Powers in the Basement

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 30 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • story
Powers in the Basement Game Cover
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Will Phail is a fifteen-year-old like many others: lazy, spoiled, and phlegmatic. But he has one thing that others lack: he's useless! Experience Will's drama in this short adventure as he searches for his favorite T-shirt so he can hang out with his friends trying to defend his already compromised reputation. Dodge lazy grandparents, mischievous rats, and carnivorous plants, and find the courag…

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  • PC
  • Windows
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
graphics4 positive mentions
monetization2 negative mentions
  • Charming retro pixel art style with a humorous storyline that pays homage to classic point-and-click adventures.
  • Engaging puzzles that, while challenging, provide a nostalgic experience reminiscent of 90's adventure games.
  • The game is free to play, making it accessible for fans of the genre and newcomers alike.
  • Many puzzles are unintuitive and can lead to confusion, often requiring external guides to complete.
  • The achievement system includes a monetization element that feels coercive, as players must purchase the soundtrack to achieve 100% completion.
  • The action grid can overwhelm players with options, and many commands feel unnecessary or poorly implemented.
  • music10 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its nostalgic quality that evokes the early 90s point-and-click adventure vibe. However, the requirement to purchase the soundtrack as part of the achievement system has drawn criticism, as it feels like a heavy-handed way to encourage support for the developers. Overall, while the music enhances the game's charm, the monetization aspect has left some players feeling frustrated.

    • “Lovely retro art style, nice music, all those things that tickle the old LucasArts adventure bones.”
    • “Sound and music are also quite good.”
    • “This little adventure is an introduction to a bigger game, but the attention to detail in the setting, music, and animations is phenomenal!”
    • “One achievement is literally buying the soundtrack with real money.”
    • “While supporting the game is commendable, making the soundtrack a compulsory purchase feels rather heavy-handed.”
    • “Worst of all is the achievement which you can only obtain by buying their soundtrack, so you cannot get 100%.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The game features a charming retro pixel art style that resonates well with fans of classic adventure games, complemented by great artwork and animation. While many appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and humor, some players express a preference for a different visual style over the pixel art.

    • “Great artwork and animation.”
    • “Lovely retro art style, nice music, all those things that tickle the old LucasArts adventure bones.”
    • “Nice game, retro pixel style graphic adventure with humor.”
  • story4 mentions

    The game features a charming and quirky story typical of classic point-and-click adventures, making it enjoyable and accessible for players. However, some users noted frustration with mission-critical items being tied to actions that may yield useless rewards. Overall, the narrative is well-received for its fun and engaging elements.

    • “Classic point-and-click game with a fun story.”
    • “A nice little old-style point-and-click adventure with a quirky story.”
    • “The game has a lovely little story and is easy to pick up.”
    • “Some mission-critical items can only be acquired by performing an action that has already given you a useless item, and this happens twice.”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The characters are one-dimensional and fail to evoke any real emotional connection.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with players praising its witty writing and funny jokes. The retro pixel style complements the comedic elements, making for an enjoyable old-school adventure experience, despite its brevity and limited locations.

    • “Nice game, retro pixel style graphic adventure with humor.”
    • “Great writing, very funny jokes.”
    • “Powers in the Basement is a super funny old-school adventure: the game is short, with few locations but a lot of items to mess around with.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that developers must strike a careful balance between monetization strategies and player satisfaction, as overly aggressive tactics can alienate the audience. Some players feel that certain monetization elements detract from the sense of achievement in the game.

    • “Developers need to find a balance between monetization and player satisfaction, without resorting to tactics that could potentially alienate their audience.”
    • “This seemed like an odd addition, veering more towards monetization than rewarding in-game accomplishments.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay is criticized for its reliance on monetary transactions for achievements rather than actual gameplay accomplishments. While it features classic 90's point-and-click mechanics, many users find it unplayable due to poorly implemented features.

    • “It's a simple 90's point-and-click game, and it would probably be enjoyable if it were playable. The developers implemented a bunch of mechanics but decided not to implement any of them correctly.”
    • “Achievements should be based on actual gameplay, not monetary transactions.”
    • “It's a simple 90's point-and-click game and it would probably be enjoyable if it were playable. The developers implemented a bunch of mechanics but decided not to implement any of them correctly.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game evokes strong emotional connections by paying homage to classic adventure titles, weaving nostalgia through heartfelt references to beloved games like Monkey Island and Indiana Jones. This tribute not only resonates with fans of the genre but also enriches the overall experience with a sense of warmth and familiarity.

    • “A heartfelt love letter to old school masterpieces like Monkey Island, Indiana Jones & the Fate of Atlantis, Simon the Sorcerer, and so on, with plenty of references to them.”
    • “The game beautifully captures the essence of nostalgia, evoking deep emotions tied to childhood adventures and classic storytelling.”
    • “Every character's journey resonates on a personal level, making you feel their struggles and triumphs as if they were your own.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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