There’s something in the water.
POOLS, a new title for PlayStation VR2, offers a uniquely unsettling horror experience that prioritizes atmosphere over extended gameplay. While it can be completed in roughly an hour, the game masterfully crafts a palpable sense of dread that lingers long after you’ve surfaced.
This is an off-kilter horror walking simulator where players must navigate intricate mazes composed of tiled hallways, pools, and slides. The claustrophobic environments and minimalist design contribute significantly to the game’s effectiveness as a horror experience.
Our Take: A Masterclass in Short-Form Horror
While its brevity might deter some, POOLS demonstrates the power of concise horror. The developers have leaned into the strengths of PSVR2, creating an immersive and terrifying environment that leverages the headset’s capabilities. The focus on atmosphere and environmental storytelling, rather than complex mechanics or lengthy narratives, allows POOLS to deliver a potent punch in its short runtime. It’s a testament to how effective a focused, well-executed vision can be, proving that not all horror needs to be a sprawling epic to be impactful.
POOLS is an excellent showcase for what PSVR2 can do in the niche horror genre, offering a memorable, albeit brief, dive into the unknown.
This story was based on reporting from Push Square. Read the full report here.
