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Essays 11 November 2022, 16:56

author: Marek Jura

The Binding of Isaac. 12 most interesting games about death and dying

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The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Edmund McMillen, 2014 – Best Death Games – Document – 2022-10-31
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Edmund McMillen, 2014
  1. Genre: roguelike with elements of horror
  2. Is the main character dead: probably
  3. Are they death itself, or do they wield its power: no

With almost thirty endings to the game, this story can really be interpreted in many ways. According to some interpretations, Isaac is alive, and the game doesn't focus on death at all. According to the last, most canonical, finale, the protagonist is dead almost from the very beginning. The game, on the other hand, is about coming to terms with own death and forgiving those who indirectly led to it.

There are many biblical references here – the creators most often refer to the Christian Old Testament vision of the afterlife. There isn't much in the way of joy here, except for the self-mockery and fecal jokes.

Isaac has to deal with everyone – himself, his parents, the demons of the past, his own death, and finally God himself. Nobody is waiting for him with open arms. He has to earn his own peace with a symbolic struggle. The game talks a lot about death, but it's rarely uplifting. In the area dominated by colorful, positive stories, The Binding of Isaac is a gripping and original experience that's definitely worth your time if you need something different.

  1. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth in our encyclopedia

Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon is, I won't hide, one of my favorite games. Why has it ended up in a frame? After all, it's full of death! Mainly because over time the player learns to approach other heroes as raw materials. The game talks a lot about the nature of evil, but not so much about dealing with death.

Marek Jura

Marek Jura

In 2016, he graduated in philology at UAM. Since then, he has been reviewing prose, poetry, movies, series, and video games for GRYOnline.pl. He took his first steps in the journalism industry as a newsman in a local tabloid. He ran his own company - he designed, created, tested, and sold board games. He published several short stories and is also preparing his debut volume of poetry. Trains martial arts. A feminist, vegan, fan of pineapple on pizza, cat lover, dislikes Bethesda and Amazon, likes Lovecraft, Agents of SHIELD, P:T, Beksiński, Hollow Knight, performance, abstract art, game mods and dumplings.

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