Fancy Games and Blackbird Interactive released the 1.0 version of Escape the Backrooms on 23 October 2025, published by Secret Mode after several years in Early Access. One to four players no-clip through more than 30 levels built on backrooms creepypasta lore, and every member of the team has to reach the exit alive for the escape to count. Proximity voice chat carries the whole experience, because entities hear you as clearly as your friends do.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
The Lobby
Key resources: The exit key, plus an achievement for surviving 15 minutes inside the level Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Almond Water upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Electrical Station
Key resources: Power restored and the route onward, plus the first real lesson in flashlight discipline Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Almond Water upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
The Poolrooms
Key resources: One of the few genuinely calm stretches in the game, and the valve route onward Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Almond Water upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Level Fun
Key resources: The route onward, and the level most likely to end a full team's run Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Flashlight max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Terror Hotel
Key resources: The door code, Moth Jelly for sanity, and the chase sequence that follows Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Flashlight max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (The Lobby to Electrical Station)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Almond Water once accessible
Mid Game (The Poolrooms)
- Push Almond Water to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Flashlight
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Level Fun to Terror Hotel)
- Max out Flashlight. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring The Poolrooms farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Treat proximity voice as a resource with a cost. Entities hear the same audio your teammates do, so agree on short call signs before you start rather than shouting full sentences in a room with a Smiler in it.
- Farm The Poolrooms during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Escape the Backrooms Guides
- Escape the Backrooms Escape the Backrooms Overview
- Escape the Backrooms Best Builds
- Escape the Backrooms Tier List
- Escape the Backrooms Walkthrough
- Escape the Backrooms Beginner's Guide
- Escape the Backrooms Tips & Tricks
- Escape the Backrooms Weapons Guide
- Escape the Backrooms Combat Guide
- Escape the Backrooms Boss Guide
- Escape the Backrooms Maps & Locations
- Escape the Backrooms Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Escape the Backrooms, check out these related guides:
- Phasmophobia Crafting Guide: horror game with similar mechanics
- Lethal Company Crafting Guide: horror game with similar mechanics
- Dead by Daylight Crafting Guide: horror game with similar mechanics
