Welcome to Basingstoke was developed by Puppy Games and published by Thalamus Digital Publishing Ltd. for its PS5 release. The game kicks off with your character arriving for a new job at OmniCorp headquarters in the sleepy English town of Basingstoke. Things quickly spiral into chaos when a lab experiment unleashes an alien invasion, transforming residents into shambling zombies and spawning ferocious monsters. Your goal is to navigate the ruined streets, scavenge for survival gear, and ultimately escape the town while piecing together what went wrong, all while dodging or outsmarting the horrors lurking around every corner.
In terms of included content, the PS5 version offers a fleshed-out campaign mode spanning 12 epic levels that take you from corporate offices to underground stations, local museums, and eventually the outskirts toward safety. There's also a separate Horde mode focused on wave-based survival with leaderboards for competing locally or globally.
The game blends hand-crafted set pieces with procedural generation for varied playthroughs, and it includes unlockable character classes, like a tourist with a selfie stick or a thief with lockpicking tools, each bringing unique starting equipment and crafting recipes. Features like persistent item stashes at safe houses, vending machines for quick buys using collected coins, and accessibility options such as controller remapping and adjustable audio volumes round out the package.
The Gameplay ...
Gameplay revolves around tense roguelike mechanics that emphasize stealth over direct confrontation, though it incorporates arcade-style action when things heat up. You explore in an isometric view, scavenging for materials to craft improvised weapons and gadgets, such as nail guns, flashbangs, tasers, or even dynamite. Combat is twin-stick inspired for aiming and fighting, but most encounters encourage avoidance.
You can sneak through shadows, use distractions like thrown food to lure enemies away, or hide in bins and lockers. Light management is key. Your torch illuminates the dark environments but attracts foes, and turning it off can leave you temporarily blinded. Perma-death means one solid hit from an enemy ends your run, forcing restarts from chapter checkpoints, but unlocked classes and stashed gear add progression.
The Presentation ...
Overall presentation captures a distinctly British post-apocalyptic vibe, blending everyday town elements with horror. The graphics use a low-poly style for characters and environments, creating a somewhat cute yet eerie aesthetic that's detailed enough to highlight gory explosions and enemy designs without being overly realistic. Visuals are somber and muted in color, with dynamic lighting and shadows playing a big role in building tension while procedural levels ensure fresh layouts, but familiar landmarks like pubs and road signs ground it in realism.
The soundtrack features a spooky rock-inspired main theme that sets a chilling tone, complemented by immersive audio effects like distant zombie groans, barking dogs, and the crunch of footsteps on different surfaces, all of which heighten the stealthy atmosphere and help identify threats before they spot you.
The Verdict ...
At $24.99, Welcome to Basingstoke delivers solid value for roguelike enthusiasts or fans of survival horror with a twist of humor, offering around 10-15 hours for a first campaign run and plenty more through its modes. Replay value is high thanks to procedural elements, multiple character classes for experimenting with strategies, and the addictive "one more try" loop of unlocking gear and chasing high scores in Horde mode.
Standout features include the clever light-and-sound mechanics that make every decision feel weighty, the charming infusion of British culture (think sausage rolls as distractions), and the satisfying crafting system that rewards clever improvisation. It's a tense, addictive gem that punches above its price point, especially if you enjoy games like Dead Cells or The Binding of Isaac with a stealthy edge.
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