Binaries

Binaries offers a different take on the platform genre. By putting the player in control of two characters at the same time, it offers a mix of platform and puzzle that will be as challenging as the most hardcore games. Having its focus on gameplay and time attack, it’ll please those interested in arcade-like experiences.

Binaries is a decent puzzler that is definitely worth the time of players who can’t resist having a ‘100%’ icon plastered over their save file and enjoy speed-running through dangerous levels. It doesn’t tend to innovate past its main theme, though – instead relying on more obstacles, spikes and guns to make things trickier. If you’re desperate for a puzzle game that will have you trying to complete levels over and over again (before feeling a huge amount of satisfaction when you finally complete one you’ve been stuck on), then this may well be for you.

Binaries brings forth a good concept and ideas in a package that features a good and effective presentation. It doesn't quite fulfill its potential, though, as it relies too much on its difficulty level and ends up not providing sense of satisfaction to the player, which can make its experience somewhat frustrating.

Binaries is certainly a unique and challenging platformer that often feels like a puzzle game. However, its fun factor almost entirely relies on your willingness to persevere through seemingly impossible situations solo within a singular campaign mode.

Binaries tries to be two things, and misses the mark on both. As a puzzle game, it lacks any actual puzzle solving. As a platformer, it fails in its horribly floaty and imprecise controls, while asking for pixel perfect precision in two vastly different scenarios. In a binary world of 0’s and 1’s, good or bad, Binaries breaks its own boundaries by being incredibly middle of the road.

Binaries won’t be to everyone’s taste, but those who take a masochistic delight in games that are painfully difficult to beat but hugely rewarding to overcome will have plenty to enjoy here.