Under The Pool is an indie adventure game set during a final summer break at a high school swimming club. Players take on the role of a logistics member who balances everyday club duties with a hidden agenda tied to an ancient cult. The story follows a protagonist raised in secrecy, now managing resources while overseeing members who harbor parasitic organisms. This setup creates a narrative focused on deception, personal change, and daily survival choices in a single-player experience on PC.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on managing limited supplies of ingredients, medications, and funds while allocating activity points each day. These points determine whether the protagonist pursues club tasks, part-time work, personal rest, meditation sessions, or social interactions. Resource decisions directly influence parasite development and story progression, forcing careful planning to avoid shortages or detection. A simple cooking minigame appears daily, requiring basic input sequences to prepare meals that affect relationships and health metrics. Sudden horror elements interrupt routines through startling visuals or violent sequences tied to the cult backstory.
Character growth emerges through repeated choices that challenge the protagonist's indoctrinated beliefs. Interactions with club members reveal potential hidden motives, adding layers of risk to every conversation or shared activity. The system rewards observation of numerical values like parasite growth rates alongside emotional states, creating tension between short-term gains and long-term survival.
Game Modes
The game operates entirely in single-player mode with no separate competitive or cooperative options. Progression follows a structured daily schedule that branches based on prior decisions, leading to multiple narrative paths. Activity allocation serves as the primary mechanic, letting players shift focus between practical club support, income generation, and introspective or relational pursuits. This structure supports replay through varied point distributions and dialogue selections rather than distinct modes.
Story advancement relies on choice consequences that alter available events and endings. Up to fifteen distinct conclusions appear across side branches, each shaped by how resources are spent and how the protagonist responds to emerging threats or revelations. The absence of multiplayer keeps all systems centered on personal management and narrative outcomes.
Story and Themes
The plot unfolds around a cult remnant known as the August Circus, which implants specialized parasites to prepare hosts for the arrival of four ancient deities. The protagonist maintains a facade of helpful club support while advancing the ritual through targeted care of infected members. Yuri elements develop through close interactions with female club participants, blending affection with the underlying horror of bodily invasion and manipulation.
Warnings highlight risks of sudden frights, graphic violence, death depictions, and cult imagery that may unsettle certain players. These elements integrate directly into the resource and choice systems rather than appearing as isolated events, reinforcing the contrast between routine club life and the protagonist's true objectives.
Is It Worth Playing?
Under The Pool remains listed as coming soon with no user reviews available at this stage. Its single-player structure appeals to those interested in narrative-driven adventures that combine resource management, light simulation, and branching stories with mature themes. The cooking minigame and activity point system provide concrete daily tasks, while the emphasis on character change and hidden risks offers replay value through different outcome paths.
Players who enjoy visual novel styles with horror undertones and yuri romance may find the combination distinctive once released. Those sensitive to depictions of parasites, violence, or cult rituals should review the content warnings before considering a purchase. The indie scope keeps focus tight on these mechanics without additional layers or expansions confirmed at present.
