POOLS

□ 好玩又有深度 ☑ 无深刻意义纯体验 这个游戏对我来说，我其实是来找一种安慰的。 我觉得这个游戏对我来说，通不通关已经不重要了。它通不通关，对我来说没有那么重要。 就是当我站在那个泳池中的时候，我感受到了那个氛围，我的心灵就已经平静了下来。 而不是说我非要把这个游戏通关怎么样的。 你不一定非要通关游戏。没有人说一定要强制通关游戏。 我只要感觉到那种氛围，并且让我的身心冷静下来，感到放松，那么这个游戏就是有意义的。 [b]欢迎订阅我的个人中英双语游戏鉴赏：[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46240801/]A well-designed game with a deep, engaging story. 有剧情深度的，设计优秀的游戏评测[/url][/b]

I loved this game for what it was. It's short, it's weird, it's all vibes, but it's unparalleled IMO, there's nothing else quite like it. I don't know how many times I can go back to it, it's not super replayable, but that first playthrough, wow. The graphics are beautiful, the sound design is impressive. It's not a game for everybody but for the people this is for, it's perfect. Played entirely handheld on Steam Deck at the balanced/40fps preset, didn't notice any performance issues, might be one of the most graphically impressive games I've played on there.

Was an amazing experience to play in VR, I must say it has a lot of issues with linux regarding VR compatibility, and I had to do a LOT(hours) of troubleshooting to get it to run, BUT aside from that, the game was very entertaining and I did get jumpscared at times. I'm hoping to potentially get more chapters or maybe a sequel.

POOLS is considered a 'classic' these days in the liminal space genre, and for a good reason. It obviously leans in to the 'poolroom' scenery, but it does an excellent job of blending pools with a lot of other room styles as well. Environments are varied, sometimes a little mazelike, but not so much so that you feel overly frustrated in exploring. It has well done unlockable chapters, excellent options, and a lot of little details thrown in that show the developers love the craft. It isn't very long, but it is still a better value than many other walking sims. I don't really think the 'story' elements add much beyond a little spook factor; marble mannequins and some art references to me aren't really telling me a story. Visual style is almost too shiny and plastic, but that works alright for poolrooms. All in, it is a well played game with great liminal/surreal scenery, but I also feel like it is a little on the overrated side too.

Mostly bought this out of curiosity after the Backrooms movie blew up in popularity. (I have yet to watch it). The atmosphere is incredible; the sound design is really well done at immersing you into the liminal space you explore. The surrealist impossible architecture at times feels very grandiose, and inviting. Other times it makes you feel discomfort and unease. Sometimes exploration forcefully crams you into dark, uncomfortable spaces, where you feel incredibly vulnerable. Sometimes a room will play relaxing music to subconsciously tell you that this is a safe space. Other times a room will play music that feels as if it's drawing on memories from someone's past. And sometimes the music instills a sense of impending doom. My favorite aspect of this game are the parts of the maps that seem to slip away into some unknowable void. Looking into the void, wondering if you will ever find something looking back at you. The booming roaring sounds telling you that whatever lies past the veil of darkness is beyond anything you can imagine. And that brings a Lovecraft vibe to the game that I feel is very appropriate. In my opinion it's a must play. It's incredibly well executed. This is likely the best liminal space horror game that's available. I hope we get more liminal horror games that are executed as well as this. In a flood of low effort backrooms asset flip titles, or titles using generative A.I. this is one that’s actually worth playing. Mostly because it actually presents it’s own unique ideas and themes into the mix instead of having germ monsters or something that’s been done to death in a thousand other titles.

Liminal adventure at its finest! 11/10 - I got jump scared by a giant rubber duck (there are no jump scares, but I still managed to have one ;] )

Если все сны были как эта игра - я бы не просыпалась.