Basement

About

Basement is a single player strategy game. It was developed by Halfbus and was released on November 10, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Basement is a single-player strategy game where you run an illegal drug business to fund your dream video game development. Experience the unpredictable world of crime, from dealing with gangs to solving production issues, all while trying to make a profit. Despite some bugs, the game boasts fantastic gameplay, phenomenal graphics, excellent music, and plenty of humor.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,410 reviews

gameplay100 positive mentions

stability42 negative mentions

The game has a unique and fun concept of managing a drug-dealing operation.
The pixel art style and soundtrack create an engaging atmosphere.
The gameplay is addictive and offers a satisfying progression as players build their drug empire.

The game is currently very short and lacks content, making it feel repetitive after a few hours.
There are significant balance issues, particularly with the difficulty spikes and AI behavior.
The lack of a save feature and tutorial can lead to frustration for new players.

gameplay
282 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
59%
6%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players enjoying the core mechanics and initial fun but finding it repetitive and lacking depth over time. While some appreciate the unique concepts and humor, others criticize the unbalanced mechanics, tedious micro-management, and insufficient content, leading to frustration and a sense of incompleteness. Overall, the game shows potential but requires significant improvements to enhance player engagement and satisfaction.
- “I've enjoyed the gameplay loop a lot.”
- “The gameplay was pretty fun and engaging with some decent progression throughout the story.”
- “Overall, I'd say the gameplay of basement is strong, and is the main reason I kept coming back soon after quitting in frustration at some points.”
- “The game went through so many phases, and I always liked the basic gameplay loop, but the final iteration is just irritating.”
- “A cluster of unorganized game mechanics.”
- “The mission's are pretty horrendous in that the bugs and horrible control make it frustrating rather than actual gameplay difficulty.”
story
242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
78%
9%
The game's story revolves around a character who, after failing to secure funding for his video game idea, turns to drug dealing to finance his dream, leading to a series of humorous yet chaotic missions. While some players appreciate the comedic elements and the potential for engaging gameplay, many criticize the story for being poorly executed, overly difficult, and lacking depth, often feeling more like a series of frustrating tutorials than a cohesive narrative. Overall, the story mode is seen as underwhelming compared to the more enjoyable sandbox mode, leaving players wanting more substantial content and clearer objectives.
- “The game is the story of someone who has an idea for a video game; however, he's unable to impress any investors and has no money to make that dream possible, so he just goes out to get high. Once he does, he gets the idea from his friend to get into the dealing trade!”
- “After this, we are taken on a story where we deal in all kinds of illicit substances and keep getting blocked whenever we try to build up the cash to hire our programmers, artists, and writers for the game as we get involved in a turf war, the police, and even the biggest of all evils.”
- “It was so cool to be able to dive into the story and have something meaningful unfold.”
- “The story mode is often unclear in certain points, and most of the changes make it harder than I enjoy.”
- “The 'story' reeks of the hastily made cash grab it was; I certainly wouldn't pay more than $5.”
- “The game is boring and repetitive; I bought it while it was still in early access and can confidently say that it didn’t evolve much since then except for the addition of a 'story mode' that falls flat compared to the sandbox mode.”
graphics
96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
42%
4%
The game's graphics are characterized by a distinctive retro 2D pixel art style that many players find charming and fitting for the overall aesthetic. While some reviews praise the artwork and its integration with sound and gameplay, others note issues with execution in story scenes and technical glitches that detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics receive a mixed reception, with many appreciating the unique art style despite some criticisms regarding simplicity and performance.
- “Graphics – it's got a great graphic style I really like; it’s simple yet distinctive.”
- “Absolutely love the aesthetic of the game.”
- “The artwork is exceptional.”
- “You will find very simplified graphics, with bad sound on very little content.”
- “The graphics are atrocious, but I've got no complaint about that.”
- “The graphics are very simple and it is a very early version with constant changes and quite a few bugs.”
music
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
47%
6%
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising the soundtrack as fitting and enhancing the overall atmosphere, particularly noting its electronic and chip music elements. However, some players expressed a desire for more variety, mentioning that the limited number of tracks can become repetitive. Overall, while the music complements the game's aesthetic and theme, there are calls for additional content to enrich the auditory experience.
- “The music is amazing; it adds to the overall ambience in my opinion.”
- “The minimal soundtrack complements the atmosphere and immersion the chosen pixel art style affords, and I look forward to future updates that expand out the content even further.”
- “Everything about this game, from soundtrack to graphics to overall fun, is perfect.”
- “Lastly, I recommend turning off the music and putting on some of your own.”
- “The game only appears to have two music tracks, and they're not really notable.”
- “The music isn't great and the audio is passable but not fantastic.”
stability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs and glitches affecting gameplay, particularly in the user interface and mission progression. While some players acknowledge improvements over time, many still experience significant issues that can lead to lost progress and frequent freezes. Overall, the game is seen as needing further updates and refinement to address its persistent stability problems.
- “The game is mostly bug-free; I haven't encountered any issues, but I don't want to claim it is completely bug-free.”
- “The last time I played this game, it wasn't that buggy.”
- “This game is really buggy; I really like the game, but it frequently has bugs and you can lose all your progress because of these bugs.”
- “Currently, the game is badly broken and freezes after 5 minutes if you're lucky using ATI Radeon cards.”
- “I get that early access can sometimes be buggy, but this feels pre-alpha.”
replayability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
Overall, the game currently suffers from a lack of replayability, with many players noting that it can be completed quickly and offers limited content beyond the initial playthrough. While some enjoy the gameplay and find it fun for a short time, most agree that significant updates and additional content are needed to enhance replay value. Currently, the only notable replay option is sandbox mode, but many feel that without further development, the game may not hold long-term interest.
- “It is a casual game, keep in mind, so the gameplay is pretty simple, but it provides enough depth for a few hours of play, not to mention it does have quite a bit of replayability and different ways you can play.”
- “With what you have and what you plan to do, it could be an extremely well-made game with lots of replayability and challenging aspects.”
- “Very fun, great replay value.”
- “It's a small game that can be completed fairly quickly and doesn't have replay value, but for the price, the game is a pretty fun addition to a boring weekend.”
- “The game has a gulf in replayability after the first few wins.”
- “Also, it only took 60 minutes to complete and is pretty much just a flash game at this point, and once complete it has pretty much no replay value as all you can do is play the game from the start again; you can't even keep playing with the setup you just made.”
humor
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as quirky and dark, with references to popular culture like "Breaking Bad" and "Rick and Morty," which some players found amusing. While there are moments of genuine humor, opinions vary, with some feeling the humor is generic or not consistently funny. Overall, the game offers a mix of comedic elements within its unique drug-themed gameplay, appealing to those who enjoy a blend of crafting and dark humor.
- “It's not perfect, but Basement is a quirky gem for those who enjoy crafting, laughing in the face of doom, and questioning their life choices.”
- “I like the humor and all the references to Breaking Bad, Rick and Morty, and other popular themes.”
- “Small but passionate developer team created a very funny management game with missions and a sandbox mode; AI enemies and game updates are also included.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the repetitive nature of levels and the need to restart after character deaths, which can negate significant progress. While some acknowledge that the gameplay can still be enjoyable despite its grindy elements, many express a desire for improvements to reduce the monotony and enhance the overall experience. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant flaw, yet some players still consider the game worth purchasing for its potential and concept.
- “Grinding for duct tape might make you question your life choices.”
- “The levels are so tedious and demand a very narrow style of play.”
- “But my biggest gripe is that you have to start the whole level over again if either of the main characters die, which doesn't sound that bad, but when you have spent 20 minutes grinding up money to get bulky guys and then just have it thrown down the drain because they got a lucky punch on the main character...”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a dark, immersive setting that effectively conveys the theme of illicit activities, enhanced by a unique art style and minimal soundtrack. While the humor and quirky concept add charm, some players feel the gameplay falls short, indicating a need for more content to fully engage them. Overall, the atmosphere is praised as a strong point, with potential for further development in future updates.
- “The game has a nice art style and atmosphere, and the mechanics work pretty well for something that is still very early access.”
- “The minimal soundtrack complements the atmosphere and immersion the chosen pixel art style affords, and I look forward to future updates that expand out the content even further.”
- “I like the idea, seeing that I am a sucker for games with a darker atmosphere, and it is really unique.”
- “It helps create the atmosphere of someone cooking up some drugs in a basement or warehouse.”
- “The minimal soundtrack complements the atmosphere and immersion the chosen pixel art style affords, and I look forward to future updates that expand the content even further.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a touching love story that resonates with some players, despite being marred by cringe-inducing racial stereotypes that detract from the overall experience. While some find it relatable, others struggle to connect due to these problematic elements.
- “Can't relate, but it's a touching love story nonetheless.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy has been criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing disappointment over the game's early access status and perceived lack of commitment from developers.
- “You had a chance here to make something awesome - but alas... another abandoned early access cash grab.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with users noting that performance and content can vary significantly, leading to inconsistent experiences.
- “Performance and content may vary significantly, leading to an inconsistent gaming experience.”
- “The optimization issues make it difficult to enjoy the game as intended.”
- “Frequent performance drops and lag hinder the overall gameplay experience.”