Been playing this game since I was a sophomore in high school and I never would have ever thought that when picking up this game because one of my buddies played it that I would ever invest so much time into a masterpiece like this. I didn't even hop on the ride from the beginning, I played when ab+ just came out, but seeing the game grow to what it is now is mind blowing. Feels like an entirely different game with the amount of content they've added. So many characters with a variety of playstyles that are all really fresh and fun (Besides (redacted) Cain and Magdalene), SO many items that the rabbit hole for synergies is virtually endless, and I'm still discovering more every single day. So many different routes that are all really fun now (besides delirium until they rework it) since the changes they've made to so many of them. Amazing music. A story that's very disturbing, but also really interesting to read about. Mod support that's really good and has inspired tons of designs that are in the game now with a community of extremely talented individuals. I still haven't gotten my hands on Revelations yet, but sometime down the road I will.
-- Spoiler Territory --
The addition of Tainted characters was something that I absolutely could not believe they had done. After doing both routes I knew there had to have been something I missed and there had to have been another character or something that was kept secret. And then there it is, pressing a button on the character select revealing what is pretty much an entire extra roster of characters. I genuinely could not believe what I was looking at. I sat there looking at the menu, listening to the remixed theme that's far more twisted and unsettling, star struck. Something about the music was like my developing realization about how much content there is now, and that this is the big secret they hid the ENTIRE time throughout their blogposts updating us about this expansion, and it wasn't leaked either thank god. Even now when I listen to it I'm still filled with goosebumps.
The game was made in modern times, and a big complaint I often have with games nowadays is that I miss when developers on old consoles had to work with a sound chip for sound design. The sound design back then felt a lot more unique and memorable in comparison. Isaac takes this and does so much with it. Of course they didn't use a sound chip, but the sound design in the game feels just like that, both in game and with some of the music.
The wide rollercoaster of emotions this game has made me feel (and will still feel since I haven't 100%ed this expansion yet) is something I will almost certainly never get to experience with any game ever again. If I could experience it again, I would do it 1000 times over and over again.
From the bottom of my heart, I 100% recommend this game, and all of its expansions. I promise it's worth the price.