Binary Domain

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,576 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Binary Domain Game Cover
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"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.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,576 reviews
story438 positive mentions
grinding22 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting twists and character development.
  • Satisfying combat mechanics, allowing for dismemberment of robot enemies.
  • Unique voice command system that adds a layer of interaction with squadmates.
  • Poorly executed PC port with clunky controls and inconsistent key bindings.
  • Voice recognition feature is unreliable and often frustrating.
  • AI teammates can be annoying, frequently getting in the player's line of fire.
  • story924 mentions

    The story of "Binary Domain" is widely praised for its engaging narrative set in a futuristic world where humans confront sentient robots, exploring themes of AI ethics and what it means to be human. Players appreciate the well-developed characters, unexpected plot twists, and the impact of choices on the storyline, although some find the dialogue and certain plot elements clichéd or cheesy. Overall, the game is recognized as a hidden gem with a compelling story that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “Binary Domain is an underrated third-person sci-fi shooter that offers a gripping story set in a futuristic world where humans face off against human-like robots.”
    • “The story explores themes of AI ethics and what it means to be human, adding emotional depth to the action-packed gameplay.”
    • “An incredible lost gem, the story is really good and delves into the AI topic really well, being very unique in its proposal. The characters are interesting and make very good companions, discussing situations in an interesting way.”
    • “The story takes a while picking up the pace and for the most part, you'll find yourself trying to infiltrate Amada Corp.”
    • “The story was painful to sit through.”
    • “The story is kind of horrifying as well as completely nonsensical in its approach.”
  • gameplay468 mentions

    The gameplay of "Binary Domain" is characterized by its solid cover-based shooting mechanics, reminiscent of the "Gears of War" series, combined with unique features like a dismemberment system and a trust mechanic for squad interactions. While the combat is generally satisfying and engaging, some players find the AI and voice command features lacking, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, the game offers a mix of thrilling action and strategic elements, though it can feel repetitive and occasionally clunky.

    • “The gameplay primarily switches between cover shooter and rail shooter with some quick time events thrown in between, which are all pretty exhilarating.”
    • “The core gameplay consists of destroying robots in a cyber dystopian future Japan, and the shooting mechanics are solid, with robots exploding in satisfying ways.”
    • “With its engaging gameplay mechanics, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes, Binary Domain delivers a thrilling sci-fi experience that stands out in the genre.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics, while attempting to mimic successful third-person shooters, feel clunky and unpolished.”
    • “Dull generic gameplay and feeble, out-of-date graphics meant I got bored with this game very quickly and felt absolutely zero motivation to jump back in.”
    • “The shooting and cover-based mechanics are pretty much identical to Gears of War, which is a bad thing to me because I always found the Gears of War gameplay dull, boring, repetitive, and that gameplay translates over to Binary Domain.”
  • graphics197 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive visuals for a title released in 2012, particularly highlighting the detailed character models and well-executed cutscenes. However, some critics noted that the graphics can appear dated and inconsistent, with certain textures and environments lacking polish. Overall, while the game showcases solid artistic direction and maintains a decent level of quality, it does not push the boundaries of modern graphical standards.

    • “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 still impressive, even to this day.”
    • “It was released in 2012 for PS3 and Xbox 360, so the graphics are dated.”
    • “The visuals are bland and fail to capitalize on the futuristic premise.”
    • “Dull generic gameplay and feeble, out-of-date graphics meant I got bored with this game very quickly and felt absolutely zero motivation to jump back in.”
  • humor93 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, funny dialogue, and engaging character interactions, often drawing comparisons to early 2010s action movies and Japanese humor styles. Players appreciate the mix of dark humor, cheesy one-liners, and absurd situations, which contribute to an overall entertaining experience despite the game's flaws. While some find the humor hit-or-miss, many agree that it adds a significant charm and enjoyment to the gameplay.

    • “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 humor has me laughing throughout the entire experience.”
    • “The writing is well done too, some genuine moments of humor and charm between the characters; some unexpected depth as well, but without delving into anime-style overwrought philosophizing.”
    • “The characters are clichés who have mostly decent actors delivering cringe-worthy and unfunny dialogue.”
    • “The characters were so unlikeable that there was nothing redeeming about them after all the nagging, complaining, useless dialogue, boring backstories, and unfunny quips.”
  • music62 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its engaging and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. However, several users noted issues with the volume levels, stating that the music is often too quiet or overshadowed by sound effects, and some expressed frustration over the lack of options to adjust or mute the music. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered enjoyable and complements the game's atmosphere, it is marred by technical shortcomings in audio settings.

    • “But apart from the various, beautiful soundtracks, the silence can be indicative of an impending encounter and the whirring, clanking, and tapping of machine parts are distinct enough to tell you what you're facing without you ever needing to see the enemy for yourself.”
    • “The soundtrack is edgy and engaging, fitting in well with the atmosphere of the gameplay.”
    • “The music is done nicely and fits every zone, boss encounter, or other elements within the game.”
    • “The music is very quiet for some reason.”
    • “Irritating unstoppable music during the intensive action gameplay sequences.”
    • “Not being able to mute music is a major pain considering how bad it is.”
  • replayability28 mentions

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the multiple difficulty settings, branching narratives, and trust system that allow for different character interactions and endings, enhancing the overall experience. However, others find the game too short and lacking in substantial replay value, suggesting that while there are options for varied playthroughs, the impact of choices may not be significant enough to warrant multiple runs. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some highlighting high replay potential and others deeming it low.

    • “I can definitely see it having replay value from the multiple times you can change the party setup as it changes the dialogue that happens and who leaves with who.”
    • “Four difficulty settings and multiple endings depending on how you interact with the squad give it plenty of replay value.”
    • “Furthermore, Binary Domain offers replayability through its branching narrative and multiple endings, encouraging players to revisit the game and explore different choices and outcomes.”
    • “I beat it under 10 hours, and I didn't find any replay value out of it.”
    • “The only gripe I have is that it's a little short and doesn't have much replayability.”
    • “But choices and actions don't have enough impact on the final outcome of the game to matter, and the lack of a sequel (or even talk of one) and no new game plus after completing mean that the replay value of this game is repetitive and should only be replayed if you value achievements.”
  • grinding23 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing boss fights and repetitive gameplay as monotonous and derivative. While some elements, like core shooting mechanics and enemy design, show promise, the lack of variety and the need for extensive grinding detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. Many reviews highlight that the game stretches its content thin, leading to a repetitive and uninspired gameplay loop.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The single player campaign was tedious, and the shining feature of Gears of War is the multiplayer.”
    • “Boss fights can be tedious.”
  • optimization21 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and graphics, while others criticize it for poor PC porting, clunky controls, and frequent performance issues such as stutters and crashes. Many users report difficulties with controller compatibility and overall optimization, indicating that the game may not run well on all systems. Overall, the optimization appears to be a significant drawback for many players, particularly on PC.

    • “Well optimized with a cool version of Japan and charming characters.”
    • “The graphics are great and it runs smooth (optimized).”
    • “Surprisingly well optimized as well.”
    • “Some of the third person shooter mechanics are a little clumsy and show their age; the optimization is trash, getting a controller to work is fiddly.”
    • “I'm not a big fan of games that aren't optimized to play on the medium they have been sold on; it is basically broken for PC.”
    • “A really crappy console port with poor support and optimization, broken voice support, clunky controls, and practically no graphical customization.”
  • stability21 mentions

    The game's stability is notably poor, with players reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly detract from the experience. Issues include unresponsive mouse controls, AI problems, and hard crashes, particularly in certain chapters. While some players have managed to play without major issues, the overall consensus is that the game requires considerable troubleshooting and is plagued by instability.

    • “For its age, it still looks and runs great.”
    • “It runs great on my mediocre laptop, even with the plethora of gigantic explosions and machine parts flying everywhere.”
    • “The game runs great, but that isn't saying much for its age; however, the gunplay is smooth for the most part.”
    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay itself is very buggy, walking down any kind of slope makes you fly down it at 10x speed, and the AI can't stop your friendlies from constantly walking in front of your gunfire, which results in their trust rating going down.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its exploration of AI ethics and humanity, creating a profound narrative that contrasts with its action-oriented gameplay. Players experience a range of emotions, from deep attachment to characters to discomfort over moral dilemmas, though some criticize the execution of certain emotional moments as lacking depth. Overall, the storytelling and character development resonate strongly, leaving a lasting impact on players.

    • “The story explores themes of AI ethics and what it means to be human, adding emotional depth to the action-packed gameplay.”
    • “What started as a cheesy, silly shooter totally throws an absolute emotional roller coaster at you with all its twists and turns.”
    • “This is the surprisingly touching story of a Chris Redfield lookalike, an acerbic red guard sniper, an enormous and affable black dude, two typically snotty British people, and a politely sassy (as well as supremely competent) French robo-pal.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging and immersive qualities, featuring striking futuristic cityscapes, diverse environments, and a fitting edgy soundtrack. While the story may not be groundbreaking, the game's character and set-piece design elevate the experience, making it a standout in the crowded third-person shooter genre. Overall, the atmosphere successfully blends thought-provoking themes with entertaining gameplay, creating a memorable sci-fi experience.

    • “The soundtrack is edgy and engaging, fitting in well with the atmosphere of the gameplay.”
    • “The futuristic cityscapes, diverse environments, and intricate robotic designs are visually striking, creating a believable and atmospheric setting.”
    • “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, making it hard to have fun.”
    • “If not for the story and atmosphere, it could be a decent shooter, but with a 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.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being inconsistent and rushed, particularly in the case of Dan and Faye, whose relationship lacks depth and believability. Many reviewers note that attempts at character growth feel hasty and poorly executed, leading to an unsatisfactory narrative experience. Overall, the character development is seen as a significant weakness, detracting from the overall story.

    • “Wonderful character development.”
    • “Not a tremendous amount of character development either and the trust system is predictably linked to the ending.”
    • “Character development and story development for the characters is just bad.”
    • “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 subplots 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.”
    • “Not a tremendous amount of character development either, and the trust system is predictably linked to the ending.”
    • “Attempts at character development are atrocious at best.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized for its intrusive ads, which disrupt gameplay and can lead to frustrating experiences, especially during intense combat situations. Players feel that the frequent ad interruptions negatively impact their ability to engage effectively with the game.

    • “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.”
    • “Then no matter what I tried, the triggers would work sporadically, turning automatic guns into not so automatic, and ads made me want to puke, zooming out after every shot.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
9hMain story
19hCompletionist
8-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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