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Best games by Edmund McMillen
14th Feb 2026
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Prepare to delve into the wonderfully twisted and utterly addictive worlds crafted by the visionary indie game developer, Edmund McMillen! This voteable list celebrates the best of his often bizarre and challenging creations, from the heartwarming puzzles of *Fading of Isaac* to the roguelike intensity of *The Binding of Isaac* franchise. Witness the evolution of his unique artistic style and gameplay design, which consistently pushes boundaries and captivates players with its dark humor and surprising depth. Now it's your turn to have your say! Explore the selection of games, consider your personal favorites, and cast your votes to help determine the ultimate masterpieces of the Edmund McMillen game library. Your contribution will help rank these exceptional titles and spotlight the most beloved experiences from this truly one-of-a-kind creator. Let the voting begin!
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#5.
The Basement Collection (2012)
5/6
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"The Basement Collection (2012)" is a treasure trove for fans of Edmund McMillen's distinctive brand of indie gaming, offering a curated compilation of nine critically acclaimed and award-winning titles. This collection isn't just a simple port; each game has been meticulously revitalized with updated features, including brand-new bonus chapters, fresh musical scores, stunning new art, and a host of other exciting extras. Dive into the diverse experiences within, from the exploratory adventure of *Aether* and the mind-bending puzzles of *Time Fcuk*, to the physics-driven antics of *Spewer* and the raw prototype of *Meat Boy*. The collection also features the thought-provoking *Grey Matter*, the experimental *Coil*, and the unique spider simulator *Triachnid*. This compilation firmly cements "The Basement Collection" as one of Edmund McMillen's best works due to its sheer breadth of early, influential games, many of which showcase the formative stages of his now-iconic design philosophies. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness the evolution of a master creator, offering a deep dive into the ideas and mechanics that would later define smash hits like *Super Meat Boy* and *The Binding of Isaac*. Beyond the eight core games, the inclusion of two secret unlockable titles, a wealth of bonus comics, sketchbooks, and even never-before-seen stock footage from *Indie Game: The Movie*, along with a comprehensive soundtrack and developer interviews, transforms this into an essential historical document for anyone interested in the golden age of indie game development and the genius of Edmund McMillen.
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The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (2014)
"The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth" is a sprawling, re-imagined take on Edmund McMillen's iconic roguelike shooter. This isn't just an update; it's a complete overhaul built on a new engine for buttery-smooth 60fps performance, featuring striking hand-drawn pixel art, a haunting new soundtrack, and a massive influx of content. Players delve into Isaac's disturbing psyche as he flees his religiously fanatical mother into a procedurally generated basement filled with grotesque monsters, his own deepest fears, and a seemingly endless supply of secrets. With over 500 hours of gameplay, 4 billion unique seed variations, hundreds of bizarre and transformative items, and a cast of unlockable characters, "Rebirth" offers an unparalleled, deeply replayable experience that constantly surprises and challenges. This title undeniably earns its place among the best games by Edmund McMillen due to its perfect distillation of his signature design philosophy. "Rebirth" exemplifies McMillen's knack for creating worlds that are both deeply unsettling and strangely compelling, exploring dark themes through a lens of twisted humor and surprisingly complex mechanics. The sheer freedom and emergent gameplay provided by the vast item synergy, random generation, and wealth of unlockables ensures that no two runs are ever alike, constantly pushing players to adapt and discover new strategies. It’s a masterclass in roguelike design, a testament to McMillen's vision for creating unforgettable and endlessly engaging experiences that delve into the darkest corners of the human condition.
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The Binding of Isaac (2011)
**Special Offer: The Binding of Isaac (2011)** Embark on a dark and twisted journey in *The Binding of Isaac*, an action RPG shooter with deep rogue-like elements. When Isaac's mother hears a divine command for sacrifice, Isaac flees into the terrifying basement. There, he must confront his deepest fears, a menagerie of deranged enemies, and eventually his own mother. As you guide Isaac, you'll discover a wealth of bizarre treasures that transform his appearance and grant him incredible powers, allowing him to battle mysterious creatures, uncover hidden secrets, and fight for survival. With randomly generated dungeons, items, enemies, and bosses, no two playthroughs are ever the same. The game boasts over 100 unique items that alter Isaac visually and empower him, more than 50 enemy types with deadly "special" variants, over 20 bosses, and multiple unlockable classes and endings, ensuring endless replayability. *The Binding of Isaac* unequivocally belongs on a list of "Best games by Edmund McMillen" due to its profound embodiment of his signature style. McMillen is renowned for his ability to blend innocent aesthetics with deeply unsettling themes, and *The Binding of Isaac* is a prime example. Its childlike protagonist navigating a nightmarish world, coupled with its brutally challenging yet rewarding gameplay, showcases his unique brand of dark humor and compelling narrative. The game's procedural generation and the sheer volume of unlockable content are hallmarks of his design philosophy, encouraging relentless exploration and replayability. Furthermore, the game's raw emotional impact, exploring themes of childhood trauma, religious dogma, and mental anguish, is a testament to McMillen's willingness to tackle mature and complex subjects, solidifying its place as a defining work in his celebrated career.
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The Legend of Bum-Bo (2019)
In "The Legend of Bum-bo (2019)," players are thrust into a bizarre and challenging world as Bum-bo, a creature whose sole coin has been pilfered by a shadowy force, leading them into the grimy depths of the sewer. As Bum-bo, you'll battle through hordes of grotesquely delightful enemies, confront your deepest fears, and even rescue lost children, all in pursuit of that one precious coin. This title, crafted by Edmund McMillen, renowned for his work on "The Binding of Isaac" and "Super Meat Boy," offers a unique blend of puzzle-solving and deckbuilding roguelike mechanics. Gather an ever-growing arsenal of over 100 modifiable items, combine them in ingenious ways, and wield the distinct abilities of multiple playable Bum-bos to overcome cardboard monstrosities, colossal bosses, and your own inner demons. "The Legend of Bum-bo" absolutely deserves its place among Edmund McMillen's best games due to its distinct artistic vision, deeply intertwined gameplay mechanics, and its audacious narrative. McMillen's signature style of macabre charm and unsettling themes is on full display, creating a world that is both repulsive and strangely endearing. The deckbuilding roguelike genre is masterfully implemented, rewarding strategic thinking and experimentation with item synergies. Furthermore, the game's status as a prequel to "The Binding of Isaac" adds layers of lore and context for fans, while its standalone brilliance ensures it can be enjoyed by newcomers as well. Its blend of dark humor, challenging gameplay, and profound thematic exploration solidifies its position as a standout title in McMillen's impressive catalog.
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The End Is Nigh (2017)
**The End Is Nigh (2017)** is a challenging and darkly humorous adventure platformer that plunges players into a bleak, post-apocalyptic future. You play as Ash, one of the few surviving entities in a world where everything is succumbing to decay. Ash's epic, yet profoundly personal, quest is to find a friend, a goal he pursues by collecting the dismembered remains of others and navigating a world teeming with grotesque, mutated creatures. The game boasts an astounding 600+ levels spread across 12 explorable chapters, offering hundreds of collectible tumors and over 20 unique, playable mini-game cartridges, each with its own set of achievements. With a daunting array of 80+ achievements, hidden extras, and multiple endings, **The End Is Nigh** promises a deeply rewarding, albeit stressful, experience. Furthermore, the recent addition of Steam Workshop support opens the door to an endless supply of community-created mods, from the brutally difficult to the hilariously absurd, with a Discord server available for aspiring modders to hone their craft. This game undeniably earns its place among the best of Edmund McMillen's creations due to its signature blend of morbid charm, punishing yet fair gameplay, and a deeply unsettling narrative. McMillen, known for titles like *Super Meat Boy* and *The Binding of Isaac*, has a distinct talent for crafting experiences that are both intensely difficult and surprisingly poignant. **The End Is Nigh** exemplifies this, offering the tight controls and intricate level design that fans of his previous work expect, while exploring themes of loneliness, despair, and the desperate search for connection in a world devoid of hope. The game’s minimalist yet evocative art style, coupled with its pervasive sense of dread and occasional flashes of absurd humor, is a hallmark of McMillen's unique creative voice. Its sheer scale and the depth of its hidden content, further amplified by the modding community, ensure that **The End Is Nigh** offers a lasting and unforgettable journey into the abyss.
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The Basement Collection (2012)
"The Basement Collection (2012)" is a treasure trove for fans of Edmund McMillen's distinctive brand of indie gaming, offering a curated compilation of nine critically acclaimed and award-winning titles. This collection isn't just a simple port; each game has been meticulously revitalized with updated features, including brand-new bonus chapters, fresh musical scores, stunning new art, and a host of other exciting extras. Dive into the diverse experiences within, from the exploratory adventure of *Aether* and the mind-bending puzzles of *Time Fcuk*, to the physics-driven antics of *Spewer* and the raw prototype of *Meat Boy*. The collection also features the thought-provoking *Grey Matter*, the experimental *Coil*, and the unique spider simulator *Triachnid*. This compilation firmly cements "The Basement Collection" as one of Edmund McMillen's best works due to its sheer breadth of early, influential games, many of which showcase the formative stages of his now-iconic design philosophies. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness the evolution of a master creator, offering a deep dive into the ideas and mechanics that would later define smash hits like *Super Meat Boy* and *The Binding of Isaac*. Beyond the eight core games, the inclusion of two secret unlockable titles, a wealth of bonus comics, sketchbooks, and even never-before-seen stock footage from *Indie Game: The Movie*, along with a comprehensive soundtrack and developer interviews, transforms this into an essential historical document for anyone interested in the golden age of indie game development and the genius of Edmund McMillen.
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Fingered (2015)
"Fingered (2015)" is a hilariously unhinged take on the police procedural, demanding you channel your inner detective with an unsettlingly direct approach. You're tasked with identifying and apprehending criminals in a hyperrealistic world, relying solely on the wildly subjective and often contradictory testimonies of "local busy bodies." Prepare for a descent into absurdity where "one man's fat is another man's sexy" and the line between justice and utter madness blurs. With 21 levels of pure confusion, billions of randomly generated suspects to "finger" (or, as the game gleefully suggests, "murder"), and the tantalizing prospect of encountering secret celebrities, "Fingered" throws you into a chaotic investigation where your only guide is your own warped sense of judgment. This game undoubtedly earns its place among Edmund McMillen's best for its signature brand of boundary-pushing, often controversial, and undeniably unique design. McMillen is renowned for games that challenge player morality, subvert expectations, and revel in grotesque or darkly comedic themes. "Fingered" embodies this perfectly. Its provocative title and gameplay mechanics directly confront the player, forcing them to engage with uncomfortable questions about perception, judgment, and the subjective nature of guilt. The sheer absurdity and the developer's willingness to explore taboo subjects with a gleeful, almost childlike abandon, are hallmarks of McMillen's work, making "Fingered" a fitting, if provocative, addition to his esteemed catalog of games.
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