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In Between

What will you reflect upon when the final moments draw near?
77%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
83% User Score Based on 432 reviews
Critic Score 72%Based on 10 reviews

Platforms

iPadiPadiPhiPhoneMOMac OSPCPCPhoPhoneP4Playstation 4SDSteam DeckWinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SAndAndroidLinLinuxMPMobile PlatformPlaPlayStationTabTabletXboxXbox
Buy Nowfrom $0.60
Buy NowGet on Steam$11.99

About

"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.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
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

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 442 reviews
story125 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • In Between features a unique and emotionally engaging story that explores the five stages of grief, making it a compelling experience.
  • The game has beautiful hand-drawn visuals and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall atmosphere.
  • Puzzles are well-designed and challenging, requiring players to think critically and adapt to new mechanics introduced in each chapter.
  • The game can be frustratingly difficult at times, with some levels requiring pixel-perfect precision and lacking sufficient checkpoints.
  • The introduction of time-sensitive mechanics, such as the encroaching darkness, can detract from the puzzle-solving experience and lead to unnecessary deaths.
  • Some players may find the controls to be clunky or unresponsive, which can hinder the gameplay experience.
  • story
    407 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "In Between" is a poignant exploration of a dying man's journey through the stages of grief, intertwined with challenging puzzle-platformer mechanics. Players find the narrative both emotional and engaging, often highlighting its depth and the effective integration of gameplay with storytelling elements. While some critiques mention frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the heartfelt narrative and artistic presentation make it a compelling experience worth exploring.

    • “In between life and death, a story unfolds that may seem cliché at first glance, but is expressed in a compelling and intense manner.”
    • “The story is very emotional and expertly delivered by a narrator during cutscenes and in-game sections.”
    • “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.”
    • “Wish I could have experienced the story, but the time limit mechanic introduced right after the tutorial turned me away.”
    • “Even the story execution is flawed.”
    • “The storyline is lost under overly pointless and frustrating control systems.”
  • gameplay
    252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "In Between" features intuitive mechanics that evolve throughout the game, integrating gravity manipulation and unique challenges that reflect the stages of grief. While many players appreciate the fresh and engaging puzzles, some find certain mechanics, particularly the timed elements, frustrating and poorly executed, leading to a mixed reception overall. The game is praised for its emotional storytelling and beautiful art, but the gameplay can be inconsistent, with some levels feeling tedious or overly challenging.

    • “The gameplay was crafted to give the player autonomy in the narrative that was the focus.”
    • “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.”
    • “In between is a story-driven puzzle platformer with gravity rotation mechanics that has the makings of a new classic.”
    • “The gameplay itself could be better and will cause more frustration than what it's worth.”
    • “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
    110 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 reviewers praising its integration with the visuals and gameplay. While some found parts of the soundtrack to be less memorable or repetitive, the majority highlighted its beauty and suitability to the game's themes, making it a standout feature. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to a relaxing and 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.”
    • “Finally, the music is absolutely magnificent.”
    • “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
    106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful hand-drawn art style, which enhances the emotional storytelling and immersive atmosphere. While many reviewers highlight the impressive visuals and attention to detail, some note that certain aspects, such as hitbox alignment and overall polish, can feel outdated or rough around the edges. Overall, the aesthetic appeal significantly contributes to the game's charm and narrative depth.

    • “The graphics are very impressive with a distinct art style that aids in conveying emotion and messages.”
    • “Great puzzle game with a heart-touching story and beautiful visuals with incredible gameplay.”
    • “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.”
    • “- The hitboxes of spikes are not flush with their graphics (especially to the sides), which combined with the aforementioned janky character hitbox just makes you take needless deaths.”
    • “The hand-drawn visuals are rather muddy and can look a little unprofessional.”
  • emotional
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its deeply emotional storytelling, which effectively intertwines with its gameplay mechanics, particularly through puzzles that reflect the narrator's journey through grief. Players find the narrative to be both touching and cathartic, often leading to profound emotional responses, including tears. The combination of beautiful visuals, a compelling soundtrack, and excellent voice acting enhances the overall emotional experience, making it a memorable and impactful game.

    • “The game keeps things interesting through its 4-hour runtime by modifying the puzzles to match the emotional state the narrator is in during his journey through grief.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its stunning visuals, captivating music, and immersive storytelling, creating a deeply engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the artistic beauty and atmospheric sounds that enhance the overall theme, making it a standout feature despite concerns about the game's runtime and price. Overall, the combination of great art, narrative, and sound design contributes to a relaxing yet exciting ambiance that draws players in.

    • “The atmosphere is just stunning.”
    • “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.”
    • “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
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players 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, with some noting that the time constraints exacerbate the grind. While some appreciate the challenge, the general consensus leans towards grinding being an unenjoyable and dignity-sapping endeavor.

    • “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
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players generally report high replayability, particularly after recent updates that improved checkpoint systems, making the game more accessible and enjoyable. However, some frustrations arise when players are not informed about their achievements, which can detract from the overall replay experience.

    • “Since the update that increased checkpoints, the game feels much more playable and accessible.”
    • “Replayability: 8”
    • “+ high replayability”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report it being largely bug-free, others have experienced significant glitches and frustrating gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. The combination of challenging platforming and occasional technical issues has led to feelings of frustration among users.

    • “Pretty much bug-free (though the devs stated they found a few little ones).”
    • “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
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally praised for its smooth performance throughout, contributing to an immersive experience. However, some users feel that the gravely narration style occasionally detracts 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
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing reactions of players, particularly during moments of frustration, making it an entertaining experience for both players and viewers, such as in Let's Play videos. The game's design allows for engaging gameplay without the need for constant commentary, enhancing the comedic value of player interactions.

    • “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.”

72%Critics’ scoreBased on 10 critic reviews

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