Does Rebirth Contain Afterbirth? A Comprehensive Guide to The Binding of Isaac DLC
The short, direct answer is no, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth does not contain Afterbirth. Afterbirth is a separate, paid expansion to the base game, Rebirth. To play Afterbirth, you must own The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. They are not a single, bundled product. This is a crucial point of confusion for many players, so let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of this popular roguelike’s DLC and what it all means for you.
Understanding The Binding of Isaac Game Structure
To grasp the relationship between Rebirth and Afterbirth, we must understand the release history and structure of The Binding of Isaac series. The original Binding of Isaac game was developed in Flash. Rebirth was a remake built from the ground up, offering enhanced graphics, smoother gameplay, and a host of new features. Think of it as a vastly improved and updated version. Then, came the DLC.
Rebirth: The Foundation
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth serves as the foundational game. It established the core gameplay loop, characters, enemies, bosses, and items that the series is known for. It offers a plethora of content, numerous unlockables, and multiple endings to pursue. It’s a substantial game on its own, providing potentially hundreds of hours of playtime.
Afterbirth: The First Expansion
Afterbirth is not a free update or integrated part of Rebirth. It’s the first paid expansion that builds upon Rebirth, adding new layers of complexity and content to the game. It’s designed for players who have exhausted most of what Rebirth offers and are looking for a fresh experience with increased challenge and replayability.
The Importance of Order
The order of release is crucial: Rebirth came first, then Afterbirth, followed by Afterbirth+ and then Repentance. You must own the previous DLC to play the next one in the sequence. In other words, you cannot play Afterbirth without first owning Rebirth. This also applies to the subsequent DLCs. You need Afterbirth to play Afterbirth+, and you need Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+ to play Repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Rebirth and Afterbirth
To further clarify the distinctions and requirements of The Binding of Isaac’s DLC, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. What Does Afterbirth Add to Rebirth?
Afterbirth significantly expands the base game by adding a host of new features including:
- New items: Hundreds of new items, trinkets, and pickups to discover.
- New enemies and bosses: A plethora of new challenges to overcome.
- Alternative floors and bosses: Introducing new level layouts and bosses to encounter throughout the run.
- Greed Mode: A new game mode with its own distinct challenges, rules, and items, reportedly more difficult than the main game.
- New Endings: Afterbirth adds additional endings to the base game’s already extensive list.
2. Do You Need to Buy Rebirth to Buy Afterbirth?
Yes, absolutely. Rebirth is the base game. Afterbirth is an expansion that requires the base game to function. You cannot buy or play Afterbirth if you don’t already own Rebirth.
3. Is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth the same as Repentance?
No, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is considered the definitive edition of the game but requires both Rebirth and the first two DLC to play. Repentance includes all content featured in Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+, but it is a separate purchasable DLC.
4. Does Afterbirth Include All the Content from Rebirth?
No, Afterbirth does not include the base game, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. It is an addition to the base game, not a replacement. You need Rebirth to even play Afterbirth.
5. What is the correct playing order for the Isaac games?
The proper playing order is:
- Rebirth (the base game)
- Afterbirth
- Afterbirth+
- Repentance (the definitive DLC)
You must purchase them in this order, as they build upon one another.
6. How much do all the Isaac DLC cost?
While prices can vary based on sales, normally each DLC costs about $10. The total for the game and all DLC can come to around $50, but during Steam sales, you can often pick them up for around half that price.
7. What happens if I choose Rebirth in game?
In the context of the article you provided, this refers to a system in the game where the player can essentially reset their character’s attributes. It doesn’t mean you are going back to the base game only. It’s a mechanism within the gameplay loop.
8. How many endings does Rebirth have?
Rebirth initially features three possible endings, however there are a total of 16 endings. Additional endings are added through each subsequent DLC. There are 2 additional endings each in Afterbirth, Afterbirth+, and Repentance. These can be seen in the ‘stats’ section of the game’s menu.
9. What are the differences between the original Binding of Isaac and Rebirth?
Rebirth is a complete remake of the original. Rebirth runs in 60 FPS, and is not made in Flash like the original. There are more items, and some items have been changed. There are also more bosses to fight in Rebirth.
10. What is the basic plot of The Binding of Isaac?
The game is based upon the biblical story of The Binding of Isaac. In the game, Isaac’s mother hears a voice from God demanding she sacrifice her son. Isaac escapes to the basement, filled with monsters, to survive.
11. What is ‘afterbirth’ in the real world?
The term ‘afterbirth’ also has a real world meaning. It refers to the placenta and fetal membranes expelled from the uterus after a baby is born. This is not what the DLC is referring to.
12. Can I play Binding of Isaac Afterbirth without Rebirth?
No, you absolutely cannot play Afterbirth without owning the base game, Rebirth. The game will not work if you do not own Rebirth.
13. How much health do you start with in Rebirth?
The game starts you with 300 health. This health is segmented with each segment representing 50 health.
14. Is The Binding of Isaac still popular?
Yes, The Binding of Isaac series is still incredibly popular. The release of Repentance solidified its status as a cornerstone in the roguelike genre.
15. Is there a recommended starting point for new players?
New players should start with the base game, Rebirth. This allows them to learn the core mechanics before layering in the added complexity of the expansions. It’s the intended way to experience the game.
Conclusion
In summary, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth and Afterbirth are distinct products. You must have Rebirth to play Afterbirth. Afterbirth is an enhancement to Rebirth, adding a wealth of new content, challenges, and complexities. Understanding this relationship is essential to enjoying the complete The Binding of Isaac experience. The game’s DLCs are not free upgrades or parts of a single package. They’re sequential and build upon one another, requiring prior ownership to unlock the next chapter in Isaac’s grim tale.