Binary Domain Review

In this summer drought of games, I decided to pick up a game that came out earlier in the year. Binary Domain wasn't particularly well reviewed nor was it a successful game actually responsible for Sega coming in under their quarterly projections. But some love for the game existed in the deep corners of the internet and so it sat in my Amazon Wish List for months. I finally pulled the trigger and bought it and I'm damn glad I did. Binary Domain tells the story of a international group of soldiers tagged 'Rust Crews' who are dispatched to investigate and destroy hostile robots. Because you see, its the future and governments and corporations have the same corrupt self interests in mind, and so the two major robotics corporations are in bed with the military as well as fighting each other for patent and legislative control. But don't worry about that, you're just a soldier going in to clean up the mess, but its those details in the story that raise this game above a simple third-person shooter. 

You enter Japan with Dan and his partner Big Bo and while the gameplay mechanics are as uninspired as any shooter these days, it immediately makes an impression with your squads karma system as well as their specific characters. To gloss over the less interesting things, the gameplay is generic but generally fun, the game introduces new wrinkles in the combat often enough to keep the shooting fresh. Enemies change often, levels provide new obstacles and boss battles are massive and take patience. There isn't anything new here but it plays well apart from the animation priority present in all Japanese developed games that slows the action down and generally feels clunky. But back to the actually amazing stuff, there are about 7 characters that you meet throughout the game that join your squad for a time or permanently. Each of them are incredibly well developed more so than any typical shooter ever even attempts and its the interactions and relationships with these characters that make the game truly standout. The writing is strong, characters have strengths and flaws that define them. Sure cheesy lines are uttered and over the top shouting and emoting are on full display her but there is still a believability that most games lack that makes Binary Domain surprisingly engaging on a story and character level. 

The story has great twists and reacts to choices you make and interactions you have with the end result being an intense and engaging story. The gameplay is nothing special but it's functional and the boss fights are fun if obvious (shoot the glowing part). But man those characters, I was speechless in the last hour of the game, characters were switching alligences defending or berating my actions, and it all felt in line with what had been established. I was truly invested by the time this game drew to a close and I haven't been able to say that with a shooter these last few years. Don't let the name Big Bo and his wisecracking "Tell ya mama I love-a" put you off there is a legitimately well written and developed character under there.  

(4 out of 5)