The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls (2018) Board Game

The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls is a card game based on the popular video game series “The Binding of Isaac” created by Edmund McMillen. The board game was designed by Krystal Fleming and released in 2018, bringing the dark and twisted world of Isaac to tabletop gaming. With its horror theme and unique gameplay mechanics, “Four Souls” offers a fresh take on the video game’s universe.

Game Components of The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls

Characters: 11 characters in the basic edition, with more in expansions.

Cards: 107 monster cards, 104 loot cards, 105 treasure cards, and 3 bonus soul cards in the basic edition. Expansions add more cards, including the Requiem expansion which adds over 60 room cards.

Dice: A six-sided die and an eight-sided die.

Currency: 100 pennies.

Rulebook: Included in the basic edition.

Expansions: Four Souls+ and Requiem expansions available, with the Ultimate Collection including all these and more.

How To Setup The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls

To set up the game, each player picks a character at random along with their starting item, 3¢, and 3 loot cards. Players place the shop deck, monster deck, and loot deck within reach. The first player to go is usually determined randomly. Each player’s turn involves buying items, attacking monsters, and playing loot cards to gain advantages.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Each turn, a player can buy one item from the shop for 10¢, attack a monster, and play one loot card.

Character Abilities: Each character has unique abilities that impact either themselves or other players.

Monster Battles: Battles are handled by rolling dice; the number rolled must be greater than or equal to the die value listed on the monster card to succeed.

Rewards: Defeating monsters rewards players with loot, money, and souls. Defeating bosses yields souls in addition to other rewards.

Game Objective: The first player to obtain 4 souls wins the game.

Player Experience

The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls offers a dynamic and interactive experience, blending elements of sacrifice, betrayal, and hoarding. Players must balance cooperative efforts to defeat bosses with competitive strategies to collect souls. The game’s roguelike gameplay ensures near-limitless replayability, with endless combinations of characters, monsters, and loot cards.

Pros

High Replayability: With over 700 cards in the Ultimate Collection, the game offers a vast array of combinations and strategies.

Faithful Adaptation: The game stays true to the spirit of the video game, providing a familiar yet unique experience for fans.

Cooperative and Competitive Elements: Players can cooperate to defeat bosses but also engage in competitive play to collect souls.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game can be complex for new players to learn, especially with the numerous card interactions and character abilities.

Luck Factor: The dice rolling mechanism introduces a significant element of luck, which may not appeal to players seeking more strategic gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on The Binding of Isaac: Four Souls

This game is ideal for fans of The Binding of Isaac video game and those who enjoy roguelike gameplay and strategic card games. It offers a unique blend of cooperative and competitive play, making it a great addition to any board game collection. However, new players may need time to adjust to the complex rules and interactions between different cards. Overall, it is a rewarding and engaging game that promises hours of exciting gameplay.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.