A distinct objective or purpose may sometimes provide players a feeling of direction in horror games, but in The Backrooms, the uncertainty around what players should do or how to leave simply heightens the terror. Players may experience psychological pain as a result of feeling aimless due to unclear goals or an undefined plot. Because it eliminates any sense of control over the situation, the feeling of aimlessly roaming is unsettling.
The Backrooms incorporates psychological horror in addition to jump scares and visual horror. A Backrooms persistent sensation of dread is produced by the unsettling aspect of being in a place that ought to be familiar but isn’t, as well as the gradual escalation of tension and the unknown. The absence of common sense and constant ambiguity about what lies ahead have a profound psychological effect on players as they navigate through endless yellowish chambers.