Backrooms Exploration

i have tried to play this like 3 times now and have not been able to get anywhere. most recent game i got stuck in the inventory and could not leave (while trying to escape with the bookshelf puzzle in the very beginning of the game, and then i got stuck in the dev controls trying to leave the inventory. i don't know if i'll try to play this again. very unfortunate considering the positive reviews sound nice and the trailer shows so much potential.

Backrooms Exploration, developed and published by Mistcloud Games, is a slow-paced psychological horror experience that draws heavily from the unsettling concept of liminal spaces. Instead of relying on conventional horror mechanics like combat or scripted jump scares, it builds its identity around disorientation, isolation, and the quiet discomfort of being trapped in environments that feel eerily familiar yet fundamentally wrong. It’s a game that prioritizes mood over mechanics, inviting players to lose themselves in a world that seems endless and indifferent to their presence.

The premise places you inside the Backrooms, a surreal dimension made up of interconnected spaces that stretch far beyond comprehension. The environments range from the iconic yellow hallways to more varied and abstract locations, each designed to evoke a different kind of unease. Navigation becomes the central challenge, as there are no clear maps or directions to guide you. Instead, you are left to wander, observe, and slowly piece together how to move forward. This lack of structure is intentional, reinforcing the core feeling of being lost in a place that doesn’t follow normal logic.

Gameplay focuses primarily on exploration and puzzle-solving, though both are presented in a deliberately minimalistic way. Progression often depends on interpreting environmental clues, solving riddles, or interacting with objects that are not always immediately obvious. The game occasionally provides hints through indirect means, such as cryptic messages, but it rarely offers clear guidance. This design encourages careful observation and patience, but it can also lead to moments where progress feels unclear or stalled, especially when puzzle logic becomes difficult to interpret.

Atmosphere is where the game excels. The environments are designed to feel empty and unnatural, with repetitive layouts and subtle variations that create a constant sense of unease. Lighting plays a significant role, casting harsh or dim tones that make spaces feel both exposed and oppressive. The addition of a VHS-style visual filter enhances the overall mood, giving the game a distorted, almost dreamlike quality. Sound design further amplifies this effect, using ambient noise and distant, ambiguous sounds to suggest that something might be present, even when nothing is visible.

At the same time, the game’s strengths are closely tied to its limitations. The same minimalism that creates its atmosphere can also make the experience feel sparse. Environments, while effective in tone, can become visually repetitive over time, and the lack of variety in interactions may reduce engagement during longer sessions. Movement and controls are serviceable but lack refinement, which can occasionally disrupt immersion, particularly when precise actions are required.

Pacing is another area where the experience can feel uneven. Because the game relies on slow exploration and subtle progression, there are stretches where little seems to happen. For players who enjoy methodical, atmospheric experiences, this can be part of the appeal, allowing tension to build gradually. For others, it may feel like a lack of direction or momentum, especially when combined with unclear objectives. The balance between mystery and frustration is delicate, and the game doesn’t always maintain it successfully.

The narrative element is present but understated, unfolding through fragments rather than direct storytelling. It provides a sense of purpose and context, but it never fully takes center stage. Instead, the story exists as a background layer that complements the exploration, leaving much of the interpretation to the player. This approach aligns with the game’s overall tone but may leave those looking for a more structured narrative feeling unsatisfied.

Ultimately, Backrooms Exploration is a niche experience that succeeds primarily as an atmospheric journey. It captures the essence of liminal horror with a strong sense of place and mood, creating moments that can feel genuinely unsettling despite the absence of traditional scares. However, its lack of polish, unclear progression, and limited mechanical depth prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a game best approached with patience and an appreciation for subtle, environment-driven horror rather than conventional gameplay.

Rating: 6/10

huuh.. okay.

- The game actually made out of some assets that i've been seeing in another games (Precept and Escape The Backrooms) and it looks very terrible.
- Goofy quest mechanic that doesn't even give you a chance integrate with game. Quests literally address to a player and look so stupid.
- Goofy text that appear on the bottom of screen and hints you what you might be need and then disappear, so if you didn't have time to read it - you will need to ??? You can't read it anywhere after.
- Terrible survival horror mechanics that even don't needed to backrooms type games i think. (backrooms means liminal, not horror lol)
- Terrible jumpscares.
- Dev doesn't even disabled free cam and some debug stats on buttons ; and '.
- How even works lock picking? I'm just stucked and can't open the lock. And one funny thing: on interaction with lock you can use your camera, flashlight, night vision, while you look on lock springs.
- Well game feel like maze escape, not the Backrooms.
- 3 years after Liminal mode where you can find several exits that leads to different levels is still coming soon.
- If you don't completed the quest (like pick up the list with information) game actually places invisible walls, so you need to lead the quest line.

Overall 0/10

Recommended

This Backrooms game stands out for all the right reasons. There’s a surprising amount of content, with lots of levels and genuinely interesting puzzles. Some of them can be a bit time-consuming or cryptic, and the writing sometimes feels like it was pulled from a foreign wiki—but that odd charm actually adds to the atmosphere.

The story mode doesn’t strictly follow the “by the book” wiki lore, but instead builds its own take using familiar environments. It ends up feeling more creative and unique than most of the other popular Backrooms titles (Escape the Backrooms, Inside the Backrooms, etc.). The added options menu was a huge quality-of-life improvement, and being able to tone down the VHS filter makes the game much more playable without losing the eerie aesthetic.

Jumpscares exist but are well-placed, and the unsettling environment does most of the heavy lifting for the horror. Even if puzzles aren’t your thing, the level design keeps things engaging, with each stage feeling handcrafted rather than filler.

If you’re tired of the same formulaic Backrooms experiences and want something more atmospheric, clever, and distinct, this is absolutely worth checking out. Excited to see what the wiki-accurate Liminal Mode brings next.

This game had a decent amount of potential, but it was completely overshadowed by the complete reliance on unreal store assets; with very scripted and shallow gameplay. 2.5 years later, and the game still does not have a liminal mode, with entire levels removed from the next fest 2022 demo. The game is hard to see anything in, with the pixelation filter being way too harsh and no way to turn it off. Since its latest update, one of the last levels is currently not possible to progress through, a shame. Even for 8 dollars, this does not provide enough original gameplay or ideas to the table; on top of it not being finished and full of paid assets. It's truly a shame. I wouldn't recommend you buy this game.