Bound Reviews

Bound excels in presenting an engaging universe and telling a deep and imaginative story, but where it has the imagination to make the player think and awe at what they’re seeing, it simply doesn’t have as much to tell when it comes to the core gameplay. That being said, it wouldn’t be fair to call Bound a bad game, because it’s simply a flawed one when it comes to gameplay. The lack of engaging gameplay really affected my experience to a certain point, but for what it’s worth Bound’s storytelling managed to salvage what else there was and give me an immersive narrative experience.

If you fancy a game that is a unique experience, Bound is certainly one that will get people talking even though it doesn't entirely meet all its goals.

Republished on Wednesday 1st November 2017: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of November's PlayStation Plus lineup. The original text follows.

Wonky camera controls and sub-par platforming aren't enough to take away from the fact that Bound is absolutely art in game form. Almost everything about the game is beautiful and unique, and if you find yourself enjoying games where gameplay takes a back seat to aesthetic, then you might want to think about picking up Bound.

Bound is a game that addresses an audience wanting to engage with, and reflect on, their games. Those looking for a passive experience might find the themes a bit heavy-handed. On the other hand, its gorgeous, compelling world is nothing short of captivating and the lovely soundtrack kept me thoroughly engaged and invested. While it may feel a bit too brief and its gameplay elements are largely underwhelming, Bound’s charming and intelligent story allow it to overcome its flaws in design and remain a satisfying and captivating experience.

Bound through, around who? Float and flow, don't gloat and blow. Prance, no... dance! Go! Bound, a review around you.

Despite being a relatively-simple 3D platformer, Bound’s fantastic sense of movement and strange, dream-like world make it utterly unique. It’s a testament to phenomenal controls and sense of grace that I was able to set aside the camera and design flaws, and fully immerse myself in this strange, beautiful story.

Review code provided by the publisher.

Bound's impeccable, surreal visuals are let down by its lacklustre platforming and a narrative that can't quite deliver the necessary emotion.

For all my complaints, Bound is an interesting beast. The way it incorporates its animation style has been rarely, if ever done so well. It’s well worth experiencing in some fashion, just maybe not at full price.

Bound is a fun game to watch. The majority of the experience takes place in an imaginative world that undulates and breathes as you move through it. The landscape moves and flows with the same grace as your protagonist, who was born from the motion-capture of a professional dancer. It works in tandem with a connected, but visually separate story taking place in the real world, following a woman recalling her past and working her way towards a decision. Its narrative is a small, personal one that is engaging to the end. It will likely betray the expectations established when you first step out of Bound’s real world and into its abstract one, but as a consistently engaging gaming experience, it comes up short, even if it leaves behind an impressive visual memory.

That being said, we found each level to be interesting and fun to explore from start to end, but gamers looking for a challenge beyond speed will likely not find it in Bound. The game only takes a handful of hours to beat on the first playthrough and doesn't have much more to offer players who aren't interested in speedrunning or a heartbreaking narrative. The game's story and its unique delivery really are enough to justify the $20 price tag (or $16 for PSN Plus members), but the brevity may leave some gamers feeling like they were short changed.

‘Notgame’ isn’t the right tag for Bound, as there is a game here with platforming, puzzle solving, and defending against dangers, though admittedly much of it is about the journey undertaken. Plastic stated that narrative was the focus and it is part of everything, from the way the environments are shaped to the obstacles placed in front of the ballerina. Bound is easily one of the most stunning games to release on PS4, and if you’re searching for something a little different I heartily recommend it.