The Backrooms creepypasta has inspired a host of video games, though not all of these liminal space experiences are created equal. We’ll go over the top 5 best Backrooms games in this list.
All Backrooms-inspired games are liminal space environments, but not all games focused on liminal space experiences are Backrooms games. The word is used to describe “a place or state of change or transition.” For our purposes, that means environments that seem somehow familiar but unfamiliar. Something is just not right, as if the places you’re exploring are a simulation rather than reality. With that in mind, let’s move onto our list.
The Top 5 Best Backrooms Games
5. The Backrooms
The Backrooms is the perfect introduction to the universe if you don’t know much about it. However, the limited gameplay makes it more of a walking simulator with some chase sequences tossed in. This one’s a single-player game and lacks the number of puzzles that you’ll find in other entries. Right now, The Backrooms is still in Early Access. While it has more content than it started with, it’s still on the short side compared to others.
As more of a walking simulator, your goal is to survive as long as you can. You get some bits of lore about the universe of The Backrooms. The biggest downside is you can complete it in maybe 30 minutes, which isn’t a long time and might not be worth it given the current price tag. However, it’s worth keeping your eye on as it develops and grows.
4. Inside the Backrooms
Inside the Backrooms is another multiplayer version for up to four players. Like most Backrooms games, it’s in Early Access. There are only a handful of levels, but that doesn’t mean it’s as quick to run through as you might think. Among the few levels, there are secret mini-levels that lead to a secret ending. For the regular levels, you’ll come across puzzles that range in difficulty. Then, there are different mechanics for each level that you need to figure out if you want to get to the next one.
The biggest downside to Inside the Backrooms is the predictability. If you play it once, then go through again before a new update, you basically know how to get through everything. It’s scary the first time, but there’s much less to fear when you know what to do. Future updates could add an element of randomization to the levels to remedy this issue. But for now, it’s fun to go through once, then wait until more content is released. Otherwise, you might simply want to keep your eye on this title to see where it goes in the future.
3. Escape the Backrooms
If you like the lore of The Backrooms, you’ll be glad to know that Escape the Backrooms traditionally adheres to that lore really well. Escape the Backrooms features co-op for up to four players. Like The Backrooms, this one’s in Early Access and continually receiving updates. With more than 20 levels and 12 entities that want to hurt your party, this entry kicks up the terror factor.
Since the levels are unique, you need to figure out a way to escape each one while you try to survive the entity that’s currently after you. Plus, each entity has a different way you need to deal with it. Meaning you have to either memorize the methods for each one, or learn them quickly if you’re going in blind (which is recommended). Again, with Early Access, you can complete this game with friends in less than 10 hours. Another plus is that the graphics look great and the hours you spend with friends is a blast.
2. The Backrooms 1998 – Found Footage Survival
The Backrooms 1998 is the perfect storm of horror elements between the found footage style that leads to a grainy screen at moments, a sanity meter, the environment changing while you’re in it, and the microphone input that lets the monster hear you. The monster can hear you move, not just speak, so you have to be mindful of your surroundings while you try to find supplies and tools to survive. And maybe escape.
The atmosphere leaves you unsettled, but you get to use hiding spaces to deal with the monster gives it more of a survival horror feeling versus the walking simulator vibes that many Backrooms games end up with. As you might expect, The Backrooms 1998 is in Early Access. It might be the scariest of the Backrooms games available. However, it’s much darker both visually and story-wise than others, so head into it with caution. With massive potential, it’s going to be exciting to see where this one goes.
1. The Backrooms: Found Footage
We come to the only game on the list that isn’t in Early Access: The Backrooms: Found Footage. Single-player and procedurally generated means that no two runs of this game will be the same. The Backrooms: Found Footage returns to the office building setting of traditional Backrooms games.
Although the goal of escaping seems simple, it’s not as straightforward as you think. You need to deal with hunger, water, stamina, and sanity meters. Keeping yourself alive while running from monsters that may or may not be made of shadow spaghetti gets your heart pumping from the stress and fear combined. The Backrooms: Found Footage is worth checking out whether you’re new to the universe or if you know the lore inside and out.
That wraps up our list of the top 5 best Backrooms games. There are a ton of other games in Early Access set in the Backrooms universe that are worth keeping an eye on as they grow, such as Enter the Backrooms and The Backrooms: Survival. And after more reach completion, this list could change completely. But until then, check out more lists like the Top 10 Best Scary Roblox Horror Games to Play in 2023. Or the best I’m on Observation Duty Games Ranked.
