Is The Binding of Isaac: Repentance a Sequel? Untangling the Ultimate Expansion

The short answer is: no, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is not a sequel. While it’s undeniably massive in scope and introduces a plethora of new content, Repentance is, at its core, a DLC (Downloadable Content) expansion for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. However, dismissing it as just DLC would be a significant understatement. Repentance is so expansive that it blurs the line between expansion and sequel, prompting many to question its true nature. It’s more accurate to view it as a definitive edition that significantly overhauls and expands upon the original game and its previous expansions.

Repentance: More Than Just a DLC

The confusion around Repentance’s status is understandable. Its impact on the base game is monumental. It includes all the content from Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+, while introducing hundreds of new features, items, enemies, bosses, and even alternative paths. The sheer amount of new material can feel like an entirely new game, and in many ways, it is. It incorporates the popular Antibirth mod, a fan-made modification that added substantial content, making it feel like more than just an official add-on.

While it’s not a standalone title like a true sequel, it needs the base game and previous DLCs (Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+) to operate. This requirement signifies its classification as an expansion, not a completely independent product. Yet, the scale of the added content and the significant changes to gameplay make it more than just a typical DLC. The developers, and even fans, have used phrases like “sequel-sized DLC” to describe it accurately.

The “Sequel-Sized” Expansion

The term “sequel-sized DLC” highlights the fact that Repentance offers a level of content comparable to what one would expect from a full-fledged sequel. There are so many secrets and new features that many players would agree it has more content than most games would have in an actual numbered sequel! Repentance doesn’t just add new elements; it fundamentally reworks existing mechanics and systems, offering a fresh experience even for veteran players.

The developers have stated that Repentance is the final DLC for the Binding of Isaac series. This affirmation positions it as the ultimate conclusion to the existing story and gameplay. It wraps up loose ends while adding countless new avenues for exploration, making it the perfect culmination to the long-running rogue-like.

Why it Feels Like a Sequel

Here are some reasons why Repentance so often feels like a sequel:

• Vast Content Addition: The sheer volume of new content – items, enemies, bosses, characters, and challenges – rivals that of many standalone games.
• Gameplay Overhaul: Repentance significantly alters existing mechanics, offering a refreshed experience even for longtime fans of the game.
• Integration of Antibirth: The inclusion of the fan-made Antibirth mod introduces a plethora of new and popular content directly into the official release.
• Definitive Edition Status: It’s been positioned as the “ultimate version” of The Binding of Isaac, consolidating all previous content into a cohesive and expanded package.
• Extended Replayability: With the amount of content and secrets, players are looking at hundreds of hours of gameplay to fully experience everything the game has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about The Binding of Isaac: Repentance to help you understand the game and its place in the series:

1. Do I need to own all previous Binding of Isaac games and DLCs to play Repentance?

Yes, you absolutely need to own The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+ to play Repentance. It is not a standalone product. This means you will need the base game and previous two expansions in order to play.

2. Is Repentance a completely new game?

No, while it feels like a new game due to the large quantity of new content and changes to existing mechanics, Repentance is fundamentally an expansion or DLC for the original Binding of Isaac: Rebirth game.

3. How many hours does it take to beat Repentance?

Focusing on the main objectives, The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is about 12 hours in length. However, striving for 100% completion can take around 595 hours.

4. How many endings does Repentance have?

Repentance adds two new endings to the total number. The game now has a total of 20 endings. These can be unlocked by killing specific bosses in the game.

5. How many bosses does Repentance add?

Repentance introduces a significant number of new bosses. 30 new bosses and 2 new mini-bosses are added to the game through Repentance.

6. Is Repentance the final DLC for The Binding of Isaac?

Yes, Repentance has been officially stated by Edmund McMillen, the creator, to be the final DLC for The Binding of Isaac.

7. Is it worth buying The Binding of Isaac: Repentance?

Absolutely! It’s a must-have for fans of the series and a great entry point for new players. It is the most comprehensive, and ultimately best way to experience The Binding of Isaac.

8. What is the best way to play The Binding of Isaac games?

The correct order is: Rebirth (base game) -> Afterbirth -> Afterbirth+ -> Repentance. This order is necessary to play each subsequent expansion.

9. Is The Binding of Isaac a difficult game?

Yes, the game is known for its high difficulty. Players can spend hundreds of hours and still struggle to reach all the endings and truly beat it.

10. Is The Binding of Isaac based on a story from the bible?

Yes, the game is a reference to, and a send-up of, the biblical story of The Binding of Isaac. The core of the story is a very loose retelling of Abraham attempting to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

11. Does Repentance include all previous DLCs?

Yes, Repentance includes all of the content from Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+, making it the most complete version of the game.

12. Does the difficulty of The Binding of Isaac increase the more you play?

Yes, the game’s difficulty tends to increase as you unlock more levels and items. The more you play the game, the more you unlock, and the harder and more varied each new run can be.

13. What is the prequel to The Binding of Isaac?

The Legend of Bum-Bo is considered the prequel to the Binding of Isaac. It is a puzzle-based deck-building rogue-like game by the same creator.

14. How many hearts can Isaac have in The Binding of Isaac?

The player character can hold a maximum of 12 hearts. These can be any combination of red, blue, black, or bone hearts.

15. Is Rebirth a sequel to the original Binding of Isaac?

No, Rebirth is a remake of the original Binding of Isaac, which was a Flash-based application. Rebirth was built from the ground up using a new game engine.

Final Thoughts

While The Binding of Isaac: Repentance isn’t technically a sequel, its scale and impact are so significant that it feels more like a completely new game. It is the ultimate iteration of the game, and a must-play for fans of roguelikes and challenging games alike. The amount of content, changes and updates it brings to the franchise is substantial, making it the definitive way to experience the entire series. So, while it’s technically a DLC, it provides a sequel-level experience for those willing to dive into its depths.