TL;DR
If your kid is playing a game where they walk down the same hallway over and over, staring intensely at the wallpaper, they aren’t "glitched"—they’re playing an anomaly detection game. Inspired by the viral hit The Exit 8, the game I'm Going is the latest "liminal horror" trend. It’s essentially a high-stakes version of Highlights magazine’s "Spot the Difference." It’s low on gore, high on "creepy vibes," and actually rewards extreme attention to detail.
Quick Links for the Anomaly Trend:
- The Exit 8 (The OG that started the trend)
- I'm Going (The current obsession)
- Pools (The "vibey" version with no monsters)
- Observation Duty (The "security camera" version)
I'm Going is part of a surging subgenre of "anomaly detection" games. The premise is deceptively simple: You are in a repetitive environment—usually a mundane, slightly eerie place like a Japanese subway station, a corporate office, or a house.
Your goal is to reach the end of the path. If everything looks normal, you keep walking forward. If you spot an "anomaly" (something has changed, moved, or looks "wrong"), you must immediately turn around and go back.
Anomalies can range from:
- The Subtle: A poster is slightly larger than before, or a door handle is on the wrong side.
- The Surreal: A man’s face is melting, or the hallway is suddenly twice as long.
- The Jump-scary: A figure suddenly appears behind a corner or a loud noise echoes.
If you miss an anomaly and keep walking, you get sent back to the very beginning. It’s a loop. It’s frustrating. And for some reason, kids find it absolutely addictive.
This isn't Fortnite or Roblox where everything is loud and fast. This is slow-burn horror.
- The "Backrooms" Aesthetic: If your kids have ever mentioned The Backrooms, they’re talking about "liminal spaces"—places that feel "off" because they are transitional and empty (think empty malls at night). I'm Going taps directly into that "creepy-pasta" internet lore.
- The Bragging Rights: Spotting a tiny anomaly that a famous YouTuber missed is a major flex in middle school right now. It’s a test of observation.
- Low Barrier to Entry: You don't need "cracked" aim or fast reflexes. You just need eyes and a high tolerance for tension.
- The Meme Factor: Because these games are so repetitive, they are perfect for TikTok and YouTube Shorts. You’ll see creators screaming because they missed a slightly crooked picture frame, and kids find that hilarious.
Learn more about why "The Backrooms" is so popular with Gen Alpha
If your kid is asking for these games, here is the breakdown of what is actually worth their time (and your money) versus what is just "brain rot."
This is the gold standard. It’s set in a sterile underground passage. It’s short, cheap, and genuinely clever. It’s the "Citizen Kane" of walking in circles.
- Ages: 10+
- Vibe: Tense, psychological, minimal jump scares.
The title your kid is likely asking for. It’s very similar to The Exit 8 but often features a house or outdoor setting. It’s a bit more "indie" (read: slightly jankier), but it hits the same itch.
- Ages: 12+ (some anomalies can be a bit more "horror-leaning").
Instead of walking, you’re looking at security cameras. You have to report anomalies (e.g., "The chair moved," "There is a ghost in the kitchen"). It’s much more difficult and can be quite scary.
- Ages: 13+ (some "intruder" anomalies are legitimately frightening).
If your kid likes the aesthetic but hates jump scares, this is the one. It’s just walking through an endless, beautiful, slightly creepy indoor pool complex. No monsters. Just vibes.
- Ages: 8+ (it’s mostly just atmospheric).
Set on a Japanese bullet train. It adds a bit more story and "NPCs" (non-player characters) into the mix. It’s a step up in production value.
- Ages: 12+
Is I'm Going dangerous? No. But it is psychologically taxing.
Unlike Five Nights at Freddy's, which relies on loud noises and monster designs, these games rely on paranoia. They make you doubt what you’re seeing. For a sensitive kid, this can actually be more stressful than a traditional horror game because the "threat" is invisible until it’s right in your face.
Things to watch for:
- Anxiety Spike: Because you have to be so hyper-vigilant, kids can get really wound up. If they’re getting frustrated or shaky, it’s time for Bluey or a walk outside.
- The "Roblox" Clones: There are a million free versions of I'm Going inside Roblox. Some are great; some are low-effort cash grabs designed to scare kids into buying "revives" with Robux.
- Content Sensitivity: While most of these are "Clean Horror," some indie developers throw in a "blood on the walls" anomaly or a disturbing face. It’s rarely "M-rated" territory, but it’s definitely "PG-13" in spirit.
You might hear your kid say, "This hallway is so Ohio," or "That anomaly is literally Skibidi." Don't overthink it. In kid-speak, "Ohio" has become a catch-all term for "weird, cringey, or chaotic."
The anomaly trend fits perfectly into this current internet humor where things are intentionally "off-kilter." It’s the same reason they like Skibidi Toilet—it’s surrealism for the iPad generation.
Is it "brain rot"? Not necessarily. These games actually require a lot more cognitive load than scrolling TikTok. They are practicing:
- Visual Memory: "Was that vase there 30 seconds ago?"
- Pattern Recognition: Identifying what constitutes a "normal" state.
- Emotional Regulation: Dealing with the "jump scare" when they inevitably miss an anomaly.
If you want to actually connect with them on this, don't ask "Why are you walking in circles?"
Try these instead:
- "What’s the creepiest anomaly you’ve found so far?"
- "Is this a 'no-jumpscare' game or are things going to scream at us?"
- "Show me the difference between a 'subtle' anomaly and a 'major' one."
If you’re feeling brave, sit down and play a round of The Exit 8 with them. It’s basically a digital version of "I Spy," and you might find yourself getting just as competitive about spotting a slightly misplaced ceiling tile.
I'm Going and the anomaly genre are a relatively harmless evolution of the horror genre. They aren't teaching kids to be violent; they’re teaching them to be hyper-observant (and maybe a little paranoid about hallways).
If your kid is prone to nightmares, maybe skip the "Security Camera" style games like Observation Duty and stick to the "Vibe" games like Pools.
- Check the platform: Most of these games are on PC (Steam), but many clones exist on Roblox. If they are playing on Roblox, keep an eye on the Robux spending.
- Set a "Cool Down": Since these games build tension, don't let them play right before bed. A 20-minute buffer of something "normal" like Minecraft helps reset the brain.
- Watch a "Let's Play": If you're unsure about the scares, search for a "no commentary" play-through of I'm Going on YouTube to see exactly what the anomalies look like.
Ask our chatbot for more "Liminal Space" game recommendations