The Backrooms is one of the most popular psychological horror games and is praised for its tense and atmospheric horror experience while focusing on exploration and survival. The story and puzzle-solving are some of the best elements that keep players on the edge of their seats.
A new psychological horror game called Pools has now been unveiled, and it is contesting Backrooms for the top spot. The game is set to launch for PC via Steam on April 26, 2024, and the game’s eerie atmosphere has got the players excited for a horrifying journey across pools.
Pools is the Backrooms but in a Unique Way
Pools was developed by Tensori, and according to the developer, it is set in a sort of “art gallery” where players look around the place, listen to sounds, and navigate. The developer has released gameplay footage, showing the eerie atmosphere that players will need to navigate through. The footage shows large areas filled with water, slides, stairs, and more.
Players will not have any puzzles to solve, but there are mazes, and most of the time, the game will challenge their navigation skills and how far they can go without getting lost. The game is unique as there are no monsters or jump scares. However, it can make you feel anxious and scared of the surroundings, such as the dark and tight space of the area and the fear of getting lost in nothingness.
According to the developer, the game will make players feel like “you’re just… there.” Moreover, the game does not have any user interface, dialogues, or background music. But the sounds will make them feel like they are in that place. Since the players will be walking slowly in the water, it will make things more real for them, and create a more tense and scary atmosphere.
The Game Has No Story and Focuses on Exploration
The fear of the unknown and existential dread of the game will target players, but for many, it may just be a peaceful exploration game. The game features six chapters, each having 10 to 30 minutes of playtime, but there is no story, no character for players to meet, and no notes to guide them across the areas.
The in-game world will slowly change as players explore the areas and advance. The rooms will start to look and feel different, more intense, and eerie, and every new area they explore and discover will have a new mystery. The gameplay footage has impressed players, and they are excited to check out the game and have called it “pleasantly terrifying.”
Players have said that the idea of liminal spaces with pools is exciting and scary at the same time, and it may be nearly therapeutic for many. Many fans have also said that, despite the game being so eerie, the gameplay of relying solely on sounds is thrilling.
What are your thoughts about Pools? Would you like to try it out? Let us know in the comments.
