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. Fuge
    Aug 23, 2016
    10
    Like this delicate butterfly lost in vapors and cogs of LIMBO,

    INSIDE is a state of grace.
    An accomplishment.

    Thank you Arnt Jensen, thank you Playdead.
  2. Dogwar
    Nov 12, 2016
    10
    Just finished Inside. Didn't take long. Didn't take much effort. Was one of the best gaming experiences I have ever had. While the gameplay is linear like the studio's previous game, Limbo, it bring a whole other level to this experience. You feel connected like you are the boy running scared. The puzzles sometimes slow you down but you flow through them with urgency. The atmosphereJust finished Inside. Didn't take long. Didn't take much effort. Was one of the best gaming experiences I have ever had. While the gameplay is linear like the studio's previous game, Limbo, it bring a whole other level to this experience. You feel connected like you are the boy running scared. The puzzles sometimes slow you down but you flow through them with urgency. The atmosphere created is haunting. It is pulled off not by detail, but by shadow and mystery. Who are these people that want to do us harm? Please do yourself a favor and check this game out. It's one amazing ride.

    P.S. think of Stranger Things as you start this game out and you will be drawn in immediately. I like to consider this a companion piece to that show. In fact they could build a show or movie around this game.    … Expand
  3. BarkingDoggy
    Apr 30, 2017
    10
    This game is a worthy successor to Limbo (and may I say, a superior one) with its stunning visuals, dark, rich atmosphere, ambient music, smart puzzles, incredible attention to detail, its gripping story told without words, its perfect ending, and last but not least, its realistic animation.
  4. SketchesofPlain
    Mar 5, 2017
    9
    While it added (some) of the color that Limbo chose not to use, Inside is even more grim and ominous that it's spiritual predecessor. While still having no dialogue or text, Inside tells much more of a story than Limbo did. Unfortunately, however, it seems that more focus on the story meant less focus on the puzzles. While the graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is incredibly smooth, IWhile it added (some) of the color that Limbo chose not to use, Inside is even more grim and ominous that it's spiritual predecessor. While still having no dialogue or text, Inside tells much more of a story than Limbo did. Unfortunately, however, it seems that more focus on the story meant less focus on the puzzles. While the graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is incredibly smooth, I found the puzzles to be much simpler and the secrets much easier to find in this game than in Limbo. I died a lot less times while playing Inside. Still a GREAT game if you loved Limbo, but be prepared for it to be just slightly below Limbo overall.… Expand
  5. fercaveri
    Mar 30, 2017
    9
    Great ambientation, like a indie game but so beautifull. Simple gameplay, but great. Maybe it's not too long for a game, but deserves a good score this one
  6. topcover73
    May 10, 2019
    10
    Another 10 for Playdead. I always tell people, if you've ever seen the movie "7", this game will remind you of it, because everything that happens is continually more and more shocking until the final mind-bending ending. This game is indescribable. If you haven't played it you are missing out on one of the greatest games of all time. Period.
  7. kraster
    Aug 30, 2016
    10
    It looks beautiful. Lighting and animation are top tier. Image quality is flawless. Physics are class leading.

    Thematically the game is unique. Very hard to describe. A kind of industrial dystopia but without being rooted in any of the usual tropes of the genre. The muted palette and the sound design come together beautifully to create a sinister, disturbing and nightmarish scenario    It looks beautiful. Lighting and animation are top tier. Image quality is flawless. Physics are class leading.

    Thematically the game is unique. Very hard to describe. A kind of industrial dystopia but without being rooted in any of the usual tropes of the genre.

    The muted palette and the sound design come together beautifully to create a sinister, disturbing and nightmarish scenario that never falters.

    The puzzles are challenging but never frustrating and never fail to give you that deeply satisfying "aha" moment when you finally figure them out.

    It's very hard to find any fault with this game. I just can't think of one.    … Expand
  8. glypheye
    Oct 3, 2016
    9
    9 out of 10. The artwork is simply sublime throughout. Sparse and beautiful....a nice evolution from what was beautiful about Limbo. The ending was a little disruptive to that sense of artfulness, but that's secondary to personal taste more than anything. The puzzles were fun. Challenging enough for this simpleton :) with a few of the more complex ones requiring that I seek some You9 out of 10. The artwork is simply sublime throughout. Sparse and beautiful....a nice evolution from what was beautiful about Limbo. The ending was a little disruptive to that sense of artfulness, but that's secondary to personal taste more than anything. The puzzles were fun. Challenging enough for this simpleton :) with a few of the more complex ones requiring that I seek some You Tube guidance. Just my speed, in other words.

    All in all, the game was a joy. A bite sized delight    … Expand
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. timmytime
    Aug 29, 2016
    10
    Simply one of the most considered and perfectly crafted games ever made. LIMBO was one of my favourite games six years ago, but now it honestly just feels like a prototype for THIS game. Tells a convincing atmospheric narrative entirely wordlessly. The puzzles are intimately related to the narrative and balance the difficulty that you'll have to think without getting a walkthrough.Simply one of the most considered and perfectly crafted games ever made. LIMBO was one of my favourite games six years ago, but now it honestly just feels like a prototype for THIS game. Tells a convincing atmospheric narrative entirely wordlessly. The puzzles are intimately related to the narrative and balance the difficulty that you'll have to think without getting a walkthrough. Everyone needs to play this.… Expand
  12. Bastrix
    Sep 10, 2016
    9
    While this little gem is heavily inspired by the game Limbo, by no means that means it lacks originality and excellence. Although Limbo is a unique and brilliant game, this piece of art has taken that and gone a step forward.

    At first, I was a bit hesitant, since even the beginning of the game resembles Limbo so much, I could only fear for a huge dissapointment. But this game is    While this little gem is heavily inspired by the game Limbo, by no means that means it lacks originality and excellence. Although Limbo is a unique and brilliant game, this piece of art has taken that and gone a step forward.

    At first, I was a bit hesitant, since even the beginning of the game resembles Limbo so much, I could only fear for a huge dissapointment. But this game is absolutely brilliant.    … Expand
  13. Thirty2
    Sep 23, 2016
    9
    A bit short for twenty dollars, but, that aside, this is an exemplary title. Inside more focused on its dark atmosphere than it is gameplay, and that's where it succeeds wildly. That's not to say that the gameplay's bad; on the contrary, it's totally fine. The puzzles are simple, reasonably challenging, and completely fair. They never bothered me and I only had to sit and think once orA bit short for twenty dollars, but, that aside, this is an exemplary title. Inside more focused on its dark atmosphere than it is gameplay, and that's where it succeeds wildly. That's not to say that the gameplay's bad; on the contrary, it's totally fine. The puzzles are simple, reasonably challenging, and completely fair. They never bothered me and I only had to sit and think once or twice, and I never felt as though I was breezing through it with ease or anything. Every time I died, I thought, "I could have avoided that if I was thinking," which is a good indicator of the game's fairness.
    Inside certainly isn't for everyone; many gamers will scoff at the game's simplicity and artsy-fartsyness, dismissing the platformer as "indie hipster crap." If you enjoy indie hipster crap and you have a roomy wallet, then this may be the game for you.    … Expand
  14. IndieFreak
    Aug 23, 2016
    10
    Genius, thought-provoking, creepy, shocking, exhilarating, unsettling and downright gorgeous, INSIDE is a masterpiece. You owe it to yourself to play this game.
  15. 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
  16. SileSixEcho
    Aug 31, 2016
    10
    This is truly a piece of art and one of my favourite games so far this year. Limbo was my first "indie game" back when it came out and this is a more than worthy successor. Inside's dark and creepy atmosphere and the great puzzles don't leave a lot to be asked for. Now I want to play limbo again.
  17. 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
  18. ragethorn
    Dec 1, 2016
    10
    I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

    First, if you haven't played INSIDE, play it NOW! Second, I beat the game 7 times in a matter of a week. I can't stop thinking about it. If you like subtle storytelling, this is for you. Takes an hour and a half to beat if you've played it before but your first time will take double that. Clever and dark, this is my Last of Us for this    I'm going to keep this short and sweet.

    First, if you haven't played INSIDE, play it NOW!
    Second, I beat the game 7 times in a matter of a week.

    I can't stop thinking about it.

    If you like subtle storytelling, this is for you. Takes an hour and a half to beat if you've played it before but your first time will take double that.

    Clever and dark, this is my Last of Us for this year.

    I didn't think playdead would be able to make a better game than Limbo. I was wrong.    … Expand
  19. Pause4pot
    Sep 21, 2016
    8
    Exelent game experience but the ending was a little to pretentious maybe a more prolonged poetic clousure could have make of this a true mastertpice instead of the abrupt and simple metaphor that end my otherwise flawles adventure.
    A terrific indi, not as good as soma but great nontheless .
  20. SuperDuck23
    May 28, 2017
    10
    Playdead have done an incredible job to surpass their previous game, Limbo. Inside is a true work of art, both disturbing and gripping in equal measure.
  21. Dominix99
    Jan 4, 2017
    9
    This is a beautiful and simplistic successor to Limbo that tells an intriguing story without the use of words. Playing with headphones is a must! The sound design and immersion is incredible in this game! I felt that the length was OK and none of the puzzles were incredibly hard. 100% one of the best games I've played in a while, and it has proven to be a better game than Limbo. I'mThis is a beautiful and simplistic successor to Limbo that tells an intriguing story without the use of words. Playing with headphones is a must! The sound design and immersion is incredible in this game! I felt that the length was OK and none of the puzzles were incredibly hard. 100% one of the best games I've played in a while, and it has proven to be a better game than Limbo. I'm looking forward to more things that Playdead has to offer!… Expand
  22. stamito
    Dec 12, 2017
    10
    This is one of those special games, that without saying a lot, it makes you feel a lot.

    This game in essence is a lot like Limbo, Journey, Ico, Shadow of the colossus etc. All those are games that rather than focusing on amazing gameplay itself, they focus on being emotionally strong and how to tell a story in a special way, with little worlds, just trying to transmit feelings in a    This is one of those special games, that without saying a lot, it makes you feel a lot.

    This game in essence is a lot like Limbo, Journey, Ico, Shadow of the colossus etc. All those are games that rather than focusing on amazing gameplay itself, they focus on being emotionally strong and how to tell a story in a special way, with little worlds, just trying to transmit feelings in a rawer way. Having said that, if you enjoyed any of the games I’ve just mentioned, most likely you will enjoy this one.

    Graphics and sound. Graphically speaking, you won’t find photo-realistic graphics etc., but artistically speaking the game is superb, they make use of a very limited variety of colours (mainly black, white and grey) to offer a fantastic gloomy setting that goes very well with the game’s universe. They might not be the best graphics, technically speaking, but artistically they made a great job at making the game’s world feel unique, gloomy, sad and tense, a lot like the game’s story itself. Sound is superb as well, there is little music, it’s mainly ambient sound and these are designed to maximise the game experience as in adding tension or whatever to the area you’re in, again sound direction is fantastic.

    Gameplay, we’re basically speaking about a platforming-puzzle game. Platforming is kind of easy, it’s more about solving puzzles. I feel it is quite fun, as the game is a lot about finding out how to progress and make it to the next area rather than just jumping around. A few collectibles in the game as well, that require thinking to find them, it is quite a decent challenge. Bad thing about this, is that the game itself is not very long (maybe 4-6 hours) and the fact that it is about “finding out” (puzzle solving) how to advance, once you’ve done it, that’s it there is little replay value here. This is probably the main criticism that can be made to the game. However, it is a very satisfying experience, very intense a lot of times, that won’t disappoint. Said that, I wouldn’t pay too high of a price for this, but if it is for sale it is definitely worth, but be aware of the game’s length.

    Summarising, fantastic and unique platforming-puzzle game, it does an amazing job at making the player feel the intensity of the situations (e.g. when a dog chases you to kill you, you’ll feel real tension and urge to flee). It is a game that emotionally says a lot, and won’t leave you indifferent. Just know that although intense in a lot of ways, this is a short journey (4-6 h). If you liked Limbo, Journey, Ico, Shadow of the colossus, the last guardian etc. that kind of game, I think you should definitely give this one a try. If you didn’t, spend your money elsewhere as you probably won’t enjoy Inside that much.    … Expand
  23. MasterRiley
    Apr 11, 2017
    10
    Inside is a fantastic puzzle and platforming game with beautiful art and sound design. Like Limbo, the game consists of only a few simple controls and gameplay mechanics. However the level design is a complete leap ahead of Limbo as Inside has created full 3D environments with gorgeous looking animations and detail. The puzzles are all fun, unique, challenging, and satisfying when you beatInside is a fantastic puzzle and platforming game with beautiful art and sound design. Like Limbo, the game consists of only a few simple controls and gameplay mechanics. However the level design is a complete leap ahead of Limbo as Inside has created full 3D environments with gorgeous looking animations and detail. The puzzles are all fun, unique, challenging, and satisfying when you beat them. And finally the story, location, and premise continues to get more and more intriguing as you get farther into the game. I would definitely recommend it.… Expand
  24. vboyev
    May 25, 2018
    10
    People are so easy to manipulate. Mind-blowing ending, beautiful shades and great art-direction at all!
  25. 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.
  26. 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
  27. hsh1417
    Apr 23, 2018
    9
    It is scary, interesting and fun.
    The brainwave make me never bored........
  28. underecho
    Apr 21, 2018
    10
    A masterpiece in visual storytelling. Haunting and wonderful . just loved this.
  29. akus_1985
    Aug 26, 2016
    9
    After 6 years, Playdead, the indie company that brought us Limbo, has finally released their sophomore effort, Inside, and it's brilliant. Inside does almost everything right. The dystopian world that Playdead has constructed is filled with mostly danger, but also beauty and wonder at times. All of the hard work the team has put forth is incredibly evident. Whether it's the meticulouslyAfter 6 years, Playdead, the indie company that brought us Limbo, has finally released their sophomore effort, Inside, and it's brilliant. Inside does almost everything right. The dystopian world that Playdead has constructed is filled with mostly danger, but also beauty and wonder at times. All of the hard work the team has put forth is incredibly evident. Whether it's the meticulously crafted set pieces, or the refraction of a flashlight peering through the environment, it's all wonderful. This game is marketed as a puzzle-platformer, but in almost every instance, the puzzles don't feel like puzzles at all. They are overcome with realistic, logical solutions that will only occasionally slow down the player pressing onward, and the game is better for it. The atmosphere is terrific, and the linear nature is perfect for the $20 price tag. The game is on the short side, which is to be expected for this type of indie game, although it's intrinsically worth much more based on the quality of the product. After my third play through, I can say it was $20 very well spent. Technically, the game is almost flawless. During my second play through I noticed one instance of clipping, but it's hardly distracting, and doesn't affect the gameplay in any way. The frame rate is rock solid too. My only criticism is the way the music is implemented, or rather are not implemented during certain moments. There are a few instances I thought music could have added to the tension or subtlety of what was happening on screen. It's really the only thing keeping it away from being an absolute masterpiece. But it's still a must play, must own gem. It has a dark, perhaps deeply profound narrative that deserves to be played, and replayed for years to come.… Expand
  30. curzon_dax
    Oct 3, 2018
    10
    This is the best game of its genre, hands down. It doesn't technically deserve a 10, but since it's at least a 9 and the best of its genre, in a genre that is lately overdone, it must have a bonus. Definitely recommended to anyone liking some atmospheric platformer.
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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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