Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness

Made in Abyss: Binary Star offers a unique challenge that's worth trying, but it needs some quality-of-life improvements to be worth paying full price.

68%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

85% User Score Based on 1,334 reviews

Critic Score 57%Based on 19 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $17.99

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About

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness is an action RPG set in the grim world of the Made in Abyss anime and manga. Players will create their own character and descend into the deadly abyss, facing off against monstrous creatures and making difficult decisions that will impact the story. With beautiful hand-drawn art and a haunting original soundtrack, this game is a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness screenshot

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,353 reviews

story116 positive mentions

stability72 negative mentions

Captures the essence of the Made in Abyss universe, providing a unique exploration experience.
The game features a variety of environments and creatures, making exploration engaging and rewarding.
The original story in Deep in Abyss mode offers new content and character interactions for fans of the series.

The game suffers from clunky controls and a poorly designed inventory system, making gameplay tedious.
Hello Abyss mode is a long, unskippable tutorial that does not effectively prepare players for the main game.
Infinite enemy respawns and low weapon durability create frustrating gameplay experiences.

story
890 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
79%
8%
The game's story is divided into two modes: "Hello Abyss," which serves as a brief and linear retelling of the anime's first season, and "Deep in Abyss," which introduces an original narrative featuring a custom character. While the latter offers more engaging gameplay and exploration, many players feel that the initial story mode is tedious and lacks depth, often feeling like a chore to get through before reaching the more enjoyable content. Overall, fans of the anime may appreciate the world-building and character interactions, but the execution of the story leaves much to be desired, with complaints about pacing, character development, and repetitive quests.
- “You will feel immersed in the story and feel like an actual cave raider.”
- “The exploration, the story, the art, all of it is magnificent as a fan of the original story.”
- “The story is even supervised by the creator of the manga, Akihito Tsukushi himself!”
- “The story mode is boring but it goes by fast.”
- “The gameplay is painful and clunky, and the story mode barely gets to episode 3 of the anime.”
- “It's unfortunate that riko's story isn't given more justice, but the game's original story is the real, actually interesting, and good, new content.”
gameplay
488 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
65%
14%
The gameplay of "Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its clunky controls, repetitive mechanics, and frustrating survival elements. While some appreciate the core gameplay loop of exploration and resource management, others criticize the lack of depth and the tedious nature of certain mechanics, such as the curse of the abyss and weapon durability. Overall, the game offers a challenging experience that may appeal to fans of the anime, but it is marred by technical issues and design flaws that detract from its potential.
- “The gameplay loop of exploring further and further into the abyss collecting relics to sell back at the surface is addicting, and each time you descend you take on more risks until you inevitably bite off more than you can chew.”
- “The fundamental gameplay loop of delving, exploring, treasure hunting, and trying to survive the ascent to cash in your haul and upgrade your gear for the next sortie is incredibly satisfying, especially when your well-laid plans inevitably go awry on the way up and you're forced to think on your feet.”
- “This game however does survival in the abyss very very well, it's probably the most I've ever enjoyed a survival mechanic.”
- “I tried with this game, I really did, but it feels poorly designed and honestly in dire need of updates that never came for quality of life. The story, gameplay, etc. all just feels like it almost could have been good but it honestly falls flat in most areas. I love the anime and manga, but this just really, so far in my playthrough, took me to a point of exhaustion and time better spent elsewhere.”
- “The gameplay is painful and clunky, and the story mode barely gets to episode 3 of the anime.”
- “There is no way I can compile on a short review how much this game is broken or is not properly done: bad economy system, dull souls-like fight mechanics that feel extremely simple, tremendous item and mechanic restraints everywhere, some of which could be easily fixable... and many, many more, all of this that leave a truly frustrating game.”
graphics
263 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
59%
19%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated, often likening them to early PS3 or even PS2 quality. While some appreciate the art style as fitting for the anime's aesthetic, others criticize the visuals as subpar for a 2022 release, suggesting that the game could have benefited from more development time. Despite the graphical shortcomings, some players find the unique environments and overall atmosphere engaging, particularly for fans of the "Made in Abyss" franchise.
- “I really don't mind the graphics; I mean you can still appreciate the scenery of each layer being unique and baffling.”
- “The graphics are spot-on for the art from the anime, and the world is just as terrifying and brutal as you'd expect.”
- “I was absolutely stunned at times when entering a new area and seeing what lay ahead, which really goes to show how well the game fosters the atmosphere, dread, and wonder of exploring deep into the abyss, even with its simple visuals.”
- “The game play sucks, the writing is sub par but serviceable, the graphics are atrocious for the modern day and age, the AI is dated, and it's a bugfest with loads of jank.”
- “Every time you feel like you're close to finally feasting your eyes on something exciting, you're instead met with drab visuals, comically bad camera work, rushed animations and a frankly stunning lack of graphical detail for a game released in 2022.”
- “The graphics look like a PS2 game which I don't care; the game is fun, but people are complaining about it costing $60.”
music
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
68%
7%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to set the mood and create an immersive atmosphere, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking the emotional depth of the original anime's soundtrack by Kevin Penkin. Many players express disappointment that the game does not feature Penkin's music, leading some to prefer using mods to replace the in-game tracks with the anime's score. Overall, while the soundtrack has its moments, it often feels generic and fails to capture the unique charm of the source material.
- “The soundtrack is very good, it sets the mood well.”
- “The music, omg the music! If you like the Made in Abyss soundtrack, you will love this one. I cannot stress this enough, the music in this game is so goddamn beautiful.”
- “The locations are beautiful and varied whilst the soundtrack gives off an ethereal vibe - the abyss has the perfect combo of awe and horror.”
- “I'm kinda bummed about the music though, it feels like this game's OST took the skin off of Kevin Penkin's soundtrack and is now wearing it like a bad Halloween mask.”
- “The soundtrack is all over the place; it's composed of short tracks which don't really fit the environment, and since they quickly loop, they become annoying.”
- “While trying to copy the sound of Kevin Penkin (composer of the music for the anime), it completely misses the mark and often struggles to set a mood; it also feels very repetitive after some hours of game time.”
stability
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
3%
95%
The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and unpolished mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the game's challenges despite these issues, many agree that it feels unfinished and can be frustrating to navigate. Overall, the consensus is that the game is a "buggy mess," often likened to a beta build, which may deter potential players unless they are fans of the source material.
- “The whole game feels buggy and unfinished, in an old-school Obsidian kind of way.”
- “This game is a buggy mess of garbage.”
- “I'm gonna keep this short and sweet: the game is full of softlocks just as a side effect of the design, not through glitches, but just through the game deciding you weren't 'prepared' enough, but also limits your inventory to the point where bringing the needed tools means you can't bring any treasure back from exploring.”
grinding
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it addictive and reminiscent of classic RPGs, many others describe it as tedious, repetitive, and poorly designed. The need for extensive grinding to progress, particularly in crafting and leveling, can lead to frustration, especially when combined with issues like weak weapon drops and clunky controls. Overall, enjoyment of the grinding largely depends on the player's tolerance for grind-heavy gameplay and their appreciation for the game's story and exploration elements.
- “It's tedious and boring.”
- “There is no endgame context except grinding, so experiences may vary in length.”
- “This game is not 'hard', it's just so riddled with bad designs that it becomes very tedious.”
emotional
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth and impact, with many reviewers noting that the poorly animated cutscenes fail to convey the story's intended feelings. While some moments evoke genuine sadness, particularly during specific fights, the overall character development and emotional ties are deemed insufficient, leading to a bland experience that pales in comparison to the source material. The game struggles to balance humor and heartfelt moments, resulting in forgettable minor characters and missed opportunities for emotional resonance.
- “Reaching the seeker camp made me want to cry from how sad one of the fights was, and the cutscenes did not do the story justice.”
- “The game works the fine line between humor, cute, serious, and heartfelt very well.”
- “Tiare's feels lacking but the emotional impact was noticeable.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ability to capture the mysterious and dangerous essence of the abyss, effectively immersing players in a world that evokes both dread and wonder. Despite some criticisms regarding graphics and claustrophobic elements, the art direction, music, and interconnected gameplay systems contribute to a compelling experience that encourages exploration and resource management. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game engaging and worth the investment of time.
- “Getting to experience parts of the abyss that we never see in the show was incredible, and when the atmosphere hits, it hits hard.”
- “Another notable mention is that despite the game’s PS3-ish graphics, each map and area has an overabundance of the mysterious, alluring, and dangerous atmosphere as is mentioned in the anime and manga.”
- “I was absolutely stunned at times when entering a new area and seeing what lay ahead, which really goes to show how well the game fosters the atmosphere, dread, and wonder of exploring deep into the abyss, even with its simple visuals.”
- “If the idea was to make it seem claustrophobic, good job, but it makes the atmosphere terrible.”
- “While this game is well made in some aspects like music and atmosphere.”
- “Another notable mention is despite the game’s PS3-ish graphics, each map and area has an overabundance of the mysterious, alluring, and dangerous atmosphere as is mentioned in the anime and manga.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of amusing moments and frustrating glitches, with players finding the absurdity of the mechanics and NPC behaviors entertaining despite the game's challenges. While some aspects, like repetitive voice lines, can be annoying, they often become funnier over time, contributing to a unique comedic experience. Overall, the humor is appreciated, even if it stems from the game's bugs and difficulties.
- “Pretty funny and challenging if you are willing to give it a go; it is buggy and can be unfathomably unnecessarily ridiculously hard sometimes, but god does it help the experience.”
- “One thing you will find very early on is that anytime you pick something up, they will say something generic which was annoying at first but really funny the more I played (but that might have just been because I was happy to finally do something other than suffer).”
- “Allied NPCs also tend to do funny things at times due to how their AIs work.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting glitchy performance and notable frame drops that detract from the experience. Graphics are described as outdated, resembling PS2 to early PS3 quality, and overall performance is deemed mediocre at best. Many players feel there are significantly better-optimized games available for a similar time investment.
- “First off is graphics and performance.”
- “The game is not pretty; it has good PS2 to bad PS3 graphics at best, and the performance is mediocre.”
- “It's glitchy, unpolished, the performance ranges from acceptable to kinda awful in some areas. There were notable frame drops in several areas that weren't shockingly bad, but still jarring when you consider this game is not exactly pushing technological boundaries.”
- “The game is not pretty; it has graphics that range from good PS2 to bad PS3 at best, and the performance is mediocre.”
- “Despite making a good effort to adapt the series' best attributes, its gameplay, short story, and poor performance greatly hinder the overall experience.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while the abyss offers countless expeditions and hidden secrets that encourage exploration, there are no additional gameplay elements like new game plus or collectible mechanics to enhance the experience. Some players appreciate the lack of traditional collectibles, but others feel that the absence of lore-rich items detracts from the overall depth and liveliness of the game world.
- “It was perfect, the entire experience was just marvelous from the start. The replayability is on point, with countless expeditions that can be made and the wonderful, nostalgic many layers of the abyss.”
- “Replayability: the abyss itself is a great replayable device, with lots of secrets hidden everywhere. The absence of typical collection mechanics is a boon, allowing for a more organic exploration experience.”
- “The replayability is impressive, as each journey through the abyss reveals new layers and surprises, making every playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- “There are no additional gameplay elements for replayability, no new game plus, and no interesting late-game relics other than making big numbers go up.”
- “There are no additional gameplay elements for replayability, no new game plus, and no interesting late-game relics other than making big numbers go up.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
While the game features impressive visuals and character design, reviewers note that character development is significantly lacking, despite the story's potential. The simplistic environmental art further detracts from the overall experience.
- “The character design is pretty neat, but the environmental art and backgrounds look too simplistic.”
- “The story has good potential, but character development is very much lacking.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing disappointment over the short and unsatisfying main story campaign that feels more like a tutorial than a substantial experience. Despite appreciation for the setting and anime, the overall impression is that the game prioritizes profit over quality.
- “Awful blatant cash grab.”
- “So, as much as I liked the setting and the anime itself, the game just seems like a horribly messy console port cash grab on first glance.”
- “- The 'main story' campaign (you know, the one that was the subject of maybe 95% of the advertising material) is literally a short tutorial, ending with the party leaving Ozen.”