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The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a randomly generated action roguelike for PC from Nicalis, available on Steam.
A roguelike is a game where the layout and enemies change every time you play, so no run ever repeats. You guide Isaac through a monster filled basement, picking up strange items that change his body and his abilities as you go. There is no fixed path, and no two playthroughs play the same.
The item system is what sets it apart from other roguelikes. Almost every item changes how Isaac looks, shoots, or moves, and items combine in ways the game never explains directly. Finding a busted combo by accident is half the appeal.
Rebirth originally released on November 4, 2014. It runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 via Steam, with macOS and Linux versions also available.
Already playing? Tell us your best item combo in the comments. Just checking it out? The guide below covers how to download it, the DLC structure, and tips to get started. Got questions? Reach out to us directly.
Quick Facts
| Developer | Nicalis, Edmund McMillen |
| Publisher | Nicalis |
| Released | November 4, 2014 |
| Price | $14.99 |
| Genre | Action Roguelike |
| Players | Single-player, local 2-player co-op |
| Platform | Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck, Steam Machine |
How to Download The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on Windows
Rebirth is sold on Steam for $14.99. It is a small install, under 500MB, so it downloads fast on most connections.
- Step 1. Download and install Steam if you do not already have it. It is free.
- Step 2. Open Steam and sign in, or create a free account if you do not have one.
- Step 3. Search for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, or go directly to the Steam store page.
- Step 4. Click Add to Cart and complete the $14.99 purchase.
- Step 5. Click Install on the store page or in your library once the purchase finishes.
- Step 6. Click Play after the download completes. You can jump into a run right from the main menu.
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Editions and DLC
The Isaac DLC structure has grown over a decade and trips up a lot of new players, so here is the simple version. Rebirth is the base game. Each release below adds onto whatever you already own, in order.
| Release | What It Adds | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth | Base game, required to play anything else | $14.99 |
| Afterbirth | New chapter, items, and bosses | $10.99 |
| Afterbirth+ | More items, a new final chapter, mod support | Bundled with Afterbirth |
| Repentance | The largest expansion: new playable characters, items, and endings. Recommended for most players | Sold separately on Steam |
| Repentance+ | Free update adding online co-op and an emote wheel. Requires owning Repentance | Free |
If you only buy one thing beyond the base game, make it Repentance. It is treated as the definitive way to play by most of the community.
What Is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth?
The story starts with Isaac’s mother hearing a voice she believes is God, demanding a sacrifice. Isaac escapes into the basement beneath his house, and the rest of the game plays out across randomly generated floors full of enemies, secrets, and his own twisted family members.
Combat is a top down shooter. Isaac cries tears as his main weapon, and items found in each run change those tears into fire, lasers, homing shots, or stranger effects. With 450 plus items in the base game alone, no two runs feel the same.
That item variety is the entire reason the game still has an active player base more than a decade after launch. Nicalis and Edmund McMillen have kept adding content since 2014.
Official Trailer
Watch the original release date trailer for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth to see the basement setting, core combat, and the tone of the game’s art style.
Key Features
450+ Items
Items stack and combine, so the same item can play completely differently depending on what else you are carrying.
Procedural Floors
Every basement layout is generated fresh, so memorizing a map never works the way it does in a normal dungeon crawler.
10 Playable Characters
Each character starts with different stats and items, which changes your early strategy before a single item drops.
Seeded Runs
Enter a seed code to replay the exact same run as a friend or a speedrunner you watched online.
641 Steam Achievements
One of the largest achievement lists on Steam, most tied to specific item combos or secrets.
Local and Online Co-op
Play split screen with a second controller, or use the newer online co-op beta if you own Repentance.
Is This Game for You?
You Will Love It If:
- ✅ You like roguelikes where every run feels different
- ✅ You enjoy figuring out item combos through trial and error
- ✅ You want a game that still gets updates a decade after release
- ✅ You do not mind dying a lot while you learn
You Might Not If:
- ❌ Dark religious imagery and gore are not for you
- ❌ You want a relaxed, low-difficulty game
- ❌ You expect a guided story instead of discovery through play
- ❌ You want a short, one-and-done campaign
🎮 Our Take
Isaac has held up because the item system never gets old. With hundreds of items that interact in ways the game rarely explains, the fun comes from discovery, not from being told what to do. The art style and tone will not be for everyone. The game is openly built around disturbing religious imagery and gore, but the people it clicks with tend to play it for years.
If you like roguelikes and do not mind dark themes, buy the base game and add Repentance once you know you like it. If horror imagery is a hard pass for you, this is not the roguelike to start with.
System Requirements
Minimum
- OS: Windows 10 or later
- CPU: Core 2 Duo
- RAM: 2GB
- GPU: Any discrete video card
- Storage: 449 MB
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10 or later
- CPU: 2.4GHz quad core or higher
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: Intel HD 4000, Radeon HD 4650, or GeForce 200 series and up
- Storage: 449 MB
Note: Steam itself stopped supporting versions older than Windows 10 starting January 1, 2024, so Windows 10 or 11 is required regardless of the game’s own minimum spec.
Tips for Beginners
Pick Up Every Item Early On
Grab everything you see on your first runs, even items that look bad. Learning what items actually do is most of the early game.
Bomb Suspicious Walls
Bombs can open secret rooms. Walk along the edges of each floor and bomb cracked or odd-looking walls to find hidden loot.
Expect to Die a Lot
Dying is part of learning the game. Each run still unlocks progress toward new items and characters, so a bad run is never wasted.
Use a Controller if You Have One
Aiming with the right stick is smoother than mouse aiming for most players, especially once runs get hectic.
Plan to Pick Up Repentance Later
If you want the full experience, buy Repentance once you have a feel for the base game. It is treated as the definitive version by most of the community.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth Screenshots
Browse the gallery below to see The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth running on PC, including basement floors, item pickups, and boss fights in action.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth FAQ
Is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on Epic Games or Game Pass?
Do I need to buy Repentance separately to get the full game?
Can I play The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth with a controller?
Does the game support online co-op?
Will my save get corrupted if I play Repentance+ online co-op?
Is The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth appropriate for kids?
Does The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth work on Steam Deck and the Steam Machine?
What are the system requirements for The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth?
Support and Community
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