Pools Review: A Liminal Dive into the Tranquil and Uncanny
Pools crafts an immersive journey through liminal spaces, invoking a blend of tranquility and unease in a backroom-esque world without a monster in sight.
last updated May 01, 2024
Its masterful use of sound and visuals crafts an experience that is as hypnotic as it is unsettling.
Unsettled Waters: Gameplay Mechanics
Pools stands out not for its traditional gaming elements, but for its adeptness at guiding players through an atmospheric journey marked by a haunting tranquility. The lack of traditional enemies or objectives might leave some wondering if it can even be called a game, but this is exactly where Pools shines brightest. Its gameplay, or perhaps more accurately, its experience, plays with the psychological more than the physical. Moving through seemingly endless, eerie spaces without a clear goal evokes a sense of dread and wonder, making every turn a question of what ethereal or mundane terror lies ahead. Yet, for some, the thrill may wear thin, transforming apprehension into repetition as the novelty of exploration gradually dissipates.
Echoes in the Abyss: Audio Design
The audio landscape of Pools is an undeniable triumph, crafting an eerie symmetry with its visual counterpart. From the whispers of solitude in the vast, empty pools to the unsettling splash in the distance, the sound design magnifies the game's atmospheric tension. The subtle, sometimes barely perceptible, background music further accentuates the feeling of isolation and the uncanny that permeates the air. It’s as if the game listens to your internal fears, responding with soft echoes and the occasional, unexplained noise, making you question if you’re ever truly alone. The immersive soundwork turns every step into a cautious tiptoe through the subconscious, although at times you might yearn for something, anything, to break the silence for good.
A Visual Dive into the Uncanny
Graphically, Pools is both a testament to creative environmental storytelling and a hauntingly beautiful expedition through spaces that shouldn't feel as familiar as they do. The use of light and shadow cast an almost dreamlike quality over the pools and halls, inviting curiosity while simultaneously repelling with a subtle foreboding ambiance. Performance-wise, the game is mostly smooth, with some players noting lag in certain areas, but this doesn't detract majorly from the overall experience. Unfortunately, some visual elements such as the water occasionally betray the game's polished veneer, appearing oddly out of place. Despite these hiccups, the surreal architecture and the meticulous attention to the oppressive yet fascinating environment it crafts are undeniably captivating.
An Eerie Solitude: Immersion and Atmosphere
Pools excels in creating an immersive atmosphere that’s thick with an eerie sense of solitude and quiet dread. The game's environments evoke a profound sense of liminal space, where the familiar turns foreboding and the mundane becomes uncanny. This profound sense of place and mood is the game's strongest suit, making for an experience that can be as unsettling as it is mesmerizing. While the lack of traditional gameplay elements and challenges might not appeal to everyone, those with a taste for atmospheric exploration will find Pools a hauntingly beautiful enigma. The game's unique approach to horror — relying on atmosphere rather than shock — proves to be both its greatest strength and a point of contention for those seeking more tangible thrills.
STEAM RATING
Developer & Publisher
Tensori
Release Date
April 26, 2024
Final Verdict
Pools is a commendable journey through eerie, liminal spaces that relies heavily on atmospheric tension rather than traditional gameplay elements. Its masterful use of sound and visuals crafts an experience that is as hypnotic as it is unsettling. While the game's lack of conventional objectives and challenges may not suit everyone's tastes, its ability to invoke a powerful sense of place and mood is undeniable. If you're willing to dive into its surreal, atmospheric depths, Pools offers an exploration of tranquility and unease that is rarely seen in the gaming world. However, those looking for a more traditional gameplay experience might find themselves adrift in its unnerving vastness.