The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth for PC, iOS and etc. is an expanded and modified version of a popular independent title, whose gameplay had been inspired by the first installment of The Legend of Zelda series, and similar titles. The original version of The Binding of Isaac has been created in Flash, and was released on PC in September 2011. The game was developed by only two people – Edmund McMillen and Florian Himsl. McMillen had been known on the scene thanks to Super Meat Boy – a platform game from 2010 that has quickly gained loyal following from the genre fans. The creators tasked another developer with creating Rebirth – Nicalis studio, which specializes in similar projects. The developers introduced a new engine, avoiding certain limitations of Flash, and introduced a number of novelties and fixes.

Plot

The plot is based on a biblical story of Abraham and his test of faith given to him by God, when he ordered him to make a sacrifice of his son, Isaac. In The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, the players assume the role of the boy, hiding from the danger in the house’s cellar, which happens to be a nightmarish labyrinth full of demons and monsters from the most dreadful dreams.

Gameplay

The basic idea of the gameplay hasn’t changed in relation to the original version of The Binding of Isaac. The players traverse a randomly-generated labyrinth of chambers, culminating in a boss fight. During the exploration, we find various items that have an effect on hero’s statistics. The individual levels may contain shops, treasure rooms, and other secret locations, which require multiple playthroughs to be discovered. The items used to interact with the environment play a huge role in The Binding of Isaac. We use bombs to destroy obstacles or enemies, while keys are used to open numerous chests and doors to locked chambers. As the game progresses, we unlock additional characters, with differing strengths and bonuses available at the start of a new game.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth for PC, iOS and etc. includes content that could be found in two DLC add-ons for The Binding of Isaac, as well as completely new additions, not available in the original game due to technological restrictions. Another novelty is a local cooperation mode, allowing for a joint tour of the labyrinth along with a friend.

Technical aspects

The visuals have been changed in order to resemble classic titles from 16-bit consoles. The design of items, characters, or enemies has not undergone major changes, but thanks to “pixel-like” look, they acquired some fresh appeal.

Last updated on 04 March 2020