Backrooms: Escape Together

A co-op horror game with eleven procedurally generated levels sounds like a pretty good way to make a treadmill run feel less like staring at the same wall, but I’d save it for an easy pace, because I don’t want my workout and my survival decisions competing for the same attention. I think this could work well when you’re moving gently and have someone else to share the decisions with.

Gameplay

The changing levels are the part I’m most interested in, because exploring the same spaces over and over can get dull, and a different layout gives you at least some reason to stay alert. I don’t know how much variety you get from one generated level to the next, so I wouldn’t assume every trip through the Backrooms feels new, but I like the idea of not knowing exactly what space comes after the next one. That keeps the walk forward from feeling like a sightseeing tour.

The game is built for one to six people, and that range makes me think it’s at its best when you can coordinate with somebody rather than make every survival decision alone. There’s something nice about having another person there when a horror game wants you to go deeper into a place you’d rather leave, even if your teammate is mostly saying “let’s check this way” with the confidence of somebody who also has no idea. I’d probably try it solo too, but I suspect the co-op is where the game’s setup makes the most sense.

Surviving and progressing are a clear enough goal that you don’t have to learn a huge world before you can start enjoying yourself. At the same time, horror games ask you to pay attention to what’s around you, and that can be a fun kind of focus when you want the game to pull your brain away from the treadmill. It’s not the sort of thing I’d choose when I’m trying to zone out completely. I’d want to be awake for it.

The store description calls the game visually lifelike, which sounds like it’s aiming for spaces that feel uncomfortably plausible rather than colorful and silly. I’m into that approach, though a realistic looking place can get repetitive if the exploration itself doesn’t keep changing in interesting ways. The procedural levels might help with that, but I can’t tell from the description how much they change beyond their layouts. So I’m interested, but not ready to promise every level will be a memorable one.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

The biggest question for me is how well you can keep your attention split between moving and staying alive in a horror game, because being startled while you’re walking is one thing and trying to make a careful decision while running is another. I’d start this on a gentle treadmill pace or an easy bike ride, not during a workout where I’m already pushing myself. You want the game to distract you, not make you forget what your feet are doing.

Full controller support is a real plus here, since you don’t have to reach for a mouse and keyboard while you’re moving. I’d still keep the setup simple, with the controller somewhere you can hold it steadily and the screen easy to see without leaning forward. I don’t know how demanding the moment to moment controls get, so I’d give it a try at a pace where I can slow down without turning that into a whole negotiation with myself.

With co-op, I’d also be a little careful about the pace of the people you’re playing with. If someone else wants to rush ahead, I can see that making you feel like you need to move faster or react before you’re ready, and that’s not a great way to exercise. I’d tell your group you’re playing at workout speed before you start. That is a normal thing to say to your friends, even if it’s not the most dramatic pregame speech.

On a bike, I think the game could be easier to manage during a tense section because you can keep pedaling while your hands handle the controller, but that depends on how much focus the game asks of you. On a treadmill, I’d stick to a pace where I can glance at the game without my balance getting involved. There’s a limit to how much horror I want while my body is already doing its own thing.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

You’ll need a computer with a dedicated graphics card around the level of a GTX 960 or Radeon R7 370, so this isn’t aimed at integrated graphics, but it also isn’t asking for a new high end gaming machine. I’d check the graphics card and make sure its drivers are current, especially on AMD, since the store page specifically calls out optional drivers there.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Backrooms: Escape Together sounds like a sensible choice for an easy workout if you enjoy horror and have a friend who’ll play at your pace. I’d skip it when I want a game I can play without paying attention, but the changing levels and full controller support make it worth a look for a more focused session.

Overall Score: 2 out of 3