The Monster Inside

About

The Monster Inside is a single player action game. It was developed by x70x and was released on August 1, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

A film noir style audio-visual novella. A mysterious woman... a string of murders... and a man with a hidden past.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,421 reviews

story453 positive mentions

replayability4 negative mentions

Great atmosphere and visuals that effectively capture the noir style.
Engaging story with an unexpected twist that keeps players intrigued.
Short playtime (around 10-20 minutes) makes it a quick and enjoyable experience.

Very short, leading to a feeling of rushed storytelling and lack of depth.
Choices made during the game have little to no impact on the outcome.
Some players found the plot predictable and lacking in substance.

story
997 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
3%
The story aspect of the game is generally described as short and straightforward, often fitting within a noir detective theme. While some players appreciated the atmospheric presentation and plot twists, many found the narrative predictable and lacking depth, with limited interactivity that made it feel more like a visual novella than a game. Overall, the story is engaging for a brief experience, but many players expressed a desire for a longer, more developed narrative.
- “A short and stylish noir story told through poly visuals and moody narration.”
- “For a very short piece of interactive fiction, the monster inside packs in a well-developed story and some beautiful black and white art.”
- “I loved how the story developed and brought interesting twists.”
- “A game in which the devs decided to spoil the whole story by its title.”
- “The biggest sin though: the story is all over the place.”
- “The story is so short that breaking a few sentences into 'chapters' does not make it seem longer.”
music
334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create an immersive noir atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its haunting, jazzy quality that complements the minimalist visuals. While some noted the soundtrack's repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music significantly enhances the storytelling experience, making it a standout feature of the game. Despite the simplicity of the gameplay and story, the combination of effective sound design and aesthetic visuals leaves a lasting impression on players.
- “The music was the icing on the cake, giving the whole game a perfect vibe.”
- “The music is very well done, fitting the noir theme and style of the game perfectly.”
- “The music and the visuals help to create a mood fitting for the story.”
- “The story is shallow, the graphics bland, the music annoying.”
- “The music in the background just doesn't feel like noir; I think personally, the game could use more jazz to a greater effect.”
- “The one song soundtrack and art style are both interesting, but I am not sure I would consider this a 'game'.”
graphics
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stylish noir aesthetic, featuring a minimalist yet captivating art style that effectively complements the atmospheric music. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful black-and-white visuals and low-poly design, which create a moody and immersive experience, despite some noting the simplicity and lack of character animations. Overall, the combination of striking visuals and fitting soundtracks enhances the storytelling, making it a visually appealing experience, even if the gameplay is minimal.
- “From the moment you step into its eerie, atmospheric world, you're met with beautifully rendered visuals that expertly blend shadow and light to evoke a sense of foreboding mystery.”
- “The black and white contrast stands out and delivers a beautiful noir art style, with minimal animation that helps deliver the story and style that's presented.”
- “The graphics are pretty beautiful, and I enjoyed the storytelling, despite the occasional goofiness in the dialogue.”
- “The graphics are nearly non-existent, but what little exists serves its purpose and really fits the overall theme of this work - this is, above everything, a story, a short book that you should spend focusing on reading, not contemplating a complex art style.”
- “The story is shallow, the graphics bland, the music annoying.”
- “So with basically no gameplay to speak of, and practically no visuals to view, the only thing that could possibly make this worthwhile is the story... and it fails to deliver.”
atmosphere
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its strong noir elements, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and visually striking art style. Reviewers highlight the effective use of light and shadow to create an immersive, eerie environment that complements the storytelling. Despite some critiques regarding the brevity and predictability of the plot, the overall ambiance is described as engaging and enjoyable, making it a standout feature of the experience.
- “From the moment you step into its eerie, atmospheric world, you're met with beautifully rendered visuals that expertly blend shadow and light to evoke a sense of foreboding mystery.”
- “The writing is excellent, the music is on point, and the entire experience is dripping with atmosphere, but it's over far too quickly.”
- “What I enjoyed the most in this game was definitely the noir art style coupled with the 'old detective movie style' soundtrack, creating an appropriate and intriguing atmosphere together.”
- “The atmosphere of noir does not help.”
- “I love the art and atmosphere, but free or not, this game is too short, too devoid of anything.”
- “I agree with most of the negative reviews when they say it seemed rushed at some points, but I'm willing to overlook that because of the overall atmosphere.”
gameplay
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
82%
3%
The gameplay in this title is largely minimalistic, primarily consisting of clicking through dialogue and making simple choices, which many reviewers found lacking in depth and engagement. While some appreciated the narrative and artistic elements, the overwhelming consensus is that the game offers little in terms of traditional gameplay mechanics, making it feel more like an interactive story than a game. Overall, players expressed a desire for more substantial gameplay to enhance the experience.
- “A short graphic novel featuring low poly and neo-noir, coupled with simple and effective gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is a careful balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival mechanics.”
- “Charming, minimalistic, black and white noir-ish experience that's more interested in its settings, story, and presentation than really offering any meaningful gameplay mechanics.”
- “There is almost no gameplay except a few clicks and choosing between unimportant lines.”
- “The story and the art style are okay, but the gameplay is basically non-existent.”
- “As an actual game, there is no real gameplay.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively tedious, requiring players to invest significant time in slow-paced text and repetitive clicking. Many users feel that the experience is akin to reading a novel with frustratingly delayed progression, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging activity. Overall, the grinding is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The pacing is tediously slow and each chapter is just 'read these 7 walls of text' then 'click on these things that we have circled for you (followed by more slow text) rinse and repeat.”
- “Visual novels/e-books are tedious at best... imagine the best novel you ever read, be that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or 2001: A Space Odyssey or Twilight (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you wanted to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- “The click-through text is tediously slow, the investigations are two clicks and done, the whole thing lasts under 10 minutes.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's replayability is largely criticized, with many users noting a lack of incentive to replay due to a spoiled story and limited interactivity. While some find it easily replayable, the overall consensus suggests a low replay value, particularly for a short and free experience.
- “Easily replayable again and again.”
- “This is beautiful; I wish it was a little more interactive and had a higher replay value, but all in all, it was a great experience.”
- “This game offers no replayability due to a spoiled story.”
- “There is no replay value, but should we measure value in that sense against a product that is only ten minutes long and free to begin with?”
- “Replay value: 2/10”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Reviews indicate that the game suffers from a lack of character development, with many feeling that the story is underdeveloped and lacks depth. While some see potential for growth, particularly with specific characters like Lilly, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a disconnect that hinders immersion and engagement.
- “I feel like more evidence and suspense could have been added as the conclusion, although predictable, could have turned out quite well if they had more character development with the girl named Lilly.”
- “Some stories benefit from leaving things to mystery and letting the reader use their imagination, but this is a sorry excuse for it because it has no character development, the pacing is off, there is almost no descriptiveness to immerse oneself, coupled with the fact that the scenes laid out are visually distant and seemingly empty.”
- “It needs thicker story, more music, gameplay, and character development.”
- “It has a lot of potential for character development with the very broad genre it has taken on.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cleverly disguised advertisement for the developers' other titles, primarily targeting achievement hunters with an easy completion. While not overly intrusive, many reviewers express discomfort with the idea of playing a short game that primarily serves as a promotional tool, rather than a standalone experience.
- “It's a craftily disguised advertisement for the dev's other games (which are shown on the main menu and also after the end scene), designed to lure in achievement hunters with an easy 100% achievements boost.”
- “It wasn't overbearing nor deceptive, just a: 'here's a little game to get you to look at our other games.' All the same, I don't think I'm going to start recommending clever advertisements, no matter how creative, short, and free it is.”
- “You don't need to play a 20-minute advertisement for that.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a richly layered storyline that delves into complex emotional themes such as fear, guilt, and redemption, offering a compelling blend of psychological terror and emotional depth. However, some players feel that the minimal interaction detracts from the overall emotional experience.
- “The storyline is layered with emotional complexity, exploring themes of fear, guilt, and redemption.”
- “If you're looking for a game that masterfully blends psychological terror with emotional storytelling, this is one journey worth undertaking.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The optimization of the game is perceived as lacking, with critiques highlighting dull writing and shallow characters, suggesting that these elements serve more as a backdrop for experimentation rather than a polished, engaging experience.
- “The game runs poorly on even high-end hardware, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the immersion.”
- “The lack of optimization means long loading times and frequent crashes, making it nearly unplayable.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-received, with clever lines such as "my head hit the pillow like it owed someone money" eliciting genuine laughter while seamlessly fitting into the narrative. Overall, players find the comedic elements to enhance their experience without feeling forced.
- “It's a funny read.”
- “Lines like 'my head hit the pillow like it owed someone money' made me laugh without feeling out of place.”