I have an eternal soft spot for Spiders, the studio known for such curious roleplaying games as Mars: War Logs and Of Orcs and Men. There is no denying the passion and ambition this company has - it crafts intriguingly original worlds and works damn hard to fill each one with a sense of depth and history. In terms of both narrative and gameplay, Spiders' games take cues from the best in the business, blending the work of BioWare, Obsidian, Bethesda, and others, while adding its own eccentric and recognizable flair.
Yet for all of its heart, Spiders makes mostly shambolic games that ultimately frustrate more than they please.
Bound By Flame is yet another perfect example. It's a game with soul, one that truly believes in what it's doing and bursts with invention and vigor. Its story is barmy, but pleasantly so, and its combat system is an absolute pleasure to experience when it works correctly. Sadly, Bound By Flame is also poorly structured and technically sloppy, with a difficulty scale that verges on schizophrenic and a myriad tiny annoyances that eventually overwhelm the player's senses. So yeah ... it's a Spiders game through and through.
...Bottom Line: Bound By Flame would be an immensely likable game, were it not for just how slipshod it ultimately feels. Its individual components are well crafted, but when brought together, the result is something that just isn't quite right.
Recommendation: There is enough quality to make this title worth picking up in a sale. It does that much right. For what it is, however, I wouldn't rush out and buy it immediately.