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 sweet, making it a quick play that can be enjoyed in a single sitting.
- The game is very short, typically taking only 30 to 60 minutes to complete, which many players feel does not justify the price.
- There are significant technical issues, such as uncustomizable controls and a lack of resolution options, which detract from the gameplay experience.
- The story is considered lackluster and cliché, leaving players unsatisfied with the narrative conclusion.
- gameplay26 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its short duration, typically around 30 to 60 minutes, featuring decent puzzle mechanics and simple yet effective game design. While the mechanics are not particularly original, they are well-utilized and provide a fun experience without overstaying their welcome. However, some players feel that the level design and narrative could be improved, suggesting that the game would benefit from additional mechanics and a longer playtime.
“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.”
“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 narrative is shallow and uninteresting, with a twist ending visible from the first minute of gameplay.”
“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.”
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The story has been described as clichéd and lacking depth, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in its execution and conclusion, particularly for a story-driven game. While some found it enjoyable and appreciated the added content, the overall sentiment leans towards a lackluster narrative that fails to leave a lasting impression. The moral themes present are noted, but they do not significantly elevate the story's impact.
“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.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic retro pixel art style reminiscent of old-school NES games, which some players appreciate for its charm and aesthetic. However, the lack of resolution options and modern graphical tweaks has drawn criticism, as it feels more suited to console limitations than contemporary PC standards. Overall, while the art style is loved by many, it may not appeal to those seeking cutting-edge visuals.
“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 clunkier than needed control scheme to the less than cutting-edge graphics.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally appreciated for its retro style and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many players finding it relaxing and enjoyable. However, some reviews note that while the soundtrack is simple and effective, it can also be considered mediocre compared to the overall gameplay experience. Fans of 90s-style games and 16-bit aesthetics are likely to appreciate the musical backdrop.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong and creepy atmosphere, which is enhanced by a dark ambience and an effective, albeit simple, soundtrack. Reviewers highlight that the atmosphere significantly contributes to the overall narrative, making the player's situation intriguing and engaging.
“Primarily, this game's strength is its strong atmosphere and fairly interesting narrative.”
“A creepy atmosphere.”
“The dark ambience and atmosphere really contribute to the game.”
“Soundtrack is simple but effective in contributing to the atmosphere.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of games developed with Gamemaker Studio, particularly "The Inner Darkness," is criticized for being exploitative, with a price point of around $5 deemed unrealistic given the game's defects and the availability of superior free alternatives on platforms like Steam. Users express frustration over the prevalence of low-quality, retro-style games that appear to prioritize profit over quality.
“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.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently find the game to be humorous, highlighting its comedic elements as a standout feature. The humor resonates well, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
- stability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % 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.”
