whats the recommend play order for the Isaac franchise

[Monkey2077]

no not the lore i want to figure that out my self (if i can), but what game i should play in order
also what the ♥♥♥♥ is the difference between Rebirth and Rebirth+?

[Nazemec]

Originally posted by Monkey2077:

also what the ♥♥♥♥ is the difference between Rebirth and Rebirth+?

Main one is that "Rebirth+" doesn't exist.


There are two Isaac games:
- the original "the Binding of Isaac", with its expansion "Wrath of the Lamb".
- the remake "the Binding of Isaac: Rebirth", with its expansions "Afterbirth", "Afterbirth+", and "Repentance".

Content-wise, if you own Rebirth, there is no reason to get the original. Rebirth by itself already has all the content of the original and its expansion, and even more.


Instead of wondering about a "play order", better question: do you like the game?
If no, move along.
If unsure, get Rebirth alone at first to try it out.
If yes, or as soon as you know you'll want more of the game, get all expansions immediately.

For this game, expansions are not "more game after the game", instead they're "more game in the game". Expansion content is added seamlessly all throughout the progression. It is practically impossible for a new player (without prior knowledge) to determine at first glance if the monster/item/whatever they see is from the base game or an expansion.


Important note:
Each expansion requires all previous ones installed to run (consider them "expansions of expansions" if you prefer). So if you want Repentance (the latest one) for example, you also must buy and install both Afterbirth and Afterbirth+. This is not optional.

[Sentient Entropy]

Originally posted by Nazemec:

For this game, expansions are not "more game after the game", instead they're "more game in the game". Expansion content is added seamlessly all throughout the progression. It is practically impossible for a new player (without prior knowledge) to determine at first glance if the monster/item/whatever they see is from the base game or an expansion.

I'd like to agree with this whole post, and add specifically to this part that not only is the new content blended more or less seamlessly along with the enemies and items in the original base game, the final DLC Repentance takes content added in the earlier expansions and weaves it into the game much more smoothly than the earlier DLC itself did. The two best experiences playing Rebirth are definitely vanilla Rebirth or full Repentance, the middle stuff has loads of good content but it just wasn't as polished then as it is now.

Best of luck, OP.