- Escape the Backrooms Road Level: The Hub serves as a central underground tunnel connecting diverse game levels.
- Main Objective: Unlock the gate via The M.E.G. Base computer using password "itheardyou".
- Door Unlocking: Each level's door in The Hub must be unlocked from its respective level first.
- No Entities/Items: The Hub is generally safe, featuring no entities or items.
- Ambiance: Experience unique highway-inspired soundscapes with muffled, slowed, and echoed effects.
Understanding The Hub: Escape the Backrooms Road Level
The Hub in Escape the Backrooms is a crucial central area, often referred to as the "road level" due to its tunnel-like structure and interconnectivity. This large underground tunnel acts as a nexus, providing access to many other levels within the game. Successfully navigating The Hub is essential for progression, allowing players to move between different zones once their respective doors are unlocked.
The primary objective upon first entering The Hub is to activate the main gate, which then grants access to other areas. This involves interacting with an abandoned M.E.G. Base located within the tunnel.
Always be mindful of the doors in The Hub. While they offer access to other levels, they must be unlocked from within those specific levels before you can use them from The Hub. Plan your exploration accordingly.
Video Highlights:
- Visual tour of The Hub's underground tunnel appearance.
- Demonstration of unlocking the gate in The M.E.G. Base.
- Overview of the various level doors accessible from The Hub.
Objectives and Gate Activation
Your initial foray into The Hub involves a two-part objective centered around a critical gate. This gate's activation is vital for opening up further exploration opportunities within the Backrooms.
Locate The M.E.G. Base
Upon arriving from Level 1, your first task is to find and enter The M.E.G. Base within The Hub. It's typically located on the left side of the main tunnel.
Unlock the Computer
Inside The M.E.G. Base, you'll find a computer. To unlock it, input the password "itheardyou". This grants you access to its files.
Activate the Gate
Once the computer is unlocked, open the file named "Gate.exe". Executing this file will successfully unlock the main gate in The Hub.
Return to Level 1 (Optional)
After the gate is unlocked, you can return to Level 1. The previously inaccessible gate there will now be open, allowing for continued progression.
The password "itheardyou" is case-sensitive. Ensure you type it exactly as shown to avoid access issues with the computer in The M.E.G. Base.
Unlocking Level Doors from The Hub
The Hub features 10 distinct doors, each leading to a different level. However, these doors are not immediately accessible. They must first be unlocked from within their respective levels. This system encourages players to fully explore each level before gaining convenient access back to The Hub.
Here’s a guide to finding and unlocking some key level doors:
| Level Number | Location to Unlock Door | Key Features/Hints |
|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | From Level 8, in the smaller area near The Manilla Room. | Go forward/away from The Manilla Room, then slightly right. |
| Level 1 | On floor 4 of Level 1. | Clearly noticeable and out in the open; essential for initial progression. |
| Level 4 | In the large Pillar Room, to the left. | After the staircase at the start, go through an empty room to reach the Pillar Room. |
| Level 7 | Upstairs area, through a specific door. | Go through the door at the top of the initial room, then up another set of stairs. |
| Level 9 | Specific house, downstairs stone staircase. | Look for a house with a Wretch guarding the upstairs area. |
| Level 37 | At the top of a staircase in a large room. | Enter square entrances to find the large room with the staircase. |
| Level 52 | In the starting room, on the right side. | The door is prominently located on the right. |
| Level 94 | Upstairs of the very first house. | Open the door in the upstairs room to find The Hub's door. |
| Level 188 | Through a door labeled "H" in a room with many labeled doors. | Follow the hallway after entering the "H" door. |
| Level 3999 | Behind a staff-only door on the left at the start. | Go through the sliding doors, then check the left for the staff access. |
Each door in The Hub acts as a one-way portal until it's activated from the destination level. Think of it as establishing a fast-travel point rather than an immediate entry.
Safety and Environment in The Hub
Unlike many other levels in Escape the Backrooms, The Hub offers a relatively safe environment. This makes it a crucial respite and navigational point for players.
| Feature | Description | Impact on Gameplay |
|---|---|---|
| Entities | None present. | Players are safe from hostile creatures or threats. |
| Items | No collectible items can be found in this level. | Focus remains on navigation and door unlocking, not scavenging. |
| Objects | Primarily "Road" elements and the "Level Doors". | Defines the tunnel aesthetic and core functionality. |
| Ambiance | Unique soundscape: muffled highway audio, slowed, echoed, with pitched choir. | Creates an eerie, isolated, yet non-threatening atmosphere. |
Since there are no entities or items in The Hub, it's a good place to pause, review your objectives, and plan your next move without immediate danger.
Achievements and Trivia
Successfully navigating The Hub also contributes to your in-game achievements and holds some interesting facts.
Hub-Related Achievements:
- Escape The Hub: Enter The Hub and activate the outpost power (unlocking the gate).
- Unlock all 10 Level Doors from their respective levels to gain full access to The Hub's network.
Trivia about The Hub:
- The Hub boasts the most entrances and exits of any single level in the entire game, making it truly central.
- Interestingly, The Hub does not feature any doors leading to levels without numerical designations or to sublevels.
- The unique ambiance of The Hub was crafted by recording highway sounds, then muffling, slowing, and adding echo effects, complemented by a pitched-down choir from the Kontakt 5 Factory Library.
Early development hints, such as a Level Door with the number 2 in a developer's log, suggest that Level 2 may have been intended to have a door in The Hub at some point.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Hub
Q: What is the primary function of the 'road level' in Escape the Backrooms?
The 'road level,' also known as The Hub, serves as a central underground tunnel connecting various other levels in the game. Its primary function is to allow players to travel between unlocked levels.
Q: How do I unlock the main gate in The Hub?
To unlock the main gate, you must first enter The M.E.G. Base, access its computer using the password 'itheardyou', and then run the 'Gate.exe' file.
Q: Are there any dangers or entities in The Hub?
No, The Hub is a safe level. There are no entities or items to be found, making it a peaceful navigation point.
Q: Do I need to find items in The Hub?
No, The Hub does not contain any collectible items. Your focus in this level should be on navigation and unlocking doors to other areas.