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8AM: The Swimming Pool

8AM: The Swimming Pool Game Cover
61%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:atmosphere, replayability
Most mentioned negative aspects:gameplay, story
81% User Score Based on 26 reviews

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PCWindows
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8AM: The Swimming Pool Game Cover

About 8AM: The Swimming Pool

8AM: The Swimming Pool is a single player casual puzzle game with horror, mystery and violence themes. It was developed by David Gallardo and was released on January 6, 2026. It received positive reviews from players.

JOIN US ON DISCORD! About the Game"8AM: The Swimming Pool" plunges the player into a tense and enigmatic experience of observation and judgment, set beneath the dim lights of an empty public pool. The night has fallen, and the facility is about to close. Only a few late swimmers remain — tired, silent, and seemingly ordinary. You are stationed in the control room, surrounded by flic…

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8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
8AM: The Swimming Pool screenshot
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Reviews

81%Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews
atmosphere3 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a tense and atmospheric psychological horror experience that relies on careful observation rather than constant action or jump scares.
  • The swimming pool setting and security camera perspective create a unique and immersive horror environment, with excellent audiovisual design that supports the slow-building suspense.
  • There are many anomalies to discover, encouraging replayability and rewarding meticulous players, appealing especially to fans of anomaly-hunting and liminal space games.
  • The game can feel repetitive and lacks uniqueness compared to others in the subgenre and the 8AM series, with some players finding the numerous anomalies overwhelming and sometimes barely noticeable.
  • Jump scares are underwhelming and often feel disconnected from the game’s setting or events, diminishing the scare factor for some players despite the toggleable option.
  • The game’s relatively small scope and simple mechanics may not justify its price for some, and some reviews note a sense of laziness or rushed development with static character behaviors and visual noise that reduce clarity.

  • gameplay

    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, 17% neutral mentions, 50% negative mentions

    The gameplay of 8am: the swimming pool centers on spotting anomalies in surveillance footage, emphasizing observation and atmosphere over action or complex mechanics. Its methodical pacing and subtle audiovisual design create a tense, unsettling experience for players who appreciate perception-based horror. However, its straightforward structure and limited mechanics may feel minimalistic and could benefit from a more unique gameplay element to increase excitement.

    • “The central gameplay loop revolves around spotting anomalies hidden throughout the surveillance footage.”
    • “Through its surveillance-based gameplay, carefully crafted atmosphere, and emphasis on perception over confrontation, 8am: the swimming pool delivers a consistently unsettling experience that rewards attentive players.”
    • “Players who enjoy observation-based horror titles will likely appreciate its methodical pacing, whereas those seeking action-heavy gameplay or extensive storytelling may find its minimalist approach less satisfying.”
    • “Although its straightforward structure and limited mechanics may not appeal to everyone, it successfully transforms an ordinary public pool into an unnerving setting filled with paranoia and suspense.”
    • “All this game needs is a really unique mechanic to make it better and exciting.”

  • atmosphere

    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    60% positive mentions, 40% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The atmosphere in 8am: the swimming pool is highly effective, creating a tense and unsettling experience through its silence, echoes, and cold surveillance visuals. The game's focused design emphasizes perception and tension over confrontation, offering a consistently engaging and immersive psychological horror environment. Toggleable jumpscares and a dynamic pool setting further enhance the eerie ambiance, making it a rewarding experience for players who appreciate atmospheric horror.

    • “The silence of the empty pool, the echo of distant splashes, and the cold glow of security monitors gradually create an oppressive atmosphere that keeps players on edge.”
    • “Through its surveillance-based gameplay, carefully crafted atmosphere, and emphasis on perception over confrontation, 8am: the swimming pool delivers a consistently unsettling experience that rewards attentive players.”
    • “If you enjoy short psychological horror experiences that focus on tension, observation, and atmosphere rather than jump scares, 8am: the swimming pool is absolutely worth your time.”

  • story

    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    25% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 75% negative mentions

    The story is minimalist and relies heavily on environmental storytelling, creating a subtle, mysterious atmosphere that appeals to fans of observation-based horror. However, players seeking a more action-driven or deeply narrative experience may find the story lacking in depth and intrigue.

    • “Environmental storytelling also contributes significantly to the experience.”
    • “It is not scary, it is not intriguing, and there does not seem to be any real story or lore behind it.”
    • “Players who enjoy observation-based horror titles will likely appreciate its methodical pacing, whereas those seeking action-heavy gameplay or extensive storytelling may find its minimalist approach less satisfying.”
    • “This restrained storytelling complements the game's minimalist design, ensuring that mystery remains one of its most compelling features from beginning to end.”

  • replayability

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game offers strong replayability through numerous anomalies to discover and achievements that reward careful exploration, encouraging players to revisit and thoroughly engage with its content.

    • “The game also encourages replayability by including numerous anomalies to discover and achievements that reward thorough observation.”

  • emotional

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    100% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game evokes a positive emotional response by making players feel intelligent and included, particularly among peers. Its accessible challenge level contributes to a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

  • monetization

    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    0% positive mentions, 0% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The monetization is widely viewed as a cash grab, with frequent game releases giving the impression of prioritizing profit over quality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

8AM: The Swimming Pool is a casual puzzle game with horror, mystery and violence themes. Common tags for 8AM: The Swimming Pool include first-person, indie, psychological, psychological horror, logic and others.

8AM: The Swimming Pool is available on PC and Windows.

8AM: The Swimming Pool was released on January 6, 2026.

8AM: The Swimming Pool was developed by David Gallardo.

8AM: The Swimming Pool has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked 8AM: The Swimming Pool for its atmosphere but disliked it for its gameplay.

8AM: The Swimming Pool is a single player game.