POOLS

POOLS – steam game, takes the concept of the Backrooms and immerses players in a unique environment filled with endless pools. Unlike the traditional Backrooms that evoke a sense of deserted office spaces, POOLS introduces vast, eerie swimming areas that add an extra layer of surrealism to the exploration experience. This setting taps into a specific kind of fear and fascination—vast, empty spaces that should be bustling with life but are instead hauntingly silent. The game doesn’t just simulate a space; it invites players to feel the peculiar mix of tranquility and tension that such an environment can evoke.

A Walking Simulator with a Twist

Tensori, the developer behind POOLS, has crafted a game that strays from typical horror mechanics. There are no monsters to flee from or battles to fight. Instead, POOLS is designed as a walking simulator where the focus is on the atmosphere rather than on survival horror. This approach allows players to explore at their own pace, experiencing the unsettling calm of the game’s world. The walking simulator format is perfect for those who appreciate games as a form of experiential art, offering a space to ponder and soak in the vibe of the mysterious settings.

The Artistic Vision of Antti Jarvinen

Antti Jarvinen, the mind behind Tensori, views POOLS as more than just a game; it’s an experimental project that challenges conventional game design. Järvinen advocates for a bolder, less conventional approach to game development, criticizing the industry’s tendency towards safety and predictability, especially within the AAA sector. His vision for POOLS is to create an experience that stands out through its simplicity and the powerful atmosphere it evokes, rather than through complex gameplay mechanics or high-stakes action. This philosophy resonates throughout the game, as it prioritizes mood and environment over traditional gameplay elements.

Contemplating the Gaming Industry’s Direction

Jarvinen’s critique of the gaming industry highlights a sentiment felt by many enthusiasts and developers alike—that many games lack distinctiveness and genuine passion. His commentary on the state of modern gaming, particularly the tendency to produce sequels that offer little innovation, is a call to action for creativity and risk-taking in game development. POOLS represents a step toward this ideal, providing a game experience that is introspective, atmospheric, and distinct from more mainstream titles.

Reflecting on Uniqueness in Game Design

While POOLS shares aesthetic similarities with games like Dreamcore, it maintains its uniqueness by focusing on the emotional and psychological experience of exploring its world, rather than on narrative or horror elements typically found in games with similar themes. The game stands as an example of how indie titles can explore familiar motifs in fresh and impactful ways, challenging players to engage with games on a more contemplative level.

Gameplay

The primary mechanic revolves around exploration and navigation within a series of distinct environments that evoke a sense of isolation and mystery. Players find themselves navigating through mazes and complex environments that challenge their sense of direction and spatial awareness. The game minimizes traditional gameplay elements, focusing instead on the experience of simply being within its spaces. There are no puzzles to solve in the conventional sense, but the game’s layout itself serves as a navigational challenge.

Atmospheric Elements and Sensory Details

The absence of a user interface or dialogue in POOLS emphasizes the game’s reliance on ambient sounds and environmental echoes to enhance immersion. The auditory experience is meticulously crafted, with sounds that vary significantly based on the player’s location within the game world. For example, walking in water produces distinct, slowed audio cues that deepen the realism of the environment. This attention to acoustic detail helps to create a tense atmosphere that plays on primal fears of the dark, tight spaces, and the feeling of being lost.

Dynamic Environments and Subtle Storytelling

Though POOLS lacks a traditional narrative or character interaction, the game’s environment evolves as players progress through its chapters. Each of the six chapters, which take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to complete, introduces unique elements that make the rooms feel alive and ever-changing. As players move deeper into the game, they may notice subtle changes in the surroundings that suggest an underlying narrative thread. This approach to storytelling encourages players to pay close attention to their environment, piecing together the story from the world around them rather than through direct narrative exposition.

Inspired by the concept of liminal spaces and the aesthetic of found footage, particularly from sources like “Backrooms Pools” or “Poolrooms,” POOLS taps into a deep well of cultural imagery that resonates with a contemporary audience. The influences of creators like Jared Pike and studios like Matt Studios and Anemoiapolis add layers of depth to the game’s thematic and visual design, making each chapter a unique exploration into these unsettling yet captivating spaces.

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