Baldi's Basics Plus
- June 12, 2020
- th10g7
- 45h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"Baldi's Basics Plus" is a single-player horror strategy game, boasting unique gameplay that combines strategy with chaos. As you collect notebooks in the ever-changing Super Schoolhouse, stealth and strategy are crucial to evade Baldi's exceptional hearing. Despite some bugs, the game's replayability and hidden depth make it an engaging and mysterious experience.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- gameplay296 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Baldi's Basics Plus is characterized by its strategic mechanics, random level generation, and a quirky cast of characters, offering a unique and engaging experience that encourages replayability. Players appreciate the balance of simplicity and challenge, with many noting the fun and chaotic nature of the game, despite some criticism regarding difficulty and the need for further updates. Overall, the game successfully blends retro aesthetics with innovative gameplay elements, making it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.
“The gameplay is great, and the music is wonderful.”
“My absolute favorite part of this game is the gameplay with each character type, items, random events and randomly generated levels which it’s absolutely fun because you have to completely strategize how you approach each level collecting the notebooks which keeps each playthrough a completely unique experience.”
“Baldi's Basics Plus is a really fun and challenging game that never gets boring and has a lot more characters and mechanics than the original Baldi's Basics.”
“The gameplay is pretty hard and pretty luck-based but I am sure you can get better at it with time.”
“While I really like the mechanic of needing to look at them to keep them in one place, their punishment of blinding me for a minute feels too long.”
“I will admit however, the game's 'field trips' in their current state are very lacking in structure, sounds, gameplay, etc - the corn maze is the most boring thing I've ever played, and the camping one feels somewhat mediocre.”
- humor172 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and surreal nature, often centered around the character of a "funny bald man" who adds a comedic twist to the gameplay. Players appreciate the blend of humor and horror, noting that the game's bizarre characters and unexpected moments create a unique and entertaining experience. Overall, the humor is described as charming, clever, and integral to the game's appeal, contributing to its status as a beloved indie title.
“The game's quirky humor, bizarre characters, and unexpected twists have also contributed to its widespread acclaim, inspiring fan art, memes, and even academic analyses.”
“This game is funny, amazingly themed, challenging but fun and very replayable.”
“I always thought Baldi's Basics was a really funny and clever game.”
- graphics158 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Baldi's Basics" are characterized by a nostalgic, retro aesthetic reminiscent of 90s edutainment games, which many players find charming despite their simplicity and pixelation. While some reviews note that the graphics can appear crude or lacking detail, they are intentionally designed to enhance the game's unique humor and gameplay experience. Overall, the art style has garnered a dedicated fanbase, with many appreciating its quirky, surreal qualities that set it apart from mainstream titles.
“The graphics are peak.”
“Great game, great graphics.”
“I love the 'cursed,' dithered aesthetic.”
“Another thing I kind of find stupid is because of the graphics. I understand that's the style of the game, but it still doesn't really need to look like an indie game made in 3 days, knowing this is a paid version.”
“The graphics are bad, pixelated, poorly colored, and lacking detail on purpose. Because of the nature of the game, it wouldn't work any other way.”
“Otherwise, for new players, it's a game with crappy graphics and too much that doesn't make sense, as well as not having any story.”
- replayability154 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its randomly generated maps, diverse characters, and multiple game modes, which keep each playthrough fresh and engaging. Many players highlight the fun and chaotic nature of the gameplay, with some noting that the replay value is expected to increase with future updates. While some reviews suggest that the current content may lead to occasional monotony, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant replay potential, especially for fans of the genre.
“The randomly generated levels, large cast of characters, and different items put this game's replayability to the max. The game is both funny and creepy at the same time, which allows for an interesting feel to the game.”
“Infinitely replayable because of the level generation.”
“The vast replayability, via multiple game modes, random seeds (and the option to enter seeds!), a colorful cast of characters, etc. makes this a good long-term game as well as a short-term game.”
“It gets old fast in its current state, but the price is good enough. When it gets more updates that add way more replay value, I might consider buying the game again. But if your purchases are really small indie projects, get this one; if you need to keep those 5 bucks, then don't.”
“Overall, it still holds up pretty well even in 2023, and unlike the original, this one has more variety and replayability, albeit at the cost of it getting a little boring after a few levels.”
“Maybe the replayability is being a little oversold, but it's still very good.”
- story118 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for being either non-existent or underdeveloped, with many reviewers noting that it focuses more on gameplay mechanics than narrative depth. While some express hope for future story content, others find the absurdity of the setting and characters engaging enough to compensate for the lack of a traditional storyline. Overall, the consensus suggests that players seeking a rich narrative experience may be disappointed.
“Not only is Baldi's Basics Plus a cinematic masterpiece with a story unlike any other, but it has saved not only my marriage, but my life.”
“The main story isn't even in the game yet, but seeing what the developer has done with Classic Remastered, I am really looking forward to it.”
“Its success highlights the growing trend of indie games challenging conventional norms and resonating with audiences through innovative storytelling and gameplay mechanics.”
“Your silly meta story isn't clever, it's the same bore.”
“The game is nice; however, there is no story mode in this game, and there is no collecting sticks and placing them in the fire in first-person in field trip mode. Otherwise, for new players, it's a game with crappy graphics and too much that doesn't make sense, as well as not having any story.”
“However, it kind of feels like all the modes in the game should be side modes to a non-existent 'story mode'.”
- grinding46 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many users expressing that it requires an excessive time commitment, likening it to needing "a second life." While some find enjoyment in specific minigames like hide and seek, others feel that the camping and farming activities are tedious and not engaging. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback to the game's enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The new camping and farming minigames suck, but the hide and seek never gets old!”
“This is a very fun game, but the camping trip and the farming trip are boring. They're not the real versions, but the trailer of this game has the real version of the camping and farming game.”
“The camping mode is a little hard, but the farming mode is where I have the most struggle.”
- music36 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its catchy and engaging nature, likening it to the quality of soundtracks from games like Undertale. However, others have found it overwhelming or irritating, with one user even mentioning it caused a migraine. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, it may not appeal to everyone.
“He sings a little song for you if you beat hide-and-seek 😭”
“The soundtracks are really on fire 🔥 but seriously, they really are like Undertale.”
“The attention to detail is amazing, with the real MIDI music to the 4:3 aspect ratios on the menus!”
“The music and sound effects gave me a migraine headache.”
“The moment you stop hearing the cheerful music after the countdown, you know you are fucked.”
“Every time I go outside, I hear Playtime's music.”
- stability34 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game is reported to be somewhat buggy, with users experiencing various glitches such as invisible environments and unintended button mappings that disrupt gameplay. However, many players still find the game enjoyable and acknowledge that it is in early access, suggesting that the issues are expected during development. Overall, while stability is a concern, it does not significantly detract from the game's appeal.
“Despite only one developer working on the game, it's not that buggy.”
“Bit buggy and the sprint and map buttons are shift and tab so it opens friends list, which causes pauses, and sometimes the whole school goes invisible and I can only see the skybox.”
“I do feel the game has its fair share of bugs and glitches, but the game is still in development, so it's expected and there's still more content to come.”
“Even though right now it is in early access, I think it is great and to me it doesn't feel buggy. It's a great game; I can't wait to see the final version.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to Baldi, describing him as a wholesome character who evokes feelings of both joy and sadness. The game elicits deep emotional responses, with some players feeling special and even crying during challenging moments. Overall, Baldi's character is seen as a positive and comforting presence amidst the game's challenges.
“Baldi made me feel special.”
“Made me cry myself to sleep trying to escape Dr. Reflex.”
“Baldi is a wholesome nice guy.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users suggesting it should transition to a free-to-play model with in-app purchases. Critics have expressed frustration over the inclusion of irrelevant content and microtransactions, arguing that these elements detract from the overall experience.
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Good but it should become a free-to-play match-3 with in-app purchases.”
“Also, those random photos that appear on walls are just some random rich spoiled child doing a pose, some YouTuber self-advertising, and the worst memes ever. Please remove these and only include content that actually fits in the game. It's a Kickstarter bonus, but I can't remove the 3-year-old content that feels inappropriate. Give them some free merch instead or something; don't ruin the game for people.”
“[i] Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players noting significant performance issues that detract from the overall experience. While certain moments can be surprising or engaging, the gameplay often fails to meet acceptable performance standards.
“Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
“Performance or gameplay falls significantly below the passing mark.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as ominous and immersive, creating a sense of genuine fear as players navigate the environment while trying to escape from Baldi after collecting notebooks. This captivating setting enhances the overall tension and challenge of the gameplay.
“You can have genuine fear after getting all notebooks on the floor and trying to desperately run away from Baldi, just due to how ominous the atmosphere itself is and how hard it was to get them.”
“[i] Immersive atmosphere - captivating environment.”
“You can have genuine fear after getting all the notebooks on the floor and trying to desperately run away from Baldi, just due to how ominous the atmosphere itself is and how hard it was to get them.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the game features impressive character designs and engaging gimmicks, reviewers feel that the character development lacks depth and could benefit from increased replayability to enhance the overall experience.
