The Beast Inside

About

The Beast Inside is a single player role playing game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by Illusion Ray and was released on November 29, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

The Beast Inside is a gripping new twist on thriller and survival horror genres, telling a multi-layered story about cryptanalyst discovering a hundred-year-old murder-mystery that not only remains unresolved, but also puts his very life at risk.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+10

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77%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,232 reviews

story1.3k positive mentions

optimization54 negative mentions

Engaging storyline with multiple endings that keeps players invested.
Atmospheric graphics and sound design that enhance the horror experience.
Challenging puzzles that require logical thinking and add depth to the gameplay.

Frequent crashes and performance issues, especially on modern hardware.
Overreliance on cheap jump scares that detract from the overall tension.
Lack of chapter selection and save options, forcing players to replay the entire game for different endings.

story
2,820 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
50%
5%
The story of "The Beast Inside" features a dual-timeline narrative that intertwines the experiences of two protagonists from different eras, creating a unique blend of psychological horror and historical intrigue. While many players found the initial premise engaging, opinions diverged as the plot progressed, with some criticizing it for becoming convoluted and predictable, leading to a lack of coherence and immersion. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its atmospheric storytelling, character development, and the emotional depth of its narrative, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven horror games.
- “From heart-stopping jump scares to a gripping story that spans two timelines, it keeps you engaged from start to finish.”
- “The story weaves together a historical mystery with a personal struggle, keeping you hooked from start to finish.”
- “This game masterfully blends psychological tension with immersive storytelling, creating an atmosphere that’s both eerie and enthralling.”
- “The story wastes a lot of potential; it starts super interesting but gets weirder and weirder the longer you play.”
- “Furthermore, the past timeline story in particular is totally overloaded; it starts off interesting in the first chapter but turns into an absolute clusterf*ck only moments later, which completely kills the subtle horror atmosphere at the expense of a wannabe first-person shooter running sequence, followed by an overloaded boss fight that appears way too intense for being such an early part of the storyline.”
- “The story is predictable; don't expect Shakespeare here.”
gameplay
1,076 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The gameplay of "The Beast Inside" is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival horror elements that can be engaging but often feels repetitive and clunky. While some mechanics, like the quantum localizer, offer unique experiences, many players find the gameplay tedious, with frustrating stealth sections and inconsistent AI. Overall, the game presents a variety of mechanics that can keep players interested, but the execution often detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of disconnection between the narrative and gameplay.
- “The gameplay mixes exploration with puzzles and survival elements, so you’ll need to keep your wits about you.”
- “It combines a compelling story, impressive visuals, and engaging gameplay into a memorable experience.”
- “The gameplay in The Beast Inside successfully combines exploration, puzzle-solving, and stealth elements to create a multi-layered experience.”
- “The gameplay is one of the most awful things I ever tried; maybe the plot is good, but I can't continue the game like this. It is not even terror, just jumpscares. I am getting sleepy; this game is so slow.”
- “The gameplay is just really mundane.”
- “The worst mechanic is having to hide and sneak around and not be seen or... bam dead!”
graphics
728 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The graphics of "The Beast Inside" have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the stunning visuals and atmospheric environments that enhance the horror experience. While some noted that the character models and animations could be improved, the overall graphical quality, particularly in outdoor settings, is often described as impressive for an indie title. However, a few reviews pointed out performance issues and inconsistencies in graphical fidelity, suggesting that while the game excels in many areas, it may not fully meet the expectations set by its promotional materials.
- “It's a mix of horror and mystery with a sprinkle of history, all wrapped in gorgeous graphics.”
- “The graphics and sound design are impressive, creating a truly immersive experience as you explore dark environments and unravel the story.”
- “The level of graphic detail is gorgeous, the story is intriguing and leaves me wanting to know more.”
- “The graphics are also not very good; you have to rely on anti-aliasing so the game doesn't look pixelated.”
- “Its a little janky, it often looks dated from a graphics perspective, and at times the gameplay doesn't feel great.”
- “Capping it off, the graphics are very poor, even for an indie developer, considering this game came out recently.”
atmosphere
566 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The atmosphere in "The Beast Inside" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and immersive design, effectively creating a chilling and unsettling experience that enhances the psychological horror elements. While the game features stunning environments and strong sound design, some players feel that the reliance on jump scares can detract from the overall tension and atmosphere. Overall, it is considered a standout title for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling in horror games.
- “Atmosphere is terrifyingly beautiful: the game's environments are a masterclass in how to make your skin crawl.”
- “This game masterfully blends psychological tension with immersive storytelling, creating an atmosphere that’s both eerie and enthralling.”
- “The detailed environments and realistic character models create a hauntingly beautiful world that enhances the game’s unsettling atmosphere.”
- “This completely obliterates the atmosphere that is otherwise made by the gameplay, story and environment design.”
- “The game won't get any of that out of you, unless you are excited about a prospect of cheap jump scares at every corner of the game, because that's honestly the only 'horror' being provided; if you are looking into a real horror experience, look somewhere else.”
- “However, it's got a lot of rough edges that really bite into the game's horror setting atmosphere.”
music
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
48%
1%
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere and building tension, with many reviewers noting its effectiveness during key moments and chase scenes. While some found the soundtrack to be repetitive or lacking in memorable tracks, others appreciated its ability to create a spooky ambiance and heighten suspense. Overall, the sound design, including both music and sound effects, is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the horror experience.
- “The atmospheric sounds and eerie music perfectly complement the game's spooky atmosphere.”
- “The haunting soundtrack complements the game's theme and tone, immersing players further into the chilling world.”
- “The tension, the music, the ambience, it's legitimately perfect.”
- “I can hear the sound effects in the menu, and some music on the main menu, but during actual gameplay - absolute silence.”
- “I hoped it would be a real bone-chilling horror game, but in reality, it mostly consists of cheap jump scares... by jump scare I mean sudden bursts of loud music... I basically miss 2/3 of the jump scares because the game does not take into consideration which direction you are facing... so the music is all you get...”
- “The soundtrack only plays during big events or cutscenes, and a lot of the game is silent.”
optimization
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
46%
36%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and inconsistent performance across different hardware setups. While some users experienced smooth gameplay, particularly on high-end machines, others found the optimization lacking, especially in certain chapters, leading to frustration and a diminished gaming experience. Overall, the consensus indicates that while the game is playable, it suffers from notable optimization flaws that detract from its potential.
- “Runs very smoothly at highest settings, ya gotta love a well optimized game.”
- “The beast inside is one of my personal favorites this year due to its atmosphere, smooth gameplay and overall good performance.”
- “Graphics are amazing and the game runs smoothly.”
- “Shitty controls, poor optimization, definitely one of the worst horror games I've played.”
- “Worst optimization ever, it stutters so much it makes the game unenjoyable.”
- “The game needs huge optimization; there are lots of FPS drops and performance problems.”
stability
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
97%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and immersion. While some users noted that they experienced minimal issues, others encountered game-breaking bugs and frequent freezes, particularly in later chapters. Overall, the game is considered too unstable for a full recommendation until significant updates are made to address these issues.
- “The game runs smoothly without any bugs or crashes.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game is; it never feels broken or unpolished.”
- “It's refreshing to play a game that is so well-optimized and free of glitches.”
- “Was enjoying it until I ran into a game-breaking bug. It seems this bug where I get stuck in a death loop in chapter 6 was reported back in 2020 but has not been fixed, so the game is still buggy but they don't look like they will ever fix it.”
- “Glitches that force you to restart at the last checkpoint, especially during the climax of the game.”
- “But the bugs and glitches and visual lags make the game unplayable!”
grinding
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
10%
89%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. Tasks such as puzzles and stealth sections are often described as frustrating and lacking in engagement, leading to a sense of chore-like gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires excessive effort for minimal reward, making it feel unnecessarily prolonged.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The gameplay is just...tedious.”
- “You could not ask for a more immersion-destroying experience when you're thrust out of gameplay for some tedious and mind-numbing puzzle.”
- “The 'present' gameplay is tedious, boring and confusing, the only good part being the 'past' which the entire game should have been but I'm not willing to sit through the horrible parts to get to the decent ones.”
replayability
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
Overall, the game exhibits limited replayability, primarily hinging on its multiple endings, which some players find insufficient to warrant a second playthrough. Many reviews highlight the lack of meaningful choices throughout the game, leading to a repetitive experience, while others note that the absence of manual saves and chapter replayability further diminishes its replay value. While a few players appreciate the potential for a second run, the consensus leans towards it being a one-time experience, best enjoyed on sale.
- “One last thing, it comes with multiple endings, so it allows for replayability!”
- “Replayability's great considering the amount of endings...”
- “Multiple endings add to a bit of replayability and thankfully not over-complicated controls for those new to PC games or indie horror in general.”
- “The game can be finished in about 8-9 hours and I don't think there's any replayability value because the only real choices are at the end of the game, so once you choose your ending, you can just watch the rest on YouTube.”
- “The only negative I can find is that there are no manual saves and when you finish the game it deletes your save, so you will have to play the game again to get more playtime on it. In my opinion, this is a cheap way to make a game 'replayable' just to choose the different thing in the end, which is good to know what happens in the other ending, but it's not worth playing the whole game again just for a slightly different result.”
- “Given the fact that there are no decisions (up until the very end) or branching storylines throughout the game, the multiple endings just create the illusion of having replay value and artificially lengthen the gameplay time.”
humor
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
7%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players finding amusement in the absurdity of the story, annoying characters, and predictable jump scares. While some moments are genuinely funny, such as quirky enemy interactions and ridiculous scenarios, the overall execution is often criticized for being poorly done, leading to a "so-bad-it's-hilarious" experience. Despite its flaws, many players found the humor to be a redeeming quality that kept them engaged.
- “I loved the old lady Maria who kept praying to God to burn my soul... hilarious.”
- “Voice acting is a mixed bag, as I was annoyed by the main characters speaking, but there was a major enemy later in the game that was completely hilarious and had great vocal deliveries... I actually let this enemy wander around (putting myself in danger) so I could hear all its lines, so funny.”
- “This game isn't good, but it sure is hilarious.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat; it's not funny, not challenging, only annoying.”
- “The attempts at humor feel forced and often miss the mark, leaving players frustrated rather than entertained.”
- “Instead of clever jokes, the game relies on repetitive gags that quickly become tiresome.”
character development
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and relatability, with many reviewers highlighting the strong voice acting that enhances the characters' realism. However, criticisms arise regarding the character designs, which some find outdated or poorly executed, detracting from the overall experience. While the narrative is engaging and offers multiple endings, there are moments where the pacing of character development feels inconsistent, particularly towards the end of the game.
- “The voice acting and character development are top-notch, making the characters feel real and relatable.”
- “Character development: fantastic”
- “There is very little action in this game; it is literally all about story, exploration, and character development.”
- “The story is decent and definitely has an interesting ending with multiple alternate endings depending on your decisions, but I felt like it lacked so much such as character development, fighting, looting, and jumpscares, and better graphics.”
- “The character design for the wife is terrible at best, looks like a San Andreas PS2 character.”
- “The story was mostly very good with a few things that just felt gimmicky or awkward (sometimes the story development and character development really started to have a hard pause, mostly in the last third of the game).”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game effectively evokes a range of emotions, from tension and spookiness to heartfelt sadness, largely through its engaging story, strong voice acting, and a compelling soundtrack. Players appreciate the logical puzzles that offer a rewarding emotional payoff, while the narrative's exploration of inner demons adds depth. Despite some technical flaws, the blend of over-the-top elements with genuine emotional drama resonates well, leaving a lasting impact on players.
- “The voice acting performances largely contribute to bringing these characters to life, with notable highlights in capturing the emotional intensity.”
- “This game expands towards the main concept of 'fighting our inner demons' and surpasses it beyond with a great soundtrack, great characters, and an interesting story that has many twists and is very emotional.”
- “It's not perfect by any measure, but I found any jank just added to the charm, and it managed to switch from over-the-top B-movie madness with spies and ghosts to genuinely engaging tragic emotional drama.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its perceived low effort and resemblance to typical indie cash grabs, with users noting poor optimization and inadequate controller support as contributing factors to its negative reception. Overall, it is viewed as a title that fails to stand out in a crowded market of similar games.
- “Much like the plot within, the game itself is easy to overlook and dismiss; knowing nothing about it going in, it will most likely initially register as another dime-a-dozen, indie, 'boo haunted house', low-effort cash grab that litters Steam at a rate of about fifty per day.”