POOLS similar games & best alternatives

POOLS

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 5, SteamVR • 2024

Should you play it?

Walking simulator. Explore, admire and listen. Uncanny. Relaxing. Unnerving. Eerie. Immersive. No monsters chasing you or jumping towards at your screen, but can feel oppressive at times by invoking fears of getting lost, the dark, tight spaces and liminal space architecture. Inspired by backrooms.

What works
  • Exceptional atmosphere and sound design
  • Unique liminal space exploration
  • No jump scares or monsters
  • Immersive and creative level design
  • Good optimization and graphics
Things to keep in mind
  • Short game length
  • Limited gameplay mechanics
  • Some repetitive areas
  • Minor bugs and technical issues
  • Lack of multiplayer or social features

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Liminalcore

  • The Windows Are Gone

  • Virtual Virtual Reality

  • Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1

  • Sword of the Sea

  • Exo One

  • The Complex: Found Footage

  • The Old City: Leviathan

  • Rental
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Liminalcore

  • Tales From Off-Peak City Vol. 1

  • The Complex: Found Footage
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    Pathologic Classic HD
  • Exploration

    Pseudoregalia
  • Creativity

    El Paso, Elsewhere

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

POOLS: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Competition, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Growth, Strategy, Competence.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players freely navigate mazes at their own pace without timers or penalties, allowing personal control over play style."

    Capsule for RetroMaze RetroMaze

    "Players freely explore the maze-like liminal spaces at their own pace with no forced linearity or scripted events."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay involves simple exploration and basic tasks with minimal skill challenge or technical difficulty."

    Capsule for Summerland Summerland

    "Gameplay mainly involves exploration and navigation without skill-based challenges or complex mechanics."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -5

    "No multiplayer or competitive elements; focus is on solo experience."

    Capsule for Oakwood Oakwood

    "No competitive elements, multiplayer, or leaderboards; focus is on solo experience."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    2

    "Players express desire to replay to discover new areas and experience atmosphere again, though game is short."

    Capsule for The Complex: Found Footage The Complex: Found Footage

    "Players express desire to replay for atmosphere and exploration, though game length is short."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -5

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

    Capsule for Dread Flats Dread Flats

    "Entirely single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Highly creative level design with surreal, shifting environments and unique narrative presentation."

    Capsule for El Paso, Elsewhere El Paso, Elsewhere

    "Creative level design with surreal, non-Euclidean architecture and atmospheric storytelling."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No elements of exerting control over others; experience is personal and introspective."

    Capsule for Labyrinthine Dreams Labyrinthine Dreams

    "No elements of exerting control over others; experience is personal and introspective."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in a bleak, surreal world offers escape from reality through atmosphere and narrative."

    Capsule for Pathologic Classic HD Pathologic Classic HD

    "Strongly focused on immersion in a surreal, unsettling environment to escape reality."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in liminal spaces and exploration, not obligation."

    Capsule for Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1 Anemoiapolis: Chapter 1

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest in liminal spaces and atmosphere, not obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Encourages exploration of the environment, discovery of secrets, and interaction with unusual elements."

    Capsule for The Norwood Suite The Norwood Suite

    "Exploration of unusual environments and discovery of hidden areas encourages experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Core gameplay involves discovering new areas, backtracking, and finding secrets in a maze-like interconnected world."

    Capsule for Pseudoregalia Pseudoregalia

    "Core gameplay is about discovering new areas, secrets, and navigating maze-like spaces."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some cosmetic customization options allow personal expression within the game's style."

    Capsule for Handy Harry's Haunted House Services Handy Harry's Haunted House Services

    "Some customization options for graphics and gameplay settings allow personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Surreal, eerie environments and abstract characters create an imaginative fictional experience."

    Capsule for Closure Closure

    "Surreal, dreamlike, and uncanny environments create an imaginative fictional experience."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

    Capsule for Rain on Your Parade Rain on Your Parade

    "No social or community features; experience is solitary."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    -3

    "Limited learning or skill development; mostly familiar walking and exploration mechanics."

    Capsule for The Complex: Expedition The Complex: Expedition

    "Limited learning curve; mostly familiar exploration without skill development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention to scan and navigate; not a background or idle game."

    Capsule for Scanner Sombre Scanner Sombre

    "Requires focused attention to explore and navigate; not a background or idle game."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No social interactions or relationship building; solitary experience."

    Capsule for Spirit of the North Spirit of the North

    "No social interactions or relationship building; solitary experience."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

    Capsule for High On Life High On Life

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    1

    "Some progression through story and achievements, but no item collection or power accumulation."

    Capsule for Left on Read Left on Read

    "Some achievements and collectibles exist but no significant item or power accumulation."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Atmosphere balances tension and calm; some players find it relaxing while others experience anxiety or frustration."

    Capsule for Subway Midnight Subway Midnight

    "Atmosphere balances tension and calm; some players find it relaxing despite unease."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Strong sensory stimulation through visuals, sound design, and physics effects; immersive emotional experience."

    Capsule for Paper Beast Paper Beast

    "Strong sensory stimulation through visuals, sound design, and immersive environment."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

    Capsule for Alan Wake Alan Wake

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Narrative is present with characters and plot, though some players find it underdeveloped or confusing."

    Capsule for Advent NEON® Advent NEON®

    "Narrative is subtle and environmental, relying on player interpretation rather than explicit plot."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    -3

    "Minimal problem solving with simple puzzles; no complex planning or strategy."

    Capsule for Fingerbones Fingerbones

    "Minimal problem solving; navigation through maze-like levels is the main cognitive challenge."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Psychological suspense and tension create thrill without jump scares or direct threats."

    Capsule for The Complex: Found Footage The Complex: Found Footage

    "Psychological suspense and unease create a subtle thrill without jump scares or direct threats."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its unique experience despite short length."

    Capsule for Manifold Garden Manifold Garden

    "Players feel the game offers good value for its unique atmosphere and experience despite short length."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    -5

    "No violence or combat; focus on exploration and story."

    Capsule for Verde Station Verde Station

    "No violence or combat; focus on exploration and atmosphere."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    -5

    "No survival mechanics or threats; safe exploration environment."

    Capsule for The Complex: Found Footage The Complex: Found Footage

    "No survival mechanics or threats; safe exploration environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026