Overall, the inclusion of new items and the adjustments to old ones balance the game so that the learning curve is a bit more fair. The most important elements of this remake are the gameplay rebalancing and optimizations. The game itself has retooled almost every item you can acquire, and most can stack, creating the potential for unique and fun permutations. There is nothing more satisfying than having a lucky run and being able to wreak total havoc on the enemies on each floor of the game. New cutscenes and endings also contribute to giving the remake its sheen and help make it a new experience altogether. While these took a little time to get used to, long-time players will appreciate these additions as they manage to keep the game feeling fresh, which is a great quality for a game that has almost endless re-playability. When the game is first loaded, you immediately notice new 16-bit aesthetic and the atmospheric soundtrack by Ridiculon. It is the definitive version of 'The Binding of Isaac.' Then comes 'Rebirth,' which in almost every conceivable way surpasses the original. Never has a remake deserved the description of 'remake' quite like the 'The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth.' Remakes in the past few years have almost always been aesthetic remakes where the visuals are improved with little to no game-play optimizations.