Photorealistic PC horror Pools is coming soon to PSVR 2 and SteamVR
Tensori’s horror game Pools gets a free update and a new timeline for its long-awaited VR launch on PC and Playstation VR 2.
Tensori, the developer behind Pools, just rolled out a free update for its atmospheric horror title and announced the VR version is still in the works. The PC VR release, initially expected sometime in 2024, is now set for May 30, 2025. Alongside this, Tensori is preparing releases for the App Store and Playstation 5 with PSVR 2 support later in the year.
The free update is intended as a thank-you to the community, according to Tensori. Since launch, Pools has collected over 4,000 positive reviews on Steam. “Chapter 0” adds a brand new level that becomes available once you’ve finished all other chapters.
Beyond the new chapter, the update includes fresh achievements, various bug fixes, and technical upgrades, such as improved lighting, new underwater visual effects, and a round of optimizations.
If you want to dive into Pools in VR, now is a good time to pick up the required PC version. The game is currently discounted to $6.36 on Steam until April 27.
Liminal horror meets photorealism
Pools is a moody, atmospheric horror experience built as a walking simulator, drawing inspiration from the internet’s fascination with liminal spaces and the unsettling “backrooms” aesthetic. Its minimalist approach and photorealistic visuals make it an especially compelling fit for virtual reality.
The game drops you into a sprawling, maze-like swimming pool complex, but skips the traditional narrative, characters, or hidden story clues. There’s no user interface, no dialogue, and no background music—instead, Pools leans entirely on sound design and an oppressive environment to set the mood.
Pools is structured into six chapters, each running between 10 and 30 minutes, and presented in a VHS found-footage style. Interactivity is deliberately limited: all you can do is explore the space on foot, swim, or slide through the eerie environment.
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