The original game was well receviedreceived from critics. Jesse Grodman from both [[DreadXP]] and [[Dread Central]], priasedpraised Gameplay, noting game's derivativnessderivativeness reminisceningreminiscing a [[Educational video game|educational video game genre]] of low-quality [[flash games]] from browsers like [[Cool Math Games|CoolMath games]]. AlongwithAlong with praise went to it'sits visuals been intentionally bad, also noting the merge many [[Style (visual arts)|artstyles]], from [[MS Paint]] and [[3D Maze|Windows 3D Maze Screensaver]] to assets from [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]], as well as [[Music]]. But criticism of the game went to it's [[Difficulty (video games)|difficulty]] and lack of [[Saved game|save system]], making exprirenceexperience frustrating.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grodman |first=Jesse |date=2022-02-28 |title=Ultra-Indie Spotlight Sunday: Baldi's Basics |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/ultra-indie-spotlight/486362/ultra-indie-spotlight-sunday-baldis-basics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824021322/https://www.dreadcentral.com/ultra-indie-spotlight/486362/ultra-indie-spotlight-sunday-baldis-basics/ |archive-date=2024-08-24 |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=[[Dread Central]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=G |first=Jesse |date=2022-02-27 |title=Ultra-Indie Spotlight Sunday: Baldi's Basics |url=https://www.dreadxp.com/ultra-indie-spotlight/ultra-indie-spotlight-sunday-baldis-basics/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710103402/https://www.dreadxp.com/ultra-indie-spotlight/ultra-indie-spotlight-sunday-baldis-basics/ |archive-date=2025-07-10 |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=[[DreadXP]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
