The official Escape the Backrooms release took place on October 23, 2025 — and it turned out to be one of this fall’s biggest surprise hits!
This psychological horror on Steam pulled in nearly 36,000 concurrent players within the first 24 hours — all hungry for that heavy, suffocating atmosphere. Developer Fancy Games, backed by publisher Secret Mode, reminded everyone that the scariest monsters aren’t the ones we see, but the ones our imagination conjures up.
From Creepy Pasta to Game Reality
The idea for the Backrooms game co-op was born from a famous internet creepy pasta — a story about endless yellow office corridors where you can get stuck “between realities”. The urban legend quickly took on a life of its own, flooding online discussions and spawning countless eerie TikToks and YouTube videos.
Fancy Games turned that idea into a full-fledged multiplayer indie horror that perfectly captures the VHS/90s vibe. The game had been in Early Access for over two years, during which it built a loyal fan base and earned “Very Positive” (89%) reviews on Steam. Now, the polished full release has sparked a new wave of popularity and pulled the game right back into the spotlight.
Thanks to Unreal Engine, the Backrooms world feels unnervingly real: flickering lights, the droning of vents, and footsteps echoing through empty halls do more to spike your adrenaline than any monster jump-scare ever could. The devs call it an “analog horror” — where fear doesn’t come from what you see, but from what you expect to see just around the corner.
30 Levels of Pure Unease
At launch, players got access to over 30 levels, each with its own distinct atmosphere and difficulty. You’ll go from tight, maze-like office corridors to flooded tunnels and vast dreamlike landscapes that feel ripped straight from a surreal nightmare.
Each level has its own rules and dangers, and teamwork is the only way to survive. This horror co-op game thrives on communication, resource sharing, and nerves of steel — especially when something suddenly comes sprinting out of the darkness straight toward you.
Viral Gameplay and Steam Success
That perfect mix of dread and cooperation helped Escape the Backrooms explode in popularity on Steam. It’s another clear case of how viral gameplay can catapult an indie studio to the top of the charts.
The Steam launch stats speak for themselves: tens of thousands of players within hours, constant live streams from horror-loving creators, and comments like “Phasmophobia, but way more claustrophobic”. And honestly? That’s a pretty accurate comparison. Both games share a co-op survival spirit, but Backrooms adds a layer of raw, psychological fear that makes every corner feel unsafe.
The Company of Fear
Among other co-op horror titles like Phasmophobia or Lethal Company, Escape the Backrooms stands out for its analog, almost cinematic atmosphere. Where other games rely on jump scares and monsters, Fancy Games builds tension through sound, silence, and the unknown.
It’s a perfect fit for the Halloween season — and one of the most recommended horror games to play with friends this year.
Final Thoughts
Escape the Backrooms proves that even a small studio can deliver an experience that grips you from the very first minute. Fancy Games built a world where fear doesn’t need jump scares — just the echo of your own footsteps down an empty hallway…