World Alone: Dreampools

About

World Alone: Dreampools is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by DCE Projects and was released on April 27, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

World Alone: Dreampools is a single-player experience set in surreal, liminal spaces where you explore mysterious dreamlike bathrooms linked by supernatural tunnels. Trapped and isolated, you navigate eerie environments and uncover the dark narrative through cinematic sequences. The game evokes a haunting sense of solitude and curiosity in its unsettling world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The graphics and atmosphere are immersive, with excellent lighting and a realistic 'found footage' style that enhances the experience.
The game successfully captures the liminal space aesthetic, providing a unique and interesting environment to explore without the presence of monsters.
Despite its short length, the game is enjoyable and offers a solid experience for fans of the genre, with a fair price point.

The game is very short, with some players completing it in under 15 minutes, leading to disappointment regarding its overall value.
There is a lack of essential settings, such as options to disable head bobbing or adjust mouse sensitivity, which can negatively impact the gameplay experience.
The absence of a save system can be frustrating, as players must restart from the beginning if they take a break or get lost.

graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
23%
Overall, the graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many users praising the authentic backrooms visuals, immersive environments, and atmospheric aesthetics that align well with the game's theme. The use of graphic filters enhances the experience, making players feel truly immersed in the surreal architecture. However, some players noted that while the graphics are impressive, the gameplay itself lacks depth and engagement.
- “Graphics were on point and I really felt the aesthetic.”
- “Love the effort that was put into the graphics and love how it stays true to the dreampool/backrooms lore.”
- “The interconnecting emptiness and surreal architecture are believable, with soft graphics that perfectly fit the overarching theme.”
- “It starts interesting (the first minute or so) and then it just gives nothing; it has nothing that gives you chills or keeps you interested. I'll try to refund this because sadly it's just not worth it. It's clear the developers do graphics well, but the rest isn't working really.”
- “Graphic options were standard.”
- “Lots of graphic filters used make the game feel as if you are really in it.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is described as subtly immersive, featuring unique and odd environments that evoke a liminal experience, though some may find it less grand compared to other titles. Reviewers appreciate the visuals and the reliance on ambient sounds, noting that the interconnected level design enhances the overall experience, despite some minor issues with sound loops and a short gameplay duration. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its coherence and beauty, making it a compelling walking simulator.
- “It's worth noting that the atmosphere here may be a little too subtle for some people when compared to a title like Pools with its huge, mind-boggling set pieces, but I think true liminal experiences often comprise 'only just a little bit off' things - odd walls that seem to serve a unique purpose but hold nothing but emptiness between them, carpeted hallways with long swimming pools, and the absence of people highlighted by the environment are what Dreampools has to offer.”
- “I adore the lack of music and love that it relies just on atmospheric sounds.”
- “A beautiful and atmospheric walking simulator with realistic graphics.”
- “It's worth noting that the atmosphere here may be a little too subtle for some people when compared to a title like Pools with its huge, mind-boggling set pieces. However, I think true liminal experiences often comprise 'only just a little bit off' things - odd walls that seem to serve a unique purpose but hold nothing but emptiness between them, carpeted hallways with long swimming pools, and the absence of people highlighted by the environment are what Dreampools has to offer.”
- “Although the opening is somewhat confusing, from there on the general structure and atmosphere of the game is profoundly coherent.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The story aspect of the game is generally perceived as minimal, with some players feeling it could benefit from more nostalgic elements or a complete absence of narrative. While there are hints of a larger story to come, particularly with the introduction of expansive environments, the current structure primarily encourages exploration rather than deep storytelling. Some players appreciate the subtle narrative influences, such as those inspired by Kane Pixels' films, but overall, the story remains sparse.
- “Unlike other deep backrooms walking simulators, there are sprinkles of a story here, most likely inspired by Kane Pixels' films.”
- “There is a moment at the end of the game that suggests that big set pieces will play a more prominent role or become more common in future chapters, as one of the final rooms is a large, multistory room with tons of (unopenable) doors.”
- “It could improve with more nostalgic places, and importantly, with a complete lack of story. I feel like games such as these should have no story input at all.”
- “It seems that I have to buy another game to continue the story.”
- “There is not a lot of story, but the structure and layout encourage you to keep exploring.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is visually appealing once players gain control, but it suffers from a lack of exploration and motivation, particularly following a frustrating introductory segment.
- “When the game finally gives control to the player, it looks great, but the exploration is extremely lacking and there is nothing motivating gameplay after the egregiously frustrating intro.”
- “The combat mechanics feel clunky and unresponsive, making battles more of a chore than an engaging experience.”
- “The pacing of the gameplay is inconsistent, with long stretches of dullness interrupted by brief moments of excitement that leave you wanting more.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players have mixed feelings about the music in the game; some wish for more atmospheric and creepy music to enhance tension, while others appreciate the absence of music, favoring the reliance on ambient sounds to create an immersive experience. Overall, the desire for a balance between music and sound design is evident, with suggestions for future improvements.
- “The graphics and environment are great, but I hope they add some creepy music to make it a little tense.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a desire for continued development and improvements, suggesting that enhancements could significantly boost the game's replayability and overall enjoyment.
- “I really like what I was able to play, and I hope to see the developer continue to iterate on this game. I think these small improvements would go a long way in making it not just more enjoyable but also more replayable.”