POOLS offers a high-end simulation experience set in liminal spaces inspired by indoor water environments. This horror game avoids traditional threats like monsters, instead focusing on the unsettling feelings of isolation, disorientation, and confinement.
With meticulously designed levels, sharp textures, and impressive lighting, POOLS redefines the horror genre. Its clear nod to the SCP Backrooms creates an instant sense of recognition for contemporary gamers. Other notable experiences in this vein include First Land and Escape the Backrooms.
A unique take on horror
In today's gaming and online culture, liminal spaces are characterized by empty or deserted areas, often evoking a sense of eeriness or the supernatural. The environments in POOLS exemplify this concept, featuring strange rooms predominantly filled with various swimming pools. You can slide down vibrant water slides, navigate aqueduct-like corridors, or plunge into seemingly endless depths.
As previously noted, there are no jump scares or pursuing monsters. You feel relatively secure, except for certain pools that are excessively deep. Notably, the game lacks a user interface and dialogue, immersing you in its realistic visuals and atmospheric sound design, all from a first-person perspective. This combination enhances the sensation of solitude.
Since the game leans more towards a walking simulator, you won't encounter conflicts or objectives. It places you in a liminal environment without any context or guidance. Each playthrough offers a slightly different experience, fostering a sense of paranoia and discomfort. There are six distinct chapters, each taking approximately 10 to 30 minutes to fully explore.
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System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or later
- CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 from 2016 or newer
- RAM: 8 GB
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 or newer
- Storage: 5 GB of free space
Additional Information: For better performance, use a lower resolution. Laptops are compatible as well. Tested on a 2021 Lenovo ThinkPad, it runs smoothly on low settings and lower resolution. NOTE: You can try the Demo to check game performance.
Recommended System Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 10 or later
- CPU: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 7 from 2018 or newer
- RAM: 16 GB
- Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT or newer
- Storage: 5 GB of free space
Additional Information: Successfully tested at high settings on 1080p. For 4K at high settings, an NVIDIA 4080 or AMD RX 7900 is suggested. NOTE: You can try the Demo to check game performance.
POOLS Free Download
Distinctive and skillful among walking simulations, POOLS delivers an unparalleled experience in contemporary gaming. It immerses players in transitional spaces that lack traditional challenges or goals. The game’s striking set designs and minimalist style foster an ambiance of unsettling calm, prioritizing solitude and exploration rather than action. By omitting jump scares and monsters, it constructs a hauntingly beautiful environment, encouraging players to meander through its depths and reflect on the enigmas it holds.
POOLS Free Download
Size: 2.41 GB
Screenshots
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