"The Exit 8" (2025) is that one game I saw on TikTok and just had to try. If you watch someone play this with no context, it is nonsensical, running down hallways and turning at seemingly random times. But really, it is quite a simple concept. You need to escape a subway station, correctly spotting differences (anomalies) and turning around when you see them. You do this 8 times to escape and complete the game. Some anomalies are obvious, and some are so hard to spot that you will lose your mind wondering why you had to restart. I cannot remember if I used a guide for this game on my first completion. Because I'm writing this review months after finishing it, I simply can't recall. However I remember the initial completion took me around 20-30 minutes. The remaining playtime was spent 100%ing the game, which I did use a guide for. This simply involves seeing all 36 anomalies, so the loop will basically be to just to run down the hallways until you get the ones you need (which anomaly you encounter is random). This isn't a horror game, I would simply say it is eerie, most comparable to "The Backrooms" (the original post, before larpers added all the levels and monsters). While you may not jump out of your seat, some anomalies are creepy and might catch you by surprise, your heart might skip a beat! I personally really enjoyed this gameplay loop, it was basically if they somehow made "Spot-the-difference" puzzles look like a liminal space! As it took me under 1.5 hours to complete 100%, it is undeniably a short game, however the price reflects that. At simply $4.99 CAD ($3.61 USD), it is a very cheap game. I would personally say the game is definitely worth it at full price, and on sale is an absolute must-buy. Genuinely, my only complaint with this game is that it is short! I would have been happy to pay more money for a longer more in depth experience, but maybe it is best that it is left short. Some things don't need to drag on. Overall, a fun, interesting, but short experience!

• Eerie atmosphere
  
• Unique, simple and captivating gameplay loop
  
• Fairly priced

• Short (although the price reflects that)

Beat it in under 10 mins. TOO EZ.

You are trapped in an endless underground passageway. Observe your surroundings carefully to reach "The Exit 8".

There is no real story here. Your only goal is simple: escape.

The Exit 8 is a first-person walking simulator where you need to “spot the difference” and identify anomalies. If everything in the loop appears normal, you continue forward to reach the next loop. If something is different, you must turn back to proceed to the next loop.

Successfully complete eight loops in a row to reach the exit and win.

The entire game takes place in an underground passageway that continuously loops. You need to learn the layout so you know exactly how it is supposed to look. In the next loop, something might change, and it’s up to you to identify the anomaly.

This is not a typical horror game, but I still found it quite eerie. It features a few jump scares and several creepy anomalies.

Your eyes and ears are essential in this game, mostly your eyes, but some anomalies also produce sounds.

The passageway itself is a simple white corridor. The floor and walls are covered with white tiles, with a strip of yellow tiles running along the entire corridor. There are three doors, several ventilation hatches, security cameras, and a few paintings along the walls.

For the most part, you only hear your own footsteps and the sound of the man walking down the corridor. Some anomalies introduce sudden changes in the audio. For example, you might suddenly hear the man stop walking, speed up, or even start chasing you, which can be extremely unsettling.

There isn’t much to complain about, but I do wish the game had more anomalies. In the end, whether you enjoy it really depends on if this kind of gameplay is your thing.

I really liked The Exit 8. The game is simple and easy to learn, and you don’t need much guidance to understand how it works or what you need to do.The anomalies are cleverly designed, with some being very obvious while others are much more subtle. A good anomaly game needs a mix of both, and this game handles that balance well.

Since I always record my gameplay, it was a lot of fun watching the footage afterward to see what my friend and I missed when we were convinced the loop was completely normal. We missed the growing paintings six times! Because they grow so slowly, it’s very difficult to notice.

I think the game succeeds with both its anomalies and its atmosphere. There is something about this underground passageway that creeps me out, especially with the man walking down the corridor each time. While the game does have a couple of good scares, I still wish it leaned even more into horror. That’s what keeps me from giving it a higher rating.

Silent Hill P.T. is still my favorite anomaly-style horror experience, and I don’t think any game has managed to surpass it yet. The Cabin Factory is the second-best anomaly game I’ve played.

If you enjoy anomaly-style games, I definitely recommend trying The Exit 8. It won’t disappoint. Now I just need to watch the movie next!