POOLS (tuxdb.com)

Update: Puddles, settings, tweaks and fixes

Here are the changes from yesterdays update (and from 2 previous ones we forgot to mention here) March 29th Changelog:

Added teaser video to Demo (spoilers from chapters 2-6)
Player leaves puddles of water behind after exiting pool
Dropping water makes sounds after exiting pool
Slower movement speed on stairs
Added subtle camera shaking
Made head bobbing into a slider instead of toggle
Added DLSS upscaling support
Added collision audio to floating rubber ducks
Added far depth of field distance dynamic adjustment
Added some translations to settings / credits menus
Updated settings menu dropdown styling

March 19th Changelog:

Added "route number signs" around the level (we'd appreciate feedback on this)
Fixed a bug where you could clip through map behind the red slide
Added automatic rewind as a backup if player ever falls through map
Fixed clipping through walls
Limited framerate to 30 during MainMenu and LoadingScene
No footstep sounds / bobbing when moving against wall
Added "None" to lighting settings for very low end computers
Disabled spawning exit signs

March 11st Changelog:

interactable water (can be set off for performance)
brightness setting
chromatic aberration setting
lens distortion setting
vhs film grain setting
anti-aliasing setting
ambient occlusion setting
lighting adjustments

[ 2024-03-30 05:43:22 CET ] [ Original post ]

POOLS
Tensori

Developer

Tensori

Publisher

2024-04-26

Release

Action Indie Strategy Casual RPG Adventure Simulation F2P Sports MMO Racing Singleplayer Multiplayer Coop EA

Tags

Game News Posts 23
🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse
🕹️ Partial Controller Support
🎮 Full Controller Support

Controls

Very Positive

(3181 reviews)

Review Score

https://poolsthegame.com

Website

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2663530

Steam Store

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)

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