Escape the Backrooms Release Date

Escape the Backrooms
Developers	Fancy Games Blackbird Interactive
Publisher	Secret Mode
Composer	Oliver "InsOmic" Kauzlaric
Engine	Unreal Engine 4
Platforms	PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series
Release	23 October 2025
Genre	Horror
Modes	Single-player, multiplayer

• Escape the Backrooms* is a cooperative horror video game developed by Fancy Games and Blackbird Interactive and published by Secret Mode. It was officially released on 23 October 2025, for Windows, after an early access version released on 11 August 2022. The game was released on PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series on 28 May 2026.

Escape the Backrooms released in early access on 11 August 2022, on Steam. The game left early access on 23 October 2025.[1] After the full release of the game, a separate release for Xbox and PlayStation would come out on 28 May 2026[2]. [3]

Set in the Backrooms, a fictional liminal space location, up to four players can explore the 30+ unique levels which range from levels original to the game and those adapted from other sources.[4][5]

Players begin in the yellow-colored level 0 and explore to find exits of it and each subsequent level. Players can sprint and find items such as flashlights and food on most levels.[6] Players can use the food items to manage sanity, a tracked stat that results in the death of the player if it drops to zero.[7]

Players encounter entities throughout the game, most of which are a threat. The most common entities are "smilers," which are found in the dark, "skin stealers," which can resemble a player character, and "hounds," which are dog-like creatures with human faces. Most entities can be avoided or fought off.[8]

The game received a largely positive reception from players, with it being praised for its amount of content, sound design and enjoyable multiplayer experience.[10] It was described as one of the six best horror games that may have been missed by players in 2022 by Luiz H. C. of Bloody Disgusting.[11] After the full Windows release, the game surpassed 30,000 concurrent players in under two days.[12]

Mark Delaney of GameSpot rated the game a 6/10. He described the gameplay loop as "sparse," though enjoyed the appearance and experience of finding new levels.[9]

However, many players have criticized the game as being too repetitive, having animations of poor quality and are frustrated by the lack of communication from the main developer, Fancy.

• Lyons, Ben (18 September 2025). "Escape the Backrooms will leave Early Access in October". Gamereactor. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• "Escape the Backrooms - Console Launch and Steam Patch NOW LIVE! Full Details Here - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
• Romano, Sal (23 October 2025). "Escape the Backrooms coming to PS5, Xbox Series in 2026". Gematsu. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Wilson, Mike (18 September 2025). ". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Hopley, Alex (23 October 2025). "Escape the Backrooms shows off more than 30 levels of horror in new trailer". Gamereactor. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Ali, Usama (3 November 2025). "Escape the Backrooms: Beginner Tips & Tricks". GameRant. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Ali, Usama (3 November 2025). "How to Restore Sanity in Escape the Backrooms". GameRant. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Peterson, Kaitlyn (11 November 2025). "All Entities And How To Avoid Them In Escape The Backrooms". TheGamer. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Delaney, Mark (27 October 2025). "Escape The Backrooms Review - Haunting The Vibes Museum". GameSpot. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Barnes, Jakob (29 January 2024). "Forgotten Steam horror game's player count skyrockets 300% in a day". PCGamesN. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• H. C., Luiz (26 December 2022). "Six of the Best Indie Horror Video Games You May Have Missed in 2022". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
• Baqery, Mohsen (24 October 2025). "Co-Op Horror Game Is Blowing Up on Steam". GameRant. Retrieved 24 February 2026.

Related Guides

• Escape The Backrooms System Requirements
• Escape The Backrooms Beginner Guide