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A Diversity of Roguelikes
This is a weekly column focusing on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity. Once upon a time, the "Roguelike" genre was a semi-hidden cache of secrets in gaming. Games like Rogue and NetHack were passed around from floppy to floppy, not sold in stores, not discussed in magazines, and certainly not treated as part of the same tradition as an Ultima or even a Gold Box game. Maybe it's because the genre name is just so stupid. We don't call first-person shooters "Doomlikes" or puzzle games "Tetrislikes." Unfortunately, I don't have a better term for it. Perhaps over the course of describing them in a column we can think of something. Here are the consistent attributes of the genres: it involves a series of randomly generated levels, starting hard and getting progressively more difficult. They're usually stripped-down role-playing games, where you roll a quick character, pick a class, buy a couple items, and then get killed permanently by a slime and have do it again. They're also designed for short play sessions.
'The Wrath of the Lamb' will be The Binding of Isaac's only expansion, planned for inclusion with 3DS release
Edmund McMillen anticipates a release of The Binding of Isaac's first and only expansion, "The Wrath of the Lamb," at some point in "the next 2 - 4 months." At least that's according to Mr. McMillen himself, speaking with Joystiq in an email exchange last evening. "If we land the 3DS port, it will include the expansion for sure," McMillen added. As for the planned Nintendo 3DS version, McMillen doesn't have much in the way of solid news just yet, but the project is moving along. "The only news I have on the 3DS is that it seems possible but it's still going through higher ups to make sure there won't be an issue with the 'religious' aspect," he said. And if the 3DS version doesn't work out, there are apparently other plans in the books. "If we don't land the 3DS, the publisher I'm talking to has expressed interest in other digital platforms and is currently contacting them as well about the port." Considering the game is already available on PC, Mac, and Linux, we're presuming that means ... somewhere else (XBLA, PSN, Vita, and mobiles come to mind). He also offered some details on the upcoming expansion, including the news that it will contain "about 50 percent more content." McMillen said the content comprises, "enemies, alt chapters, bosses, items, characters, challenges, new happenings and mechanics as well as a ton of other little details," and after that "nothing else" can be done with the game, "so I'll close the book on it." Which is rather fitting, considering the game's thematic inspiration, no?
The Binding of Isaac expands with 'The Wrath of the Lamb'
Tired of endlessly replaying Ed McMillen's latest title, The Binding of Isaac? You probably shouldn't be, as that's kind of the point, but there's an expansion on the way should that be the case. McMillen revealed the title of the update via Twitter, naming it "The Wrath of the Lamb," and offering roughly zero details about its content. He did note that he pulled the name from the Catholic Bible's Book of Revelations, and that "whoever wrote this part of the Bible has a profoundly epic imagination." The only info we've got so far is that it'll cost $3 and will apparently feature a whole mess of new items (over 205), including something called "trinkets" that will passively buff your character. No specific release date is given either, but it's intended to launch at some point in 2012.
McMillen: Publisher in talks with Nintendo for Binding of Isaac on 3DS
You could live through exaggerated childhood trauma ... in 3D! Responding on his FormSpring to a question about a potential 3DS port of The Binding of Isaac, co-creator Edmund McMillen revealed that "A publisher i know is currently asking Nintendo if they would be OK with Isaac on the 3DS." If Nintendo approves, he's willing to "let them port it." McMillen later said that the 3DS was the "only other system you might ever see Isaac on." Of course, acquiring Nintendo approval may be difficult considering the violent, grotesque imagery and overarching theme of infanticide.
Humble Voxatron Debut adds Gish, three other games
Once again patience pays off for the potential Humble Indie Bundle investor. The Humble Voxatron Debut -- the latest bundle packing together an Alpha version of Voxatron along with The Binding of Isaac and Blocks That Matter -- has added yet another title to its ranks: Gish. But wait, there's more! Chocolate Castle, Zen Puzzle Garden and Jasper's Journeys have also been tossed in. And, as with previous Humble bundles, if you've already paid, you can download Gish and the others for free.
Humble Voxatron Debut sweetened with Blocks that Matter, Binding of Isaac
You may not be able to muster genuine surprise at the fact that the latest Humble Bundle has been upgraded with bonus games, but we're pretty sure the delight will be real. The Humble Voxatron Debut is now a true "bundle," with The Binding of Isaac and Dream Build Play winner Blocks that Matter tossed in for all previous buyers and everyone who pays higher than the average. That's three great indie games for the price of anything. Though you're free to pay as little as you'd like, we'll remind you that this is first and foremost a charity drive. Keep that in mind when you're budgeting!
Binding of Isaac gets a big ol' Halloween update
Edmund McMillen's slightly disturbing indie dungeon crawler Binding of Isaac has been extended and expanded on this, the most spookiest of days. Don't expect any seasonal additions, however: In lieu of Jack O' Lanterns and mutant candy corn monsters, the free update features new bosses, a new playable character, an additional ending and a fifth chapter, which, in a fittingly bizarre twist, is "unlocked after 10 mom kills." Check out all the new features after the jump. The game will be updated on Steam by 3 p.m. ET today. It's probably not the scariest thing you could play today, though. If only it were as utterly horrifying as its launch trailer!
Update bound for The Binding of Isaac, demo available on Newgrounds
Edmund McMillen's biblically based body horror roguelike nightmare factory The Binding of Isaac is slated to receive a rather substantial and delightfully free update this Halloween, via Steam. THe update will provide over 20 new items, 3 new bosses, a new playable character, more achievements and a new "final chapter" for those who have already completed the game. "This final chapter should be a much bigger challenge," McMillen said in an email to fans. "Isaac will become exactly what I wanted to release but didn't have the time to finish." McMillen has also released a flash demo of the game on Newgrounds, which features two levels and contains 60-plus items and 8 possible bosses. It's good to see McMillen continue Team Meat's proud tradition of free, continual community support; we just hope he'll be able to patch out our night terrors, at some point.
The Binding of Isaac and its soundtrack available now
The Binding of Isaac, a side project by Team Meat's Edmund McMillen (Super Meat Boy) with programmer Florian Himsl (Coil, Triachnid, C word), is available now for $5 on Steam for PC and Mac. Although Super Meat Boy may have had some cheeky dark elements, Isaac comes from a more nightmarish place. As evidence of Isaac's darker tone, give a listen to "In The Beginning" from the game's soundtrack. Composed by Danny Baranowsky (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt), the soundtrack is also available now for a minimum of $0.99 and features 64 minutes of music.
Binding of Isaac dated, plush incoming
The image above kind of tells the whole story, but for you those of you on 2400 baud modems who have turned images off: Edmund McMillen's Zelda-inspired shooter/RPG/roguelike, The Binding of Isaac, will hit Steam on Sept. 28 for five dollars. Oh, and that adorable little plush? That'll be available on launch day too in Team Meat's Etsy shop. Crying hasn't been this adorable since we saw that miniature pony break its leg at the zoo!
The Binding of Isaac promoted with freaky trailer
The trailer for Edmund McMillen's The Binding of Isaac is about half gameplay footage, showing a top-down, single-screen shooter reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda. The other half is a montage of creepy puppets, screaming, and a naked man. The trailer was directed by James Id, also responsible for the legendary Super Meat Boy trailer. The trailer confirms the September release window for the Mac/PC game (a Linux version is coming "eventually"); previously, McMillen called September a "safe" estimate, and aimed for late August. Also confirming that new release window: it's pretty much the end of August right now.
The Binding of Isaac will cost $5; Steam preview page up now
Thrifty fans of roguelikes should be delighted to hear the latest on The Binding of Isaac, the current project of Super Meat Boy developer Team Meat's more artistic half, Edmund McMillen. Today, via Twitter, McMillen revealed that the game will cost $5 and that the Steam app page is now live. Oddly enough, the Steam app page contradicts previous statements that the game would launch in August, instead pegging it for September 2011. McMillen says that's "to be safe" -- the goal is still late August.
The Binding of Isaac bound for Steam this August, new screens bound for right now
Team Meat's Edmund McMillen just loosed a few more details and screenshots for his recently announced rougelike The Binding of Isaac. McMillen had previously hinted that Isaac would take some of its design cues from his "favorite game of all time," and judging by these screens, he wasn't kidding. Isaac will be a mix between roguelikes, twin-stick shooters of yore, and The Legend of Zelda. The player uses Robotron-esque controls to navigate randomly generated dungeons in a "semi RPG world" littered with power-ups and items. These items have replaced a traditional leveling system according to McMillen, and as your character progresses they will "change into a monstrous powerhouse not only in stats and abilities but also in appearance." In its current iteration, the game spans "3 chapters, 6 bosses, 36 enemy types, 4 unlockable characters and tons of dynamic happenings," however the team hopes to push those figures even higher before the game hits Steam this August. While no price-point has been set, McMillen maintains that it won't break the bank. Oh! And there are flies that poop blood at you. Sounds about right.%Gallery-128519%
First track from The Binding of Isaac soundtrack available now
Composer Danny Baranowsky (Super Meat Boy, Canabalt) has made the first track for upcoming indie game The Binding of Isaac available at the cost of "name your own price" (that means free if you're a lousy tipper). The song, "Sacrificial," is available in about every major format you could want. Announced last week, The Binding of Isaac is a side project by Edmund McMillen, one half of Team Meat, the duo that created Super Meat Boy. McMillen is working on the project with programmer Florian Himsl (Coil, Triachnid, C word) and plans to share more details about Isaac this week.
Team Meat's McMillen working on new game, The Binding of Isaac
Edmund McMillen, one half of Team Meat (the dev duo behind Super Meat Boy), has been working on a secret undertaking called The Binding of Isaac. The side project, which has nothing to do with Team Meat's next "feature length" project, finds McMillen working with programmer Florian Himsl (Coil, Triachnid, C word), and a score by Danny Baranowsky (Canabalt, Super Meat Boy, Cave Story 3D). McMillen plans to reveal release date and platforms when the title is finished in about a month. The only hints we get for now are, "It's a play on my favorite game of all time," and that it's a roguelike. He hopes to share more information next week.
