Developer: Patrik Nagy
Platform: PC (Reviewed)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, RPG, Strategy
Publisher: Pretty Soon
Backrooms Media is a co-op horror game. The game was developed by Hungarian student Patrik Nagy and published by Pretty Soon. Backrooms Media is very similar to the other labyrinth, Escape the Backrooms Series. The game is only available for Windows and is currently in Early Access.
Backrooms Media is a 1-5-player game where you are placed in endless, unsettling, liminal spaces and have to escape a number of locations. Backrooms Media has a great connection to Backrooms, the viral internet creepypasta. With a similar playstyle to the other Backroom games, this game specifically is VHS-inspired to give the game a more eerie vibe. In this game, players will try to collect clues and pieces to solve puzzles in order to exit from one area and enter another, all whilst avoiding the terrifying anomalies/monsters present.
Backrooms Media can be played in multiplayer with up to 5 people, and we personally found that it is a lot more fun to play the game with more people rather than yourself. The solo experience felt quite dragging, and trying to look for clues could get quite frustrating when by yourself. When playing as a team, it was much better to navigate the terrifying labyrinth of endless spaces filled with lurking horrors. Now, the game has an in-game voice chat feature, which, after some use, wasn’t the best. At first, the issue was major static feedback, which seemed like it was coming from the game’s sound effects. The noise was a bit too loud, and even with other sound effects lowered, which disrupted the player’s voice. Proximity chat itself is quite fun, especially in this horror-styled game, but we found it was better to communicate through a 3rd party voice chat instead. Another issue we came across was that there were not many people playing the game, or rarely any, as no public lobbies were available for us to join.
The controls for the game are very straightforward when playing on the PC. There is no in-game tutorial, but as you start to explore the different areas, you get a feel of the game. Honestly, the gameplay is very straightforward, and no extensive control usage is needed. I do like that the game has accessibility options for your run, which include setting the difficulty and auto-solver. If the game ever gets too difficult or drags, you can adjust this for your next run, which may make it a lot more enjoyable. Our very first run took almost 2 and a half hours, and we had only reached the 3rd room. It wasn’t a matter of evading the monster but rather not being able to find the last clue needed to unlock the door. I wish, in those cases, there was a hint option, but it seems the game just wants you to explore every nook and cranny.
The visual of the game gives a very in-depth feel of a horror game, it almost resembles old-looking horror games, and the VHS-inspired theme makes things a lot more eerie. I tried the game without the static effect and found that it does make a major difference in how strange the visuals look. With the VHS effect, there is also the camera that you can use to zoom in and out, which makes the feature fun to mess around with, almost reminded me of the ‘Content Warning’ game. There is a realistic yet slightly cartoonish look to the game, which allows for the game to be brought to life. Backrooms Media has dim lighting and immersive sound effects that place the player in chills. The eerie atmosphere with grotesque entity designs is really well-detailed and horrifying. I do have to say that the sound effects are extremely effective and scary, with the emphasis on being able to hear distant footsteps to loud shudders, making the gaming experience really fun. The atmosphere you are put in feels overwhelming. Some of the monsters in the game were truly horrifying, which really added to the game. Additionally, I liked how the locations were minimal yet effective in creating an endless loop. Oh, and being able to change your hazmat suit is a fun little addition to the game.
Now, I am not someone who has played the Escape the Backrooms game, but has seen gameplay from playing Backrooms Media: it has a very similar feel to it but with different levels of designs. The designs for this game are a lot more simple yet work effectively, getting players to endlessly search while hiding from dangerous entities. I do like that there is a create your own level. This game offers a powerful level editor, enabling you to create and share your own nightmarish environments. Challenge others to survive the horrors you’ve designed in the backrooms. It is important to say that this game is still in Early Access, so bugs will be fleshed out in further updates, and possibly smoother mechanics will be put into play.
We were provided codes to test the game with a full party. Two of the other players had the following to say about the game. First, Vroggo said the following, “Playing Backrooms Media was very thrilling and felt very realistic. Right from the start, I liked that the game offers a very immersive experience as we play the game through the POV of a camera. Everything from the swaying of the screen, muted colours, occasional static that we see, chromatic aberrations from the side of the screen, and even the sounds we hear all contribute to the dark and anxiety-filling vibe of the game. There’s no background music, and the sounds players would hear would be from the players themselves or the monsters lurking around each level.
To progress in the game, players have to find hints and solve the puzzles in each room while also avoiding and running away from monsters that would chase you. No navigational devices are present in the game, so relying on memory is best to traverse through each level. If you’re playing multiplayer, voice chat was also a fun feature to use. However, just make sure to tweak your VC settings properly; otherwise, players might sound weird in-game.
I really appreciate how the game invests itself in the exploration and experience it provides for the player, so I don’t have anything that I dislike about the game. However, it would be nice if there was a way to offer hints to players if they get stuck in a puzzle. There is an option to enable auto-solver before starting a game, which disables all puzzles throughout the run, but I still want to at least try solving the puzzles before moving on to the next room.”
Secondly, Randonamez said the following, “Backrooms Media is a uniquely creepy and atmospheric horror game that offers players a fresh perspective. The game’s default view through the VCR camera, with its screen blur and vintage feel, adds a unique twist to the horror genre. Players navigate an array of rooms, seeking to escape these somewhat confusing areas and avoid the nasty creatures within.
Backrooms Media is not just a game; it’s an experience. The engrossing and immersive nature of the game draws players in, filling the world with puzzles that challenge and intrigue. With minimal guidance, players must use their wits to gather clues and solve the mysteries that lie within the eerie and ominous rooms.
The game relies heavily on the same mechanics: enter a new room, solve the puzzle, and rinse and repeat. This is where those who love this game will have no issues with this, but people unfamiliar with the series may find this tedious.
Backrooms Media mechanics and the general horror atmosphere are exciting and make for some great jump scares; however, I’m not a big fan of rooms that seem like a never-ending maze, and they’re not particularly enjoyable. I can see the appeal, but there isn’t enough for me. However, the game supports up to five players, making a will for a fun experience. ”
If you are looking for a horrific atmospheric endless horror experience where you observe your environment and try to escape various mazes, then this game is just for you. You can play this game either by yourself or with a party of up to 5 players. The game features an in-game voice chat, terrifying sound effects, immersive visuals and several levels for you to play around. If Backrooms Media sounds like a game for you, then be sure to check it out!
Overall: 5.5/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
