'Binary Domain is the sleeper hit of 2012: an engaging robot shooter packed with everything that makes a game worthwhile.'
Positive
+ Interesting story and setting, topped up with witty and great characters
+ Strong third-person cover-based shooting against tons of robots
+ Terrific and dynamic boss fights against huge enemies
+ Impressive visually, particularly facial animation and robot design
Negative
- Bosses prone to inflict redundant one-hit kills
- Core action grows repetitive but rarely boring
On paper, the type of game Binary Domain is should show that it is a generic third-person shooter with a cover-based system that sends you on a ‘killing’ spree against robots in the near future. It is that and so much more this Binary Domain, despite it going by genre standard but delivering a rock solid shooting experience along with an unexpectedly well written story and fantastic characters to boot, and a ton of shooting scrap-heads.
Binary Domain is set in the near future where the global warming has flooded most of the world, and governments have builds cities above the old cities, leaving the old ones to rot. With the advent of this changed world, the use of robots entered more needed than ever, working on the new cities building. The story takes Dan Marshall, nicknamed the Survivor for his luck, and his old comrade Bo, in a supposedly ‘covert’ mission in futuristic Japan, in search of Dr. Amada, one of the first and most important robot creator, who is suspected to have created the Hollow Children; robots that have integrated with humans without them themselves knowing, breaking the all-important Clause 21. Their mission is to apprehend the 80 year old doctor and take him back. Well, the covert mission turns out in shoot-everything-that-shoots kind of affair though, with other soldiers joining in the campaign. The story of Binary Domain is well written, with plenty of spectacular moments, but particularly, it is the characters that keep the story constantly engaging. Characters are surprisingly alive, particularly the personalities of Dan and Bo deliver some amusing chit-chat, and the game successfully avoids plain, gruff and one-noted characters despite its military personnel.
Binary Domain’s combat doesn’t blaze many new territories aside from its setting and environment. It is a diligent third-person shooter with an emphasis on taking covers, and blind firing or aiming from behind covers to eliminate tons of robots from functional killer tools to scrap metal. And Binary Domain is a terrific shooter, employing this exciting, yet occasional repetitive pattern to ensure some extremely engaging fire fights. The team-based system puts you almost always in a small team, where you can give orders, and the game uses a unique voice recognition system, so you can actually speak the handful of orders available, which is a pretty cool feature. Of course, those missing a good headset (or the need not to speak) can go without this feature, and alternatively, using the TAB button and inputting the wanted answer with a little extra hassle. Specific answers to teammates will make them like or hate you more, which impacts how efficiently they will follow orders in battles. Teammates will be able to revive you in battle as well.
Levels may be mostly linear, but there is no lack of fights around each corner. Scattered hidden reports and small shop machines, and perhaps a few extra health packs and ammo will be your reason for looking behind that lonely around at the back of the room. The shop system will allow you to upgrade each character’s primary weapon only, rather than old weapons Dan will obtain, since the rest will be only temporarily after all. The weapons range from the usual selection of pistol, assault rifle and range in that direction, with the LMG and SMG, plus the sniper rifle, and some rare, heavier weaponry. Credits will be earned from defeating robots, and even, the more you blast the more you will gain. Robotics behave in a believable robotic manner, taking cover and relentlessly coming at you, damaged and without legs or not, making them resilient foes. Interestingly enough, headshots may turn the said robot against his own kind with is a pretty neat idea. Robots dismantle in fascinating ways, with countless pieces ‘splattering’ out as rounds pierce through them.
The bosses offer a diverse experience from the usual robot shooting, particularly, since they’re huge. Bosses are generally larger than life robots, spamming from giant spider, a stupidly angry gorilla robot, a giant dog and whatever else there was, but certainly unique. The bosses pack a satisfying pack and are awesome to behold, and the only thing that holds the fun back is their frustration in constant one-hit kills. Realistically enough a hit by a giant mechanical cyborg is enough to kill any living, breathing creature, it can turn out to be a pretty frustrating ordeal if you are killed again the second you are resurrected. Luckily, there are ways you can avoid that, with the dodging skill and Shockwave which can temporarily stop the robot. Even against the final boss, you can avoid instant deaths by taking cover and not shooting aimlessly waiting for imminent death to hit you in the face.
Gameplay isn’t the only thing Binary Domain nails. It is also a visual wonder. Facial animation is jaw-dropping realistic, just look at Dan’s face. Robot design is extremely well done (and mass produced) and incredibly detailed (even the non-fighting robots), with even the smallest of design standing out, with countless moving pieces. The environments have a natural futuristic feel (even the toilets) that sometimes grow repetitive. Voice acting is solid all round, both the English and the occasional Japanese voices. Sound effects pack a real punch, with constant banging as bullets are fired and robots are dismantled. Soundtrack though, is a generic techno soundtrack which strangely is pleasant.
Binary Domain is a sleeper hit. It is a strong, solid shooter packed with an interesting tale with a few surprises, even if the ending doesn’t tie everything properly, great and witty characters and sharp dialogue, topping it all up with a fantastic presentation that make this shooter more than just your average run-of-the-mill shooter. Anyone more than sick of shooting aliens, zombies, terrorist or whatever we have been shooting all these years, Binary Domain is the perfect excuse to blast your way through trillions of Yen of scrap metal.
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Graphics = 8.7
Sound = 8.1
Presentation = 8.8
Gameplay = 9.1
Story = 8.8
Recommendation Level = High
I was expecting only a fun robot shooter when I first installed, not an outrageous, fun-bursting smasher of a shooter. This was one of the most engaging shooter I’ve played all year. It was fun, occasionally frustrating, but 95% of that was fun
Level of Difficulty = Varies
Multiple difficulty levels, but prepare for some tough bosses along the way. Nonetheless, it is not the kind of shooter that you’re just going to stand and take a bullet.
OVERALL = 88 / 100
Binary Domain is the sleeper hit of 2012: an engaging robot shooter packed with everything that makes a game worthwhile.