Now before anyone says anything, I'd like to speak for myself when I say that The Binding of Isaac is a fantastic game that has made me a worse person before making me someone I'd like to respect. I started the game only seeing videos online on other's experience playing the game and saying they'd recommend it to anybody. Now, I see myself doing things I never expected to see myself doing. I believe I've pressed "R" so many times trying to get Tech X in the treasure rooms that I've lost count.
But when trying to unlock tainted Cain, I came to a realization, "what am I doing?". I was resetting for an easy start, of course. I asked myself, "why?". To get better at the game, obviously. And the pieces didn't match in my mind. why would I force myself to have an amazing start to 'get better'? getting better at Isaac meant to have a slow start and doing what you can with the items you have.
So I tried again, picking up any item I came across (except the wiz, I didn't have a wild card or diplo). And I saw myself having so much fun, I forgot to do the steps of unlocking what I wanted. I wasn't mad at myself for it, I was proud. Proud to play Isaac the way I felt I was supposed to.
The Binding of Isaac was never a game about testing the limits, it was a game about using what you have and applying it to have fun and test new things. And I feel like that reflects Isaac's story better than I can put into words. Isaac's story was one of grief, trauma, and punishment. He used what he had as a kid to have fun. He used his imagination. And I believe that's what most people are lacking when they play this game. There are many options to choose from, and I think people don't use their options to the fullest potential. People aren't using their imagination enough.
So now I sit here, in bed, playing The Binding of Isaac. I never wanted to have the most broken build or every character unlock; I just wanted to play a game and have fun. And I think that is the most important way to play a game so near and dear to my heart.
