Game Overview
One could say POOLS is like an art gallery where you look around and listen to the sounds. There are very few things to solve, practically a few mazes. Sometimes the game can challenge your navigation skills. But mostly you’re just… there. Note: There are no monsters chasing you or jumping suddenly towards you, but the game can feel oppressive. POOLS plays on fears of getting lost, the dark, and tight spaces. The game has no user-interface and no dialogue. No background music. Instead, the game uses sounds to make you feel like you’re really there. The sounds and echo change depending on the room you’re in. Walking in water is slower. All of these things makes the game feel more real and creates a tense atmosphere. There’s no typical story, no characters to meet, and you won’t find any notes in game. But as you explore and advance further, you start to notice that the game’s world changes around you. Rooms look and feel different. Each chapter has something unique. Constantly you’re exploring new places, each with its own kind of mystery. POOLS has six unique chapters, each taking 10 to 30 minutes to play. POOLS is inspired by a internet phenomenons “Liminal spaces”, “Found footage” and “Backrooms” – specifically “Backrooms Pools” or “Poolrooms”. One of the original artists behind the Poolrooms concept is Jared Pike.
Other inspirations include:
- Matt Studios: Poolrooms videos from 2022
- Mortain Colors
- Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1 by Andrew Quist
- Kane Pixels: The Backrooms (Found Footage)
Installation Instructions
- Click the green button below to be redirected to UploadHaven.com.
- Wait 15 seconds, then click on the “free download” button. Allow the file transfer to complete (note that speeds may be slower with the free plan; upgrading to UploadHaven Pro will increase speeds).
- Once the transfer is complete, right-click the .zip file and select “Extract to POOLS” (To do this you must have 7-Zip, which you can get here).
- Open the folder that you just extracted and run the game as administrator.
- Enjoy the game! If you encounter any missing DLL errors, check the Redist or _CommonRedist folder and install all necessary programs.
Download Links
Download the full version of the game using the links below.
🛠 Easy Setup Guide
- Check for missing DLL files: Navigate to the
_Redistor_CommonRedistfolder in the game directory and install DirectX, Vcredist, and other dependencies. - Use 7-Zip to extract files: If you receive a “file corrupted” error, re-download and extract again.
- Run as Administrator: Right-click the game’s executable file and select “Run as Administrator” to avoid save issues.
💡 Helpful Tips
- Need installation help? Read our full FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide.
- Antivirus False Positives: Temporarily pause your antivirus software during extraction to prevent it from mistakenly blocking game files.
- Update GPU Drivers: For better performance, update your NVIDIA drivers or AMD drivers.
- Game won’t launch? Try compatibility mode or install missing DirectX updates.
- Still getting errors? Some games require updated Visual C++ Redistributables. Download the All-in-One VC Redist Package and install all versions.
❓ Need More Help?
Visit our FAQ page for solutions to frequently asked questions and common issues.
System Requirements
- Processor: Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 from around 2016 or later
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 or newer
- Storage: 2 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Laptops might work. Runs also OK on 2021 Lenovo thinkpad.
Screenshots
