POOL LOOP

Simple but effective gameplay that keeps you on edge. Perfect for fans of anomaly games.

I don't know if I can fully recommend this one. I enjoy playing anomaly games once in a while, and coming from The Exit 8 and Platform 8, Pool Loop was frustrating.

The anomaly system needs a rework. What I enjoy about The Exit 8 is that you have to discover every anomaly on your own, and once you've seen one, it won't repeat until you've seen them all. That makes finding everything feel rewarding. In Pool Loop, anomalies can repeat even if you haven't found them all, which gets really frustrating when some of them are so hard to find.

Some of the anomalies need a rework too. I'm not a big fan of tiny details that are hard to spot, but they would be fine with the system change I mentioned above. Two of them bothered me more (minor spoilers):

The anomaly that only triggers after you press a button needs some kind of hint BEFORE you press it. The whole game is about searching and finding, but here you can waste a lot of time looking around, only for it to trigger after all that time was spent for nothing.

The timing on the black figure is really tough, even when you know what's coming, and it can cost you an entire run.

The true ending is also too cryptic to figure out on your own, to be honest. Again, minor spoilers:

I’d say the part with the key is the worst. As I understand it, you have to find a specific anomaly that gives you the correct sequence, then somehow know that you need to use it in another room. How is anyone supposed to work that out?

The deep underwater section has a similar problem. I tried going down there on my first run, got stuck because of the weird physics and assumed I wasn't supposed to go there, only to find out later that you actually have to for the true ending.

As a one-time run, it was enjoyable. It took me about an hour to beat, which is on par with other games in the genre. But these games push you to look for every anomaly, and that's where Pool Loop completely falls short.

For the price, I still had a good time, but take this review as a warning: if you only want to finish it once, you'll enjoy it. If you want to hunt down every anomaly, you'll get frustrated.

The Game overall is great. But there is for sure ONE ANOMALIE which is absolutely difficult to see?

Man that cost me about 60 minutes and I really hate time waste. Thats my negative review point unfortunately

After reviewing the trailer I am totally sure that this could be the bucket anomalie because thats the only one I can´t see. Maybe its broken?

honestly wish i could reccomend this. some of the anomalies just straight up kill u even if u were almosst at the end and ruin your run, some are very very obscure, and the way of getting a good ending is almost impossible, bad game design overall. i usually like this type of games but this one didnt do it well. sorry.

POOL LOOP is an atmospheric psychological horror game that transforms an ordinary indoor swimming pool into a mysterious environment where careful observation becomes the key to survival and escape. Developed and published by Oneul Bros, this first-person experience combines environmental exploration, anomaly detection, and unsettling visual presentation to create a distinctive interpretation of observation-based horror. Rather than relying on complicated mechanics or traditional combat encounters, the game challenges players to recognize subtle changes in their surroundings while navigating an apparently endless cycle of repetition.

The central premise places players inside a swimming facility trapped within a mysterious loop. Escaping requires examining the environment and determining whether anything unusual has appeared. Players must press a red button when they detect an anomaly or a green button when everything appears normal. Incorrect decisions result in continued repetition, making concentration and environmental awareness essential. This straightforward mechanic creates an interesting psychological challenge because even seemingly insignificant details can influence progression. The constant uncertainty encourages players to question their observations and carefully reconsider familiar surroundings.

One of the game's most appealing characteristics is its effective use of a swimming pool as a horror setting. Recreational facilities are normally associated with relaxation and enjoyment, but an empty indoor pool can feel strangely uncomfortable when surrounded by silence and artificial lighting. The repetitive architecture, reflective surfaces, and enclosed atmosphere contribute to a strong sense of isolation. These environmental characteristics complement the game's emphasis on liminal spaces, where familiar locations become disturbing through their emptiness and unnatural presentation.

The observation-based gameplay rewards patience rather than quick reactions. Players must develop an understanding of the environment, remember recognizable details, and identify inconsistencies between successive loops. This creates a satisfying relationship between memory and decision-making, particularly when an anomaly is subtle enough to require additional investigation. However, the repetitive structure may occasionally become frustrating for individuals who struggle to identify minor changes. Players expecting extensive puzzles, complex interactions, or action-oriented challenges should recognize that the experience deliberately concentrates on a narrower gameplay concept.

An especially interesting feature is the opportunity to explore underwater. The game's mysteries are not restricted to the visible poolside environment, encouraging players to dive beneath the surface and investigate submerged areas. This additional exploration element introduces another dimension to the anomaly-detection formula while strengthening the atmosphere of uncertainty. Underwater environments naturally create discomfort through restricted perspectives and unfamiliar surroundings, making them particularly suitable for psychological horror. The possibility of discovering something unexpected beneath the water gives players another reason to examine their surroundings thoroughly.

The horror presentation emphasizes anticipation, environmental irregularities, and psychological discomfort. Rather than depending entirely on frightening encounters, the game creates tension through the possibility that something familiar has changed. Every repeated cycle becomes an opportunity for unsettling discoveries, encouraging constant vigilance even when the environment initially appears harmless. This approach draws inspiration from games such as The Exit 8, INSIDE, The Cabin Factory, and Who's at the door?, while attempting to establish its own identity through the swimming pool setting and underwater exploration.

Visually, the realistic environmental approach supports the game's mysterious atmosphere. The enclosed aquatic facility provides a recognizable setting that can become increasingly unsettling through unexpected alterations. Because environmental differences form the foundation of gameplay, visual readability is particularly important. Lighting conditions, object placement, architectural details, and reflections can influence the player's ability to recognize abnormalities. The game's success therefore depends heavily on balancing atmospheric presentation with sufficiently distinguishable environmental changes.

Replayability receives additional support through the presence of multiple endings, offering players potential incentives to investigate different outcomes. Steam achievements provide supplementary completion objectives, while Steam Cloud functionality allows progress synchronization between supported devices. The game also supports thirteen interface languages, making its observation-focused experience accessible to a broader international audience. Its developers disclose the inclusion of some AI-generated assets, which may be relevant to players interested in the production methods behind the game's presentation.

Regarding technical performance, the listed minimum requirements include Windows 10, 16 GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 2600 processor, and an RTX 2060 or RX 6600 graphics card. Approximately 4 GB of storage is required. These specifications are comparatively demanding for a relatively focused independent horror experience, making hardware considerations important for players using older computers.

Steam Deck compatibility remains unverified, as the game does not currently display an official Steam Deck Verified or Playable classification. Although its straightforward exploration and observation mechanics could potentially translate well to handheld gaming, actual compatibility, controller support, and performance cannot be guaranteed. Its relatively demanding system requirements also suggest that Steam Deck users should exercise caution until reliable compatibility testing becomes available.

The game's greatest strengths are its unusual setting, accessible mechanics, atmospheric tension, and emphasis on environmental awareness. Its underwater exploration provides an interesting variation on familiar anomaly-detection concepts. Nevertheless, its repetitive structure and limited mechanical complexity may reduce its appeal among players seeking substantial gameplay variety or elaborate horror encounters.

Overall, POOL LOOP presents an intriguing psychological horror concept that demonstrates how an ordinary environment can become unsettling through repetition, uncertainty, and subtle visual changes. Its combination of environmental investigation, underwater exploration, and observation-based decision-making makes it particularly appealing to enthusiasts of atmospheric mysteries. While its focused design may not satisfy everyone, it offers a promising experience for players who appreciate psychological tension over conventional action.

Rating: 8/10