The Inner Friend

63%
Game Brain Score Based on 32 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
The Inner Friend Game Cover
Traversing a terrifying, multi-dimensional modern art exhibit for 2 hours can get tedious, but it never stops piquing your curiosity.
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"The Inner Friend" is a third-person psychological horror adventure game that explores the player's subconscious mind. The game features various levels, each representing different fears and insecurities. Players must navigate through surreal landscapes, solve puzzles, and confront their inner demons to overcome their fears. The game has a unique art style and uses atmospheric sound design to create an immersive and intense experience.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

63%
Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews
story7 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • It offers a unique and thought-provoking narrative that explores childhood fears and traumas.
  • The puzzles are engaging and the environments are creatively designed, providing a surreal and immersive atmosphere.
  • The game is quite short, typically lasting around 2 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • The story can be overly abstract and difficult to follow, leaving some players feeling unsatisfied.
  • Gameplay can feel limited, with some players describing it as more of a walking simulator with minimal interaction.
  • story16 mentions

    The story of the game is described as abstract and deep, often requiring players to seek hidden endings or collectibles to fully understand the plot. While it effectively explores themes of fear and imagination through its unique gameplay and atmospheric elements, some reviewers found it lacking in coherence and clarity. Overall, the narrative is appreciated for its emotional depth and artistic presentation, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its abstract nature.

    • “Glad I checked this game out, and if you like surreal story-based games, this is a great pickup.”
    • “This game is pretty spooky for no jumpscares and has a very deep story hidden within the unique gameplay and puzzles.”
    • “It is not the longest game in its genre, sure, but it tells a story of someone facing their fears that seemed too great to face when they were younger.”
    • “The secret/hidden ending seems to explain 90% of the plot in about 2 minutes, so anyone who finished the game without collecting all collectibles will want to track down the video of that to actually piece together what happened...more or less.”
    • “The story is too abstract for my liking but the gameplay holds it up.”
    • “It doesn't need to serve much more than to progress the story.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their high quality and aesthetic appeal, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful character designs and unique level layouts. Players appreciate how the visuals complement the storytelling and contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, making the game enjoyable and visually engaging.

    • “It was very enjoyable and the graphics are great!”
    • “I would recommend this game on the strength of the setting and aesthetic.”
    • “Visuals and audio are high quality and also incredibly interesting in how they help tell each particular story.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple yet effective, though some players find it lacking depth and coherence, with criticisms aimed at its abstract story and minimal content. While it features some clever concepts, many feel it falls short in delivering a compelling experience, often resembling a walking simulator with limited engagement for the price. Overall, the gameplay leaves room for improvement, particularly in controls and puzzle design.

    • “The story is too abstract for my liking, but the gameplay holds it up.”
    • “In short: the gameplay is simple but effective.”
    • “No gameplay at all, huge level with nothing in it.”
    • “It is a walking simulator for $16.99 and not even 2 hours of gameplay.”
    • “Feels a little rough around the edges at parts, and the gameplay (controls, puzzles, and chase sequences) leaves a bit to be desired; however, I don't think that's really what you play this for.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting its solid quality and ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere. The soundtrack is described as lovely and effectively complements the game's graphics and character designs, contributing to a rich and immersive experience. Overall, it receives top marks for its impact on the gameplay.

    • “The environment is interesting, the soundtrack is solid, and the story is great.”
    • “Lovely music and graphics.”
    • “Story moods beautifully invoked by graphics and music.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere is praised for its strong visual experience and tone, effectively aligning with the game's subject matter. However, some users feel that the addition of risk in puzzles and encounters is necessary to fully realize the eerie and unsettling ambiance that the design suggests.

    • “A great visual experience with a strong tone and atmosphere.”
    • “The inner friend was in much need of adding risk to its puzzles and encounters if it hoped to create the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of which its subject matter and visual design are more than capable.”
    • “The inner friend was in much need of adding risk to its puzzles and encounters, if it hoped to create the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of which its subject matter and visual design are more than capable.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its unique and thought-provoking narrative, which resonates deeply with players, evoking a range of feelings from oddity to profound touch. Overall, it leaves a lasting impression that many players find deeply enjoyable.

    • “It's weird, it's odd, it's thought-provoking, it's touching, and I absolutely loved it.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, users report that optimization is not a concern, with performance consistently meeting expectations.

    • “Performance hasn't been an issue either.”
    • “The game runs smoothly on various hardware configurations.”
    • “I appreciate how well-optimized the gameplay is for both high-end and low-end systems.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of traversing the game's multi-dimensional art exhibit to be somewhat tedious over extended periods, yet it maintains a sense of curiosity that keeps them engaged.

  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers praise the character development for its strong integration with the game's graphics and music, which effectively evoke different story moods. The character designs are noted for their quality and uniqueness, contributing to a rich and varied gameplay experience.

    • “The story moods are beautifully invoked by the graphics and music, and the character designs are well done.”
    • “The character development is rich and engaging, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
    • “The variety in character arcs adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to connect with each character on a personal level.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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