The Binding of Isaac: Repentance to Add Online Multiplayer Mode

After 12 years, The Binding of Isaac remains a beloved roguelite game for many players. While there have been other Rogue-inspired games released since then, none have quite captured the same level of obsession as Edmund McMillen’s dark tale of a crying child’s fight against his murderous mother using the power of tears. And yes, I’m fully aware that I may need therapy.

One of the reasons why The Binding of Isaac continues to captivate players, including myself, is its delightful local co-op mode. It allows a second player to join in the multi-floor descent into a procedurally generated basement, hell, heaven, or womb. As the game evolved over the years with updates and expansions, so did its local multiplayer. Now, with the latest expansion, Repentance, players can choose from a roster of unlocked characters and enjoy a fully-featured co-op experience.

However, it seems that McMillen isn’t quite done with Isaac yet. Tyrone Rodriguez, the executive producer of the game, recently teased an online multiplayer mode for Repentance on Twitter. The screenshot shared shows the option to invite up to three friends to play as four different characters in various modes. The mode will also track online winstreaks and allow players to load specific seeds for preferred loadouts.

Rodriguez also confirmed in his responses to fans that the online multiplayer mode will support playing with random matches or friends. Additionally, treasure rooms and boss rooms will offer multiple items per player on each floor, ensuring there are plenty of items to go around. The online multiplayer mode is set to launch soon as a beta on Steam and will be available exclusively to those who own the Repentance pack.

Meanwhile, McMillen has been reflecting on the game’s 12th anniversary, expressing gratitude to the players who have embraced Isaac over the years. He thanked them for accepting his creation into their lives and acknowledged that, despite his initial doubts, The Binding of Isaac became a popular game in its own right.