The Binding of Isaac: Repentance

Repentance by name, and wonderful, welcome repentance by nature, this expansion is an apology for what became of Isaac and a promise to do better — a promise that it very much delivers on.

The game looks great as a whole; nothing revolutionary as it combines somewhat cutesy characters presented in a dark and depressing manner. Also the fact that there’s a lot of blood when killing enemies. There’s a decent variety in terms of dungeon design, but each level remains drab and depressing matching the game’s dark undertones. The soundtrack is an eerie and creepy affair that marries itself very well with the environments. While not really an issue per se, but the rogue like genre isn’t for everyone. Some gamers want to feel like they are making progress but losing everything when dying and having to start all over again can also be incredibly irritating. Also while enemies can shoot in all directions, Isaac can only shoot in four directions: left, right, up and down. If you’re a fan of the genre and have yet to dabble in Isaac’s mis-adventures, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is must play. It’s a complete package of all the content released for The Binding of Isaac. There’s a bevy of power-ups to use, fun and challenging boss fights to tackle and a plethora of endings to unlock for the completionists. Unfortunately, if you’re not a fan of the genre, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance will not change your mind as it can be incredibly rough at times; so much so that you’ll die in first level after barely exploring 1-2 areas. If you’re looking for a challenge, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is a must play.

‎The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is the biggest addition of varied and quality content that the title has received since the arrival of its first expansion. It means many more hours of play and an introductory point as good as any other for first-timers in the title, but if on any occasion you have given this roguelike a chance and its proposal has not convinced you, this expansion will hardly make you change your mind.‎

While not too much has changed, everything we love about Isaac has been expanded on. With a massively improved multiplayer mode, new bosses, items, paths and challenges, Isaac is at his tearful best. The PS5 version is the best console version of Isaac and contains everything ever made, and while it may be pricey, you get a hell-load of content for your money. If it sucks you in - and it probably will - you'll be treated to one of the best roguelikes ever made.

It’s hard to believe that The Binding of Isaac has been around for a decade. And in that time, not only hasn’t the spark of creativity diminished, but the game just kept getting bigger and better. And I really believe that with Repentance, we’ve reached the best possible version of the game. Not only is it challenging, but it’s well balanced. This is a love letter for fans, especially considering how cheap the DLC is for those that already own Afterbirth+. If you’re a fan of tight, twin-stick rogue-likes, you can’t miss playing The Binding of Isaac: Repentance. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go back to unlocking everything possible in this amazing game.

If you have never played the game before, though, I cannot recommend it enough, so please purchase Afterbith+ and see what all the hype is about. Who knows? Maybe you will fall in love with it immediately and then go ahead and purchase Repentance to have it all. Either way, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is a phenomenal package, and it is finally time to show Mom how you really feel about her, consequences and all.

Sometimes there’s an update or a DLC that changes a game forever and finally makes it accessible to the people at large. Repentance is not that DLC. If anything, Repentance can and will scare off newer players who feel like they’re just getting their bearings when a flood of new stuff comes screaming in. But, for long time players, this is the parting gift they were all waiting for.

The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is an incredible achievement that goes beyond just being a DLC expansion. This is another load of thread connecting yet more pieces to the potential of the already brilliant base game. With all of these plates spinning, it's impossible to know how well a run is going to go at any given time, but it remains incredibly fun trying to figure that out.

The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is a massive DLC for the long-lived roguelike. It's well worth another trip to the basement.