The Legend of Bum-bo

A fun blend of puzzle and roguelike that inspires forward-thinking, but cuts your strategy short.

Bum-bo may have to deal with a lot of crap, but it’s all well worth pushing through.

The Legend of Bum-Bo is, first and foremost, a game for fans of The Binding of Isaac. But I don’t think that simply relegating it to that is fair. Despite its prequel status, The Legend of Bum-Bo is a unique, addictive, and extremely fun roguelike puzzle game oozing with Edmund McMillen’s signature bizarre charm. Sure, I’d recommend it to BoI fans, but I’d also recommend it to people who like engaging puzzle games. If you’ve never been exposed to McMillen’s work before, you might be a little surprised at first, but don’t worry—it stops being weird after a while.

Among the weirdo indies out there that simply have their own style and approach, The Binding of Isaac is practically an icon...

When all is said and done though, The Legend of Bum-bo is a highly worthwhile experience. Though flawed in places, it makes good on many of its ambitions, bringing together gameplay genres and capitalizing on ideas for an experience that can enthrall longtime fans and newcomers to the Binding of Isaac universe alike.

It’s true that The Legend of Bum-Bo isn’t for everyone. It’s demented, crude, immature and hard as hell. And yet, it’s crazy addictive, fun and very compelling. If you don’t mind losing a lot and like a game with good strategy, I think you’ll enjoy it. I know I loved my time with it, and found it an incredible bargain for only $14.99. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this prequel to The Binding of Isaac, but should have known I’d end up appreciating it. Especially the super clever ending you’ll get once you beat the Basement for the first time. If you’re a fan of rogue or Edmund McMillen’s work, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in the darkness with Bum-Bo.

After Isaac's terrifying adventure, Edmund McMillen returns with his load of genius and madness in a prequel very different from the original game.

The Legend of Bum-Bo is an addictive mash up of tile-matching puzzlers and roguelikes, with a tactile DIY visual design that serves the concept well.

The Legend of Bum-Bo won't capture your attention like Isaac did, but its unique graphical style and strategic gameplay are well worth a look.