Where’s a lifeguard when you need one? Pools drops you into a vast complex of deserted spas and baths, and dares you to find a way out. The more you stroll down strange corridors and wade through gorgeous swimming pools—passing giant rubber ducks and spooky statues—the more alive these liminal spaces feel, even though there’s not another soul in sight.

What we love: The relentlessly eerie atmosphere. Shadowy alcoves, random thumps, and low growls set an unsettling tone. Is that just distant machinery? Relax, breathe, and soak it all in.

Quick tip: Some areas loop back onto themselves in mind-bending ways. If it seems like you’re going in circles, try sticking to only left or right turns for a while—you’ve probably overlooked a stairway, passage, or colourful slide.

Meet the creator: Finnish indie studio Tensori wanted Pools to make players feel like they were lost in a place that’s familiar yet disturbing. The game was inspired by the internet-spawned Backrooms horror phenomenon, including its Poolrooms subgenre.