Two years after release, Rebirth received its Afterbirth and Afterbirth+ DLC in early 2017. Though a roll of the dice has great effect on Isaac’s life expectancy, practice and skill will always be more than enough for players to reach the end of the game.Įven though weapons and items can be combined to create interesting synergies and the game has about 20 endings, recent expansions have filled any spaces left in an otherwise beefy base game. Chance can either turn the game’s more intricate bosses into trivial bumps in the road or some of the most difficult encounters gaming has to offer. In the game’s late stages, Rebirth is a certified bullet hell. Isaac’s individual journeys are packed with surprises in every room, making for adventures that are never stale. With random item drops and dungeon setups, no run is the same. Part of the character the game shows off includes video game references that must number in the hundreds. This lack of seriousness opens Rebirth’s doors to an unrivaled system that emphasizes character and gameplay. Isaac’s primary attack even sees him pelting enemies with his tears. For example, the game features more than a dozen characters, each based off religious figures such as Cain, Judas, Eve, Lazarus, and so on that said, some of the regular enemies include sentient poop, large farting creatures, and attack flies, so The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth clearly does not take itself too seriously. Though there are clear references to the Bible at every turn, religious context only provides the game’s backdrop. The Binding of Isaac’s story starts out simple enough as it follows Isaac and his escape from his mother’s religiously fueled attempt to murder him. However, those choosing to go deeper into Rebirth’s basement are sure to find evolving gameplay, engaging style, and enough content to make even the most adventurous gamers say, “Does this ever end?” McMillen previously developed the legendarily punishing Super Meat Boy, so Rebirth’s difficulty is nearly inherent.
On the surface, the Edmund McMillen roguelike is a strange Zelda love letter. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is one of those indie games that stands apart from the others. I will be back at the end with some similar games we have seen release in the years since. Others cover more than one game in a series, or compare two similar games.Īt one a week, this will take a year to complete, and they will not all be in order either! So without further ado, let us begin by joining Michael for a groundbreaking, potty humour-filled roguelike. Some of these are forgotten gems, and some you will guess straight away. However, we also each have unique tastes and preferences within the single player space-so thanks to the staff of OnlySP, I can happily invite you on a journey through our 50 favorite games. At OnlySP we share a lot: a love of single-player and an appreciation for the intricate art of games, naturally.