Backrooms Rec.

About

"Backrooms Rec. is a chilling action game, available in early access on Steam, where players can explore the labyrinthine Backrooms in single-player or multiplayer co-op modes. Immerse yourself in a terrifying atmosphere with realistic visuals and uncover the secrets behind the walls of this mysterious place."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 416 reviews

graphics40 positive mentions

optimization6 negative mentions

The game features stunning graphics and a unique atmosphere that effectively captures the essence of the Backrooms.
Multiple game modes, including a cooperative escape mode and a level editor, provide engaging gameplay and replayability.
The game has a lot of potential for future updates, with players expressing excitement for new content and improvements.

Currently, the game lacks sufficient content, with many players noting that the story mode is very short and can be completed in under an hour.
There are significant performance issues, including low frame rates and bugs that affect gameplay, particularly in multiplayer.
Some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, with limited puzzles and objectives.

graphics
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
40%
4%
The graphics of the game receive high praise for their realism and aesthetic appeal, with many users noting the impressive level design and atmospheric effects that enhance immersion. However, some players experience performance issues, such as low frame rates and a distracting film filter, which detracts from the overall visual experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's graphics are often described as among the best in the backrooms genre, showcasing significant potential for future improvements.
- “The graphics are freaking incredible, just wow, I can see the time and effort that went into this game.”
- “The graphics are phenomenal, the camera shake and swaying is hyper realistic, and the procedurally generated escape game mode is amazing.”
- “The haunting environment and realistic graphics plunge me right into the heart of the backrooms, making it genuinely immersive.”
- “I had to turn down the graphics settings and still not much better.”
- “Stabled at 10fps, and I tried everything like updating my drivers, adjusting the graphic settings, and verifying the integrity, but it's just not working. I really want to play it though.”
- “The level editor workshop would have been cool, but the graphics were so bad and glitchy that it made me feel nauseous.”
story
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
75%
6%
The game's story is brief but engaging, with players able to complete it in about 30 to 40 minutes, making it enjoyable for cooperative play. While there are only two distinct story levels—one for singleplayer and one for multiplayer—players appreciate the unique mechanics and potential for future updates. However, some reviewers feel that the limited content may not justify the price, suggesting that the game is better suited for those looking for a quick experience rather than a deep narrative.
- “This game is phenomenal just on story mode.”
- “An enriched cooperative story mode allows you to delve into the terror-filled depths of the backrooms alongside your friends.”
- “10/10, extremely good short story (tape 1, out of multiple unreleased tapes).”
- “Also, don't even bother with the story mode; it's a small level with some really cool 3D walking mechanics (walking on the ceiling, etc.), and it took us 10 minutes of slow walking to beat the 'story.'”
- “Game has huge potential but needs a lot of work. First off, I tried this game with friends and finished the first 'story' in 10 minutes.”
- “If you are looking for a quick backrooms game, then this is alright; however, I would probably wait until more levels are added, as $10 for under an hour of gameplay in the story mode isn't really worth it.”
gameplay
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The gameplay is praised for its engaging mechanics and aesthetic, offering both solo and multiplayer modes, as well as unique features like liminal spaces and a recording mechanic. However, many reviewers note the short duration of gameplay, typically around 20-30 minutes, and criticize the repetitiveness of certain modes, suggesting that while the game has potential, it currently lacks depth and content for the price. Overall, it is seen as a promising title that could benefit from additional levels and gameplay enhancements.
- “The gameplay offers open exploration in solo/multiplayer modes and scripted, solo 'found footage' episodes.”
- “The diversity in gameplay modes makes it an engaging experience whether you're playing solo or with friends.”
- “The use of liminal spacing in the warped area is an amazing mechanic that isn't really seen in other backrooms games and the lack of bugs/glitches made for a very engaging experience.”
- “For now, honestly I wouldn't tell you to buy it for $10. Yes, this game has an amazing and stressful ambiance, but the gameplay does not last longer than an hour and a half. I think this game has a lot of potential and could become something in the future. I'll put in a good review because I really liked the game, to be honest, and want to support the developers.”
- “It's got a great aesthetic and great premise, but it sorely lacks any actual gameplay, and the escape mode is extremely repetitive.”
- “If you are looking for a quick backrooms game, then this is alright; however, I would probably wait until more levels are added, as $10 for under an hour of gameplay when doing the story mode isn't really worth it.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
22%
9%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, effectively capturing a surreal and liminal vibe that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the exceptional graphics and the game's ability to evoke a sense of dread, although some note the current lack of content and minor bugs. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, showcasing the developer's dedication to creating a captivating environment.
- “The game captures the creepy liminal atmosphere better than most other backrooms titles.”
- “The solo-developed game stands testament to the dedication and passion poured into it, evident in the nuanced details and atmospheric dread that encapsulates the game's essence.”
- “Unnerving atmosphere and aesthetic.”
- “This game came out one day ago and I didn't expect there to be only one level, but it's really pretty, awesome graphics and I was shocked how scary it could be to build atmosphere with some sounds and the automatic camera swap to objects when something happens.”
- “The atmosphere is immaculate, and the way levels are structured captures a particularly weird, surrealist vibe that I think most backrooms games lack.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues regardless of settings, leading to high GPU usage and low frame rates even on capable hardware. Many believe the graphics are too demanding and require significant improvements to enhance performance, especially given the limited content currently available. Overall, while the game shows potential, it needs substantial optimization work.
- “Good game, needs work on making the graphics less performance heavy while still looking good.”
- “It doesn't seem optimized and there's only two levels at the moment, but I think it has a lot of potential.”
- “Game optimization is atrocious - no matter what settings you choose, even as a small window, it will utilize 100% of your GPU.”
- “Could use some performance boosting as it's pretty bad with FPS on my RTX 3060.”
- “The game runs poorly; I don't understand why this game is not optimized. The minimum specs seem outdated because my PC only runs at 25 FPS on low settings.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is inconsistent, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches, including issues like clipping through walls and broken textures. However, some players noted that certain areas, particularly those utilizing liminal spacing, were free of bugs and provided a more engaging experience. Overall, while there are moments of stability, the game suffers from significant technical issues.
- “It's a bit buggy in many places; I could pass through a couple of walls in some parts, and some textures have 'broken' for me.”
- “We made it to the second level after many bugs and glitches, only to find there's no game left.”
- “It's a bit buggy in many places; I could pass through a couple of walls in some parts, and some textures have 'broken' for me.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted as enjoyable, particularly when playing with friends, with players finding the gameplay mechanics—such as activating generators and waiting for doors to open—amusing. However, the current content is limited to a 30-minute demo, leaving players eager for more.
- “Funny with friends, hope we get more content soon.”
- “It's just a 30-minute demo; you go around activating generators, wait like 5 minutes for a big door to open, so funny.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic commitment akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express frustration with the emotional impact of the game, noting that poor and glitchy graphics detracted from their experience, leading to feelings of nausea rather than enjoyment.