Baba Is You

 Switch
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 108 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 108
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 108
  3. Negative: 15 out of 108

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  1. ElAlex742
    Mar 16, 2019
    10
    I can only say that the idea is unbelievable and execution of it, is just perfect. Baba is genius. No more, no less.
  2. RetroBitGamer
    Mar 18, 2019
    10
    I love how many of the levels in this game seem completely impossible before finding the right solution. Both the graphics and the music are very cute too, and this game is a ton of fun to play with a friend. Playing this game is a really cool experience over all.
  3. Dyl_lionaire
    Feb 10, 2023
    7
    I love the presentation of this game, the visuals and the way you solve puzzles, the only issue I have is either this game gets difficult very quickly or I'm just a dumbass... I think it's a bit of both.
  4. kaseo
    Mar 18, 2019
    10
    Baba is you is an incredible puzzle-game. Must have for lovers of this kind of games.
  5. Timppis
    Mar 14, 2019
    10
    Really a game changer, literally changes the game as you play it. Fantastic little puzzler would be understatement since there is vast amount of actually challenging and even devilish stages.
  6. MelaKaden
    Mar 18, 2019
    10
    Brilliant game that really challenges your preconceptions about puzzle games.
  7. LapinMignon
    Mar 27, 2019
    10
    Baba Is You is a fantastic experience for fans of the Problem-Solving Puzzle Genre. Buyer beware, however, that the game knows its niche and sticks extremely closely to it. Those who go in with the craving of maddeningly brain-busting puzzles will have something to satiate them for quite some time. Those who do not will find nothing of value here. For those interested by this premise, IBaba Is You is a fantastic experience for fans of the Problem-Solving Puzzle Genre. Buyer beware, however, that the game knows its niche and sticks extremely closely to it. Those who go in with the craving of maddeningly brain-busting puzzles will have something to satiate them for quite some time. Those who do not will find nothing of value here. For those interested by this premise, I would encourage to play the game, going in knowing as little else as possible, as a puzzle experience is easily compromised by spoilers. For anyone else, I share my thoughts about this experience.

    Let me start by saying that Baba is You is a game that is not afraid to go all-in for its niche audience -- a bold decision that I have nothing but respect for. The game wastes no time selling its premise, and defining what kind of experience it is going to be. It goes through its core concepts and removes the training wheels within less than an hour. Then, it keeps things fresh by introducing new rules and mechanics within those rules to learn and master. Puzzles are presented as single-screen levels, all of which can take less than a minute to execute, but most have the potential leave the player stumped for upwards of an hour.

    Puzzles themselves are designed with a mentality of problem-solving in mind. The player is encouraged to experiment, iterate and approach things scientifically. The more the player discovers about how the rules work and interact with each others, the more likely they will be to figure how to solve a puzzle quickly. Noteworthy, however, is that most puzzles aren't so strict as to have one, concrete-bound solution. This is especially true early on, and even results in each player approaching the midgame with entirely different cognitive toolkits. No two player is bound to have the same experience with the game -- something uncommon for a puzzle game, but nevertheless a welcome trend in the problem-solving subgenre.

    The graphics may seem amateurish and questionable, but to me there is no doubt that the Lo-Fi aesthetic is a perfect fit for such a game. Every token on the puzzle grid are represented in their simplest possible form - a shape, and a color. This makes levels easy to parse, regardless of how many things are moving, transforming, and happening. Had it not been this way, it would have been easy for it to cause an over-saturation of information that would distract from the challenge. The music also employs this minimalist philosophy, with each track using a small set of instruments. The compositions are quite brilliant and enchanting, but more importantly, they are easy on the ears and can be listened to for hours.

    Baba is You isn't a game for everyone -- far from it. But if you have a puzzle game itch to scratch, then this game is one I can recommend with all my heart.    … Expand
  8. esreverse
    Mar 19, 2019
    9
    Oh boy. How creative, how inspiring, how fun to solve the levels. Once every few years, there is this one game that does something really new and it works. Love it!
  9. Jtrapdoor1
    Mar 24, 2019
    8
    This game strives to take players out of their comfort zone but in the good way. It is a creative wonder and an indie darling that makes me love the Nindies even more. Highly recommend
  10. introspect
    Mar 27, 2019
    10
    game is hard
    is
    good

    If you're looking for challenging puzzles, this game is for you. Many stages are brutally difficult, and figuring out the solutions yourself is immensely satisfying. Break the rules, literally.
  11. yic191
    Jan 2, 2020
    0
    So bad and boring game, horrible graphics, 0 work from the developers... Dont buy this game.
  12. drlowdon
    Apr 27, 2020
    6
    Baba is You is a difficult game to explain, but it’s essentially a puzzle game in which you move around words and objects in order to change the rules of and complete each level.

    The idea is brilliantly unique, I’ve not seen anything like it in my thirty years of playing video games, and it gives rise to some really clever puzzles. Like many games in the genre however the later levels    Baba is You is a difficult game to explain, but it’s essentially a puzzle game in which you move around words and objects in order to change the rules of and complete each level.

    The idea is brilliantly unique, I’ve not seen anything like it in my thirty years of playing video games, and it gives rise to some really clever puzzles. Like many games in the genre however the later levels become a bit of a chore by requiring too many steps and/or too much trial and error. If your a fan of puzzle games it’s worth given a go, but I don’t many people will play it through to the end...    … Expand
  13. curzon_dax
    Apr 16, 2023
    10
    This game is getting a 10 before even completing it and I'll tell you why. The gameplay is incredibly original in a world of countless of puzzle games so that alone is just monumentally impressive. Not only that: it's also structured in terms of level-progression design in a way that both lets the user progress to the end but also on-choice stay to do further harder puzzles.
  14. thryce3
    Mar 14, 2020
    8
    The game just puts you in it and lets you figure it out. No instruction. No direction. This is one of the game's biggest strengths, but also results in its one flaw.
    But eventually, you will get stuck at all of them and it halts the game in it's tracks. This is when I wish there was a more step-by-step progression. There are some big difficulty spikes. You will figure out the main    The game just puts you in it and lets you figure it out. No instruction. No direction. This is one of the game's biggest strengths, but also results in its one flaw.
    But eventually, you will get stuck at all of them and it halts the game in it's tracks. This is when I wish there was a more step-by-step progression. There are some big difficulty spikes. You will figure out the main trick of the level and then there will be another road block.
    That said, solving a puzzle in this game is immensely satisfying. More so than any other game I can think of. There is one discovery that will go down as one of my personal favorite gaming memories. Everyone should play this game.    … Expand
  15. crotch
    May 9, 2022
    5
    The problem with this game is that the difficulty is all over the place, and the game does not indicate that in any way. Each level should have had a difficulty rating on a 5-star scale. Then, people like me who are not geniuses could have just ignored the 4-star and 5-star levels instead of effectively wasting time on them because there’s no chance I can solve them anyway.
  16. Tortor
    Jul 26, 2023
    8
    Very fun to play with others. I put this on the big screen to play with my family. The controls are so simple even a non-gamer can play.

    Its fun to put heads together and work through some of these puzzles. Some were just so clever and was rewarding to piece it together. There are difficulty spikes sometimes though, i do wish there was maybe a hint system built into the game. I ended up    Very fun to play with others. I put this on the big screen to play with my family. The controls are so simple even a non-gamer can play.

    Its fun to put heads together and work through some of these puzzles. Some were just so clever and was rewarding to piece it together.

    There are difficulty spikes sometimes though, i do wish there was maybe a hint system built into the game. I ended up finding this really non-spoilery hint website that gives 3 different levels of hints to each puzzle. That was very helpful when stuck.

    Overall, yeah, fun puzzle game that did something that I havnt seen before. I'm blown away with the concept and creativity to come up with something like this.    … Expand
  17. B-Bog
    Dec 22, 2020
    5
    Maybe I'm just not smart enough for this type of game, but Baba is You didn't grab me like it apparently did many other people. Yes, the concept is absolute genius, but the presentation is dogsh*t (graphics and music) and it gets REALLY difficult really fast to the point where I was spending 10, 20, 30+ minutes trying to come up with solutions to levels. I find that to be more of a boringMaybe I'm just not smart enough for this type of game, but Baba is You didn't grab me like it apparently did many other people. Yes, the concept is absolute genius, but the presentation is dogsh*t (graphics and music) and it gets REALLY difficult really fast to the point where I was spending 10, 20, 30+ minutes trying to come up with solutions to levels. I find that to be more of a boring chore and work than entertainment, so I tapped out. It's just not the experience that I want from playing a video game, it feels like you're taking an IQ test. I don't have a problem with puzzle-heavy games per se (like Portal 1+2 or, more recently, The Pathless), but there's a lot more to these games in terms of story, presentation etc.… Expand
  18. Grunty
    Jun 8, 2019
    10
    Clearly a masterpiece in level design to make you learn and get surprised progessively. A bit of a brain burner sometimes but it is a gem (if you don't care at all about graphics).
  19. EikoBiko
    Nov 14, 2019
    9
    Baba is You is a simple puzzle game that functions on a basic concept -- words. If you know anything about this game from promotional material, odds are you already know how to play. Over the course of the game you will consistently wind up surprising yourself with solutions to puzzles that initially seem entirely impossible, and although it doesn't change itself up very much in conceptBaba is You is a simple puzzle game that functions on a basic concept -- words. If you know anything about this game from promotional material, odds are you already know how to play. Over the course of the game you will consistently wind up surprising yourself with solutions to puzzles that initially seem entirely impossible, and although it doesn't change itself up very much in concept over the course of the game, it will occasionally throw new words into the mix that will totally change the way you approach a given level. With an idea this great, you don't need anything else. If you are interested in a bizarre and challenging puzzle game, this is a great choice, and is entirely worth the purchase.… Expand
  20. C0NNERS
    Apr 9, 2019
    9
    One of the most original, clever and rewarding games you'll play all year. Plus 10% profits goes to charity. Win / win.

    Buy this and thank me later
  21. appledinger
    Jun 13, 2019
    10
    I love difficult puzzles, and this game has a lot of those. This game is tough, but doesn't force you to solve EVERY puzzle to progress, giving it a sense of fairness that a lot of puzzle games just don't have.

    Highly recommend if you like puzzles and difficulty. Don't buy it if you want something easy.
  22. Kacek1996
    Nov 14, 2020
    9
    Baba is You is a great puzzle game with minimalistic but beautiful graphics. Graphics are made out of pixels, but it seems perfect for this little gem. This gem of a game brings out the full potential and creativity of our brains!
    It contains way more levels than I anticipated I would see in it and also, with time comes new rules and the game gets a lot harder (I have it from the day one    Baba is You is a great puzzle game with minimalistic but beautiful graphics. Graphics are made out of pixels, but it seems perfect for this little gem. This gem of a game brings out the full potential and creativity of our brains!
    It contains way more levels than I anticipated I would see in it and also, with time comes new rules and the game gets a lot harder (I have it from the day one and I struggle with some levels to this day). I reached "THE END" sign unintentionally without completing every level, so I will get back to those puzzles. It seems that I have only 14 more levels to 100% the game, but I played it long enough to write a review, I think...
    Nice compact graphics combined with clever puzzles and a nice mechanics of creating the rules and rewinding time. It's a game which gives us pleasure after achieving something within it. "Baba is You" might have burned my last braincells, but I'm glad I got to play this game.
    I'm going to beat more puzzle in time, but for now I have to recultivate some new braincells for next puzzles.    … Expand
  23. rookfire
    Aug 30, 2020
    8
    Really fun. I love the music, I love the concept. Only complaint is I wish there were hints.
  24. bancandrei
    May 12, 2020
    9
    Graphics could be better, but you get used to them and then they have their own charm. Otherwise this is such a brilliant game. For me, much more engaging than any shooter. If you like turn based games (laid back pace) which make you think, give this one a try. This is what indie games should be, not the yearly remake of super metroid
  25. JeromePel
    Sep 18, 2020
    10
    This is honestly the best puzzle game I've ever played. Before, I highly recommended The Witness, Braid, The Swapper and Portal, but now, I just recommend this to everyone first (the rest still makes up my top 5, but Baba is way ahead). I legit bought it on the Switch after the PC just to encourage the developer and so it's easier to have my friends test it (Already converted 4 of themThis is honestly the best puzzle game I've ever played. Before, I highly recommended The Witness, Braid, The Swapper and Portal, but now, I just recommend this to everyone first (the rest still makes up my top 5, but Baba is way ahead). I legit bought it on the Switch after the PC just to encourage the developer and so it's easier to have my friends test it (Already converted 4 of them after like 10mins of play). It looks like **** but don't let that deter you, as you'll play the most clever and innovative puzzles out there.

    Only bad reviews are from people who thought they were good at puzzle games, but couldn't handle the Ego-check that they're not that smart. You'll feel like an idiot then a genius every level and that's the whole thrill !    … Expand
  26. MrGuyReview
    Nov 27, 2021
    10
    i would give this a 10, but my brain is simply too smooth to enjoy this more. the game breaks too many conventions, and is too funny and charming for me to comprehend it. my iq isn't high enough for this game that's absolutely jam packed with puzzles and throws new **** at you all the time, and puts unthinkable twists on old things. this game that bends and twists and punches your braini would give this a 10, but my brain is simply too smooth to enjoy this more. the game breaks too many conventions, and is too funny and charming for me to comprehend it. my iq isn't high enough for this game that's absolutely jam packed with puzzles and throws new **** at you all the time, and puts unthinkable twists on old things. this game that bends and twists and punches your brain right in the dick, then makes you feel smart when you figure something out. i'm even too stupid to like the chill ass music, let *alone* am i intelligent enough to make my own levels, or play levels made by other users.

    oh wait i did give it a 10 i'm an idiot    … Expand
  27. Brtnik
    Jul 21, 2020
    9
    Awesome idea. Cant describe with words. You must try this masterpiece on your own :)
  28. Flounder
    Apr 1, 2022
    7
    Es ist ein brillantes kleines Puzzlespiel, das auch voller Charme ist, obwohl ich leider wegen meines dummen Gehirns nicht weit in das Spiel hineingekommen bin, aber ich kann das Paket trotzdem sehr schätzen.
  29. FunkyBoi
    Aug 17, 2021
    8
    Baba is you is the most creative yet truest-of-form puzzle game I've played to date. I'm well familiar with both 2d and 3d puzzle platformers the likes of Inside, Limbo, Portal and so forth, but I've never really found myself drawn to a puzzle game with a sole focus on the puzzles. Baba is You is puzzles for puzzle lovers, that's all it wants to be and that's all it needs to be. I likeBaba is you is the most creative yet truest-of-form puzzle game I've played to date. I'm well familiar with both 2d and 3d puzzle platformers the likes of Inside, Limbo, Portal and so forth, but I've never really found myself drawn to a puzzle game with a sole focus on the puzzles. Baba is You is puzzles for puzzle lovers, that's all it wants to be and that's all it needs to be. I like taking on maybe one or two puzzles per day, inbetween busywork or just to wind down. The inventive core puzzle mechanic of building and breaking code-like rules provides a wealth of potential for new and innovative mechanics, both in the introduction of new ideas or building upon old ones, which is what any good puzzle game should seek to create.… Expand
  30. Elite_Institute
    Mar 5, 2022
    10
    "Baba is You is such a creative puzzle game that takes a simple premise and turns it into something mind-bending. Whilst the difficulty may reach obnoxiously high levels, there’s certainly enough content here to entertain even casual puzzle enthusiasts. The additional level creator too provides an excellent reason to stick with the game once you’re done, despite some minor gripes. This"Baba is You is such a creative puzzle game that takes a simple premise and turns it into something mind-bending. Whilst the difficulty may reach obnoxiously high levels, there’s certainly enough content here to entertain even casual puzzle enthusiasts. The additional level creator too provides an excellent reason to stick with the game once you’re done, despite some minor gripes. This game has a well deserved reputation, and everyone should experience this wonderfully unique puzzle title – even if it does make you feel like an idiot most of the time."

    https://theeliteinstitute.net/2021/11/19/baba-is-you/    … Expand
  31. TheLinkgirl
    Jul 10, 2023
    4
    I'd like to start this review by saying if you're a fan of puzzle games, I would highly recommend this game. Its difficult, but the puzzles in it are genuinely very good and I believe one could get a significant amount more mileage out of this game than I did. That being said, I simply didn't enjoy the slow pace and inconsistent difficulty of this game. Puzzles left me feeling like I wouldI'd like to start this review by saying if you're a fan of puzzle games, I would highly recommend this game. Its difficult, but the puzzles in it are genuinely very good and I believe one could get a significant amount more mileage out of this game than I did. That being said, I simply didn't enjoy the slow pace and inconsistent difficulty of this game. Puzzles left me feeling like I would either solve it instantly, or make no progress for an hour. Simply put, Baba Is You is a good game that is not to my taste.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best Switch Game of 2019
54
#54 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019
19
#19 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Aug 28, 2019
    95
    You've never played a puzzler like this before. [Issue #39 – May/June 2019, p. 27]
  2. Switch Player
    Jun 26, 2019
    80
    Baba Is You is a simple, yet ingenious indie puzzle game that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. The charming and minimalist presentation combines with immense creative difficulty to make something that will blow your mind, if it hasn’t melted it in confusion first.
    Read full review
  3. DualShockers
    Jun 23, 2019
    80
    I feel that the developers and designers are making a strange effort to make the solutions for Baba is You even more perplexing, and possibly less accessible to players.
    Read full review
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