Pools: An Eerie Wordless Walking Simulator

• Navigate an unsettling space where paying close attention to sound is key
• No narrative, characters, or user interface to direct your path
• Draws inspiration from liminal spaces and Backrooms Poolrooms aesthetics

Pools is finally emerging from the water and making its way to Apple devices. Tensori has just announced that its eerie, minimalist exploration experience will launch on the App Store and Mac App Store in November, supporting Universal Purchase across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple Vision Pro.

This is the type of release that feels perfectly designed for mobile gaming—something you can easily dive into anywhere. Whether you're in bed, on a train, or waiting at an airport, Pools transforms your screen into a labyrinth of concrete corridors and still water. You’re left with a persistent unease, as if you're somewhere you don't belong.

The anxiety is amplified by the absence of UI, dialogue, and music. Only ambient sound and space remain. Each footstep, echo, and splash dynamically shifts with your environment, creating a profoundly realistic atmosphere. Moving through water slows your pace; empty rooms feel more vast and imposing. The premise may sound straightforward, but the experience is deeply disquieting, building tension from an unknown source.

As if that weren't unsettling enough, Pools offers no storyline or characters to follow. You must rely on rooms that shift and reshape as you explore. Every chapter introduces a unique mood and texture. It's less about active discovery and more about absorbing the environment. For those seeking similar experiences, check out our list of the best horror games for iPhone!

Inspired by liminal spaces, found footage, and Backrooms Poolrooms imagery, Pools captures the essence of horror through isolation. Your journey unfolds across six chapters, each lasting between 10 and 30 minutes. There are no monsters, jump scares, or conventional horror tropes. Nothing pursues you but the unnerving sensation of being lost in a place that is far too quiet.

When Pools launches on November 6th, all you’ll need are your headphones and a quiet suspicion that perhaps, just maybe, you aren't entirely alone.