INSIDE

Inside is a masterclass in minimalist design. Enthralling and enjoyable.

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Inside is a puzzle-platformer adventure game where you control a boy in a dystopian world. The boy must escape from the clutches of a mysterious organization, solve challenging puzzles, and avoid detection while uncovering the dark secrets of this eerie world. With atmospheric visuals and suspenseful gameplay, Inside is a captivating and immersive gaming experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 23,665 reviews

story2,147 positive mentions

replayability83 negative mentions

story
6,303 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Inside" is characterized by its minimalist and ambiguous narrative, conveyed entirely through environmental storytelling without any dialogue or text. Players find themselves immersed in a dark, dystopian world where they must piece together the plot through visual cues and subtle details, leading to various interpretations and theories about the protagonist's journey and the overarching themes of control and conformity. While some players appreciate the depth and intrigue of this storytelling approach, others find the lack of clarity and resolution frustrating, resulting in a mixed reception regarding the game's narrative coherence.
- “Inside is a masterclass in visual storytelling, perfectly combining its unsettling, dark mood with an immersive sound design.”
- “The story unfolds in a compelling way, without a single line of dialogue.”
- “Inside tells a captivating story without using a single word of dialogue.”
- “The story is thoroughly confusing.”
- “I had to watch a video to understand the story.”
- “The game and story is actually quite short but since the developers wanted to give us a better perspective of the world, there are many moments that have us walking for longer than is really needed simply to show us a larger view of what is happening around us.”
atmosphere
4,230 mentions
68 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Inside" is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and mystery throughout the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the game's stunning visuals, minimalistic sound design, and the ability to convey a compelling narrative without dialogue, all contributing to a deeply atmospheric experience. Many players find the combination of eerie environments and clever puzzles to be captivating, making it a standout title in the atmospheric puzzle-platformer genre.
- “The atmosphere and the ambience of this game is fantastic.”
- “The enigmatic feeling was beautifully captured by the amazing atmosphere.”
- “What really shines is the atmosphere: it’s haunting, mysterious, and eerily beautiful, with an art style and soundscape that make every step feel intense.”
- “The atmosphere is dark, eerie, and brooding.”
- “The suffocating atmosphere makes you feel uneasy, like there is something dangerous lingering around every corner.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with solitude, yet it never feels empty.”
gameplay
3,409 mentions
37 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Inside" has been widely praised for its smooth mechanics, intuitive controls, and engaging puzzle design, which effectively blend with the game's atmospheric storytelling. Many players appreciate the game's ability to introduce new mechanics throughout the experience, keeping the gameplay fresh and compelling, despite its relatively short duration of around 3-5 hours. However, some critiques highlight that the gameplay can feel simplistic or repetitive at times, and the overall experience may not justify the price for those seeking more complex or lengthy gameplay.
- “What an amazing game, filled with unique puzzles and gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and intuitive, with puzzles that are challenging yet fair.”
- “Inside is a triumph of atmospheric gameplay, offering a richly crafted world that draws players in and refuses to let go.”
- “The gameplay is boring, it lacks tension, and the puzzles are just bad.”
- “The gameplay is minimal even for a sidescrolling puzzle-platformer, with overly easy puzzles and gameplay entirely replicating limbo.”
- “The gameplay is very simple platformer, there are some really interesting puzzles that may have you thinking for a while, but never pulling your hair out.”
graphics
3,353 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Inside" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning, minimalist aesthetic that effectively conveys a haunting atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the game's use of lighting, color contrasts, and fluid animations, which enhance the emotional impact of the gameplay and storytelling. The visuals are often described as breathtaking and artistically crafted, making the game a standout experience in the indie gaming landscape.
- “The visuals are really satisfying to look at with the amazing and fluid animation and sound effects.”
- “It is a game of visuals through and through and it does so with grace and attention to detail.”
- “The graphic art is breathtaking, perfectly matching the game's dark theme, and the game's atmosphere stands out as truly exceptional.”
- “The graphics are simple yet have depth and help sell the environment.”
- “The graphics, while stark, are expertly crafted with beautiful effects.”
- “The graphics are simplistic but very beautiful.”
music
1,153 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized by its minimalist and atmospheric approach, often enhancing the eerie and immersive experience without overwhelming the player. While some players appreciate the sparse use of music, which allows for a focus on environmental sounds and tension, others express a desire for a more robust soundtrack to complement the gameplay. Overall, the sound design, including the haunting ambient music, is praised for effectively contributing to the game's unsettling atmosphere and emotional depth.
- “Pair that with the hauntingly subtle soundtrack, and you have an experience that is equal parts beautiful and terrifying.”
- “The atmospheric sounds and haunting music created an immersive experience that sent shivers down my spine.”
- “The music is phenomenal, and really added to the game's many memorable moments.”
- “The music is very bad, but the sound effects are good.”
- “The music (and lack of it in some scenes) is great, emphasizing the sense of urgency and fear when required in a great way.”
- “The game features almost no music, only offering a few brief moments of sound.”
replayability
344 mentions
16 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits low replayability, with most players noting that it can be completed in a short duration of around 3-4 hours. While some hidden collectibles and achievements offer minimal incentive for replay, many reviewers feel that once the main story is completed, there is little reason to return. The experience is often described as enjoyable for a single playthrough, but the lack of depth and challenge limits its long-term engagement.
- “The atmosphere is eerie as always and a bit of replay value with an alternate ending.”
- “Plus, the replayability factor with hidden secrets and alternate paths adds extra value and extends the enjoyment.”
- “The game has very minor replayability, but it doesn't need it.”
- “The game is short, about 3 hours, and has little replay value.”
- “Zero replay value; once you finish the game, there is nothing to make you play again.”
- “The only real issue with this game is the lack of replayability; other than that, it is well worth its price.”
emotional
235 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Inside" is widely praised for its profound impact, with players describing it as a haunting and evocative experience that elicits a range of feelings from anxiety to deep sadness. The game's minimalist storytelling, conveyed through visuals and sound design rather than dialogue, allows for a personal and introspective journey that resonates long after completion. While some critiques mention a lack of emotional engagement at times, the overall consensus highlights its ability to provoke thought and evoke strong emotional responses, making it a standout title in the genre.
- “The developers have crafted an experience that is mentally challenging and emotionally impactful.”
- “Inside is more than a game; it's a journey, an emotional rollercoaster that leaves you thinking long after you've finished playing.”
- “The hauntingly beautiful sound design, accompanied by the sparse yet impactful musical score, amplifies the emotional resonance, ensuring that every moment – be it suspenseful or poignant – lingers in the mind long after the game is turned off.”
- “Lastly, the ending was awful; I found no conclusion to the boring story.”
grinding
171 mentions
2 % positive mentions
12 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the simplistic and often mind-numbing puzzles that require excessive backtracking or trial-and-error. While some moments are praised for their cleverness, the overall sentiment is that the gameplay becomes a slog, detracting from the otherwise engaging atmosphere and story. Many reviewers suggest that the game would benefit from a more streamlined approach to its puzzles to avoid the feeling of grinding.
- “There are some moments of jank, but it didn't have the tediousness that came with limbo.”
- “Some people are complaining that it's too short, but it's no repetition, no grinding, and no filler.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Immeasurably boring and the puzzles aren't even puzzles, just tedious time wasters to pad time that even a middle schooler could understand.”
- “The gameplay started to feel tedious almost immediately and that carried throughout the rest of the game.”
- “An intriguing world and artistic style that is ruined by bad gameplay and puzzle solutions that are way too tedious.”
humor
168 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, absurd, and unexpected moments that often elicit laughter amidst its eerie atmosphere. Players frequently mention the game's ability to juxtapose grotesque scenarios with comedic elements, particularly in the final act, which is described as both hilarious and cathartic. Overall, the humor is seen as a unique aspect that enhances the game's unsettling yet engaging experience.
- “Really fun to play in an eerie environment, full of little sprinkles of dark humor.”
- “The end of the game is ridiculously funny and fascinating.”
- “I find this game disturbingly funny.”
optimization
59 mentions
51 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance across a range of hardware, including low-end systems. While some players experienced occasional frame rate drops or minor glitches, these issues were generally infrequent and did not significantly detract from the gameplay experience. The game is noted for its excellent graphics and performance, maintaining high frame rates even under demanding conditions.
- “The game is very well optimized and runs beautifully; graphics are on point even though most AAA games use more sophisticated engines.”
- “Performance-wise, the game runs pretty perfectly; I never saw it drop lower than 55 fps in-game on my GTX 860m at 'max' settings 1080p.”
- “Great atmosphere, great graphics, great pacing, great performance.”
- “While generally well-optimized, I encountered occasional technical issues such as frame rate drops or minor glitches, which can momentarily disrupt immersion.”
- “In terms of performance, the game chugged and even crashed a few times during a sequence in which you have to lug a large number of NPCs behind you (18 of them, if I recall).”
- “Though if you run into performance issues, there is not much to do about it in-game.”
stability
37 mentions
35 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
54 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth gameplay and minimal glitches or bugs across various platforms, including Steam Deck and Linux. However, some users have experienced occasional technical issues, such as graphical glitches on specific systems like macOS and minor frame rate drops. Despite these isolated incidents, the majority of players found the game well-optimized and free from significant disruptions.
- “Optimisation is good; in my gameplay, I faced no glitches or bugs.”
- “Game runs great with no problems whatsoever.”
- “There were no glitches; the animations and graphics were smooth, and it was incredibly immersive.”
- “I sadly can't play the game on macOS 15.1 on a MacBook Pro with M1 Pro as I have really annoying graphical glitches in-game.”
- “There are a couple of annoying graphical glitches like VSync tearing and incorrect resolution setting.”
- “Except that every time I play, about 15 minutes in, the game freezes, forcing me to shut it down and restart it.”
character development
12 mentions
33 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely absent, with many reviewers noting that the lack of growth or depth in characters detracts from the overall experience, despite the game's stunning visuals and design. While the aesthetic elements are praised for their beauty and detail, they do not compensate for the minimal narrative progression or character arcs. Overall, the game relies heavily on its artistic presentation rather than character development to engage players.
- “Love the simplicity of the character design paired with the complex scenic design.”
- “Roughly 3 hours of engrossing gameplay that progresses at a perfect pace while mesmerizing you with its beautiful art style, nuanced physics, and painstakingly detailed character design and movement.”
- “Every element, from the gameplay, to the level design, to the character design, to the soundtrack has been so beautifully crafted that it reaches far beyond that description.”
- “If there was some actual character development here, it would have excused the boring platforming and puzzles.”
- “In Limbo, you explored a new dark, cruel world and even though there was no character development, the world carried the weight of the game.”
- “Inside lacks a lot of the artistic nuance of Limbo, with a character design that lacks the mesmerizing eeriness of Limbo’s.”
monetization
8 mentions
13 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and DLCs, contrasting it with prevalent trends in the industry. Some mention the presence of in-game purchases, but overall, the game's approach to monetization is seen as refreshing and beneficial, particularly in comparison to more aggressive models.
- “☐ microtransactions for a good cause”
- “The ending makes more sense than EA's microtransactions...”
- “It's like the perfect counterpoint to the big trends in games today (huge time sinks, gross monetization, violence for violence's sake, etc.) I'd recommend this to anyone!”
- “Also, no microtransactions or DLCs.”