Lucas Reviews: The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth

SPOILERS: DO NOT READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HAVE THINGS SPOILED FROM THE NEW BoI DLC
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth

So it’s finally here. The DLC for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. Afterbirth. Rather than covering everything like I normally would, for this review I’m going to tell you what has been added and the pros and cons of the DLC. There are no story changes (minus a few character details) and no gameplay changes apart from added items and new rooms. So, let’s get right into it!

Additions

So, there’s actually quite a few additions to the game with this DLC that makes the game even more fun than it already was. Additions include:

• 120 new items
• An updated weapon combination system
• Greed Mode - New game mode that focuses on Risk/Reward
• New area with a new boss
• 2 new characters
• Online leaderboards to go along with a new daily challenge addition
• 10 new challenges
• 1000+ new room designs
• New transformations
• New achievements
• 4 new chapters
• 4 new visual themes
• Seed system revision
• 100+ new enemies
• 8 new bosses
• New Soundtrack.

Pros and Cons

Now, of course, there’s going to be some pros and cons with this new DLC. As usual, there’s good things and bad things that a DLC can add that, thankfully, can be changed later down the line with updates. As of 11/16/2015, these are my issues with the game in its current state. These will likely be changed down the line:

PROS:

• The two new characters are fun and play differently than the other characters
• The updated weapon combinations are fun and usually work pretty well. As usual, there are good and bad weapon combinations
• The new challenges are just that, challenging, and are incredibly fun (if not frustrating) to play.
• The addition of daily challenges add a layer of competition as you’re competing for the best time and best score against your friends and people all around the world.
• The new enemies and bosses are hard, but interesting and easy to get used to.
• The new transformations are interesting, but hard to figure out on how exactly to activate them.

CONS:

• One of the new characters is unlocked after (SPOILER ONCE AGAIN) getting 999 coins in the Greed Mode donation machine. The machine jams relatively quickly so you have to invest an insane amount of time into the new mode.
• The new character, Lilith, is relatively weak right now as she was nerfed almost immediately upon release
• Azazel has been nerfed to take longer to fire his laser and also does less damage. This is going to be fixed.
• The Green Mode Boss and the new boss Hush all gain armor based on your DPS, making them long fights.
• Some layouts require you to take damage, but this will be fixed.

Stats (Taken from the BoI Steam Page)

Key Features:

• Over 100 hours of MORE gameplay
• Greed Mode - a whole new way to play, focused on risk/reward
• Expanded main game - a new final area with a new final boss
• Daily Runs – play a new official run, everyday!
• Online Leaderboards - compete for highscore/best time
• 10 totally new and awesome challenges!
• 1000+ new room designs, as well as room
• MONSTROUSLY UPDATED WEAPON COMBO SYSTEM!
• 120 new items--not counting tons of new pickups, chests, pills, bombs and cards--taking the item count up beyond 500!
• Alternate soundtrack!
• Tons of new secret transformations!
• MOAR new achievements

Uber secrets including:

• Lilith, mother of demons, a totally new playable character
• 4 new alternate chapters with new enemy types and visual themes
• Revised seed code combo system and new special seeds
• 100+ enemies, with new designs
• 8 new bosses
• Even more rooms FULL OF POOP!
• and probably at least 5 other features we can’t remember due to all the crap that we threw into this little monster

Final Thoughts

As far as DLC goes, I’d say this is actually pretty good. The price point is $10.99 (or your regional equivalent) and as stated above, adds a load of content that really meshes well with the game. If you’re a Binding of Isaac fan, I’d definitely suggest picking this DLC up when you can. As it’s new, it’s still going through some bug fixes along with balance changes, but hey, variety is the spice of life right? Personally, my new favorite addition is the daily challenges as I can see how I stack up against random people and some of my favorite BoI players (like NorthernLion). Some of the new tear effects adds more chaos to the already chaotic game. Seriously, if you enjoy the base game, pick this up and enjoy the new gameplay!