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Poolscape

Poolscape Game Cover
92%Game Brain Score
Most mentioned positive aspects:graphics, music
Most mentioned negative aspects:replayability, gameplay
92% User Score Based on 52 reviews

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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 very 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…

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Reviews

92%Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews
graphics10 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • Excellent retro PS1/PSX-style graphics that enhance the liminal, nostalgic atmosphere and set it apart from other games in the genre.
  • Relaxing and immersive walking simulator with varied and visually appealing pool-themed levels and a fitting, well-crafted ambient soundtrack.
  • Good performance across platforms with smooth gameplay, and unique non-threatening 'entity' presence adds intrigue without becoming intrusive.
  • Movement speed is considered too slow by many players, negatively impacting pacing and exploration enjoyment, with some requesting sprint or toggleable flashlight options.
  • Levels are somewhat linear and short with limited interactivity, reducing replayability and making exploration feel controlled rather than open-ended.
  • Minor bugs and occasional crashes reported, especially on the final level, along with disappointing or unclear narrative elements such as poorly written notes and weak entity impact.

  • graphics

    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    31% positive mentions, 60% neutral mentions, 9% negative mentions

    The game’s graphics are praised for their nostalgic PS1-style and retro aesthetic, which effectively enhance the liminal space atmosphere and set it apart from more realistic titles. The unique, pixelated visuals contribute to a distinct, immersive experience that resonates with fans of classic 90s games and lend a fitting, eerie charm to the exploration. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature that enrich the game's thematic and artistic appeal.

    • “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.”
    • “I personally love the PSX art style and I think this game really shines within the medium.”
    • “Great little poolrooms liminal space exploration game with PSX-style visuals and a variety of levels for you to explore.”
    • “Regardless, this dev understands how to make a liminal space, with the caveat that it has Half-Life 1 / PS1 style graphics.”
    • “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.”

  • music

    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    58% positive mentions, 30% neutral mentions, 12% negative mentions

    The game's music is widely praised for its fantastic, retro 90s/PS1-inspired soundtrack that perfectly complements the atmospheric and diverse environments. The ambient and calming tunes enhance exploration, with well-crafted sound design that adds depth, especially in darker or horror-themed sections. Many players find the soundtrack so enjoyable they recommend or purchase it separately, noting it significantly enriches the overall experience.

    • “The retro 90s style, or as I liken it to, the PS1/PSX style, fits this perfectly, and the OST is fantastic.”
    • “Music and sound design was amazing and did an excellent job at setting the atmosphere, especially on the more horror-focused level.”
    • “Headphones are definitely a plus, the soundtrack and general ambiance really add a lot to the experience!”
    • “Having a flashlight and more music could have helped.”
    • “It makes you think that 'oh cool, it's going to be a chill backrooms-type game with you exploring indoor pools with retro music!' but it turns out it's literally just 'the backrooms' but with disappointing pools.”
    • “It feels more like one of those YouTube videos where liminal space images just roll by to the vibey music.”

  • atmosphere

    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    38% positive mentions, 62% neutral mentions, 0% negative mentions

    The game excels at creating a rich, immersive atmosphere through its carefully crafted PS1-style visuals, varied environments, and a well-designed soundtrack with ambient sound effects. It offers a liminal space exploration experience that feels like a guided, atmospheric journey, blending eerie and sometimes horror-inspired elements without overwhelming the player. Overall, the atmosphere is praised as the game's standout feature, enhancing the sense of tension, wonder, and exploration.

    • “It's got great atmosphere, lots of environments to explore, and a nice soundtrack with well-placed ambient sound effects.”
    • “Great liminal space game, I love the PS1 graphics and the atmosphere in this game.”
    • “Music and sound design was amazing and did an excellent job at setting the atmosphere especially on the more horror-focused level.”

  • replayability

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

    Replayability in this game is limited due to its mostly linear paths and few branching options, resulting in minimal incentive for multiple playthroughs. However, recent updates that increase movement speed have improved exploration and pacing, potentially enhancing replay value. Players suggest adding more collectibles and interactive elements to 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 game lacks any replayability since the paths you take are extremely linear, only having a few forks that meet a couple of rooms later.”
    • “What many people are saying is true: the replay value is effectively zero.”
    • “The walking and crouching speed should definitely be faster, as numerous reviews have pointed out. The developer should add more collectibles and interactable items scattered across each level to increase gameplay engagement and replayability in the future.”

  • gameplay

    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
    67% positive mentions, -34% neutral mentions, 67% negative mentions

    The gameplay features a unique dreamcore element that adds atmosphere without impacting player focus or tension. However, players note that the walking and crouching speeds are too slow and suggest adding 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 does not affect the gameplay in a way that makes you feel like you have to be constantly on guard.”
    • “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 increased gameplay engagement and replayability.”
    • “The walking and crouching speed should definitely be faster, as numerous reviews have pointed out. The developer should add more collectibles and interactable items scattered across each level to increase 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'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.”

  • optimization

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

    The game is well-optimized, delivering smooth performance even at 4K 120Hz on older integrated GPUs, demonstrating impressive efficiency and visual quality.

    • “The pools are beautiful and the performance is excellent, running 4K 120 FPS on an older iGPU.”

  • grinding

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

    Grinding in this game is less tedious compared to similar liminal space walking simulators, offering a more engaging experience.

  • stability

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

    The game runs smoothly and stably on the Steam Deck, providing a visually impressive and enjoyable experience without technical issues.

  • emotional

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

    The emotional aspect evokes mixed feelings, with some users appreciating its impact while others feel it limits personal exploration by steering them too much.

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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 very 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 POOLS, The Complex: Expedition, Dreamcore, The Complex: Found Footage, Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1 and others.