INSIDE

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1051 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 873 out of 1051
  2. Mixed: 116 out of 1051
  3. Negative: 62 out of 1051

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  1. tren123
    Oct 11, 2016
    7
    while i did like the game overall i still to this day do not understand what all the glowing reviews are for. to me in my eyes this game is just a good game, no where near GREAT and no where near wonderful, if i was you i wouldn't buy it for more than 10 dollars. its just not worth it and i just don't get what all the fuss is about over this nice but not wonderful game.
  2. roi123
    Oct 4, 2016
    7
    Pros:
    1. Nice graphics & music for 2D game.
    2. Exciting, makes you afraid. 3. Very unique. Cons: 1. Too short, they should have make it 50% longer. 2. Too easy. If it was more difficult it might take longer. 3. No real story. 4. Weird ending. Can't understand people giving it a 10 (The Witcher 3 - Blood and wine is a 20$ game and it's much much more beautiful, and with real story,    Pros:
    1. Nice graphics & music for 2D game.
    2. Exciting, makes you afraid.
    3. Very unique.
    Cons:
    1. Too short, they should have make it 50% longer.
    2. Too easy. If it was more difficult it might take longer.
    3. No real story.
    4. Weird ending.
    Can't understand people giving it a 10 (The Witcher 3 - Blood and wine is a 20$ game and it's much much more beautiful, and with real story, music, multiple endings...)
    I think Inside worth 10$. 20$ is just too much for such a short game.
    I'm giving it a 7.5/10
    (In my though the average game is 5, so 7 is good game.
    Roi    … Expand
  3. mosannam9696
    Aug 25, 2016
    7
    I have heard nothing but amazing things about this game. Countless people spouting how it was most definitely worth a $20 purchase without hesitation. Well, after about 3.5 hours I can say that I am extremely dissatisfied with the entire experience.

    The game is Limbo but with prettier graphics and not as much thinking needed. I think I was stuck on one puzzle for a total of 30 seconds    I have heard nothing but amazing things about this game. Countless people spouting how it was most definitely worth a $20 purchase without hesitation. Well, after about 3.5 hours I can say that I am extremely dissatisfied with the entire experience.

    The game is Limbo but with prettier graphics and not as much thinking needed. I think I was stuck on one puzzle for a total of 30 seconds and other than that it was a case of running from one end of the map to the other end of the map.

    The atmosphere is great, the graphics look wonderful, the sound is awesome. The story.... uhhhhhhh.

    I would have liked something more here. Every single bit is up to you to decide on what you want it to be about. In a day and age of some amazing video game stories, from The Last of Us to SOMA, putting a bunch of random stuff on a screen isn't enough anymore.

    And then the ending... if you want to call it that. There was no buildup whatsoever. When it happened I literally said out loud "this better not be the end" and sure enough the credits started to role.

    I see nothing but scores of 10 everywhere I go and for once I can say I just don't understand it. It's nowhere near a bad game whatsoever but the amount of high praise seems insane to me.    … Expand
  4. ourtimehascome
    Jan 15, 2017
    7
    INSIDE's gameplay is rather simplistic, and much easier than Playdead's previous effort, Limbo. I'm starting to see a trend in their games: no story, no tutorials, no explanation of what is going on or what you're supposed to do and no music. While these elements worked for Limbo in a black-and-white setting, INSIDE feels like a bunch of ideas thrown together which on their own are fineINSIDE's gameplay is rather simplistic, and much easier than Playdead's previous effort, Limbo. I'm starting to see a trend in their games: no story, no tutorials, no explanation of what is going on or what you're supposed to do and no music. While these elements worked for Limbo in a black-and-white setting, INSIDE feels like a bunch of ideas thrown together which on their own are fine but when grouped together form an incoherent mess. It seems the majority of players prefer an abstract story rather than one with actual meaning. It's much better to stay ambiguous and present your story as abstract and thought-provoking rather than actual committal.

    There's a dystopian world which sets the backdrop for the events of the game, but everything else is a clear copy-paste of Limbo. While I congratulate Playdead on a visually unique presentation, because INSIDE is truly beautiful, the rest of the game falls short. Gameplay is simplistic, and I would argue too easy. For a puzzle platformer, the solutions are often easier to discern than the puzzles themselves.

    But besides the puzzles, many players will find INSIDE enjoyable because of its story, or lack thereof. From what I can tell, there are three layers to the game's story. One is the obvious mind control, which seeks to keep the population of this dystopia in line. Second layer is the notion of free will. It brings up a fundamental question which can be easily missed: Are we truly free? If someone isn't mind controlled, are they truly an individual? The third and final layer is the notion of technology controlling the population, or other people. If there is mind control, there is a controller and the controlled. In either case, what is the fundamental reason for the mind control to happen?

    Unfortunately, INSIDE raises too many questions without any answers. Simplistic gameplay, and basic platforming manage a decent game, but not overwhelmingly magnificent or a masterpiece as some would like to believe.    … Expand
  5. Rols
    Dec 5, 2016
    6
    Inside should just be called Limbo 2. It's an ok game but it seems the puzzles are easier than Limbo. It is a pretty short game also, l'm not sure why critics were giving this game a 10 as it's nothing special or amazing. It's a good indie puzzle game but that's it. Story is very abstract and l guess people can read into it what they want but I couldn't discern a coherent story.
  6. TheCatalyst
    Aug 7, 2018
    7
    -Really solid ah-ha moments
    -The atmosphere is awesome as all get out
    -Puzzles...good and bad -Nice surprises -Tense -Too obtuse -Amazing movement/animation -Just not enough to make me keep me thinking on it. This is a conflicting game for me. This game has some standout moments that really tug at my intrigue. The world is barren but filled with nods to how this world operates.    -Really solid ah-ha moments
    -The atmosphere is awesome as all get out
    -Puzzles...good and bad
    -Nice surprises
    -Tense
    -Too obtuse
    -Amazing movement/animation
    -Just not enough to make me keep me thinking on it.

    This is a conflicting game for me. This game has some standout moments that really tug at my intrigue. The world is barren but filled with nods to how this world operates. There are moments in puzzles that feel very satisfying in the moment and then that just feel like they are there as merely only an obstacle, which I guess is what puzzles are, but a lot felt like you could see the goal and that made it more rewarding. I love how violent deaths are and the blankness of the characters throughout this game reminds me of a fascist government ruling with some experimental things ala Akira. But I think its best part is also its greatest weakness, obscurity. There is so much environmental storytelling that it oozes intrigue, but it also doesn't hold me enough because it isn't wholly tangible. Maybe I missed something? Maybe I didn't care enough to scrounge for every bit of detail while playing? I don't know, but the ending part of the game (albeit there are some really cool moments in there too) I didn't like. When the ending credits hit my screen, it was a sigh of defeat than a joy of finishing something wonderful.    … Expand
  7. keanex
    Jan 29, 2018
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. INSIDE is a spiritual successor to Limbo, even if only in terms of playstyle. Playing through INSIDE I felt very much at home as someone who has played and completed Limbo, so it should be understood that if you don't like Limbo then INSIDE is likely not for you.

    I played this game as a co-op experience with my girlfriend. She's not much into playing games, but she was really intrigued by what was going on within the world. We had a fantastic time figuring out the puzzles and exploring the world, even if bleak.

    There are some gruesome death scenes, and some very odd moments, mostly towards the end. The sound was appropriate and surprisingly well done. Some moments are enhanced very nicely by the sound.

    As a whole I felt that the experience was worthwhile at the prices it goes on sale for, but I felt that INSIDE is too similar to Limbo, without a conclusive ending. Well worth a play, but not worth the high high praise it got.    … Expand
  8. KayVen17
    May 6, 2017
    7
    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln    Deutsche Review - Kritik

    Der folgende Test ist in 5 Kategorien zusammengefasst. Diese 5 Kartegorien ergeben die Gesamtpunktzahl von 0 - 100 Punkten. Um einen passenden Userscore zu geben wird auf oder abgerundet. Bei 84 Punkten ergibt das einen User Score von 8. Bei 86 einen von Userscore von 9. Falls eine 85 kommt entscheide ich ob ich es eher positiv oder negativ nehme. Regeln verstanden?
    Dann sind hier meine Punkte.

    Mein persönlicher Score = 74/100
    Mein User Score = 7/10    … Expand
  9. MaxieZeus
    Sep 2, 2022
    7
    Fun indie title with fun puzzles and mechanics . Certainly an improvement from limbo.
  10. mrnice
    Aug 16, 2018
    7
    Story: Interesting, but super vague and not mindblowing. Ending was overhyped. Like "OK this is going somewhere, game is getting interesting now" and then it ended. Maybe some people felt challenged and enlightened and inspired by the story. But it didn't feel grounded in any sort of reality. As a fairy tale, it tried exceptionally hard to bring an interesting "punchline idea"... and itStory: Interesting, but super vague and not mindblowing. Ending was overhyped. Like "OK this is going somewhere, game is getting interesting now" and then it ended. Maybe some people felt challenged and enlightened and inspired by the story. But it didn't feel grounded in any sort of reality. As a fairy tale, it tried exceptionally hard to bring an interesting "punchline idea"... and it sort of did, but was also empty? I don't know?

    Gameplay: 2d platformer, very polished, almost embarrassingly clean presentation with 0 technical issues. Mostly easy, apart from a few "Duh, OK got it!" puzzles that required some thought.    … Expand
  11. smd9
    Feb 10, 2021
    7
    This has a really promising beginning, but I was less enamoured with it by the end.
    Firstly it only lasted 3 hours, which is very short compared to many games these days so the value isn't great. There is a little more content if you want to grind to find the secret areas, but that doesn't add much for me.
    The initial premise from the demo was great. A lone boy lost in the dark woods    This has a really promising beginning, but I was less enamoured with it by the end.
    Firstly it only lasted 3 hours, which is very short compared to many games these days so the value isn't great. There is a little more content if you want to grind to find the secret areas, but that doesn't add much for me.
    The initial premise from the demo was great. A lone boy lost in the dark woods being chased by mysterious figures and their dogs, and a simple play mechanic with only two buttons and puzzles to solve while I dodged enemies. It was thrilling getting away from the sinister characters just in the nick of time and staying out of their view so I could progress.
    This thrill got less and less as the game progressed, and the story veered more into the grotesque. I was pretty disappointed when I finished it, and while it's not a terrible game, I don't think the payoff justified the investment.    … Expand
  12. Bollywongaloid
    Mar 12, 2017
    7
    Come away from this one feeling a little disappointed. Great, creepy atmosphere, with thought-provoking lore/story and fantastic sound design, but unfortunately all let down by mediocre puzzles, which at the end of the day is the core gameplay. Maybe the devs wanted the player to focus more on the subject matter at hand (control in society, unethical experimentation etc) but for me ICome away from this one feeling a little disappointed. Great, creepy atmosphere, with thought-provoking lore/story and fantastic sound design, but unfortunately all let down by mediocre puzzles, which at the end of the day is the core gameplay. Maybe the devs wanted the player to focus more on the subject matter at hand (control in society, unethical experimentation etc) but for me I found myself wanting it to just end soon (whereas I couldn't get enough of Limbo). There seemed to be a few mechanics that I felt were underused. For example there's a puzzle where you control a 'zombie' (for want of a better word) through ANOTHER zombie that you are controlling with your actual main character. I think this was the only time this type of interaction was used... such a shame because there could have been some great puzzles with that mechanic. Anyway I think there was a grand total of 2 puzzles that I enjoyed solving in the entire game. Maybe on a second run through I'll appreciate it more but even just the thought of doing that feels like a chore.

    Still worth a play though, especially if you enjoyed Limbo. I don't think this deserves any less than a 7.    … Expand
  13. Ninja_Lazer
    Mar 21, 2021
    5
    Gameplay-wise, there isn’t much here. While some games can make the most out of a few simple systems, there just wasn’t enough to keep me mentally engaged. In addition, the puzzles themselves were either fairly straightforward with little problem solving required or ridiculous obtuse and nearly unsolvable due to the absolutely atrocious amount of the screen that is just blacked out. EvenGameplay-wise, there isn’t much here. While some games can make the most out of a few simple systems, there just wasn’t enough to keep me mentally engaged. In addition, the puzzles themselves were either fairly straightforward with little problem solving required or ridiculous obtuse and nearly unsolvable due to the absolutely atrocious amount of the screen that is just blacked out. Even on max brightness, I sometimes couldn’t see objects I was supposed to interact with.

    Atmospherically, the game does a great job of making you feel on edge, but there are a few notable times where the music and ambient sounds will cut out - this isn’t a glitch, just poor sound design. It’s supposed to make you feel odd, unsettled and out of place. It mostly just made me realize that with the minimal visual cues provided by the game, I relied on the sound even more.

    The story is...well let’s just say that if you want to know the story, you would be better served by watching an analysis on YouTube. Pragmatically speaking, all you need to know is that you are trying to do something because the game said so. It won’t tell you anything else directly.

    The pacing is just awful. Graphics are great.

    It’s not a bad game, just very bare bones and honestly should have been fleshed out more. I wouldn’t bother paying more than $10 for it unless you are really into the puzzle platforming genre.    … Expand
  14. BlakDak666
    Mar 9, 2017
    7
    I am a bit conflicted on Inside: I see a interesting premise and set of ideas, but they are hidden in the game's world and never really shown unless you think outside of the game. This 7/10 does not mean that it's bad game, far from it, but to call anything over 8 for this game just doesn't make sense. Inside is best explained through the player's own experience, but much like InceptionI am a bit conflicted on Inside: I see a interesting premise and set of ideas, but they are hidden in the game's world and never really shown unless you think outside of the game. This 7/10 does not mean that it's bad game, far from it, but to call anything over 8 for this game just doesn't make sense. Inside is best explained through the player's own experience, but much like Inception (the film) it tries really hard to tackle complex concepts and struggling to tell them coherently that feels resonated with me. It has a wonderful world and a ending and significance worthy of discussion, but cracks show and get through that makes its own storytelling watered down and deflated when you see them and think about it more.… Expand
  15. SS_Talon
    Apr 29, 2017
    5
    Despite all the praise from critics and players, I found this game to be rather tedious and frustrating. I forced myself to play it to the end and have no intention of playing it again. Be prepared to suffer lots of frustrating deaths and a experience bafflement as you come to points in the game where it's not clear how to proceed forward. Thankfully, there are videos out on YouTube thatDespite all the praise from critics and players, I found this game to be rather tedious and frustrating. I forced myself to play it to the end and have no intention of playing it again. Be prepared to suffer lots of frustrating deaths and a experience bafflement as you come to points in the game where it's not clear how to proceed forward. Thankfully, there are videos out on YouTube that can help ease one's frustration, so you can overcome puzzling parts of the game. In short, this game was unique, but not fun. I do not recommend it at all. :(… Expand
  16. FuriousAegon
    May 16, 2023
    7
    I can say that Inside is masterpiece in terms of art, but very poorly crafted game. Why do i think so?
    So basically we have a typical platformer, with only three actions Jump, Move, Interact. Also we have very irritating riddles across the game. And i that sense we have a riddle game, but in other hand this game has its own interesting story, art style and setting. Ill be honest, i didn’t    I can say that Inside is masterpiece in terms of art, but very poorly crafted game. Why do i think so?
    So basically we have a typical platformer, with only three actions Jump, Move, Interact. Also we have very irritating riddles across the game. And i that sense we have a riddle game, but in other hand this game has its own interesting story, art style and setting. Ill be honest, i didn’t understand the story of Inside completely, i had a few guesses about the story but thats all. But, god thats ending, i really like how player can interpret how he wants, and it may give different philosophical to players, for me it was Why do we hear so much of unknown? That was the main question after beating the story. And it got me thinking about my life for several hours, and ive gotta say not many game could bring such experience, and make think about such complex things.
    Also great responsiveness of controls of this game makes pleasant experience by controlling the boy. Also a great sound design keeps you influenced in games story and gameplay.
    For those thoughts that this game gave me, masterful art design/audio design/and controls, and for the most unusual game experience since Last Of Us 2, i will game a 7.5/10    … Expand
  17. Mattyc96
    Apr 2, 2021
    6
    By the end this game felt like a total waste of time. I guess that was the point. Cool visuals and puzzles , but about half way through I found it impossible to complete without a guide
  18. srinu634
    May 23, 2021
    7
    Simple gameplay mechanics, intuitive level designs, puzzles that are good but not overwhelming, game that's short and sweet.

    Pro's: - Game time is a big plus and around 5-6 hours. It's a good game to play over the weekend or to relax after the work hours. - Puzzles are good but not too unintuitive. I hate those games where you need to go to Youtube to solve the puzzles. I'm not at all    Simple gameplay mechanics, intuitive level designs, puzzles that are good but not overwhelming, game that's short and sweet.

    Pro's:
    - Game time is a big plus and around 5-6 hours. It's a good game to play over the weekend or to relax after the work hours.
    - Puzzles are good but not too unintuitive. I hate those games where you need to go to Youtube to solve the puzzles. I'm not at all a fan of puzzles in games and glad to see that the puzzles in this game aren't troublesome but simple and sweet.

    Cons:
    points taken away for the two things mentioned below:
    - Two points taken away for the weird ending. Why spoil such a good game with it's weird ending? There's no necessity to make endings awkward to make them dramatic and unique. I personally felt that this ending is neither great nor dramatic but just unnecessary and a big minus to the game.
    - Level design is more monotonous compared to other similar games like Little Nightmares. Of course, Little Nightmares came a year after this game. So, they had time to improvise? May be?    … Expand
  19. Oshiri_Maeda
    Aug 9, 2021
    7
    Very good game. Not a masterpiece, but a very good and short (3.5 hours) game.
  20. Gorbunov2004
    Mar 25, 2021
    6
    Игра такая же не понятная ка и Limbo какие то зомби нет ни слова о них как они появились. Пацан почему то от всех убегает хотя видно что он более менее нормальный! Люди которые хотят его убить зачем?
  21. Laneramorte
    Jan 11, 2021
    6
    oynanış deneyimi çok ham kendimi oynarmış gibi hissetmiyorum keşke herkesin sevdiği gibi sevebilseydim
  22. S1NGLEVB
    Nov 5, 2021
    7
    Falo como um simplório homem com experiência que obviamente preferia ser uma criança castrada e reclamona.
  23. zach_grech
    May 3, 2022
    7
    This game visually is a masterpiece. So unique with excellent visuals and amazing situations the player is placed in. Some frustrating puzzles which dramatically halt the pacing of the game. A lot of the puzzles require waiting which can become boring.
  24. Zuprnova
    May 12, 2023
    7
    i love this game it has great story and is very enjoyable but the gameplay can be difficult at times 7/10

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PS4 Game of 2016
23
#23 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2016
39
#39 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Sep 28, 2016
    90
    If we had the technology, we’d force all of you to lurch up out of your chairs and go buy this. [November 2016, p64]
  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 26, 2016
    90
    Certain standout moments play unlike any other game. Your first play-through may frustrate but the emotional aftermath hammers home the depth of the achievement. It's the nightmare cousin of Journey. [Oct 2016, p.78]
  3. PlaySense
    Sep 15, 2016
    90
    An awesome puzzle game with a fascinating style and a dark, but intriguing storyline. Fans of Limbo shouldn't hesitate.
    Read full review
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