The Door in the Basement
- April 21, 2021
- Aegon Games
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamIn "The Door in the Basement," you enter a mysterious door in your family's basement and find yourself trapped in a dark, subterranean world filled with puzzles, horrific creatures, and eerie secrets. With only your wits and the surroundings to guide you, you must navigate the tunnels to find a way out and uncover the truth behind this strange place. This first-person pixelated horror game will keep you on your toes as you try to outsmart the monsters lurking in the shadows.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a fantastic atmosphere, with impressive sound design and visuals that create a genuinely unnerving experience.
- Players appreciate the well-placed jump scares and the tension built throughout the gameplay, making it a thrilling experience.
- The story, while told through notes, is engaging and keeps players invested in the mysterious world and its characters.
- Many players found the gameplay to be repetitive and lacking in depth, with minimal actual gameplay elements beyond walking and simple puzzles.
- The game is criticized for its short length, with some feeling that it doesn't provide enough content for the price.
- Several reviews mention that the story lacks development and that key antagonists are underutilized, leading to a disappointing conclusion.
- story43 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling and numerous notes, creating a rich but fragmented narrative experience. While some players appreciate the intriguing atmosphere and lore, others find the story lacking in development and coherence, particularly in its handling of themes like mental illness. Overall, the narrative is seen as compelling enough to engage players, though it may leave some feeling unsatisfied by its execution and conclusion.
“The game is rich in story, especially throughout the environment, and how things subtly change.”
“A fun and unique little experience that manages to keep you on your toes not with a barrage of jumpscares (though it has a few effective ones), but with a creepy atmosphere and an intriguing story!”
“These graphics, combined with the sound design, as well as the haunting story, make for an incredibly immersive and horrific journey from start to finish.”
“Also, there is no story development through gameplay. If you want to have any idea of what's going on, I hope you're ready to read approximately 47 notes (and the eyeball lady hand thing).”
“The pixelated graphics give it a somewhat unique look, but the world you walk through isn't all that interesting, and neither is the mystery of the title-giving gimmick of a door in the basement. What little story there is kept vague with the usual 'or maybe you are actually just traumatized/crazy' edge and little payoff.”
“Contrary to some other reviews here, my biggest critique, however, is the story and the way it is presented.”
- atmosphere41 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "The Door in the Basement" is widely praised for its captivating, eerie, and immersive qualities, drawing comparisons to classic horror titles like Silent Hill and Amnesia. Reviewers highlight the game's exceptional sound design, unsettling environments, and a strong focus on creating a sense of anxiety and dread, making it a standout in the indie horror genre. While some note that gameplay elements may be lacking, the overall atmospheric experience is considered its greatest strength, effectively keeping players engaged and on edge throughout.
“Very atmospheric, captivating, and terrifying.”
“The atmosphere and sound are fantastic and keep you on edge the whole time.”
“Where the door in the basement really stands out is with its superbly crafted atmosphere, filled with fog, dust, rattling chains, scraping metal, and other unexpected sound effects that will keep you looking over your shoulder.”
“The game focuses on an unsettling atmosphere with occasional enemy encounters, which are rather easy to avoid.”
“The atmosphere is oppressive to the extreme, and the lo-fi graphics really suit what they're going for.”
“The atmosphere is top-notch, but in my opinion, certain enemy encounters aren't well-executed, which ruined the tension for me and made this more of a chore to get through.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a retro, pixelated aesthetic that enhances the horror experience, creating a haunting atmosphere that many players appreciate. While some find the visuals unique and fitting, others note that the pixelation can detract from the overall immersion due to less interesting world design. Overall, the combination of lo-fi graphics and effective use of light and shadow contributes to a compelling and eerie visual experience.
“In general, the use of light and shadows was well designed, resulting in a very strong and haunting aesthetic.”
“The grainy, pixelated graphics are completely complimentary to its horror as the first time you meet this gnarled, fleshy man-shaped monster... well, it's a jarring experience.”
“These graphics, combined with the sound design, as well as the haunting story, make for an incredibly immersive and horrific journey from start to finish.”
“The only problem I had was input lag; I had to tone down the graphics to get a reasonable response delay.”
“The pixelated graphics give it a somewhat unique look, but the world you walk through isn't all that interesting and neither is the mystery of the title-giving gimmick of a door in the basement because what little story there is being kept vague with the usual 'or maybe you are actually just traumatized/crazy' edge and little payoff.”
“Do not let the PS1 graphics style fool you; this game is terrifying.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with minimal puzzles and mechanics, focusing more on atmosphere and immersion than complex interactions. While it offers a unique cosmic horror setting and smooth animations, players may find it lacking in depth, with only a few jump scares and straightforward mechanics that can become predictable. Overall, it provides a gripping experience but leaves some players wanting more in terms of gameplay variety and challenge.
“This game makes me hope they release more games with more complex gameplay.”
“Although it may be light on its puzzles and gameplay elements, it's heavy on atmosphere and immersion.”
“While it does not have any crazy mechanics, it makes up for that in its unique world and setting and mind-boggling presentation.”
“Also, there is no story development through gameplay. If you want to have any idea of what's going on, I hope you're ready to read approximately 47 notes (and the eyeball lady hand thing).”
“For $10, you'll get about 3 hours, maybe 2.5 hours of gameplay with like, 5 jump scares max.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's not as strong; there are few puzzles, mainly just a walking sim with some running from enemies. I would have liked to see more puzzles, survival elements, and items.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heart-wrenching atmosphere, which effectively conveys the protagonist's struggles and emotional state, while also providing subtle hints for gameplay objectives.
“His travails give clues as to your next objective at times as well as detail his emotional state.”
“- Heart-wrenchingly atmospheric and scary.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from a blend of dark themes and personal anecdotes, as players relate their own eerie experiences in a lighthearted manner, transforming potentially frightening memories into amusing reflections.
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally praised, with users noting that performance is very good.
“The performance is outstanding, allowing for smooth gameplay even in the most demanding scenarios.”
“I appreciate how well the game optimizes resources, ensuring a seamless experience on various hardware.”
“The optimization is impressive, making it accessible for players with different system specifications.”
