Skip to main content

Poolscape

Poolscape Game Cover
78%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music
Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, gameplay
89% User Score Based on 38 reviews

Platforms

PCWindowsPlayStation
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on itch.io Store
Poolscape Game Cover

About Poolscape

Poolscape is a single player casual simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by CosmicArcade and was released on May 11, 2026. It received positive reviews from players.

Poolscape is a retro reimagining of the Poolrooms, evoking the nostalgia of classic PSX games by immersing players in the iconic liminal space with authentic ’90s-styled visuals and atmosphere. DEMO LEVELS Level 1: Classic Poolrooms - A linear, by-the-books Poolrooms experience. White tiles, soft marble, and fake skylights form the comforting yet uncanny liminal space you’d expect from a classi…

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
Poolscape screenshot
+14
Skip Games Like Poolscape

Games Like Poolscape

Looking for games like Poolscape? Here are top casual simulation recommendations with a horror focus, selected from player-similarity data — start with Dreamcore, Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1 or POOLS.

Dreamcore Image
89%798reviews

Dreamcore

2025Platformer
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+4
Games like Dreamcore
Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1 Image
80%897reviews

Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1

2023Simulation
PCWindows
Games like Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1
POOLS Image
95%3.4kreviews

POOLS

2024Simulation
LinuxPCPlaystation 5+5
Games like POOLS
LIMINAL SHIFT Image
83%131reviews

LIMINAL SHIFT

2025Survival Simulation
PCWindows
Games like LIMINAL SHIFT
Liminalcore Image
83%368reviews

Liminalcore

2024Simulation
PCWindows
Games like Liminalcore
The Complex: Expedition Image
92%1.6kreviews

The Complex: Expedition

2025Open World Simulation
PCWindows
Games like The Complex: Expedition
The Complex: Found Footage ImageThe Complex: Found Footage ImageThe Complex: Found Footage Image
93%5.7kreviews

The Complex: Found Footage

2022Open World Simulation
PCWindows
Games like The Complex: Found Footage
Disminal Image
93%95reviews

Disminal

2024Simulation
LinuxPCMac OS+1
Games like Disminal
The Backrooms: Lost Tape Image
83%800reviews

The Backrooms: Lost Tape

2022Survival Management
PCWindows
Games like The Backrooms: Lost Tape
OK/NORMAL Image
79%790reviews

OK/NORMAL

2018Action
PCMac OSXbox+2
Games like OK/NORMAL
More games like Poolscape
Skip User Reviews

Reviews

89%Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews
graphics9 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a strong PS1/PSX retro aesthetic that enhances the liminal space and nostalgic atmosphere.
  • Levels are visually diverse and well-designed, offering interesting and varied environments to explore.
  • The soundtrack and sound design are highly praised for complementing the ambiance and immersion.
  • Movement speed is often considered too slow, impacting the pacing and exploration experience negatively.
  • The gameplay is very linear and lacks replayability, with limited interactivity and a guided path rather than open exploration.
  • The lurking entity and story elements, including notes, are seen as underdeveloped or ineffective at adding tension or scare factor.

  • graphics

    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    32% positive mentions, 57% neutral mentions, 11% negative mentions

    The game features a distinctive retro PS1-style aesthetic that perfectly captures a nostalgic, liminal space atmosphere with varied, well-designed poolroom levels. Its pixelated, VHS-inspired graphics blend old-school charm with unique, relaxing environments, setting it apart from more realistic titles in the genre. Overall, the graphics are praised for enhancing the mood and theme, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “Didn't realize the PSX style could lend itself so well to the dream pools concept, but this game does an amazing job of blending the two aesthetics in a way that doesn't detract or diminish one or the other.”
    • “Great little poolrooms liminal space exploration game with PSX-style visuals and a variety of levels for you to explore.”
    • “I personally love the PSX art style and I think this game really shines within the medium.”
    • “But hey, it's a liminal game with an art style that isn't attempting realism and a hard on the eyes VHS filter, for once.”
    • “It's definitely your typical poolrooms game but comes with PS1 graphical aesthetics.”
    • “The retro PS graphics seem to fit with what I think this experience is trying to convey.”

  • music

    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    52% positive mentions, 48% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming, nostalgic, and atmospheric qualities, often enhancing the unique vibe of each area with a mix of relaxing and spooky tones. Many appreciate the well-crafted ambient sound design, retro influences, and thoughtful integration into the environment, with some players even buying the soundtrack separately. While generally fitting, a few note that the music occasionally feels mismatched with certain areas, but overall it significantly contributes to the immersive experience.

    • “The music and sounds are good as well.”
    • “Really interesting room designs, a very fitting and super relaxing soundtrack (minus a couple spooky sections which are also awesome lol), and a great aesthetic with a solid PSX style interpretation of a genre that usually seems to lean towards more realistic graphics.”
    • “Headphones are definitely a plus, the soundtrack and general ambiance really add a lot to the experience!”

  • atmosphere

    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    42% positive mentions, 33% neutral mentions, 25% negative mentions

    The game excels in creating a rich, eerie atmosphere reminiscent of liminal spaces with PS1-style graphics and ambient sound design. Its well-crafted environments, paired with a haunting soundtrack and subtle horror elements, offer an immersive exploration experience guided like a curated ride. Overall, the atmosphere is its standout feature, delivering a captivating and tense yet approachable mood throughout.

    • “Great liminal space game, I love the PS1 graphics and the atmosphere in this game.”
    • “It's got great atmosphere, lots of environments to explore, and a nice soundtrack with well-placed ambient sound effects.”
    • “Beautiful pool rooms game, amazing atmosphere and lots of interesting varied levels to explore.”
    • “No real threat, albeit some horror elements sparsely added in, doesn't take away from the atmosphere as long as you go in knowing that.”
    • “I had to get it out of the way first as that level gave off quite an eerie and tense atmosphere, I did feel as if I was being watched constantly navigating in the dark.”
    • “A bit of simple platforming here and there, but it's more about atmosphere than anything else.”

  • replayability

    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    50% positive mentions, -25% neutral mentions, 75% negative mentions

    Replayability is limited due to the game's linear paths and few branching choices, resulting in minimal incentive for multiple playthroughs. However, increased movement speed in recent updates has improved exploration and pace, potentially enhancing replay value for fans of the genre. Adding more collectibles and interactive elements could further boost engagement and replayability.

    • “After the most recent update which increased movement speed, I can easily recommend this to fans of the liminal-themed walking sim genre. Increasing the movement speed encourages exploration, replayability, and the overall pace of the game, which has some very large areas.”
    • “Sure, the walking and crouching speed should definitely be faster as numerous reviews have pointed out, and the developer should add more collectibles and interactible items scattered across each level for more gameplay engagement and replayability in the future.”
    • “For a walking sim, this lacks any replayability since the paths you take are extremely linear, only having a few forks that meet a couple rooms later.”
    • “What many people are saying is true; the replay value is effectively zero.”
    • “Sure, the walking and crouching speed should definitely be faster as numerous reviews have pointed out, and the developer should add more collectibles and interactable items scattered across each level for more gameplay engagement and replayability in the future.”

  • gameplay

    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    33% positive mentions, -33% neutral mentions, 100% negative mentions

    The gameplay features unique dreamcore elements that enhance the atmosphere without imposing threats, allowing players to explore without constant tension. However, the pace feels slow due to sluggish walking and crouching speeds, and there is a desire for more collectibles and interactive items to increase engagement and replayability.

    • “There is a little dreamcore flower with a giant eyeball that pops in and out throughout each level, but it's not something I would consider an entity or a threat. It does not affect the gameplay in a way that makes you feel like you have to be looking over your shoulder constantly.”
    • “Sure, the walking and crouching speed should definitely be faster as numerous reviews have pointed out, and the developer should add more collectibles and interactable items scattered across each level for more gameplay engagement and replayability in the future.”
    • “There is a little dreamcore flower with a giant eyeball that pops in and out throughout each level, but it does not affect the gameplay in a way that makes you feel like you constantly have to be looking over your shoulder.”
    • “No commentary gameplay: https://youtu.”

  • stability

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

    The game's stability is highly praised, running smoothly on devices like the Steam Deck, providing a seamless and visually impressive experience.

  • emotional

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

    The emotional aspect received mixed feedback, with some users appreciating the guided experience, while others felt it limited their sense of personal exploration and agency.

Skip Game Offers

Buy Poolscape

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Poolscape is a casual simulation game with horror theme. Common tags for Poolscape include first-person, indie, linear, surreal, psychological and others.

Poolscape is available on PC, Windows and PlayStation.

Poolscape was released on May 11, 2026.

Poolscape was developed by CosmicArcade.

Poolscape has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked Poolscape for its graphics but disliked it for its replayability.

Poolscape is a single player game.

Similar games include Dreamcore, Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1, POOLS, LIMINAL SHIFT, Liminalcore and others.