In Between

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 162 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
In Between Game Cover
What will you reflect upon when the final moments draw near?
Starting at $0.60Buy now
Get on Steam

"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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 162 reviews
story37 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • In Between features a compelling narrative that explores deep themes such as grief and acceptance, resonating emotionally with players.
  • The game offers unique and challenging puzzles that require both problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination, keeping players engaged.
  • The art style and soundtrack are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.
  • Many players found the difficulty level frustrating, with some levels lacking checkpoints, leading to repeated failures and potential rage-quits.
  • The controls can feel imprecise at times, which can detract from the gameplay experience, especially during more challenging sections.
  • Some mechanics, such as the 'wall of darkness' chasing the player, were criticized for feeling artificial and detracting from the puzzle-platforming experience.
  • story141 mentions

    The story of "In Between" is a poignant exploration of grief and acceptance, centered around a protagonist grappling with terminal illness. Players navigate through emotional puzzles that reflect the character's journey, with the narrative seamlessly integrated into gameplay, enhancing the overall experience. While some found the storytelling initially pretentious, many praised its depth and relatability, making it a highlight of the game.

    • “The story is sad, heartwarming, and powerful.”
    • “The game play and mechanics are not only unique and interesting, but they work hand in hand with the powerful nature of the storytelling in such a way as to give you chills.”
    • “We follow him as he learns to accept his fate, in a game where the story is told in smooth transitions between playable cutscenes and puzzle chapters.”
    • “Gonna be honest, I concentrated so much on solving the puzzles that the story's details didn't stick with me, but this may be the only con for this game for me.”
    • “The storytelling seemed a bit too pretentious at the beginning, but halfway through the game I ended up loving it; it's pretty well integrated into the gameplay mechanics.”
    • “And much like them, the story has little to do with the puzzles you are solving.”
  • gameplay74 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by its unique mechanics, particularly gravity manipulation, which is well-executed and keeps the experience fresh through thoughtful level design that encourages creative problem-solving. While some players find certain mechanics frustrating, the overall integration of gameplay with a poignant narrative enhances the emotional depth of the experience. The puzzles are challenging yet fair, gradually increasing in complexity and requiring players to think from multiple perspectives, making it a standout in the puzzle platformer genre.

    • “The gameplay and mechanics are not only unique and interesting, but they work hand in hand with the powerful nature of the storytelling in such a way as to give you chills.”
    • “The mechanics are easy to grasp; however, they remain fresh since the level designs of each stage force the player to think outside the box.”
    • “Each world adds a mechanic as metaphors for stages of dealing with death.”
    • “2/10 interesting start, but the 'wod' mechanic ruined the game and I will never complete it because of that.”
    • “The art and narrative are compelling, but the 'impending shadows' game mechanic (introduced in the third world) is infuriating, largely due to the sloppy character control responses.”
    • “Something about the gameplay feels off whether using keyboard or controller.”
  • music46 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and emotional resonance, with many players noting that it enhances the overall experience without being distracting. The soundtrack is described as fitting perfectly with the game's tone and pacing, featuring soothing voice acting and memorable tracks, particularly the final song during the credits. While some found the music simple and repetitive, it effectively evokes the right emotions for the game's setting, making it a highlight for many players.

    • “The music is on par with the best there has ever been.”
    • “Finally, the music is absolutely magnificent.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and really fits the tone and the pacing of the story.”
    • “The music... it always makes me double check if I've left Minecraft running in the background.”
    • “+soundtrack is simple, repetitive but not pleasant, does a good job of evoking the right emotion for the setting.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful, hand-painted art style that enhances the emotional depth of the story. While many reviewers highlight the impressive visuals and charming aesthetics, some note that the overall design may feel outdated and that the challenging gameplay can lead to frustration. Overall, the distinct art style and atmospheric graphics contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The art style and the shape-shifting methods are flawless.”
    • “Graphics are very impressive with a distinct art style that aids in conveying emotion and messages.”
    • “In between is a really great game with beautiful hand-painted visuals, a stunning atmosphere and a deep and engaging story.”
    • “Although the reviews were looking promising, the design and graphics seemed outdated.”
  • emotional27 mentions

    The game is praised for its deeply emotional narrative, which is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, effectively intertwined with engaging puzzles and stunning visuals. Players report feeling a strong emotional connection to the story, often leading to tears, as they navigate the poignant journey of a dying protagonist. The expert delivery of the narrative through cutscenes and voice acting enhances the overall impact, making it a memorable experience that resonates on a personal level.

    • “The story is sad, heartwarming, and powerful.”
    • “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.”
    • “Mind-bending puzzles, a touching narrative, and fantastic voice acting make for a very moving game.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Players generally find the game to have high replayability, especially after recent updates that improved checkpoint systems, making it more accessible and enjoyable. However, some express frustration with the lack of feedback on item acquisition, which can detract from the fun of replaying levels.

    • “The game offers high replayability, keeping players engaged for hours.”
    • “Since the update that increased checkpoints, the game feels much more playable and accessible.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and often frustrating, with some likening it to a loss of dignity as they repetitively press buttons in a monotonous manner. While it may serve as a fine motor skill exercise, many feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised, characterized by beautiful hand-painted visuals that create a stunning and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the deep and engaging story as a key element that enhances the overall ambiance.

    • “Where it really shines though is in atmosphere.”
    • “In between is a really great game with beautiful hand-painted visuals, a stunning atmosphere, and a deep and engaging story.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized for being plagued by bugs and frustrating platforming mechanics, including erratic spikes and a lack of checkpoints, which detracts from the overall experience despite its strong art and music.

    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy In Between

Videos

Similar Games