Discussion Who else likes liminal spaces and all things related?

[Droso]

I find a lot of comfort in liminal spaces. ESPECIALLY the backrooms. I love watching YouTubers play well-made liminal games. I like the feeling of being alone, but in a familiar place. The aesthetics give off such a unique feeling that I can hardly describe. Haunting yet nostalgic?

I really like the music that is associated with liminal spaces. My favorite artist I would describe to be liminal feeling is The Caretaker. Their albums make me feel like I got sent to the backrooms.

My one critique of the backrooms is the addition of entities or other creatures that live there. I feel like that detracts from the alone element. In these spaces, you are supposed to be reminded of civilization but be completely alone. That's the main fear component behind liminal spaces. Entities ruin this for me.

I think the only liminal-aligned game that I'm ok with regarding entities is the Stanley Parable. When entities are made to be incorporated into the game and narrative itself, it feels more natural. However, I would say that these games aren't truly liminal in nature but take inspiration from them.

In terms of my favorite type of liminal space, it would have to be the poolrooms. I'm not quite sure why, but these tend to be the best well-designed. I think it may be because when you go to an indoor waterpark, you expect so many people, but the poolrooms subvert your expectations making it even creepier.

My second favorite would be the endless suburbia type. It holds a lot of nostalgia and reminiscent of home. It also allows for a more open world and distinct patterns. It's creepy and uncanny, and creates a sense of hopelessness as you explore and see each house be empty.

Basically: I LOVE LIMINAL SPACES! THEY ARE REALLY COOL!

 

[Actovania]

I do back when it was super popular a few years ago and still now, I like the backrooms. My favorite liminal space is office-related stuff, even though I've never worked in an office.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Yes, I love the whole idea of liminal spaces too! That eeriness/ familiarness you can't quite put your finger on.

I also enjoy the creepiness of the backrooms although, I've never played the games. Just became aware of them on YouTube. I love the water related areas too but then, I love water generally.

I also have a fairly specific fear of confined water in manmade settings - locks, theme park rides etc. So, that adds to the scare factor for me. Thankfully, it's usually still water I've seen in the poolrooms so, I'm ok. It's rushing water or deep water with machinery in that scares me. Sensibly too I imagine. It's probably risky to fall in! I do find myself picturing how awesome it would be to swim around them though. I think I may have even dreamt about swimming in them! Hot though I imagine, uncomfortable.

I also agree that having monsters in the backgrooms seemed unnecessary. I imagine just the feeling they could be there lurking behing a corner would be more powerful. I kind of enjoyed the odd vending machine though. Like- why would it be there? Who inhabits that space? Who replinishes the snacks?!! I think that added to the strangeness/ creepiness of it.

My favourite liminal space tends to be more like weird intersections in shoppining centres, car parks etc. Also, brutalist architecture- seeing as I'm a fan anyway. I like that weird contradiction of chunky, safe, sturdy blocks of concrete with a weird unease.

I also really like watching Urbex which I feel is related somewhat. Buildings you know would have been teeming with people at one stage now just abandoned and creepy looking. I think it also touches on nostalgia. As in- these are spaces we feel like we've been in somehow yet, they're not. I do love it though, definitely. Sonething about it resonates with me.

 

[imtiredasf]

Liminality is so cool. It always puts me in mind of wandering around as a child, before everything became so overly familiar. I love abandoned things and natures reclamation of it and yeah.