POOLS

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,115 reviews
  • atmosphere
  • graphics
  • story
POOLS Game Cover
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"POOLS is a single-player Simulation game that offers marvelous graphics and a tense atmosphere. With no user-interface, dialogue, or background music, the game relies on realistic sounds and echoes to create a sense of presence. As you explore, you'll notice changes in the world around you, with each chapter offering unique and atmospheric rooms, playing on fears of getting lost, darkness, and tight spaces."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,115 reviews
atmosphere219 positive mentions
stability5 negative mentions
  • Incredible atmosphere and sound design that creates a sense of unease and immersion.
  • Beautiful graphics and level design that captures the essence of liminal spaces.
  • Unique experience that allows players to explore without the pressure of monsters or jump scares.
  • Short gameplay length, with many players completing it in under two hours.
  • Some players found the movement speed too slow and the controls clunky.
  • Lack of a clear narrative or objectives, which may not appeal to all players.
  • atmosphere346 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is universally praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, combining stunning visuals and exceptional sound design to create a hauntingly serene experience. Players appreciate the eerie yet relaxing ambiance, which effectively captures the essence of liminal spaces without relying on traditional horror elements like jump scares. Overall, the game excels in delivering a unique atmospheric experience that invites exploration and introspection, making it a standout in the walking simulator genre.

    • “The game is dripping with atmosphere; the art and sound design are absolutely incredible.”
    • “You explore tiled, watery architectural spaces - sometimes cathedral-like, sometimes tight and claustrophobic - and soak up the slightly eerie, yet also strangely relaxing, atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is so dense you can feel the moisture in the air; you can breathe the sense of uncanny as you haunt the halls of a beautiful liminal nightmare.”
    • “No dialogue, no story to speak of, no real threat of death or anything else either... and yet it somehow still manages to be scary through sheer force of atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is somehow unnerving and soothing at the same time.”
  • graphics287 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and immersive quality, with many players praising the attention to detail and the ability to create an eerie atmosphere without relying on jump scares. The visuals are described as breathtaking, with a strong emphasis on the liminal space aesthetic, making exploration a visually rewarding experience. However, some users noted performance issues on lower-end hardware, particularly on the Steam Deck, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “One of the most realistic graphics you can experience in VR to this day.”
    • “Absolutely stunning visuals, highly recommend to players that love a mouth-watering visual experience.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and it really creates that feeling of being lost and alone.”
    • “Also don't bother on Steam Deck; the default graphics configuration leads to very disorienting graphical issues.”
    • “The main complaint I have is there appear to be occasional texturing and graphical issues when the whole point of the game is to look at the surroundings.”
    • “The graphics are mid to decent, but all the textures are shiny, so the realism is ruined.”
  • story95 mentions

    The game's story is largely absent or open to interpretation, with many players noting that it lacks traditional narrative elements such as dialogue, lore, or clear objectives. Instead, it relies on atmospheric exploration and visual storytelling, allowing players to construct their own meanings from the surreal environments. While some appreciate the ambiguity and the opportunity for personal interpretation, others express a desire for a more defined storyline to enhance the experience.

    • “Chill game with atmospheric liminal spaces with a gripping story.”
    • “I found the story told to be interesting, the graphics beyond wonderful, and the mechanics beautifully simple.”
    • “But if you enjoy soaking in an environment and the storytelling/intrigue/tension within, this was an artfully surreal experience that left me wanting to know more.”
    • “The story is very absent.”
    • “By this I mean there is no story whatsoever, no characters, no sense of progression, no sense of accomplishment, nothing really.”
    • “There's no real story, but you can theorize based on the symbolism you are presented with.”
  • gameplay82 mentions

    The gameplay of this indie title is primarily a walking simulator, focusing on exploration rather than traditional mechanics like combat or puzzles. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and immersive experience, others criticize the lack of engaging gameplay elements, describing it as tedious and overly simplistic. Overall, it appeals to those seeking a unique, meditative experience in liminal spaces, but may not satisfy players looking for more interactive or action-oriented gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is simple—mostly just moving forward and exploring—yet it's one of the most captivating games I've ever played.”
    • “For a tl;dr: amazing visuals and sound design, a perfected atmosphere, abstract sinister vibes that make you question what you are experiencing and why, and an unburden-some gameplay loop that just lets you enjoy it.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, it's a walking simulator which might turn some people off, but I do really recommend still giving it a try, as just the atmosphere and ambiance is enough to put you on edge.”
    • “The game is atmospheric, but the gameplay doesn't exist.”
    • “Now, gameplay really isn't a thing here.”
    • “There's no gameplay, no puzzle, no story: it's a walking simulator in liminal spaces.”
  • music45 mentions

    The game's music is minimal, with a focus on ambient sounds that create a calming and meditative atmosphere, often enhancing the player's experience rather than inducing tension. While some players appreciate the sparse use of music, finding it effective in maintaining intrigue and immersion, others express a desire for more melodic elements to complement the ambient noise. Overall, the sound design is praised for its quality and ability to evoke a dream-like quality, though opinions vary on the absence of a more prominent soundtrack.

    • “The soundtrack and ambient noises are done sparingly, but when implemented, they are powerful.”
    • “It's a very calming and meditative experience; there's barely any music, but it has a lot of awesome ambient noise and atmospheric sounds.”
    • “The soundtrack and sound design are perfect; I absolutely adore ambient tracks and didn't hesitate to buy the soundtrack when it released.”
    • “There’s no music, no sense of direction—only you and the drip-drip-drip of water echoing somewhere deep in the complex.”
    • “The sound/music in particular seems afraid to spike the unease for more than a few seconds at a time, which I found a bit frustrating.”
    • “There is no background music of any kind and no monsters (as the game description points out).”
  • optimization21 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the visual quality and report improved performance following updates, others note persistent issues such as high GPU utilization, stuttering, and a need for further optimization, particularly on the Steam Deck. Despite these concerns, many believe that ongoing updates could address the remaining performance issues.

    • “The game works brilliantly on the Steam Deck, with smooth performance and controls that make wandering through these watery corridors a dreamlike experience.”
    • “But the game has been updated since with graphic settings optimized for the Steam Deck, so that’s mostly been remedied.”
    • “The game's graphics are very well optimized and run smoothly.”
    • “Didn't help that the visual settings are very cryptic and the game seems to be very demanding on performance.”
    • “The game is gorgeous in its own way, but I can't help but feel it is missing some kind of optimization.”
    • “While visually impressive, it feels a bit poorly optimized.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its potential for exploration and achievement hunting, while others feel that once completed, the experience lacks incentive to revisit. Many appreciate the atmospheric design and hidden elements that encourage multiple playthroughs, but some argue that the overall replay value is limited, making the price feel high for a shorter experience. Overall, it offers a blend of replayable elements, particularly for fans of its genre, but may not satisfy those seeking extensive replayability.

    • “I can still safely say I haven't seen all it has to offer, as there are images in the trailer I didn't run into, so there is plenty of replay value for the price.”
    • “A stunning game with great replayability value, as well as being beautiful to look at.”
    • “The settings are magnificent, the sound design is on point, and the hidden achievements give this game replayability.”
    • “☑ no replay value”
    • “I also feel like the replay value of the game is lost with this style and doesn't allow me to feel like there's a reason to go through it again once completed as it feels like everything there is to explore has been explored.”
    • “• extremely low replayability value.”
  • emotional13 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of despondency and relaxation, evoking feelings of loneliness and muted wonder through its atmospheric design. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from discomfort and chills to moments of profound engagement, often without traditional horror elements like jump scares. Overall, the game resonates deeply with those intrigued by liminal spaces and seeks to provide a meaningful emotional journey.

    • “Playing this visually stunning, highly atmospheric horror walking sim made me feel despondent while also having a strangely relaxing effect after a long day.”
    • “Overall held my attention, I took lots of screenshots, and it made me feel something.”
    • “Most of all, pools achieves this level of emotional engagement without so much as a jump scare or an antagonist, purely by its environmental and sound design.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting no significant bugs or glitches, particularly on the Steam Deck. However, some players experienced minor visual issues, such as lighting glitches and occasional game-breaking bugs that required restarts. While the game runs smoothly for most, a few users noted that disabling certain graphical settings could lead to rendering problems.

    • “It also runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “Amazing visuals and atmosphere are provided in this game. I played this on my Steam Deck, and it runs great, giving me some classic amnesia about where I am and why I am.”
    • “No glitches or issues experienced.”
    • “However, turning the lighting quality off made the game look worse in other aspects, such as the color and texture of inner tubes and rubber ducks not rendering properly, as well as some visual glitches worthy of an epilepsy warning.”
    • “I would give it four out of five stars, only because the game is quite buggy.”
    • “From the technical point of view, I've encountered a few minor glitches and one which caused me to restart the level (I got stuck on the pool's edge and couldn't get out).”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and silliness, often eliciting laughter through its quirky elements and unexpected scenarios. Players find the combination of creepy atmospheres with comedic moments, such as ridiculous endings and playful interactions, to be both entertaining and oddly relaxing. Overall, it offers a unique experience that balances tension with humor, making it enjoyable for those seeking a lighthearted take on horror.

    • “This game is scary, funny, and weirdly relaxing.”
    • “I played it with my mum, and we were laughing the whole time at all the silly things they put in the pools.”
    • “Instead, you're given an ending that makes literally no sense and nearly made me laugh out loud with how ridiculous it was.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and slow, with some players finding the realistic movement through water to be a hindrance to enjoyment. While it may appeal to fans of surreal exploration games, many feel that the experience shifts from engaging exploration to a monotonous grind, detracting from overall fun.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “If you're LSD dream emulator and Yume Nikki-pilled, you may be a fan, but if not, it'll probably just seem boring and tedious.”
    • “It changes more from a peaceful exploration with some creepy vibes to a downright disturbing and very bizarre exploration where the fun is replaced with a tedious task of getting to the end.”
    • “Sure, it looks nice, but it's also rather tedious given almost nothing happens.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for being misleading in its advertising, as it promotes a spooky experience without delivering any real scares or content. Reviewers describe it as a cash grab that capitalizes on the liminal space trend, likening it unfavorably to other low-effort games. Overall, players feel disappointed by the lack of genuine content and the game's failure to meet expectations.

    • “Cash grab capitalizing on the liminal space trend.”
    • “Even Chilla's games, notorious for being low effort asset flip cash grabs, has an edge on this 'game.' I just wasn't looking for a home run, or a platinum AAA game or anything, but to literally have like 0 genuine content is ridiculous.”
    • “The only problem I have with this game is the advertising of it simply being creepy spaces without anything scaring you.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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