The Basement Collection

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 710 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
The Basement Collection Game Cover
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"The Basement Collection" is a compilation of various games and prototypes created by Edmund McMillen. It includes popular titles like "Aether," "Grey-Matter," and "Spewer," as well as unreleased games and additional content. This collection offers a unique insight into the developer's creative process and provides hours of entertainment through its eclectic mix of games.

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Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 710 reviews
music23 positive mentions
optimization7 negative mentions
  • Fantastic collection of some genuinely great games, showcasing the development of the creative process.
  • Includes interesting extras like behind-the-scenes content, concept art, and interviews with the developer.
  • A must-have for fans of Edmund McMillen's work, especially for those who enjoyed Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac.
  • Many games suffer from poor optimization and lag, making them frustrating to play.
  • Some games feel unfinished or overly difficult, which may deter casual players.
  • Most of the games are available for free online, leading to questions about the value of the collection.
  • music51 mentions

    The music in the games is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtracks as exceptional and integral to the overall experience. Titles like "Time Fcuk" and "Aether" are noted for their unique and atmospheric compositions, while the collection itself offers a wealth of bonus soundtracks and remixes. Overall, the music enhances the gameplay and adds significant value to the indie game bundle.

    • “All of these games are so fun to play and all of their soundtracks are more than awesome.”
    • “The music that plays in this game is awesome and it's called 'The Longest Night' and it was made by the artist 'Tin Hat'.”
    • “Your getting a lot of bang for your buck essentially, you get a plethora of various genres to play, the soundtrack is phenomenal, and the games have a lot of heart.”
    • “For me, it helped to turn off the music or play in windowed mode.”
    • “It reminded me of Portal except it was much more disturbing with all the creepy voices and the creepy music.”
    • “Music rubbish!”
  • gameplay35 mentions

    The gameplay in this collection of indie classics is a mixed bag, featuring a variety of short games with unique mechanics and aesthetics, but often plagued by performance issues and inconsistent quality. While some titles like "Time Fcuk" and "Spewer" stand out for their creativity and engaging gameplay, others are criticized for being janky or frustratingly difficult. Overall, the collection offers hours of gameplay for fans of experimental indie games, but may not satisfy those seeking polished experiences.

    • “Plenty of hours of gameplay for sure.”
    • “The basement collection is an excellent selection of games; in each game, we have a difference in mechanics, aesthetics, gameplay, proposal, and style.”
    • “His games really stood out because of their creativity, great gameplay, and creative concepts.”
    • “This collection consists of ~7 short games that are all very janky in terms of gameplay.”
    • “The collection as a whole unfortunately I cannot recommend because of its performance issues, gameplay mediocrity, and price tag.”
    • “Gameplay wise, they are all rough prototypes so each game in this collection is relatively short in content but a few can really be a pleasant time suck.”
  • story30 mentions

    The story aspect of the games reviewed is characterized by a mix of intriguing narratives and quirky themes, often reflecting the unique style of developer Edmund McMillen. While some games, like "Triachnid," offer enjoyable and straightforward plots, others, such as "Coil" and "Time fcuk," present more complex and surreal storytelling that invites deeper exploration. Overall, players appreciate the blend of engaging narratives with challenging gameplay, though some titles may leave players feeling confused or lacking a clear storyline.

    • “If you are a fan of Edmund McMillen and his strange sense of humor, storytelling, and the difficulty he puts in his games, get this game.”
    • “I really do recommend people to go and hear his story because I'm sure many people can relate to him on different levels.”
    • “Edmund McMillen, the creator of Gish, The Binding of Isaac, and Super Meat Boy, shows off his early trials at interactive storytelling including an early version of Super Meat Boy.”
    • “Coil is a pretty weird game with a confusing story, but it has good puzzles and good art.”
    • “There is no real story to it besides the fact you can play a lot of games.”
    • “The plot is nearly the same, and was the original plot that later appeared in Super Meat Boy.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The graphics in the game collection are characterized by a creative and stylized aesthetic that reflects Edmund McMillen's unique art style, though some users noted occasional glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems. While the visuals are generally well-received, they may not meet the expectations of players seeking high-end graphics, as some experienced significant frame rate drops. Overall, the collection is praised for its artistic design and the additional unlockable content, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of indie games.

    • “The game offers some nice graphics; although there are some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same.”
    • “This game is amazing, and the art style of Edmund McMillen is great, as always.”
    • “The thing that I like about these games is the art styles and the animation. Ever since I played Super Meat Boy, it just clicked to me that I want to see more of this type of design featured in games.”
    • “All games of the collection require little graphical demand to run and I have a top-of-the-line CPU and GPU but still found games running at a frame rate as low as 10.”
    • “Graphics crap!”
    • “The graphics aren't bad at all and it's his usual style in all of his games.”
  • optimization15 mentions

    The optimization of the game collection is widely criticized, with users reporting significant performance issues, lag, and unresponsive controls, primarily due to the reliance on outdated Flash technology. Many reviewers note that the games suffer from bugs and crashes, making the overall experience frustrating and leading to a lack of recommendation for the collection. While some games may perform better than others, the general consensus is that the poor optimization severely hampers enjoyment.

    • “Level design is almost always interesting; however, I had some performance issues with games lagging and not being as responsive as I continued to play, forcing a restart.”
    • “If you're a fan of McMillen, it can be worth a buy for its informational value, but is overall hampered by the quality of its performance.”
    • “Some of the games work better, some of the games work worse, but unfortunately I cannot recommend this collection because it is not optimized enough.”
    • “My only complaint is that since they are coded in Flash, there seems to be some optimization issues in some games.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky and often crude elements, heavily influenced by Edmund McMillen's unique style, which includes absurd scenarios like playing as a sperm and a taunting NPC. Players appreciate the blend of bizarre storytelling and comedic moments, with many finding the humor both entertaining and a key reason for replaying the game. Overall, the game delivers a mix of hilarious and nonsensical experiences that resonate well with fans of McMillen's work.

    • “If you are a fan of Edmund McMillen and his strange sense of humor, storytelling, and the difficulty he puts in his games, get this game.”
    • “Great levels, mechanics, music, and an NPC that constantly taunts you with annoying humorous remarks.”
    • “If you're looking for wonderfully brilliant expression in the art of video games... and occasionally some crude humor... look no further!”
    • “The humor in this game is too confusing and often falls flat.”
    • “I found the jokes to be unfunny and lacking any real wit.”
    • “The attempts at humor just didn't resonate with me; they felt forced and awkward.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the "Basement Collection" offers a mix of games with varying levels of replayability; while many titles provide solid replay value and unique challenges, some indie and experimental games may lack depth and polish, resulting in less replay potential. However, the collection is enriched with numerous secrets and bonus content, enhancing the overall replay experience.

    • “Basement collection is an archive of exactly that, the ideas and projects that began a creative process, the classics which offer hours of replay value and solid, unique challenge.”
    • “The games themselves are also very good, most of them have plenty of replay value as well.”
    • “There are many fun little games wrapped up together, tons of secrets and bonus content, and high replay value.”
    • “Being indie and/or experimental games, not all of the content has a high amount of replay value, and some of the content is understandably rough in feel.”
    • “The game lacks the depth and variety needed to encourage multiple playthroughs, making it feel repetitive after the first run.”
    • “Once you've experienced the main storyline, there isn't much incentive to return, as side quests and additional content feel lackluster.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players appreciate the emotional depth in indie games, noting how developers infuse their creations with personal charm and connection. Titles like "Coil" and "Triachnid" evoke strong feelings, with "Coil" transforming from seemingly chaotic to a heartfelt experience, while "Triachnid" offers a touching narrative despite its gameplay shortcomings. Overall, reviewers commend the emotional resonance that indie games can achieve, highlighting the unique storytelling capabilities of their creators.

    • “Each game has a certain charm that really accentuates the emotional connection the developer holds over his creations.”
    • “Coil: at first glance, this seems dull and messed in the head (and that's coming from me), but continue on and it turns out to be a touching and loving 'adventure;' 4/5”
    • “This is how indie games are born... kudos to McMillen for his ability to imbue his titles with his emotional genius... a genius that society has kicked out of the majority of us.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game collection features appealing graphics but suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches and performance lags, particularly with the meat boy prototype. While some users enjoyed the content, the overall experience is marred by these persistent bugs, leading to a lack of recommendation.

    • “However, since these are essentially older projects made with Flash, there are performance issues and glitches with some of the games, namely the Meat Boy prototype.”
    • “I did enjoy some of the games in this collection, and the extra content that can be unlocked by finishing games/getting achievements, but I'm not recommending this collection because it's buggy and lags often/really badly.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, ultimately detracting from the overall enjoyment and fun of the experience.

    • “It was just tedious and took the fun out of the game in the end.”
    • “It's tedious to say the least.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of Aether is praised for its calming music and overall delightful ambiance, making it an effective and inexpensive way to relax.

    • “Personally, I liked playing Aether; its chilling music and atmosphere are delightful and can work as a good and cheap sedative.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the monetization model of the Basement Collection, highlighting the absence of ads and intrusive trailers, which enhances the overall gaming experience compared to free alternatives on platforms like Newgrounds. This approach allows players to enjoy the games without interruptions or technical issues.

    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt the gameplay experience.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no ads or annoying trailers in the game, making for a smoother experience.”
    • “The option to support the developers through purchases feels rewarding without being forced.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

15hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
15-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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