To the Basement. Before

A cool 2D action adventure with intense battles, a variety of weapons, and dynamic levels. Active gameplay and a 90s vibe.

Minimalist game with precise flying controls, energy management, and obstacle stages, offering little story but challenging gameplay. This game is a prequel to “To The Basement” and begins just a few minutes earlier. However, since both titles have very little story, you do not need to play the first one beforehand. Both games feature minimalistic art and limited use of color, along with decent chiptune inspired music and easy to understand gameplay. Because the protagonist is different from the first game, the gameplay has changed as well, although not drastically. This time you play as a robot equipped with a propeller underneath that allows it to fly. Since you can only fly straight up, you must rotate the robot to change its orientation and move in the desired direction. Releasing the fly button will make the robot fall. If you rotate toward the ground or fly too fast, a very useful button stabilizes you to your upward position. The main element carried over from the previous game is the energy system. Your energy level decreases every time you press the fly button, and batteries can be collected to restore part of it. When batteries are not available, you must use recharge stations, which also act as checkpoints, but only when a diskette icon appears above them. Most stations do not have this icon, so you cannot relax after resting at one. These checkpoints are valid only during the current session, as the game saves progress only at the start of each stage. Progression is divided into stages, each made up of several screens. There are no secrets or collectibles, and once you enter a new screen the door closes behind you, preventing any backtracking. Each screen functions as a small obstacle course that requires precision and patience to complete. This is largely due to the robot’s fragile body, which explodes instantly upon touching any solid part of the environment or one of the many hazards along the way. After clearing several screens, you reach a portal that transports you to the next stage. As mentioned earlier, each stage contains at least one checkpoint, so you are not required to finish it in a single attempt. The game is divided into three acts, each consisting of three stages followed by a boss fight. While each act introduces a new type of obstacle, no new mechanics are added. In addition to batteries, you will encounter scientists who can be rescued. They reward you with either a key that opens the path forward or an upgrade that grants a new ability. The first upgrade allows you to use a boost, while the second enables you to see hidden obstacles. Using any of these abilities consumes energy. The tricky controls and lack of room for error make this game significantly harder than its predecessor. This becomes especially apparent during the first boss fight, which is an unusually punishing introduction to tougher encounters. The boss has two attacks. One fires orbs that must be dodged around the arena, while the other drops trash from above. This falling trash is also the only way to damage the boss, as you must position yourself so it lands on its head. The main issue is that the two attacks occur randomly, meaning you may have to endure five or more orb patterns before a single trash pattern appears. To make matters worse, the orbs remain on screen for a long time, leaving you with barely enough energy to recharge. If you fail to fully recharge during a previous attempt, the fight is essentially lost. The boss also has ten health points, so unlucky attack patterns can drag the battle on for a very long time. Throughout the entire fight, you cannot afford even a single mistake. After defeating the first boss, you gain another ability that allows you to drop bombs to destroy certain blocks. Bombs also consume energy, so they cannot be used freely. You must also fly at an angle to hit targets that are not directly below you. Fortunately, this ability makes the remaining two boss fights much easier, especially the final one, which is by far the simplest of the three.

To the Basement. Before is a gripping indie horror experience with strong atmosphere, smart pacing, and subtle storytelling that constantly builds tension, making every moment feel uneasy, mysterious, and emotionally engaging from start to finish.

It's very simple and not particularly beautiful in appearance, but it's completely captivating. You just sit and play the game without being distracted by the outside world.

The game is very interesting and well-developed. At first, it seemed like some kind of garbage and a copy of Undertale, but the game has its own style and atmosphere. I definitely don't regret buying it. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of this genre, but since I enjoyed it, I think fans of such games will definitely like it too.

To the Basement. Before is a creepy indie horror gem that catches the tension from the first minute! You play as a survivalist, descend into gloomy dungeons, solve clever puzzles and dodge shadows in real time. Retro pixel graphics with flickering lights and sound design heighten paranoia perfectly - without screamers, pure horror. The controls are clear, and replayability is high thanks to branches and secrets. I love plot hints. 9/10, for fans of Limbo and Inside must-play!

Flying the drone through dark, broken corridors feels tense but fair, and the special vision mechanic adds a cool twist instead of cheap difficulty. The pacing is solid, bosses are fun to figure out, and the atmosphere does a great job setting up the story. it feels focused, a bit stressful in a good way, and very satisfying once you get into the flow.. 6.5/10

To the Basement. Before serves as a fast-paced side-scrolling action platformer prequel, unveiling backstory events before the original game through intense runs dodging flying enemies and hazards. Expect precision jumps, combat, and fluid controls in short, replayable levels emphasizing speed and skill mastery from developer HugePixel. As a prerelease title building on the first game's positive reception, it promises tight indie platforming thrills for fans of challenging 2D action.

A raw, claustrophobic descent. It tastes like copper and cold concrete. Don't look back; the walls have teeth and the silence is screaming. Absolute dread.

Game's styled like the previous part, same gameplay vibes. 2D black and white aesthetic throughout. Holds the bar well tbh. Waiting for the next one to drop