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In Between

What will you reflect upon when the final moments draw near?
In Between Game Cover
75%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding
83% User Score Based on 223 reviews
Critic Score 66%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxSteam DeckiPhoneWindowsPlayStationLinuxXbox Series X|SPCTabletMac OSPhoneXbox OneiPadMobile Platform
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In Between Game Cover

About

In Between is a single player arcade platformer game with a drama theme. It was developed by Gentlymad and was released on August 21, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"In Between" is a puzzle-platformer game that follows the story of a man coming to terms with his mortality. Players must navigate through levels that represent the five stages of grief, solving puzzles that incorporate unique mechanics based on perspective and time manipulation. The game features a contemplative narrative and atmospheric art style to create a thought-provoking experience.

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In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
In Between screenshot
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83%
Audience ScoreBased on 223 reviews
story64 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • In Between features a beautifully hand-painted art style that creates a dreamlike atmosphere, enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative.
  • The game effectively integrates its gravity manipulation mechanics with the stages of grief, making puzzle-solving feel meaningful and reflective of the protagonist's internal struggles.
  • The storytelling is poignant and well-executed, with a strong voice performance that adds depth to the protagonist's journey through acceptance of mortality.
  • The game's difficulty can spike unexpectedly, leading to frustrating moments that may disrupt the emotional pacing and enjoyment of the experience.
  • Some players may find the lack of checkpoints in certain levels to be punishing, as dying can require them to replay lengthy sections multiple times.
  • The controls can feel imprecise at times, particularly during more challenging segments, which may detract from the overall gameplay experience.
  • story
    213 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "In Between" is a poignant exploration of a terminally ill man's internal journey, conveyed through his memories and emotions rather than traditional cutscenes. Players navigate a landscape that reflects the protagonist's struggles with grief and acceptance, making for a deeply human experience that resonates emotionally without sensationalism. While the narrative is compelling and artistically presented, some players found the gameplay mechanics occasionally detracted from the storytelling, yet many agree that the integration of story and puzzles enhances the overall impact.

    • “Developed by gentlymad and published by Assemble Entertainment, it follows the internal journey of a terminally ill man facing the end of his life, and rather than telling that story through cutscenes or exposition, it unfolds within the landscape of his memories, fears, and unresolved thoughts.”
    • “The protagonist’s memories surface gradually through environmental storytelling and quiet interludes, giving players time to process rather than forcing emotional responses.”
    • “In between is a beautiful story-driven puzzle platformer with a deep meaning behind.”
    • “The storyline is lost under overly pointless and frustrating control systems.”
    • “While I admire the developers for tackling a difficult subject, the story misses opportunities to instill hope into those who might download it, looking for some relief.”
    • “In between works well as a puzzle game but not as a medium for telling a serious story about mortality.”
  • gameplay
    136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *In Between* is a unique blend of puzzle-platforming and emotional storytelling, primarily centered around the gravity manipulation mechanic that evolves with each chapter to reflect stages of grief. While many players appreciate the intuitive mechanics and thematic integration, some find certain mechanics, like the "impending shadows," frustrating due to imprecise controls and pacing issues. Overall, the game offers a thought-provoking experience, though it may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced or traditional platforming challenges.

    • “In between is a rare puzzle-platformer that prioritizes emotional resonance as much as mechanical ingenuity.”
    • “The core mechanic—manipulating gravity—drives both the game’s puzzles and its emotional metaphor.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics not only reflect the character's feelings but also work hand in hand with the powerful nature of the storytelling.”
    • “Those seeking fast platforming, mechanical complexity, or constant novelty may find the experience slow or repetitive.”
    • “But the gameplay here is not nearly tight enough to justify playing through these long, checkpoint-sparse levels.”
    • “Seriously, I was kind of enjoying the game, and then they introduced that creeping darkness mechanic that advances when you don't look at it, and suddenly the experience became hellish.”
  • music
    56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and emotional depth, with many players noting its seamless integration with the visuals and gameplay. The soundtrack features a mix of relaxing piano and electronic elements that evoke the right emotions for the game's narrative, although some found it to be repetitive or less memorable. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The music fits the game perfectly; the story is easy and nice to follow, and the game has a really deep meaning.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and really fits the tone and the pacing of the story.”
    • “Great puzzle-platformer with engaging music and visuals, with story elements strewn throughout similar to Braid.”
    • “The music... it always makes me double check if I've left Minecraft running in the background.”
    • “The soundtrack felt meh, a little on the edgy side but suits the story, so I'll give it a pass.”
    • “Sound effects, voice acting, and music are all decent if rather forgettable.”
  • graphics
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful hand-painted art style, which creates a textured and dreamlike atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience. While many reviewers highlight the impressive visuals and attention to detail, some note that certain graphical elements can appear outdated or muddy, affecting gameplay. Overall, the unique aesthetic and emotional depth of the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, despite some criticisms regarding control mechanics and hitbox accuracy.

    • “The hand-painted art style gives environments a textured, almost dreamlike atmosphere, as though the levels exist between recollection and imagination.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly good for a platformer game, especially when the story is being told; you need to press either right or left arrow button and the character will keep on walking, changing his outfits and backgrounds as it fits.”
    • “The game offers some really nice graphics and a nice yet simplistic aesthetic which is pleasant all the same and has some amazing attention to detail even though it is a little rough around the edges.”
    • “Although the reviews were looking promising, the design and graphics seemed outdated.”
    • “The hand-drawn visuals are rather muddy and can look a little unprofessional.”
    • “The game’s hand-drawn visuals shatter like mirrors as you progress, or whenever you fall helpless to the game’s challenge.”
  • emotional
    39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "In Between" is a puzzle-platformer that masterfully intertwines emotional storytelling with gameplay mechanics, using gravity manipulation to reflect stages of grief. Players experience a poignant journey through the protagonist's memories, enhanced by beautiful visuals and a compelling soundtrack, though some may find the difficulty spikes disrupt the emotional flow. Overall, the game is celebrated for its heartfelt narrative and artistic depth, making it a touching and cathartic experience for those drawn to introspective indie titles.

    • “In between is a rare puzzle-platformer that prioritizes emotional resonance as much as mechanical ingenuity.”
    • “Each mechanical shift corresponds to a stage of grief, and as new emotional barriers surface, the gameplay evolves to express them.”
    • “From the near genius game and level design, which leave you with this 'just-one-more-try' feeling, to the wonderfully crafted art style and the emotional story – everything just feels right and lets you immerse in a very personal story of the dying protagonist.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning hand-painted visuals and immersive sound design, creating a dreamlike and textured environment that enhances the storytelling. Reviewers highlight the captivating music and narrative, which together contribute to a relaxing yet engaging experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its standout features, making it a worthwhile experience for players.

    • “Artistically beautiful, with good atmospheric sounds, great narration, and a captivating story.”
    • “In between is a really great game with beautiful hand-painted visuals, a stunning atmosphere, and a deep and engaging story.”
    • “The hand-painted art style gives environments a textured, almost dreamlike atmosphere, as though the levels exist between recollection and imagination.”
    • “It's a bit pricey for its runtime, which can be completed in about an hour or two unless you go achievement hunting or want cards, but would be well worth it in a sale for the music and atmosphere alone.”
    • “Where it really shines though is in atmosphere.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Many describe the repetitive mechanics and poorly designed puzzles as a chore, particularly when combined with time limits and clunky controls. While some appreciate the challenge, the consensus leans towards grinding being an unenjoyable necessity rather than a rewarding feature.

    • “In the end, I did go back and clear all the bonus levels too, but the narrator's comment about losing your dignity in the process really hit home as I was grinding through that very last level.”
    • “Pressing buttons quickly in a certain order to control the character in an obvious but tedious way is maybe a good exercise for fine motor skills, but not for me.”
    • “This can get rather tedious, especially in the levels where you are under an effective time limit.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally find the game to have high replayability, especially after recent updates that improved checkpoint systems, making it more accessible. However, some express frustration with the lack of clear rewards for redoing levels, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. The game has received a solid replayability score of 8.

    • “The game has high replayability, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
    • “Since the update that increased checkpoints, the game feels much more playable and accessible.”
    • “Replayability: 8”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, user reviews indicate a mixed experience with stability; while some players report a largely bug-free experience, others express significant frustration due to glitches and challenging gameplay mechanics that detract from their enjoyment. The presence of bugs and difficulty spikes has led to a negative impact on player immersion and sympathy for the game's protagonist.

    • “The game is pretty much bug-free, though the developers mentioned they found a few minor issues.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive, allowing for a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or major glitches, which really enhances the overall gameplay.”
    • “Having completed each set of levels with feelings of frustration -- either due to their difficulty or the glitches that I experienced -- has overridden my ability to sympathize with the protagonist and his plight.”
    • “There are a lot of good things about this game - the art and music are great - but the buggy, spike-happy, checkpoint-sparse platforming difficulty made the game crushingly frustrating for me.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally praised for its smooth performance throughout, contributing to a seamless gaming experience. However, some users feel that the gravely narration style can occasionally detract from the overall depth, giving it a somewhat juvenile comic book feel.

    • “+ smooth performance at any point”
    • “His performance adds a tremendous amount of depth and realism to the game.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to entertain both players and viewers, particularly through the amusing reactions and frustrations of players, making it a great choice for Let's Play content.

    • “I can totally recommend this game for Let's Players as well, because you don't need to talk constantly, but it's funny to see or even hear a person raging.”
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66%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

In Between is a arcade platformer game with drama theme.

In Between is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Steam Deck and others.

In Between was released on August 21, 2015.

In Between was developed by Gentlymad.

In Between has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

In Between is a single player game.

Similar games include Arise: A Simple Story, Nihilumbra, Contrast, Shady Part of Me, MO:Astray and others.