Each level of Escape The Backrooms is unique and will require you to navigate new environments, avoid dangerous devices and solve complex puzzles in an attempt to find an exit. Each requires a unique approach, which can be difficult if you're new to the game and have no idea where to start.
While the levels' uniqueness means there's no one-size-fits-all secret to beating each level, there are some tips and tricks to help you along the way. But the most important thing you have to remember is to just keep moving forward and don't look back.
Find a landmark to help you orient yourself
If you don't know what back rooms are, they are meant to represent a liminal space, or transitional space, that has an eerie feeling of infinite emptiness. Each level of Escape The Backrooms is meant to evoke that feeling and resemble such spaces, but to the extreme. Therefore, most areas are maze-like and repetitivewhich makes it difficult to avoid going in circles.
Unfortunately, this can mean you get stuck in the same corridors over and over again without ever realizing it, which is why it's important to find some kind of landmark. Identifying something easily recognizable that feels different from everything else can help you get started map the area and avoid backing up over the same spaces.
For example, when exploring level 0, you'll notice that there is one area that feels particularly dark compared to everything else. This is a perfect place to mark in your mind so you can navigate paths relative to the dark space. That way, you know you've explored everything thoroughly and can mentally check off that path. It doesn't matter what the landmark is, just that you have one.
Get out as soon as you can
While the different areas in Escape The Backrooms can be very interesting and make you want to explore, this really isn't the game for that. Exploring a level means wasting your sanity and putting yourself at greater risk of being caught by a device.
While you can find consumables through exploration, you'll likely stumble upon them anyway while looking for the exit, so there's no point going out of your way to look for them. Plus, as long as you get through the levels quickly, you don't really need too many of them. Most levels get more dangerous the longer you hang aroundso make finding the exit your top priority.
Stay aware of your surroundings
As you navigate your way through an area, you're likely to encounter narrow paths and dark rooms, so it's important to always be vigilant. Basically, almost every level in the game will have a unit actively walking around itif not several, and they will chase you if they see you.
You can often run from them or hide in a room, as they usually don't pass through closed doors, but if you have nowhere to go, you likely won't escape them and will die. The best way to avoid this risk is to make sure it doesn't happen in the first place be aware of your surroundings.
Most units emit a sound when they're nearby, or you might even get a tool on certain levels to help you identify when you're in a dangerous area, so stay alert. Listen to the sounds around you, peek around corners and always scan the surrounding area. If you happen to spot an enemy who doesn't see you yet, turn around and head in the opposite direction or hide and wait until they've passed.
Check everything in the rooms you come across
While you shouldn't go out of your way to explore if you've already found your way to the exit, you should at least be careful in the areas you encounter. In almost all areas, you will need to find keys or other items that will help you move forward. These can be found in cupboards, on desks or in other storage items.
So even if you're not sure if you need a key to access the next area yet, you are bark always look through any cupboard or drawer you come across. The worst case scenario is that you find nothing and move on, but the best case scenario is that you'll discover a key that you don't need to backtrack to find because you already found it when you went through the area in the first place.
If something seems strange, it's probably important
As you go through each level, you kind of start to get a feel for what it looks like. Most rooms will contain the same types of cabinets, desks, or other items unique to that area. With that in mind, you should always be on the lookout for things that feel out of placeas they are probably a clue or is needed in any way for you to develop.
For example, when you explore the parking garage on level 1, you'll notice that the vast majority of cars are under tarps, except for one room. This isn't just an irrelevant creative decision. The colors of the revealed vehicles are actually a solution to a keypad puzzle that you need to solve to progress. So if you find something that seems to stand out, you probably should make a mental note of it.
Stock up on accessories and watch your sanity
Even if you don't have a traditional HP bar, you have a level of sanity that you must monitor which works the same. Not all levels will drain your sanity, but most will and for no other reason than just being at that level. For that reason, you need to check it often and stock up on restoration consumables.
You can sometimes find the “Liquid Pain” consumable, though don't drink it. It says right on the bottle that it will induce pain, and it's not a joke. You will die. The only real purpose of the game is to troll a friend in multiplayer or reset yourself, if needed.
You can check your sanity at any time by pulling up your inventory and looking at the brain on the right side of the screen. If your sanity drops too low, you'll begin to hallucinate, and if you let it drop beyond that, you'll die. So, collect all the items you can make sure your inventory is in stock with items that can help you as you complete the level.
If all else fails, stick to the walls
Ironically, this is a real tip that is often thrown out regarding the urban legend this game is based on, should anyone ever find themselves in a real backroom situation, but it's still applicable here as well. As mentioned, many of the levels in this game are mazes with a door somewhere that leads to another area. If you find yourself endlessly searching with no hope in sight, you can just try to stick to the walls.
It's not a method that offers guaranteed success, but the idea is simply that if you stick to the wall and walk next to it long enough, you're bound to eventually come across some sort of door or item that you need to progress. It might take a while and you could lose your mind a few times doing this, but if you're completely lost, it's better than running in circles for a few hours.
Get to know the devices
Since each floor has unique units, with a handful of repeats, it's important to know what you're up against and how to avoid it. Most of the time, units will avoid you if you stay out of their line of sight, and the main way to do that is by crouching. While crouching and hugging a wall, most enemies will remain completely unaware of you, meaning you can sneak past safely with minimal risk.
If you plan on crouching a lot, you might want to remap the crouch button to something more comfortable, since you have to hold it down often.
The only major downside is that crouching takes longer than walking or running, so make sure you always have enough almond water to keep your sanity in good shape. Additionally, you may sometimes need to deliberately provoke enemies if they block your exit, which is why it's important to evaluate the unit and the situation on each level.
Enemies cannot open doors in general, so be sure to close all doors behind you.
For those enemies you just can't sneak past, sometimes chugging a juice or eating an Energy Bar and running after it is your best bet. This is usually the best option for an area where you need to get past some enemies, and you have a clear end goal in mind. Overall, it all comes down to trial and error, but be creative and pay attention to what seems to provoke enemies as well as their behaviors.
