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Enter the Backrooms: five games that explore the new creepy internet sensation

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The backrooms is the result of releasing Franz Kafka into a contemporary American office park and asking him to report on the culture of corporate tedium.

The Backrooms is a phenomenon of online stories, videos, and PC games based on the concept of accidentally no-clipping through the walls of our reality and into an infinite, labyrinthine hellscape of deserted, corporate-styled office rooms. The Backrooms has wormed its way into the collective consciousness of an increasing number of masochistic internet users due to its dated, moldy yellow wallpaper, constant buzzing of fluorescent lighting, and uncomfortably damp carpeting.

Not all Backrooms games are the same, and there is online debate regarding what is and is not canon. Are you being stalked by some entity? Are you completely alone, projecting your feelings of isolation onto the labyrinth in which you are trapped? Exists only one authentic Backrooms aesthetic?

Who knows, but there are numerous Backrooms games that explore and innovate on the essential premise of Backrooms to create truly compelling and even unsettling experiences. They are currently some of the best free games available and are quickly climbing the ranks of the best Steam games.

The Backrooms are currently approaching mainstream popularity for reasons that sociologists and psychologists are best suited to explain. Despite my therapist’s protests, I crave existential dread, and the thought of wandering alone through endless, empty, windowless office rooms and hallways in search of a way out (which may or may not exist) is exactly what I have in mind.

So I’ve explored the halls of five of the best Backrooms games available online right now, and I’ve returned to say that if real-world corporate drudgery hasn’t yet crushed your spirit to your satisfaction, feel free to no-clip into these games and finish the job. And use caution when no-clipping. Clearly, if you can hear it, it has already heard you.

Enter the Backrooms

The yellow walls, moldy carpet, and florescent lights of Enter the Backrooms

Enter the Backrooms has yellow walls, moldy carpet, and fluorescent lighting (Image credit: Cosmic Cow Creations SP)
Unquestionably one of the finest Backrooms experiences available anywhere. Enter the Backrooms is a very low-resolution game that reminds me of a shareware game included on a CD with a PC gaming magazine from the 1990s. Fortunately, this also means that it does not require the most expensive gaming computer to play.

The creators of this game, Cosmic Cow Creations SP, put a lot of creative thought into it, as it contains all the hallmarks of Backrooms lore. While some purists may object to the fact that the game’s subsequent levels feature liminal spaces rather than actual Backrooms, rest assured that the game’s core concept remains unchanged. Each level (and sublevel) has a unique personality and set of challenges.

To advance, you will need to modify your strategy from one level to the next, while battling “entities” of increasing difficulty. It has a basic save system so that you can track your progress. The only criticism is that the game has a bit of a learning curve and that some levels lack actual exits (survive as long as you can!). There are not many Backrooms games with this many hours of unique gameplay, and for the price, it is a steal and a lot of fun.

The Backroom Project

The Backroom Project's entity chasing the player

The entity of The Backroom Project is a terrifying experience. (Image credit: Patrik Nagy)
Due to the Unreal Engine, The Backroom Project is one of the most visually impressive Backrooms experiences available. This game was created by Patrik Nagy, and it appears that a great deal of effort went into its creation. It is playable as a “Early Access” game at the time of this writing because it is still being updated, but I have only encountered a few bugs during my playthroughs. Nonetheless, these bugs should have little to no impact on your enjoyment.

The Backroom Project absolutely captures the atmosphere and atmosphere of the Backrooms, despite any criticisms. The game has some of the best visuals of any Backrooms game, and its exceptional art design and lighting effects make it stand out. This gives you more freedom to explore (or panic) without having to recharge your sanity level every few seconds, as is the case in Enter the Backrooms. You are permitted to run through the level and simply take in the environment. Just remember that you may not be alone.

Levels one and three are the highlights of this game, in my opinion, and despite its moderate length, it can be completed in a single sitting. Here’s hoping that the developer realizes the full potential of this game.

The Backrooms 1998

Dollheads on broken bodies and freaky long arms in chair looking at the player

The Backrooms, released in 1998, takes horror to an entirely new level (Image credit: Steelkrill Studio)
I debated whether or not this game should be included on this list. It is a fantastic survival horror game that shares more similarities with Resident Evil II than with the Backrooms. However, I must admit that The Backrooms 1998 is one of the finest Backrooms games available.

The Backrooms 1998, created by Steelkrill Studio, combines an eerie horror atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and an intriguing storyline that unfolds as the game is played. This title is truly outstanding. Many of the spooky touches are effective, and the game can really ramp up the tension as you attempt to escape. You can even turn off jumpscares for a slightly less terrifying experience, but don’t worry; the real scares are still present.

With few save points, you should anticipate being challenged. However, the game can be completed in a single playthrough without excessive difficulty. The Backrooms 1998 is grim, terrifying, and engrossing, and is a must-see for any Backrooms fan.

The Backrooms 1998 is currently available for $9.99 on Steam, in addition to Itch.io and other independent online gaming marketplaces.

Noclipped

The moldy carpet and faded yellow walls of the Backrooms in Noclipped

This game is significantly more involved and engaging than the majority of Backrooms games. Noclipped offers a crafting system for items and weapons that is comparable to that of the best survival games. This is the game’s crowning achievement. The fact that this game expands your options as a player by allowing you to interact with your environment to craft increasingly complicated items enhances the overall gaming experience. This permits a novel approach to the game, such as fighting back against entities as you ascend the levels.

The art design and graphics are excellent, whereas the sound design could use some improvement. Noclipped is a fantastic, one-of-a-kind Backrooms game that captivates the player once mastered.

You can pick up Noclipped on Itch.io right now, and while you can name your own price for the game, independent game developers spend a lot of time and money to make these games available for free; therefore, you should strongly consider purchasing the game or tipping the developers to encourage them to continue providing free games.

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