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About The Empty Halls
The Empty Halls is an adventure game blending analog horror with exploration. Set in creepy liminal spaces and inspired by the Backrooms, it tasks players with navigating unsettling environments while documenting anomalies on VHS. Released on PC in 2026, it leans into found-footage aesthetics and eerie isolation. Missions from a mysterious higher-up guide your search for answers, but the true challenge is surviving the unpredictable dangers lurking in the shadows. It’s a slow-burn experience for those who enjoy figuring out unnerving mysteries in decaying, half-real spaces.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around moving through shifting environments like derelict offices or endless hallways. You explore on foot, toggling between first-person movement and a VHS camera to record strange phenomena. Each mission requires gathering specific footage, but limited film stock forces you to choose what to capture. The camera’s flickering lens reveals hidden threats, glitching entities or distorted voices, while the real-time VHS tape counter adds tension. Multiplayer allows co-op play, where split-screen adds to the claustrophobic vibe. Controls are simple but deliberate; backtracking is common as spaces morph, and sudden jump scares are frequent.
What Players Think
Community ratings average 8.5/10, with 72% completion rate and 68% of players finishing within 8, 10 hours. 73% of reviews call it “tense” or “unsettling,” while 19% critique the repetitive environments. Average playtime is 9.2 hours, with 42% logging 10+ sessions. Achievement unlocks include “Empty Tape” (15% completion) and “Unseen” (22% for evading entities). Critics praise the “oppressive atmosphere,” though 28% of players found the camera mechanics frustrating. One user wrote, “The silence is more terrifying than the jumpscares.”
PlayPile's Take
This game is for horror fans who enjoy slow-burn tension over action. At $39.99, it’s reasonably priced for its engaging vibe, but the low-impact gameplay might not satisfy those seeking interactivity. With 34 achievements and a 23% completion rate for the hardest challenge, it rewards persistence. If you’re okay with occasional frustration and want to feel genuinely unsettled, play it solo at night with headphones. Not a masterwork, but a solid entry in the liminal horror niche.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
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