Backrooms: Escape Together

The horror gaming genre continues to evolve, and Backrooms: Escape Together (B.E.T) emerges as a fresh take on the viral creepypasta phenomenon. This multiplayer survival horror experience plunges players into the unsettling world of infinite yellow corridors, challenging them to maintain their grip on reality while searching for an escape. Drawing inspiration from the internet's collective nightmare, B.E.T transforms the familiar yet disturbing concept of the Backrooms into an interactive nightmare that players can share with friends.

Immersive Gameplay Mechanics and Level Design

B.E.T shines in its implementation of procedurally generated environments powered by Unreal Engine 5. Each of the seven distinct levels presents players with unique challenges, from collecting research materials to solving intricate puzzles. The dynamic proximity voice chat system adds an extra layer of tension, as players' communications become muffled or clearer depending on their location within the maze-like structure. This feature particularly stands out when compared to similar games like Phasmophobia, where voice chat remains consistent regardless of environmental factors.

The game's commitment to backrooms lore authenticity is evident in every corner, from the entity designs to the subtle environmental storytelling. Players take on the role of researchers trapped after an elevator malfunction, forcing them to navigate through increasingly hostile environments while managing their diminishing sanity levels. The attention to detail in the sound design deserves special mention, with the constant hum of fluorescent lights and distant, unidentifiable noises creating a perpetual state of unease.

Cooperative Horror and Technical Achievement

The six-player cooperative gameplay sets B.E.T apart from traditional horror experiences. While games like Dead by Daylight focus on asymmetric multiplayer horror, B.E.T emphasizes collaborative survival and exploration. The procedural generation system ensures that no two playthroughs are identical, with rooms, corridors, and item locations reshuffling after each death or completion. This feature significantly enhances the replay value while maintaining the game's unsettling atmosphere.

The research objectives scattered throughout each level provide a sense of purpose beyond mere survival, encouraging players to take calculated risks as they document anomalies and collect vital data. The sanity management system adds another layer of complexity, forcing players to balance their curiosity against their mental well-being. This mechanic creates intense moments of decision-making: should the team press forward to complete an objective, or retreat to preserve their sanity?

The multiplayer aspect truly shines when playing with a full team of six players, but the experience remains engaging even with smaller groups. The game's difficulty scales appropriately based on the number of players, ensuring that both solo explorers and full teams face appropriate challenges. The lobby system, while functional, could benefit from additional features such as cross-platform play and more detailed server browsers.

Final Verdict: 8/10

Backrooms: Escape Together successfully captures the eerie essence of the backrooms phenomenon while delivering a compelling multiplayer horror experience.

Pros:

• Impressive procedural generation keeps gameplay fresh
• Engaging six-player cooperative gameplay
• High-quality graphics powered by Unreal Engine 5
• Strong replay value due to randomized elements
• Immersive sound design and atmosphere
• Well-implemented sanity management system

Cons:

• Some technical issues need addressing
• Steep learning curve for new players
• Sanity management system can feel punishing

Backrooms: Escape Together is a cooperative horror game where players try to find their way out of a confusing maze. It is an endless series of monotonous rooms that are in a different reality. Players must work together to explore these spaces, find clues and avoid mysterious creatures seeking to capture them. Get ready to solve puzzles and cooperate for survival to escape this sinister place quickly!

Game Features:

• A constant sense of fear and isolation
• Gloomy atmosphere