Item: POOLS™
Rating: 92
Author: Dinsun

Our Expert Score

92/100

POOLS is a masterclass in atmospheric minimalism. It manages to be one of the most unsettling experiences on the App Store without ever showing you a monster, a jump scare, or even a drop of blood. It leans entirely into the 'liminal space' aesthetic—that specific feeling of unease found in empty, functional places that should be full of people. Walking through the endless, echoing tile corridors of these surreal water parks feels like a fever dream you can't quite wake up from.

The technical execution is where POOLS truly shines. The sound design is hauntingly realistic; the way your footsteps transition from dry tile to shallow water, and the way the reverb changes in massive vaulted chambers, creates an incredible sense of physical presence. The lighting on the water surfaces is photorealistic, making the environment feel tangible. It’s not a game about 'winning' in the traditional sense; it’s an immersive art piece about navigation and the psychological weight of isolation. If you find beauty in the eerie and the unexplained, this is a must-play.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

The Game

Available on: Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod

6670792878

Free🏆9+★4.5 648 reviews

Author : Tensori

Pubish Date : Wed Oct 22 2025

Last Update Date : Wed Nov 12 2025

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 3.0Wed Nov 12 2025

Added settings menu
Fixed flickering
Several smaller fixes and improvements
Requires iOS 13.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Explore, admire and listen. That’s it.
Uncanny. Relaxing. Unnerving. Eerie. Immersive.
POOLS isn’t a traditional game. it’s slow, reflective, and intentionally uneventful, perhaps a bit like virtual museum.
So take your time. Breathe. POOLS unfolds slowly, rewarding patience and quiet attention.
No monsters chasing you or jumping at your screen. Yet it can feel oppressive at times by invoking quiet fears of getting lost, the dark, tight spaces and the strange beauty of liminal space architecture.
There's no typical story. But as you explore and advance further, you start to notice that the game's world changes around you, deeper you go… Rooms look and feel… different.
Base game features six chapters, each lasting 10-30 minutes.
Inspired by the internet phenomena Liminal spaces, Found footage and The Backrooms, especially the Poolrooms concept. One of the original artists behind the Poolrooms concept is Jared Pike.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.5 out of 5 with 648 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

POOLS is an experimental exploration game that brings the 'Liminal Space' and 'Backrooms' aesthetic to life. In this game, there are no monsters chasing you and no jump scares to startle you. Instead, you are invited to wander through a series of vast, hyper-realistic pool complexes. The challenge lies in navigation and the psychological tension of being alone in a place that feels strangely familiar yet deeply alien. Experience immersive 3D audio and stunning visuals in this quiet, haunting journey.

Features

Photorealistic graphics and water effects

Advanced 3D binaural sound design

Multiple distinct 'chapters' of exploration

No UI or combat for total immersion

Tips

Navigation by Echo

Use the 3D audio to your advantage. If you find yourself in a loop, stop and listen. The hum of machinery or the sound of distant dripping water often indicates the direction of a new zone.

Promotion Videos

POOLS™ (by Tensori) IOS Gameplay Video (HD) - YouTube

Gameplays

Environmental Storytelling

While there is no text, the way the rooms are laid out tells a story. Look for 'impossible' architecture—slides that lead nowhere or stairs that go into the ceiling—to find the correct path forward through the dream-logic.