Software:Escape the Backrooms
| Escape the Backrooms | |
|---|---|
 Steam library cover image | |
| Developer(s) | Fancy Games Blackbird Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Secret Mode |
| Composer(s) | Oliver "InsOmic" Kauzlaric |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Horror |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Escape the Backrooms is a cooperative horror video game developed by Fancy Games and Blackbird Interactive and published by Secret Mode. It was officially released on 23 October 2025, for Windows, after an early access version released on 11 August 2022. The game was released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series on 28 May 2026, and on 7 July 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2.
Gameplay
Set in the Backrooms, a fictional liminal space location, up to four players can explore the 30+ unique levels which range from levels original to the game and those adapted from other sources, in particular recreating shots and aesthetics from Kane Parsons' "The Backrooms (Found Footage)" and his subsequent web series, including the Async organisation, whose main workers the players play as, as well as shots and aesthetics from Jared Pike's "The Poolrooms".[1][2]
Players begin in the yellow-colored level 0 and explore to find exits of it and each subsequent level. Players can sprint and find items such as flashlights and food on most levels.[3] Players can use the food items to manage sanity, a tracked stat that results in hallucinations when below 15%, and death of the player if it drops to zero.[3][4]
Players encounter entities throughout the game, most of which are a threat. The most common entities are "smilers," which are found in the dark, "skin stealers," which can resemble a player character, and "hounds," which are dog-like creatures with human faces. Most entities can be avoided or fought off.[5]
The game also features different difficulty settings, ranging from "easy" to "nightmare".[4]
Development and release
Developed by Fancy Games and Blackbird interactive, Escape the Backrooms released in early access on 11 August 2022, published by Secret Mode on Steam. The game left early access on 23 October 2025.[6][7] After the full release of the game, a separate release for Playstation and Xbox came out on 28 May 2026.[8][9] The game debuted on all tiers of Xbox Game Pass upon release.[10]
Reception
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The game received a largely positive reception from players, with it being praised for its amount of content, sound design and enjoyable multiplayer experience.[12] It was described as one of the six best horror games that may have been missed by players in 2022 by Luiz H. C. of Bloody Disgusting.[13] After the full Windows release, the game surpassed 30,000 concurrent players in under two days.[14]
Mark Delaney of GameSpot rated the game a 6/10. He described the gameplay loop as "sparse," though enjoyed the appearance and experience of finding new levels.[11]
References
- ↑ Wilson, Mike (18 September 2025). "'Escape the Backrooms’ Exits Early Access, Launching in Full on October 23". https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3901748/escape-the-backrooms-exits-early-access-launching-in-full-on-october-23/.
- ↑ Hopley, Alex (23 October 2025). "Escape the Backrooms shows off more than 30 levels of horror in new trailer". https://www.gamereactor.eu/escape-the-backrooms-shows-off-more-than-30-levels-of-horror-in-new-trailer-1622553/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ali, Usama (3 November 2025). "Escape the Backrooms: Beginner Tips & Tricks". https://gamerant.com/escape-the-backrooms-beginner-tips-tricks/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ali, Usama (3 November 2025). "How to Restore Sanity in Escape the Backrooms". https://gamerant.com/escape-the-backrooms-how-restore-sanity/.
- ↑ Peterson, Kaitlyn (11 November 2025). "All Entities And How To Avoid Them In Escape The Backrooms". https://www.thegamer.com/escape-the-backrooms-entities-level-complete-guide/.
- ↑ Lyons, Ben (18 September 2025). "Escape the Backrooms will leave Early Access in October". https://www.gamereactor.eu/escape-the-backrooms-will-leave-early-access-in-october-1603753/.
- ↑ "Save 20% on Escape the Backrooms on Steam" (in en). https://store.steampowered.com/app/1943950/Escape_the_Backrooms/.
- ↑ "Escape the Backrooms - Console Launch and Steam Patch NOW LIVE! Full Details Here - Steam News" (in en). 2026-05-28. https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1943950/view/694261777025729803.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (23 October 2025). "Escape the Backrooms coming to PS5, Xbox Series in 2026". https://www.gematsu.com/2025/10/escape-the-backrooms-coming-to-ps5-xbox-series-in-2026.
- ↑ "Escape the Backrooms is a major hit for Xbox Game Pass in 2026 after surprise launch" (in en-US). 2026-06-02. https://www.trueachievements.com/news/escape-the-backrooms-xbox-game-pass-player-count.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Delaney, Mark (27 October 2025). "Escape The Backrooms Review - Haunting The Vibes Museum". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/escape-the-backrooms-review/1900-6418431/.
- ↑ Barnes, Jakob (29 January 2024). "Forgotten Steam horror game's player count skyrockets 300% in a day". https://www.pcgamesn.com/escape-the-backrooms/player-count-skyrockets.
- ↑ H. C., Luiz (26 December 2022). "Six of the Best Indie Horror Video Games You May Have Missed in 2022". https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3743984/six-of-the-best-indie-horror-video-games-you-may-have-missed-in-2022/.
- ↑ Baqery, Mohsen (24 October 2025). "Co-Op Horror Game Is Blowing Up on Steam". https://gamerant.com/steam-best-new-co-op-horror-games-escape-the-backrooms/.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Escape the Backrooms. |
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