Backrooms Level X Review

Backrooms Level X will let players experience a mysterious occurance that happened in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, on October 27, 1986 where everything was recorded on a VHS tape. You’ll experience first hand what happened as you try to make your way out of the creepy liminal space.

Backrooms Level X is a first person exploration game where players navigate creepy liminal spaces in search of the exit for each room. The overall objective of the game is reaching the exit. You’ll navigate your way through various level types. Beware as doors with white lights are closed, green lights allow you to progress further in the level whereas the Red light is the exit.

While more often than not you’ll be in a maze trying to find the exit, other levels will simply have you go directly to the exit, luring you into a near false sense of security. Other times, you’ll need to “run” for your life as a deadly entity is chasing you down the corridor. Some areas will require players to solve simplistic puzzles to unlock the path to the exit.

The game looks great. The liminal environment is incredibly creep and this type of visual really emphasize the less is better approach. There’s a surprisingly decent amount of level variety; from office like setting to a gigantic spa to what looks like a fancy apartment building. The audio is where the game shines. This is the type of game where the lack of it makes the whole atmosphere; you’ll hear your footsteps and some soundbytes, but the lack of music really emphasizes jump scares when they happen.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong in such a straight forward, simplistic game, the biggest nuisance is the “running”. It’s not as much running as it is walking slightly faster. While not a huge problem in most similar games, in this one, you’ll sometimes come across major threats and the lack of proper running can cause otherwise avoidable deaths. The sometimes flickering flashlight; I know it’s part of the experience, but it goes annoying especially during latter levels when trying to find your way and avoid falling into pits to your death.

Backrooms Level X is another perfect example of great indie horror game and shows how indie developers are killing it. The tense atmosphere, unnerving ambiance, unique level design; whether it be a maze or a simple straight forward area makes this one of the most tense and best “horror” game I’ve played in the last year or so. It proves that less is more. If you’re looking for a creepy, tense experience, Backrooms Level X is a must play.