The Inner Darkness
- February 24, 2017
- Nauris Amatnieks
- 3h median play time
An amazing example of what just one dev can do. A solid 2D pixel puzzle platformer, and worth an hour of your time, even if the writing is a little difficult to bear.
Get on Steam"The Inner Darkness" is a psychological horror adventure game that challenges players to escape a surreal, nightmarish world. As the game's unnamed protagonist, you must delve deep into your own psyche to confront your inner demons and uncover the truth about your past. With its atmospheric setting and thought-provoking narrative, this game is a must-play for fans of the horror genre.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features nice pixel art and a strong atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- It has simple but decent game mechanics, with a few clever puzzles that provide a sense of challenge.
- The game is short and can be completed in about 30 to 60 minutes, making it a quick and enjoyable play.
- The game is very short, with many reviews suggesting it feels more like a demo than a full game, leading to concerns about its value at the current price.
- There are significant issues with controls, including the inability to remap them, which can hinder the experience for some players.
- The story is often described as cliché and lacking depth, leaving players unsatisfied with the narrative conclusion.
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its short duration, typically around 30 to 60 minutes, and features decent puzzle mechanics that effectively utilize limited gameplay elements without overstaying their welcome. While the mechanics are simple and enjoyable, some players feel that the level design and narrative could be improved, suggesting that the game could benefit from additional content and complexity. Overall, it offers a fun experience for those not seeking extensive playtime, though it may not be the most original or engaging in terms of story.
“It really uses as much of its limited mechanics as it can without ever really overstaying its welcome (as you can see, the whole thing took only slightly more than an hour to beat, playing suboptimally).”
“Nice game design, challenging gameplay.”
“It's short and sweet, good gameplay, puzzles and controls took me about 40 minutes to complete and I loved about every second of it.”
“It's a fun idea, not the most original, but relatively it's an underused gameplay mechanic.”
“Of the games I've played -- there was a caveman, moustache mountain, this -- they've all been beautiful platformers, with solid, fun gameplay held back by mediocre level design, throwaway writing, and abysmal music.”
“Maybe if it was twice as long (as in, an hour or two compared to 30 - 40 mins), maybe if it had a couple more mechanics, maybe if the developer did more with the theme, but in its current state, I just can't suggest picking it up.”
- story11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story has been described as clichéd and lacking depth, with many reviewers feeling unsatisfied by its execution and conclusion. While some elements are appreciated, such as the moral lessons and new content in updated versions, the overall narrative is considered short and lackluster, failing to meet expectations for a story-driven game.
“Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“Interesting puzzles, platforming, and story; however, it is very short.”
“Due to playing the older game jam version, I already knew the ending when I started playing this version; however, I still found it quite enjoyable, as there is a nice amount of new content added, action and puzzle, and the story is fleshed out even better.”
“There's not much of a story or any horror elements really.”
“It's not a bad story per se, but for a story-driven game, my expectations were cut and I was left fundamentally unsatisfied with the conclusion of the whole experience.”
“The story felt lackluster, and I probably won't play through it again any time soon.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a retro pixel art style reminiscent of old-school NES games, which some players appreciate for its charm and nostalgia. However, others criticize the lack of resolution options and modern graphical tweaks, noting that it feels more like a console game with outdated visuals. Overall, while the art style is loved by many, it may not appeal to those seeking contemporary graphics.
“Very fun game with a nice retro art style and soundtrack.”
“I love old school NES style graphics and the game looks great.”
“A very lovely game with great concept and artwork.”
“A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel art as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
“There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
“While this is on PC, it has all the hallmarks and deficiencies of a console game, from the clunky control scheme to the less than cutting-edge graphics.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its calming and retro vibe that complements the gameplay. While some reviews note that the soundtrack is simple, it effectively enhances the game's atmosphere, making it enjoyable for fans of 16-bit style games. However, a few critiques mention that the music can be mediocre compared to other aspects of the game.
“Very fun game with a nice retro art style and soundtrack.”
“I recommend the game for fans of games in the style of 90s calm games with good music in the background, so if you like 16-bit games, this is for you.”
“Soundtrack is simple but effective in contributing to the atmosphere.”
“Of the games I've played -- there was a caveman, Moustache Mountain, this -- they've all been beautiful platformers, with solid, fun gameplay held back by mediocre level design, throwaway writing, and abysmal music.”
“The soundtrack is simple but effective in contributing to the atmosphere.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong and creepy atmosphere, which is enhanced by a dark ambience and an effective soundtrack. Reviewers highlight that the atmospheric elements significantly contribute to the overall intrigue of the narrative and the player's experience.
“Primarily, this game's strength is its strong atmosphere and fairly interesting narrative.”
“Soundtrack is simple but effective in contributing to the atmosphere.”
“A creepy atmosphere.”
“The dark ambience and atmosphere really contribute to the game.”
“The soundtrack is simple but effective in contributing to the atmosphere.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that monetization in games developed with Gamemaker Studio often leans towards cash grabs, with titles like "The Inner Darkness" criticized for their unrealistic pricing relative to their quality. Many users feel that the cost does not justify the defects present, especially when free, higher-quality alternatives are readily available on platforms like Steam.
“The inner darkness has the completely unrealistic cash grab price of around $5 USD. It's not worth it given the defects and shortcomings with the product, especially considering the sheer number of completely free, much higher quality games on Steam.”
“Gamemaker Studio is most commonly used to make retro pixel shovelware and cash grabs.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be genuinely funny, highlighting its effective use of humor throughout the gameplay. The comedic elements contribute positively to the overall experience, making it an enjoyable and entertaining title.
“This game had me laughing out loud with its clever jokes and witty dialogue!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, blending absurdity with sharp satire.”
“I love how the game uses humor to enhance the storytelling; it keeps things light and entertaining!”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates strong stability, with well-polished controls and no reported glitches during gameplay.
“The game's controls are well-polished, and I came across no glitches while playing.”
“The performance is consistently smooth, making for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the game runs; I haven't experienced any crashes or major issues.”
