
- “The visuals are really impressive for a game from 2012, especially the faces, highlighting the fact that professional texture work means more than a high polygon count or other 'brute force' approaches.”
- “The graphics are amazing considering the game was released in 2012.”
- “The visuals are bland and fail to capitalize on the futuristic premise.”
- “With a lackluster storyline, clunky gameplay, uninspired graphics, and numerous technical issues, the game feels like a missed opportunity.”
- “The graphics are outdated even for a game from 2012, the controls on PC are horrible with no way to turn down the sensitivity, for mouse or controller.”
humor
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a mix of campy dialogue, quirky character interactions, and absurd situations that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of early 2000s action games. Players appreciate the light-hearted, often silly tone, with many finding the writing and voice acting genuinely funny, despite some moments being cringeworthy or overly cheesy. Overall, the humor adds a layer of enjoyment to the gameplay, making it a memorable experience for those who embrace its quirky charm.
- “The story is a fun time, dumb but entertaining cutscenes with some funny dialogue and good set pieces. Apparently, the Yakuza developers made this game, and it shows with its Japanese influence in some of the scenes.”
- “Shooting body parts off cyborgs has never been more enjoyable, and the dark humor between the cast is just the icing on the cake.”
- “The voice acting is perfectly cheesy for the kind of action movie vibe the game is going for, and lots of lines of dialogue actually made me laugh out loud.”
- “The humor is too cringey; the dialogue feels straight out of a bad 80s movie, and the gameplay might have felt good at release, but is now showing its age too much.”
- “It pushes me out of the game, making me feel like a jackass instead of deepening the relationship I might have with the characters, who are uncool, unfunny, and often mentally challenged based on their actions.”
- “The characters were all so unlikeable that there was nothing redeeming about them after all the nagging, complaining, useless dialogue, boring backstories, and unfunny quips.”
music
151 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
49%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and action, particularly during boss fights, while others criticize the mixing issues that sometimes drown out dialogue. The soundtrack is described as fitting and engaging, though some find it generic and repetitive, lacking variety. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's experience, technical issues and volume control limitations detract from its potential impact.
- “The script emphasizes tactical sequences, but the soundtrack composed by Mitsuharu Fukuyama jazzes up a futuristic atmosphere into the boss fight scenes.”
- “When you need to be hyped up, the music hypes you up; when you need to be shocked, the music shocks you; and when something sad happens, the music saddens you.”
- “The music is one of the best I've heard in a video game so far; it's up there with the OST of the original Unreal, System Shock 2, Deus Ex, or Far Cry: Blood Dragon.”
- “Mixing is weird in this game; sometimes the music drowns out dialogue, and sometimes the opposite.”
- “The audio in cutscenes is poorly balanced, with the dialogue being drowned out by the music.”
- “Not being able to mute the music is a major pain considering how bad it is.”
optimization
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
53%
13%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and good graphics, particularly on consoles and the Steam Deck, while others criticize the PC port for poor controller support, clunky controls, and various performance issues like stuttering and frame drops. Many users noted that the game is better suited for console play, and while some updates have improved performance, significant optimization challenges remain, especially for keyboard and mouse users. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a point of contention, with a divide between those who find it well-optimized and those who experience frustrating issues.
- “The optimization is great and the length is about 7 hours on normal difficulty.”
- “Good optimization and good story.”
- “Amazingly well optimized!”
- “Combat, game mechanics, and everything else are clearly optimized for consoles and for a game controller, and not for keyboard and mouse.”
- “It's a third-person shooter like Dead Space, but the graphics optimization is awful; crazy lag, screen tears, and sudden FPS drops moving from zone to zone.”
- “The moment you start playing the game seems like a weird, broken mess with very ugly graphics and PC controls/optimization that is downright horrible.”
replayability
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
12%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the chapter select feature, multiple endings, and squad dynamics that encourage different playthroughs. However, many reviewers noted that the overall length and limited impact of choices on the narrative diminish its replay value, leading to a consensus that while there are elements that support replayability, it may not be compelling enough for repeated playthroughs. Overall, the game offers some replay potential, particularly through character interactions and difficulty settings, but many feel it lacks significant depth to warrant extensive revisits.
- “This dynamic adds a refreshing layer of depth and replayability, making you think twice before issuing commands or making decisions.”
- “Four difficulty settings and multiple endings depending on how you interact with the squad give it plenty of replay value.”
- “The trust system alone is a great incentive for replayability, and makes for a compelling story that shifts with the player's decisions.”
- “I beat it under 10 hours, and I didn't find any replay value out of it.”
- “However, there is no replay value.”
- “The campaign takes about 6-8 hours to beat, it has little replay value other than to do it with different companions.”
grinding
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
2%
94%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly during boss fights that often feel like prolonged bullet sponges. While the shooting mechanics are enjoyable and the variety of enemies adds some excitement, many encounters and gameplay sequences become repetitive and monotonous, leading to a sense of grind that detracts from the overall experience. The need for grinding to achieve better endings or upgrades further compounds the feeling of tedium throughout the game.
- “The highlight of the game is definitely the shooting parts! Shooting robots in this game can be quite fun and satisfying, blowing off each individual part, de-limbing robots, and seeing scrap go everywhere—so much that your FPS tanks after an explosion. The good robot variety keeps the encounters varied and not too tedious to go through.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The no mercy mode is not fun at all; it's tedious and frustrating.”
- “Both of these tie in very well with the plot and universe, adding a replay value to the game, albeit requiring planning and some grinding to get the best result possible.”
- “The design for each of the bosses is cool, but in most situations, the difficulty only 'ramps up' because you're given incredibly tedious and repetitive tasks while placed in an environment that seriously hinders your ability to move and kill them.”
stability
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
2%
86%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Issues include mouse control malfunctions, AI problems, and a buggy voice recognition system, leading to a frustrating experience, especially during critical moments like boss fights. While some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, the overall consensus highlights a need for troubleshooting and a generally unstable gaming experience.
- “For its age, it still looks and runs great.”
- “The game is quite long, low file size, runs great for people with kind of bad computers.”
- “It runs great on my mediocre laptop, even with the plethora of gigantic explosions and machine parts flying everywhere.”
- “Players encounter frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches, which severely impact the overall gaming experience.”
- “Throughout my 9 hours, I experienced no fewer than 8 hard crashes (half of them in chapter 3 alone), as well as regular freezes and audio glitches.”
- “Rubbish controls that make your mouse feel like it's superglued to the mousepad, game-killing glitches (I never could load past chapter 4 for some strange reason), rubbish AI who runs directly in front of your line of fire (then gets upset at you for shooting them), as well as other frustrating game flaws.”
character development
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
63%
9%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth and the impact of dialogue choices on relationships, while others criticize it for being rushed, predictable, and reliant on stereotypes. Notably, the character arcs, particularly that of Dan and Faye, are seen as unconvincing and lacking proper setup, though some players appreciate the cultural diversity and attempts at meaningful storytelling. Overall, while there are moments of strong character development, inconsistencies and clichéd elements detract from the experience for many reviewers.
- “The in-game dialogue may be beneficial for character development and even has actual consequences, since team members who dislike you due to the answers you've given them eventually won't obey your orders anymore.”
- “The game does a solid effort at storytelling and character development.”
- “Although the beginning can be considered slow, it becomes extremely epic later on with awesome character development and awesome boss fights.”
- “As a result, Dan is the only one who gets character development, but that comes across as rushed and hasty because his development revolves around Faye, whose sub-plots are also rushed and hasty like a cartoon: her relationship with Dan is utterly unconvincing as it develops so fast and easily; her later wavering stance is even worse for lacking serious setups to back it up.”
- “Character development and story development for the characters is just bad.”
- “Attempts at character development are atrocious at best.”
emotional
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotionally engaging narrative, featuring well-paced storytelling with unexpected twists and heartfelt character moments that resonate with players. The strong voice acting and sound design enhance the emotional atmosphere, while themes of AI ethics and human connection add depth to the experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the execution of romantic elements, many players find the story to be touching and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the action genre.
- “The narrative is well-paced and keeps players invested with unexpected twists and emotional character moments.”
- “The camaraderie among your team feels genuine, and the emotional moments hit harder because of it.”
- “The story explores themes of AI ethics and what it means to be human, adding emotional depth to the action-packed gameplay.”
atmosphere
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
19%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging sound design, futuristic setting, and strong character interactions, which collectively create a captivating experience. The soundtrack enhances the gameplay, particularly during intense boss fights, while the visual design of cityscapes and robotic elements adds depth to the world. Despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance and narrative elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the genre.
- “The sound design, from the mechanical whirrs of enemies to the emotional voice acting, complements the atmosphere.”
- “The futuristic cityscapes, diverse environments, and intricate robotic designs are visually striking, creating a believable and atmospheric setting.”
- “Great atmosphere and a beautiful story; it reminds me of something like 'Terminator + I, Robot + Blade Runner.'”
- “Thing is, in many games, either the task that the characters are to complete is too big and serious, or the overall atmosphere of the world is too gloomy, and having fun just doesn't fit.”
- “If not for story and atmosphere it could be a decent shooter, but with good wrap -- it is definitely recommended to walkthrough.”
- “Sadly overlooked gem that provides a magnificently crafted sci-fi blockbuster atmosphere in a way that feels like a classic game transported directly to the 21st century.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized due to a lack of advertising, which contributed to its commercial failure despite its potential. Players express frustration over intrusive ads during gameplay, which disrupts the experience, while also acknowledging the industry's trend towards microtransactions and short campaigns that cater to broader audience preferences. Overall, the game's poor marketing and monetization strategy are seen as significant factors in its underperformance.
- “As much as a few people complain about microtransactions and short campaigns, the focus on multiplayer is what the majority of players want at the end of the day.”
- “We often criticize titles for lacking story modes, single-player content, DLC, and microtransactions, yet we only recognize the real gems when we find them for a few euros long after their release.”
- “It's a shame that this game was a commercial failure; from what I understand, there was no advertising at all when it came out, and most people don't even know this game exists.”
- “It's not fun to face a strong enemy with a bunch of ads that can constantly knock you out of cover for 3-5 seconds while your character is staggered.”
- “As much as a few people complain about microtransactions and short campaigns, at the end of the day this is what the majority out there wants.”
- “I really hate that this game hasn't got the advertisement it deserved (thanks Sega!).”

74%Critics’ scoreBased on 5 critic reviews

Buy Binary Domain

9h Median play time

8h Average play time

9h Main story

19h Completionist

6-10h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 28 analyzed playthroughs

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