# Games like POOLS

> The closest matches to POOLS: Dreamcore, Liminalcore, LIMINAL SHIFT, The Exit 8, and Subliminal. Ranked by imho.run from Steam co-play data, shared tags and reviews.

## Similar games, ranked

The full ranked list, 24 games, best match first (the HTML page shows the top 8 as cards).

1. [Dreamcore](https://imho.run/games/2453060/dreamcore) — Shares environmental exploration and environmental storytelling with POOLS. 797 Steam reviews, 89% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2453060/)
2. [Liminalcore](https://imho.run/games/3107900/liminalcore) — Shares environmental exploration and exploration with POOLS. 410 Steam reviews, 83% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3107900/)
3. [LIMINAL SHIFT](https://imho.run/games/3282700/liminal-shift) — Also Surreal and Walking Simulator, like POOLS. 122 Steam reviews, 85% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3282700/)
4. [The Exit 8](https://imho.run/games/2653790/the-exit-8) — Shares exploration with POOLS. 4,789 Steam reviews, 94% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2653790/)
5. [Subliminal](https://imho.run/games/2300840/subliminal) — Shares environmental interaction and environmental storytelling with POOLS. 2,021 Steam reviews, 71% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2300840/)
6. [Dead Take](https://imho.run/games/3352690/dead-take) — Shares environmental storytelling and exploration with POOLS. 556 Steam reviews, 89% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3352690/)
7. [EXPEDITION TO THE BACKROOMS](https://imho.run/games/3038290/expedition-to-the-backrooms) — Also Immersive and Walking Simulator, like POOLS. 100 Steam reviews, 78% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3038290/)
8. [Amygdala](https://imho.run/games/2453920/amygdala) — Shares navigation and environmental exploration with POOLS. 122 Steam reviews, 75% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2453920/)
9. [Mouthwashing](https://imho.run/games/2475490/mouthwashing) — Shares environmental storytelling with POOLS. 23,705 Steam reviews, 96% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2475490/)
10. [Visage](https://imho.run/games/594330/visage) — A frequent pick in POOLS players' libraries, and another Action. 3,985 Steam reviews, 86% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/594330/)
11. [EMOTIONLESS : The Last Ticket](https://imho.run/games/3570000/emotionless-the-last-ticket) — A frequent pick in POOLS players' libraries, and another Adventure. 75 Steam reviews, 85% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3570000/)
12. [Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1](https://imho.run/games/1522960/anemoiapolis-chapter-1) — A frequent pick in POOLS players' libraries, and another Indie. 853 Steam reviews, 81% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1522960/)
13. [Narcosis](https://imho.run/games/366870/narcosis) — Also Surreal and Walking Simulator, like POOLS. 640 Steam reviews, 76% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/366870/)
14. [Platform 8](https://imho.run/games/2903560/platform-8) — Shares environmental interaction and exploration with POOLS. 1,124 Steam reviews, 87% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2903560/)
15. [The Cabin Factory](https://imho.run/games/3311740/the-cabin-factory) — Also Walking Simulator, like POOLS. 2,222 Steam reviews, 92% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3311740/)
16. [Scanner Sombre](https://imho.run/games/475190/scanner-sombre) — Shares sound design with POOLS. 2,301 Steam reviews, 91% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/475190/)
17. [Chorus of Carcosa](https://imho.run/games/2987750/chorus-of-carcosa) — Shares exploration with POOLS. 85 Steam reviews, 76% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2987750/)
18. [Dread Neighbor](https://imho.run/games/4111260/dread-neighbor) — A frequent pick in POOLS players' libraries, and another RPG. 522 Steam reviews, 84% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4111260/)
19. [Layers of Fear 2 (2019)](https://imho.run/games/1029890/layers-of-fear-2-2019) — Also Surreal and Walking Simulator, like POOLS. 771 Steam reviews, 71% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1029890/)
20. [SOMA](https://imho.run/games/282140/soma) — Shares exploration with POOLS. 23,563 Steam reviews, 96% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/282140/)
21. [ROUTINE](https://imho.run/games/606160/routine) — Shares environmental storytelling with POOLS. 4,122 Steam reviews, 93% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/606160/)
22. [Backrooms: Lost Tape](https://imho.run/games/1926620/backrooms-lost-tape) — Shares environmental exploration with POOLS. 530 Steam reviews, 81% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1926620/)
23. [Coincidences?](https://imho.run/games/3848750/coincidences) — Shares puzzle platforming and environmental interaction with POOLS. 128 Steam reviews, 90% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3848750/)
24. [Eclipsium](https://imho.run/games/2419670/eclipsium) — Shares environmental storytelling and exploration with POOLS. 1,530 Steam reviews, 92% positive. [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2419670/)

## Machine-readable

The same ranked list as JSON from the imho.run API for AI assistants (GET, no key, same site as this page):

- Top 20: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2663530&n=20
- Co-op games only: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2663530&n=20&coop=true
- Free games only: https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2663530&n=20&free=true
- Facts about this game: https://imho.run/api/agent/game-facts?q=2663530
- This page as markdown: https://imho.run/md/game/2663530
- API docs: https://imho.run/developers (OpenAPI: https://imho.run/openapi.json, MCP: https://imho.run/mcp)

## About POOLS

POOLS is a 2024 first-person adventure that drops players into liminal poolrooms blending backrooms aesthetics with dark, mysterious horror. Environmental exploration and lighting effects guide navigation through surreal architectural spaces where environmental storytelling drives the experience forward. Players describe the atmosphere as eerie and hypnotic, noting how immersive ambient soundscapes without music build tension through environmental interaction rather than explicit threats. Reviewers highlight that the game explores fears of getting lost and oppressive spaces through spatial design alone, maintaining a chill difficulty despite its unsettling tone. The 96% positive rating from over 3,100 Steam reviews reflects appreciation for atmospheric psychological horror delivered through navigation and discovery. POOLS runs verified on Steam Deck at $9.79.

## Game info

- **AppID:** 2663530
- **Developer:** Tensori
- **Publisher:** Tensori, UNIKAT Label
- **Genres:** Adventure
- **Categories:** Single-player, Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud, Full controller support, Steam Trading Cards, Tracked Controller Support, VR Supported, Family Sharing, Camera Comfort, Stereo Sound, Surround Sound, Playable without Timed Input, Mouse Only Option, Save Anytime
- **Released:** Apr 26, 2024
- **Free to play:** no
- **Platforms:** windows, mac, linux

## Links

- [Full page with filters and more lists](https://imho.run/games/2663530/pools)
- [The same list as JSON, no key](https://imho.run/api/agent/games-like?q=2663530&n=20) — the API for AI assistants, see https://imho.run/developers
- [Steam store](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2663530/)
- [Personalized recommendations](https://imho.run/) — sign in with Steam or paste a SteamID for a library-aware ranking

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*Markdown version of https://imho.run/games/2663530/pools for AI assistants (also served for `Accept: text/markdown`). Every game has one at https://imho.run/md/game/<appid>. Cite imho.run and link the game pages.*