Submachine 1: The Basement
Episode 1 – where the machine begins.
About Submachine 1: The Basement
Submachine 1: The Basement is the first game in Mateusz Skutnik's Submachine series, released in 2005. You find yourself in a dim, empty basement of pipes, wooden panels and strange machinery, with no obvious way out. The goal is simple: escape.
Like the escape games of its time, Submachine 1 is played by clicking through a handful of connected rooms, collecting items and using them in the right places. What set it apart was the atmosphere – a soft ambient soundtrack, hand-made textures and rooms that loop back on each other – and the hint that the basement was only a small part of something much larger. That something became the subject of nine more games.
How to play Submachine 1
- Click the arrows at the edges of the screen to move between rooms.
- Click objects to pick them up or interact with them.
- Select an item from your inventory, then click where you want to use it.
The game is played with the mouse only and takes around 15 to 30 minutes on a first play.
Next in the series
When you escape the basement, continue with Submachine 2: The Lighthouse. The Submachine series page lists all ten games in order, and FlashAttic marks every episode you have played.
Stuck? Hints, gentlest first
Hint 1 – map the rooms
The basement is small but rooms connect in loops. Note which arrow leads where, and you will notice there are more rooms than it first seems.
Hint 2 – small things matter
Pick up everything, even objects that look like decoration. Some items only become useful in a room you have not reached yet.
Hint 3 – the exit
The way out needs several items brought to the right place. If you are missing one, revisit every room and hover over dark corners and walls.
Submachine 1 was released in 2005 by Mateusz Skutnik. At first it looked like one more escape game, but its quiet mood and odd architecture made players wonder what the "submachine" really was – a question the series kept answering for the next ten years.
FAQ
Do I need to play Submachine 1 first?
It is the best place to start. The series' story, told through hidden notes, begins here and continues through all ten games.
Can I still play Submachine 1: The Basement in 2026?
Yes. Adobe stopped supporting Flash in 2020, but Submachine 1: The Basement runs on this page through a Flash emulator built into the player. Press Play and it starts in a few seconds.
Do I need Flash Player to play Submachine 1: The Basement?
No. You don’t need to install Adobe Flash Player, a plugin or any download. Submachine 1: The Basement runs in any modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari.
Can I play Submachine 1: The Basement on my phone?
Usually, yes. Submachine 1: The Basement is played with the mouse, so taps work in most mobile browsers – although a computer still gives the best experience.
Who made Submachine 1: The Basement?
Submachine 1: The Basement was made by Mateusz Skutnik and released in 2005. The game belongs to its creator; FlashAttic only embeds it so it can still be played.
Is there a sequel to Submachine 1: The Basement?
Yes – the next game in the series is Submachine 2: The Lighthouse, which you can also play on FlashAttic.
