Info about The Basement Collection:

Official game description:
The Basement Collection is a compilation of 9 award winning indie games by Edmund McMillen, creator of **Super Meat Boy** and **The Binding of Isaac**. All of the games featured in the collection have been revamped and updated, featuring bonus chapters, new music, art and other extras.  
**The Basement Collection includes:**  
*   Aether ( an exploration adventure game )  
*   Time Fcuk ( a dark puzzle game )  
*   Spewer ( a physics based platformer )  
*   Meat Boy ( the super meat boy prototype )  
*   Grey Matter ( an anti shooter )  
*   Coil (an experimental game )  
*   Triachnid (a physics based spider sim)
The collection also features 2 secret unlockable games and tons of unlockable comics, sketch books and even never before scene stock footage from Indie Game: The Movie.
Key Features
------------
*   8 full games, featuring new content, achievements and development extras.  
*   8 unlockable extras featuring bonus games, comics, sketch books and videos.  
*   A full collection soundtrack, featuring over 30 full length tracks from games featured as well as fan made bonus tracks.  
*   Over 30 minutes of audio interviews.  
*   Over 20 minutes of video extras from Indie Game: The Movie, (15 minutes of never before scene footage).  
*   Over 15 pages of development sketches and character designs.

Release date: Aug 31, 2012

Categories: Platformer, Puzzle, Physics Simulation, Exploration, Action Platformer, 2D Side-scrolling, Experimental Gameplay, Collection Game

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with controller support and inconsistent controls, which are critical for a seamless gaming experience on the Steam Deck. Additionally, there are reports of problems with achievements not unlocking properly. These issues collectively indicate that the game requires considerable tinkering and may not provide a smooth out-of-the-box experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $1.00 - $5.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community finds the game worth purchasing, especially when it is on sale. Multiple reviews mention that the game is worth the price when bought at a significant discount, with some users specifically mentioning prices around $1. These points indicate that the community perceives a fair price for the base game to be in a lower range, particularly when on sale.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.0h
  - Story completion: 3.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: 10.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct and indirect references to playtime. The first quote mentions it took the player about 3 hours to get the physics down, which can be interpreted as a session length or partial completion time. The second quote explicitly states a playtime of around 5 hours, excluding one of the games, which can be considered as a typical game completion time. The third and fourth quotes mention spending 10 hours and an additional 30 hours on a specific part of the game, indicating a significant time investment for completionists, which can be interpreted as endgame content.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game initially presents a steep learning curve with complex controls, but becomes enjoyable and addictive once players become familiar with the mechanics.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Becoming familiar with the controls
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Complex mouse operations; Complex physics systems; Initial frustration
  - Unlock drivers: Practice and familiarity with controls; Use of tutorials; Use of autoclickers
  - Conditions: Patience to overcome initial learning curve; Willingness to use external tools like tutorials or autoclickers
- Player Archetypes:
  - Edmund McMillen Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Appreciation for Edmund McMillen's work and indie game history.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys exploring the unique styles and emotional depth of Edmund McMillen's games, often for nostalgia or to support the developer.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Edmund McMillen fan; indie game enthusiast; nostalgic player
    - Reference games: Super Meat Boy; The Binding of Isaac
  - Frustrated Achiever (no buy)
    - Motivation: Completing games and achieving goals, but often frustrated by poorly designed mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on achieving goals and completing games, but can be critical of game design choices that hinder progress.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: achievement hunter; critical player
    - Reference games: Time Fcuk; A.V.G.M
  - Supportive Story Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Appreciation for the story and work of Edmund McMillen, and a desire to support his projects.
    - Playstyle: Enjoys exploring the unique experiences and stories offered by Edmund McMillen's games, often recommending them to others.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: story enthusiast; indie game supporter
    - Reference games: Super Meat Boy; The Binding of Isaac


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Rich collection of games (weight 0.97): The collection includes a wide variety of games, from classic flash games to early works by Edmund McMillen. It features notable titles like Meat Boy, Grey Matter, and others, providing a comprehensive look at the developer's early projects.
- Abundant bonus content (weight 0.82): The collection includes a significant amount of additional content such as behind-the-scenes videos, commentary, sketches, concept art, interviews, and soundtracks. This extra material adds substantial value to the collection.
- Classic and challenging gameplay (weight 0.56): Games like Meat Boy and Time Fcuk are praised for their classic and challenging gameplay. Meat Boy is noted for its difficulty and fun, while Time Fcuk is highlighted for its strong level design and puzzle elements.
- Enjoyable and worthwhile experience (weight 0.41): Players have enjoyed completing various games in the collection and found the experience worthwhile. The collection is praised for its enjoyable and fun gameplay, making it a great purchase for fans.
- Personal insight into developer (weight 0.38): The collection offers a personal and intimate look into the developer's creative process and early works. It is compared to a secret diary, providing a unique perspective on the developer's journey.
- Recommended for fans (weight 0.32): The collection is highly recommended for fans of Edmund McMillen, indie games, and experimental games. It is seen as a valuable purchase for those interested in the developer's work and the indie game scene.
- Hidden content and Easter eggs (weight 0.14): The collection includes hidden games and Easter eggs, adding an extra layer of discovery and excitement for players. These secret games and content enhance the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Controls need improvement (weight 0.53): Several reviews mention that various games within the collection have control issues, ranging from finicky and janky controls to input lag and lack of reconfiguration options.
- High difficulty levels (weight 0.45): Many players find certain games and levels excessively difficult, requiring frame-perfect precision and causing frustration due to steep difficulty curves.
- Lack of game variety (weight 0.31): Some reviews criticize the absence of certain games and the inclusion of less engaging or boring games, leading to a less enjoyable overall experience.
- Performance and technical issues (weight 0.31): Numerous reviews highlight performance problems such as lag, low FPS, and frequent freezing, which significantly impact the gameplay experience.
- Save file issues (weight 0.1): Players have reported losing their save files, which can be frustrating and discouraging, especially in games that require significant time investment.
- Unpolished game experience (weight 0.09): The game is often described as unpolished and uncomfortable, with some aspects being confusing and not user-friendly.
- Excessive grinding in clicker game (weight 0.08): The clicker game within the collection is criticized for requiring an excessive amount of grinding, with some layers needing up to 30 hours of clicking.

Gameplay feedback:
- Collection of flash games (weight 0.36): This collection features various flash games, specifically highlighting Edmund McMillen's early works previously available on minigame platforms.
- Variety of game styles (weight 0.34): The collection includes a wide range of games with different gameplay styles, controls, and atmospheres, offering unique and challenging experiences.
- Shows developer's progress (weight 0.28): The collection showcases Edmund McMillen's progress over the years, featuring games from 2004-2010 and laying the foundation for his later successes.
- Includes additional content (weight 0.27): The collection provides extra materials such as comics, art galleries, concept art, and recorded Q&As, enhancing the overall value.
- Super Meat Boy Flash edition (weight 0.24): The collection includes Super Meat Boy Flash edition, a minimalistic jump 'n' run game with shorter levels and fewer chapters.
- Spewer's liquid physics puzzles (weight 0.2): Spewer is a puzzle platformer based on liquid physics, involving absorbing and spitting out liquid to float and solve puzzles using different pills to gain abilities.
- User-made levels included (weight 0.17): The collection features user-made levels and community levels, including level editors for creating challenging community levels.
- Time Fcuk puzzle platformer (weight 0.17): Time Fcuk is a puzzle platformer with a unique background switching mechanic, offering dual-track level switching.
- Triachnid's unique mechanics (weight 0.16): Triachnid is a physics-based game that involves playing as a three-legged spider, featuring a unique movement mechanic and puzzle platformer elements.
- Coil's story-based minigames (weight 0.15): Coil is a story-based game that includes a series of minigames with a unique theme, offering a narrative-driven experience.
- Includes notable early games (weight 0.14): The collection features notable early games by the developers of Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac, including titles like Aether, Coil, Gray Matter, Triachnid, A.V.G.M, Meat Boy, Spewer, and Time Fcuk.
- Challenging puzzle games (weight 0.13): The collection includes surreal and challenging puzzle games, offering a variety of puzzle adventures.
- Meditative and difficult gameplay (weight 0.08): The collection includes games with meditative gameplay as well as difficult gameplay, offering a range of challenges and experiences.

Performance notes:
- Frequent FPS drops and performance issues (weight 0.43): Many players report experiencing frequent frame rate drops and general performance issues. This significantly impacts the gameplay experience, making it less enjoyable.
- Input lag and lag issues (weight 0.18): Players have noted significant input lag and general lag issues. These problems can make the game feel unresponsive and difficult to play.
- Save files getting lost (weight 0.06): Some players have reported issues with save files getting lost. This can be frustrating as it results in the loss of game progress and achievements.
- Frequent freezing (weight 0.06): The game frequently freezes, causing interruptions and a poor gaming experience. This issue can lead to frustration and may deter players from continuing to play.

Recommendations:
- Fans of Edmund McMillen (weight 0.7): This collection is highly recommended for fans of Edmund McMillen's unique style and his early works. It is considered an indispensable artifact for long-time fans and those interested in learning about his creative process.
- Unique gameplay experiences (weight 0.27): Specific games like Tri-Achnid, Time Fcuk, and Spewer are recommended for their unique gameplay mechanics, strong level design, and physics-based gameplay.
- Great value for money (weight 0.25): The collection is well worth the purchase, especially on sale. It offers great value for the content provided.
- Fans of flash games (weight 0.21): Recommended for those who enjoy older flash games and the unique, fun, and weird experiences they offer.
- Indie game enthusiasts (weight 0.21): This collection is recommended for fans of indie games, experimental games, and those interested in indie game development.
- Not for casual buyers (weight 0.21): The collection is not recommended for those who don't fit the criteria or don't appreciate the author's work.
- Not for everyone (weight 0.2): The collection is not recommended for those who don't enjoy classic games or are looking for a collection of great games. Some users mention performance issues and mediocre gameplay.
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.17): It is recommended to buy the collection if it goes on sale again or to wait for a sale if desired.
- Early works of the creator (weight 0.14): Recommended for those who want to discover the creator's early works and for fans of the author.
- Support the developer (weight 0.13): Recommended for those interested in supporting the developer and their work.
- Highly recommended collection (weight 0.1): The collection is recommended as one of the best out there due to its price and content.
- Variety of games (weight 0.1): The collection is worth buying for the variety and originality of the games it offers.
- History of Super Meat Boy (weight 0.1): Meat Boy is recommended for those interested in the history of Super Meat Boy and trying out the original game.
- Artistic and atmospheric value (weight 0.1): Specific games like Coil and Aether are recommended for their artistic value and dreamlike atmosphere.
- Technical issues (weight 0.09): Some users mention technical issues and recommend considering emulation problems before purchasing.
- Check reviews before buying (weight 0.09): It is recommended to watch a YouTube review or try the games on Flashpoint if unfamiliar with the collection.
- Fans of specific games (weight 0.06): The collection is recommended for fans of games like The Binding of Isaac or Super Meat Boy.
- Nostalgic value (weight 0.06): Recommended for those who enjoy the nostalgia of older games.
- Unique and immersive experience (weight 0.06): The collection is recommended for those seeking a unique and immersive gaming experience.
- Introduction for newcomers (weight 0.06): The collection is recommended as a raw, fascinating introduction for newcomers to the developer's work.
- Important gaming anthology (weight 0.06): The collection is considered an important anthology in gaming history.
- Worth buying for specific games (weight 0.06): The collection is worth buying for specific games like Time Fcuk.
- Platformers and puzzlers (weight 0.06): Recommended for fans of platformers and puzzlers.
- Games available for free (weight 0.05): Some games in the collection are available for free elsewhere, which might affect the purchase decision.
- Short games (weight 0.05): Recommended for those looking for short games to play.
- Consider lower price or free (weight 0.05): The collection is worth considering at a lower price or for free.
- Additional content (weight 0.05): The collection is recommended for the additional content it provides.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.21): Players are frustrated primarily due to technical issues such as lag, FPS drops, and control problems, particularly in games like Meat Boy and Time Fcuk. The extreme difficulty and broken achievements, along with the lack of controller support and the requirement to complete uncurated fan-made levels, add to the frustration.
- Appreciation (weight 0.14): Players appreciate the depth and variety of the games, particularly the level design and presentation in Time Fcuk. They also value the personal and intimate nature of the project, the creativity, and the additional content that showcases the developer's progress and skill.
- Joy (weight 0.12): Players find joy in the diverse and fun gameplay experiences offered by the collection. The unique mechanics, engaging art, and enjoyable music contribute to a pleasant and interesting gaming experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Players enjoy the overall positive experience of playing a variety of unique and creative games. The fun and unique gameplay mechanics, along with the opportunity to explore the developer's early works, contribute to their enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited by the diversity and originality of the games, particularly the strong level design and puzzle difficulty in Time Fcuk. The variety of game experiences and the discovery of hidden games and Easter eggs add to the excitement.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players feel disappointed due to the difficulty of achieving certain achievements and the lack of controller support. Technical issues and poor game design also contribute to their disappointment.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.03): Players experience nostalgia from revisiting old flash games like Meat Boy and Grey Matter. The dreamlike atmosphere of Aether and the reminiscent feel of indie games from the 2008-2012 era evoke a sense of nostalgia.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Players are satisfied with the collection's content and price, finding it to offer great value for money. The additional cutscenes, artwork, and comics, along with the quality of the games, contribute to their satisfaction.
- Fascination (weight 0.03): Players are fascinated by the historical and artistic significance of the collection, gaining insight into the developer's creative process and style. The diverse and intriguing games, along with the developer's story, add to their fascination.
- Approval (weight 0.03): Players approve of the collection's value for money and its preservation of the developer's past work. They find it worth the price for various types of fans.
- Excited (weight 0.03): Players are excited by the great concepts and extra content, as well as the unique games and interesting levels. The story in Time Fcuk also adds to their excitement.
- Frustrated (weight 0.03): Players are frustrated by bad controls, lack of save features, and frequent freezing. Lag issues also contribute to their frustration.
- Charm (weight 0.02): Players find charm in the game's unpolished and strange nature. The unique charm of the games adds to their appeal.
- Interest (weight 0.02): Players are interested in seeing the developer's early works and enjoy the stories and additional movie content.
- Happy (weight 0.02): Players are happy with the inclusion of additional materials and the collection of games and bonus content.
- Satisfied (weight 0.02): Players are satisfied with the value for money offered by the collection.
- Sympathy (weight 0.01): Players feel sympathy towards the strange and sad atmosphere of Triachnid.}