How Many Isaac DLCs Are There? A Comprehensive Guide

The Binding of Isaac, a beloved roguelike title, has received a wealth of content over the years through multiple DLC expansions. In total, there are three major DLCs for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth: Afterbirth, Afterbirth+, and Repentance. Each DLC builds upon the base game and previous expansions, adding layers of complexity, new items, characters, enemies, and challenges. Let’s delve deeper into each expansion and answer some common questions about them.

Understanding the Isaac DLC Timeline

It’s important to understand that the DLCs are not standalone and must be played in a specific order. The base game is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, and all subsequent DLCs require it to be installed.

• The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (Base Game): The foundation of the entire experience.
• Afterbirth (First DLC): Released in October 2015, this DLC introduced new game content and gameplay modes. It requires Rebirth to be installed.
• Afterbirth+ (Second DLC): Released in January 2017, Afterbirth+ expanded upon Afterbirth and added support for user-created content via mods. It requires both Rebirth and Afterbirth to be installed.
• Repentance (Third DLC): Released in March 2021, Repentance is considered the definitive edition of The Binding of Isaac, including all previous content and a significant amount of new material. It requires Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+ to be installed.

It’s crucial to note that Repentance is not a standalone purchase; it requires owning all previous versions of the game and DLCs to function.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that will provide you with more details about the DLC expansions for The Binding of Isaac:

1. What is the chronological order of the Isaac DLCs?

The correct order is: Rebirth (the base game), Afterbirth, Afterbirth+, and finally, Repentance. Each DLC builds upon the previous, requiring them to be installed to play the next one.

2. Does Repentance include all previous DLCs?

Yes, Repentance is designed as the definitive edition and includes all content from Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+. It also incorporates elements of the popular Antibirth mod.

3. Is Repentance the last DLC for Isaac?

Yes, Edmund McMillen, the creator, has officially stated that Repentance is the “FINAL (for real this time)” DLC for The Binding of Isaac.

4. Do I need Afterbirth and Afterbirth+ to play Repentance?

Absolutely. Repentance requires the base game Rebirth as well as both Afterbirth and Afterbirth+ to be installed and functioning. Without them, Repentance will not work.

5. Can I buy only Repentance?

No, you cannot purchase Repentance without owning the base game and the other two DLCs first. It is DLC, not a standalone game.

6. What is Antibirth in relation to Repentance?

Antibirth was a large fan-made mod for Rebirth that added new content. Repentance incorporates the core elements of the Antibirth mod, along with its own additional features, effectively making it an official and expanded version.

7. What is the true ending of The Binding of Isaac in Repentance?

To achieve the true ending in Repentance, you need to obtain the Knife item and reach the red door that appears at the end of Mausoleum/Gehenna 2. Using the Knife on the door will open it, leading to a final boss fight.

8. How many endings are in The Binding of Isaac?

The Binding of Isaac has a multitude of endings. The base game and initial DLCs had around 13 endings. With Repentance, the total number of endings reaches about 17-18, with various new unlockable endings.

9. What happens when you beat Isaac multiple times?

Beating Isaac multiple times unlocks new items, like the Polaroid for beating Isaac five times. Similarly, beating Satan five times unlocks the Negative. These items then have a chance to drop in subsequent runs.

10. How long does it take to complete The Binding of Isaac?

The length of the game varies. Completing the main objectives can take about 11 hours. However, achieving 100% completion can take up to 139 hours or even more.

11. Is the Isaac DLC worth buying?

Absolutely. The DLCs, especially Repentance, add immense value to the game, offering tons of new content, challenges, and replayability. The game does have rare bugs, but overall they should not detract from the overall enjoyment. If you are unsure, you should try Afterbirth+ and see what you think.

12. How do you unlock Blue Baby in Isaac?

Blue Baby is unlocked by completing the game 10 times. He will then appear locked in a chest during the ending cutscene.

13. How many endings does Isaac Repentance add?

Repentance adds two new endings, in addition to the ones already in Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+, bringing the total to approximately 17-18.

14. Should I play Rebirth before Repentance?

Yes, it’s highly recommended to start with Rebirth and progress through the DLCs in order. This way, you can appreciate the evolution of the game and grasp the new mechanics step by step, before diving into all of the content that is contained in Repentance.

15. What is the strongest character in Binding of Isaac Repentance?

The strongest character in The Binding Of Isaac: Repentance is subjective and depends on play style. However, many players find Isaac, Azazel, Cain, Eve, Samson, and Magdalene to be very powerful and enjoyable characters to play with.

Final Thoughts

The Binding of Isaac, with its multiple DLC expansions, has become a truly deep and engaging roguelike experience. With three major DLCs, the game has seen a dramatic increase in content and complexity. If you are interested in delving into the depths of Isaac’s world, acquiring the base game and all the expansions in order will give you the most complete experience. The Repentance DLC serves as the capstone of this experience, and is well worth investing in for any fan of the game.