Photo by Carl Raw on Unsplash

How The Binding of Isaac Got Me Hooked on Roguelike Games

George Ortiz
3 min readApr 14, 2023

--

Do you remember the first video game that really got you hooked? For me, that game was The Binding of Isaac. This indie game released in 2011 was a game-changer for me, introducing me to the world of roguelike games and ultimately changing my gaming preferences forever.

So, what is a roguelike game? It’s a subgenre of role-playing games that feature randomly generated levels, permanent death, and turn-based gameplay. Each playthrough is unique, providing a fresh challenge every time. The genre takes its name from the 1980 game Rogue, which set the standard for roguelike gameplay.

When I first played The Binding of Isaac, I was immediately drawn in by its creepy atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and intricate storyline. The game features Isaac, a young boy who must navigate through his basement while fighting off hordes of monsters and ultimately facing his mother as the final boss. Each playthrough was unique, with different items and challenges to overcome. And with each death, I learned from my mistakes and tried again, determined to reach the end.

The Binding of Isaac sparked my love for roguelike games, and I went on to play other popular titles in the genre such as Spelunky, Dead Cells, and Hades. Each game provided a new challenge, and I loved the feeling of accomplishment when I finally…

--

--

George Ortiz

Writer and storyteller sharing my love of film, food, bringing awareness to mental health and games. Join me on this journey!