The Backrooms 1998

Release Date: February 20, 2025

Adventure, FPP, horror, puzzle elements, indie games, singleplayer

84%

Steam

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A first-person adventure game set in a style of a psychological horror. The Backrooms 1998 game was inspired by the titular creepypasta and by escape rooms. We play as a teenager, trying to escape from the Backrooms and avoid getting caught by the creatures living in this space. The audiovisual layer resembles an amateur VHS recording.

Story
Gameplay

The Backrooms 1998 is a psychological horror-themed adventure game developed by the independent, one-person Steelkrill Studio. It is known primarily for the stylistically and genre-related project Trenches.

The creation of this game was inspired not only by the titular creepypasta (a scary story spread on the Internet), but also by escape rooms. The whole thing is maintained in the found footage style. Thanks to noise and grain effects, the audiovisual layer of the game resembles an amateur VHS camera recording.

Story

In The Backrooms 1998 we play as a teenager who accidentally ends up in the titular Backrooms. We're talking about a seemingly infinite space made up of unnaturally empty rooms with walls lined with faded wallpaper. While searching for a way out of this place, the protagonist must constantly be on guard, as terrifying creatures living in the Backrooms are hot on his heels.

Gameplay

In The Backrooms 1998 we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP). The main elements of gameplay are exploration and solving puzzles. As we traverse the Backrooms and peek into every corner, our chance of finding an escape route gradually increases. The issue is complicated by the fact that we can save the game only a limited number of times. Moreover, this function is only available in special, "safe" rooms.

Useful items

As we progress, we collect items that either unlock access to subsequent rooms or make our exploration easier. This includes a spray gun, thanks to which we can leave hints on the walls or mark already visited rooms.

We often have to reach for syringes that allow us to regenerate our weakened health, as well as a crowbar that enables us to open barricaded doors. We illuminate the darkness prevailing in the Backrooms with the help of a flashlight, which needs batteries to operate.

Enemies

The fact that the Backrooms are not a safe place is evidenced not only by their appearance, but also by the bodies of victims found along the way, murdered by the creatures inhabiting this space. Of course, our presence does not escape the attention of these creatures, and since we cannot fight them, we must constantly hide from them.

This requires us to take careful steps, avoid broken glass on the floor (stepping on it generates noise), and look around every corner. The game also allows us to use encountered objects as hiding places. In a dangerous situation, hiding in a closet or under a table can save our lives.

Moreover, we ourselves must be quiet, trying not to breathe too loudly and not make other sounds, as the game listens to us through the microphone. Trying to run away usually doesn't seem to count for much here, because the enemies run faster than us, so sooner or later they will catch up with us... unless we manage to effectively slow them down, for example by closing doors behind us.

Mental health

The horrors we witness do not leave the protagonist's mental health unaffected. The weakening condition of his mind is reflected in the changing environment. It can be improved by using special medicines.

Videos and Screens

[1:31] The Backrooms 1998 - 1.0 Release Date Trailer

84%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (516)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Potential for Growth: Many users acknowledge the game's potential, expressing hope for future updates and improvements.
Horse Customization: The game offers detailed horse customization options, allowing players to create unique horses.
Realistic Mechanics: The riding mechanics and horse interactions are praised for their realism, including features like stride counting for jumps.
Engaging Gameplay: Some players enjoy the various activities available, such as training horses, completing jobs, and crafting.
Visual Appeal: While not universally praised, some players appreciate the graphics, particularly the horse models and animations.

The main cons of the game

Lack of Content: Many users feel that the game is currently too bare-bones for its price, with limited quests and activities.
Bugs and Technical Issues: Several players report bugs that hinder gameplay, including issues with controls, animations, and crashes.
High Price Point: Many reviews mention that the game feels overpriced given the current amount of content and polish.
Stiff Controls: The controls for both the player and horse movements are often described as awkward or unresponsive, making gameplay frustrating.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

More Gameplay Variety: Users desire more engaging activities beyond the current offerings, such as a more robust crafting system or additional quests.
Horse Care Mechanics: Players expect deeper horse care functionalities, like feeding, grooming, and stable management.
Multiplayer Features: While some are excited about the potential for multiplayer, others feel it should not be prioritized over core gameplay improvements.
Improved UI and Tutorials: Many suggest that a more intuitive user interface and better onboarding/tutorials would enhance the player experience.
Expanded World: Users wish for a more immersive environment with more NPCs, exploration opportunities, and dynamic interactions.

Summary

Overall, while *Unbridled: That Horse Game* has garnered a mix of enthusiasm and disappointment from its early access players, the consensus is that it has a solid foundation with room for significant improvement.

Summary generated on: March 17, 2025