INSIDE

 Switch
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 339 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 276 out of 339
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 339
  3. Negative: 18 out of 339

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  1. xiekaidream
    Sep 17, 2021
    9
    比同家开发商之前的Limbo画面、解谜难度曲线、操作手感都得到了质的提升。 物理引擎牛逼！ 没有Z轴比小小梦魇体验要好非常多。 除了菜单之外毫无文字，纯靠意会，一玩起了就着魔了。 中途还是卡关查了几次攻略 快结尾时候变成一坨肉出现生理不适
  2. bulger_paul
    Jun 29, 2018
    9
    First time playing Inside for me was just last night on the Switch, and I absolutely plan to return to it at least once or twice in the near future. I dont know what to make of this bizarre, Cronenberg meets David Lynch plot yet, but it's worth experiencing for the incredible art direction alone. Every image is unsettling, and makes absolutely brilliant use of lighting and framing. TheFirst time playing Inside for me was just last night on the Switch, and I absolutely plan to return to it at least once or twice in the near future. I dont know what to make of this bizarre, Cronenberg meets David Lynch plot yet, but it's worth experiencing for the incredible art direction alone. Every image is unsettling, and makes absolutely brilliant use of lighting and framing. The puzzle solving is somewhat engaging, but these puzzles do more to convey thematic ideas over presenting much of a challenge. But, the way thematic ideas are being conveyed so well through the puzzle solving itself is a testament to the artistic power and potential for videogames as an art form.… Expand
  3. jpritcha
    Aug 25, 2018
    10
    INSIDE is both highly minimalist in its design, and meticulously detailed in its presentation. The sound design, background art, camera movement, and animations are all highlights. After playing through 4 times I am still finding new details, and I still have questions about the intriguing and haunting story told without any dialogue. The puzzles are engaging, but not as difficult asINSIDE is both highly minimalist in its design, and meticulously detailed in its presentation. The sound design, background art, camera movement, and animations are all highlights. After playing through 4 times I am still finding new details, and I still have questions about the intriguing and haunting story told without any dialogue. The puzzles are engaging, but not as difficult as those in LIMBO. I found myself hardly caring about the game play as I was completely sucked into the world. It really does feel like an interactive piece of art.

    There are some great videos on YouTube from GDC presentations that go into the sound and world design of the game (search 'inside gdc'). After you finish the game they are definitely worth checking out if you have any interest in the technical aspects of the design :)    … Expand
  4. StoneColdBread
    Jul 18, 2018
    5
    INSIDE is definitely a good game, but I can't say that it's great. The design and captivating story of the game really is up there with the best of them. Having said that, I found this to be more of an interactive story telling simulator than a fun puzzle game. Personally most of the puzzles in the game were too easy and in short supply. It often felt that my objective was to travel fromINSIDE is definitely a good game, but I can't say that it's great. The design and captivating story of the game really is up there with the best of them. Having said that, I found this to be more of an interactive story telling simulator than a fun puzzle game. Personally most of the puzzles in the game were too easy and in short supply. It often felt that my objective was to travel from end of Puzzle A to beginning of Puzzle B rather than actually solving puzzles.

    Final Recommendation:
    If given the option to go back in time and not buy the game then I would. I felt for 3-4 hours of clever but not overly challenging puzzles did not match the $20 price point. However, for gamers looking for a quick game that is visually stunning accompanied by a great story then this might be right up your alley.    … Expand
  5. busternuck
    Jul 12, 2018
    8
    Excellent game. Mileage vary but I'd say it would take 3 - 4 hours for first timers to complete the game so it is on the short side. The difficulty rises gradually in the beginning but ramps up exponentially in the latter parts of the game with some fiendishly tricky puzzles.

    It's moody, it's different, it's disturbingly serene. i couldn't put the game down once I got started - but the    Excellent game. Mileage vary but I'd say it would take 3 - 4 hours for first timers to complete the game so it is on the short side. The difficulty rises gradually in the beginning but ramps up exponentially in the latter parts of the game with some fiendishly tricky puzzles.

    It's moody, it's different, it's disturbingly serene. i couldn't put the game down once I got started - but the difficulties of the later stages kinda "forced" me to take a break especially when the developers string together many hard puzzles in sequence. Which is a good thing - otherwise most gamers would just breeze through and not breathe in the atmosphere and design of the game. Personally I do not believe there is much replay value given that it is a puzzle based game and the enjoyment is in cracking the conundrums. Once that is spent the thrill is gone, for me at least. I will replay once again but hard to imagine I would go on to a third play. With that in mind I still maintain that the game is worth your time.    … Expand
  6. Gloone
    Jul 12, 2018
    9
    This may be the closest that games have yet come to an artistic experience. The visual design, the animation, the sound and music, and the presentation of the story -- all are technically and aesthetically masterful and work together to create an overpowering surreal and nightmarish atmosphere.

    The gameplay does not suffer at the expense of artistry. It's not really focused on a unique    This may be the closest that games have yet come to an artistic experience. The visual design, the animation, the sound and music, and the presentation of the story -- all are technically and aesthetically masterful and work together to create an overpowering surreal and nightmarish atmosphere.

    The gameplay does not suffer at the expense of artistry. It's not really focused on a unique mechanic; rather it's an assortment of miscellaneous puzzles. But it's extremely well-polished, the puzzles often really make you think, and I was almost never bored. My one criticism is that I wish there were a few more puzzles throughout its playtime, which could have taken some of the more interesting concepts a bit further.

    Overall, unique and unforgettable.    … Expand
  7. PeregrineOmega
    Dec 27, 2018
    10
    The perfect follow up to LIMBO. It's a wonderful piece of artwork with remarkable pacing and atmosphere. If it were possible to improve upon their original formula, they managed it.

    A beautiful platformer with unique charm and incredible narration.
  8. sarisa
    Oct 8, 2019
    5
    While being far superior than Limbo in terms of technical aspects, Inside has unfortunately nothing else to offer. If I had expect another Limbo, I'd probably want to play something better than predecessor. And since Inside tries (in general) to be Limbo's successor It actually delivers less in this regard.

    And yes - I get the meaning behind the ending (both secret and regular), but    While being far superior than Limbo in terms of technical aspects, Inside has unfortunately nothing else to offer. If I had expect another Limbo, I'd probably want to play something better than predecessor. And since Inside tries (in general) to be Limbo's successor It actually delivers less in this regard.

    And yes - I get the meaning behind the ending (both secret and regular), but this is simply bull****. That being said, the whole experience gets even more disappointing.
    If you were to compare this game to Limbo, Inside is just worse game. It's not their fault though. It was difficult task to deliver another new and captivating "Limbo"... having Limbo in their portfolio. I wish this was different game, because Playdead certainly has potential in creating games with "nice atmosphere".    … Expand
  9. B-Bog
    Jul 31, 2019
    9
    A piece of art. While LIMBO had a black&white look to it, INSIDE uses mostly different shades of grey. Sounds boring, but actually looks stunning and creates a very unique atmosphere together with the impeccable sound design. What happens at the end of this game is impossible to anticipate and left me truly shocked. I don't think I've ever given that much thought to the meaning and theA piece of art. While LIMBO had a black&white look to it, INSIDE uses mostly different shades of grey. Sounds boring, but actually looks stunning and creates a very unique atmosphere together with the impeccable sound design. What happens at the end of this game is impossible to anticipate and left me truly shocked. I don't think I've ever given that much thought to the meaning and the themes of a video game after I completed it. It works on so many levels, it's incredible. INSIDE is an experience that stretches out the definition of "video game" and shows what really can be achieved with this medium.… Expand
  10. quanta
    Jul 15, 2018
    8
    It's a good game, no doubt. Yet, it is rather overrated. I enjoyed Little Nightmares much better.
  11. Lewonski
    Aug 20, 2019
    9
    O jogo e incrível, a única parte ruim e que ele acaba. Possui uma atmosfera que combina muito com a proposta do jogo e uma história de difícil compreensão mas boa para criar diversas teorias. O port feito para o switch foi impecável e sem defeitos
  12. Eligreengamer01
    Aug 13, 2020
    10
    Inside is the one of the best video games ever i know playdead releases a game once in a blue moon but they are all worth the wait. They take so much time to refine and master the games and they are just a small team every time i play this game i try to look for glitches and there are NONE i love this game so much!
  13. Hen-Ry
    Nov 4, 2020
    10
    Perfect atmosphere, excellent puzle design. An excellent thriller. One of those jewels that make a strong argument for videogames as art.
  14. hotdogcoder
    Dec 31, 2020
    10
    Beautifully haunting and atmospheric. Chilling, artful, dramatic and suspenseful. At one point my entire family of 5 was shouting at the screen collectively when I died. If this game was a movie it would win the Oscar for Best Cinematography. I will remember this game for many years to come. Multiple plot twists and just so refreshing.

    It took me about 3 hours to play the game through    Beautifully haunting and atmospheric. Chilling, artful, dramatic and suspenseful. At one point my entire family of 5 was shouting at the screen collectively when I died. If this game was a movie it would win the Oscar for Best Cinematography. I will remember this game for many years to come. Multiple plot twists and just so refreshing.

    It took me about 3 hours to play the game through the first time, then I returned to it a week later and played through a second time in about an hour. This might seem too short for some people. There are also places where the puzzles were very frustrating and I got stuck several times, having to take a break and come back to the game later with a fresh approach. To me this is simply the hallmark of a challenging puzzle game and not necessarily a negative at all - I merely mention it here in case it might be for others.

    I created an account here on MetaCritic for the first time just to leave this review. Absolutely loved it and will play it again.    … Expand
  15. IamSquid
    Jan 2, 2022
    9
    An excellent game demonstrating how to tell a story through gameplay alone and how to teach the player how to play without tutorials, etc. Strongly recommended!
  16. Gumdrop
    Aug 14, 2022
    10
    Beautiful, atmospheric, minimalist and tense. Sometimes all at the same time. At its heart, it's a great platformer. The puzzles are so seamlessly woven into the narrative that you just kind of flow in and out of them. They manage to be challenging without being frustrating. The magic they've pulled off is that you start with no explanation, no tutorial, no hints. And yet, you're neverBeautiful, atmospheric, minimalist and tense. Sometimes all at the same time. At its heart, it's a great platformer. The puzzles are so seamlessly woven into the narrative that you just kind of flow in and out of them. They manage to be challenging without being frustrating. The magic they've pulled off is that you start with no explanation, no tutorial, no hints. And yet, you're never left confused. You just start playing and it makes sense. The controls are perfect. Just the left stick and a couple of buttons.

    It's not the longest game, but it is 100% one of the best games I've played. The visuals are gorgeous. The sound design doesn't overwhelm. Instead, it sets up the atmosphere perfectly.
    I plan to replay this one many times.

    My advice if you're considering this game. Don't read any spoilers. Just play it and discover it for yourself. You'll be happy you did.    … Expand
  17. Wakellor957
    Dec 19, 2022
    10
    Perhaps I'm just slow.. but this game took me much longer than 3-4 hours to complete. I don't know if that's because I was completely sucked into the world and just enjoying the environment, because I was messing about or because I was too dumb to figure out some of the puzzles instantly like some of the geniuses on this page... but long story short I think this has to be one of the bestPerhaps I'm just slow.. but this game took me much longer than 3-4 hours to complete. I don't know if that's because I was completely sucked into the world and just enjoying the environment, because I was messing about or because I was too dumb to figure out some of the puzzles instantly like some of the geniuses on this page... but long story short I think this has to be one of the best games I've ever played in my life!

    The environment, first off, is one of the most alive I've ever experienced, even though it's 2.5D I guess. In a world full of extremely lifeless 3D environments (yes, even many open/world ones with a few exceptions), background events that I wasn't expecting and the way other people and objects interact with the boy throughout the game is just insanely well designed and placed and does nothing but pull you further into the game. There are so many different kinds of settings in this game too and every one is either terrifying or spooky in some way.

    The animation is incredible too. There are few other games I've played that have felt this smooth to control. Realism-wise especially, there are little details everywhere and there wasn't a single point where I felt "this animation is too choppy or weird"

    The storytelling (if you could call it that) is well paced, the horror element itself is great and not dependent on jump scares, but really eerie ideas in the puzzles, almost certain death in certain situations and amazingly good sound design.

    The puzzles themselves I see a lot of other reviewers found them a little too easy, but there were quite a few that had me, at least, scratching my head and some that outright made me quit for a while before coming back another day and seeing the obvious after picking it up again. I found every puzzle satisfying to complete.

    Absolutely pick this game up if you haven't played it before. It's great. Oh and the ending is great too    … Expand
  18. dosey
    Sep 14, 2018
    2
    much like limbo you can hardly call this game a puzzle game or a platformer it's more like a walk left and right simulator with good narration, over all watching the game be played is more fun then playing it.
  19. 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.
  20. Ky3mi4_raider71
    Aug 20, 2018
    8
    One of the best games of 2016 and now of 2018, and also the best "Limbo" clone of all time!! Highly recommend!
  21. b00lpr0p
    Apr 4, 2019
    4
    Overly hyped puzzle game. And yeah, boring most of the time. Soundtrack is barely there. The puzzles are easy, which can be good or can be bad, it's up to you, but sometimes they don't make any sense, because it seems that the authors had no ideas for using the standard mechanics for new puzzles, so sometimes the things behave in a way they have not behaved before. I managed to finish itOverly hyped puzzle game. And yeah, boring most of the time. Soundtrack is barely there. The puzzles are easy, which can be good or can be bad, it's up to you, but sometimes they don't make any sense, because it seems that the authors had no ideas for using the standard mechanics for new puzzles, so sometimes the things behave in a way they have not behaved before. I managed to finish it (and the end is awkward, terrible), but definitely it's not worth the price.… Expand
  22. Caerleon
    Sep 10, 2018
    3
    Such simple puzzles for children 5-7 years. The main deception of this game is the plot. You solve simple puzzles in the hope of an interesting end to the story and an explanation of what is happening. However, at the end you are spit in the face
  23. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    terrible gameplay no good characters. the gameplay is very boring and lazy nooo
  24. lucinhagamer
    Aug 26, 2022
    0
    very bad game with no good quality moves, you can do nothing fun here. very bad game
  25. moby323
    Jul 25, 2018
    10
    Absolutely incredible game. The art direction and atmosphere of the game are about as good as it gets, the puzzles are elegant, the story fresh and interesting.

    Multiple times during the game you think you've got the game figured out and then it just completely surprises you. The journey of discovery is almost as entertaining as the game itself. If you own a Nintendo switch, you are    Absolutely incredible game. The art direction and atmosphere of the game are about as good as it gets, the puzzles are elegant, the story fresh and interesting.

    Multiple times during the game you think you've got the game figured out and then it just completely surprises you. The journey of discovery is almost as entertaining as the game itself.

    If you own a Nintendo switch, you are really missing out if you don't play this game.    … Expand
  26. Batraciofanrex
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Este juego es un verdadero JUEGAZO, durante mi larga experiencia como gamer he visto pocos juegos con una atmosfera tan inmersiva y con un diseño de niveles tan intelegente y bien pensado, es un juego que debes de jugar, sus graficos y su sonido son de lo mejor creando un ambiente bastante depresivo acorde al tema del juego. Es una obra maestra.
  27. kylocosplay
    Oct 11, 2022
    7
    De los creadores de Limbo este juego tiene una ambientación buena, gráficos bastantes buenos mezclando el 2D con el 3D, la historia es algo tétrica e interesante, la jugabilidad con los puzzles es muy original y la switch funciona perfectamente con este juego sin bajadas de FPS.
  28. SleepNot
    Apr 1, 2020
    9
    Inside is a perfect platformer with unbelievable experience! It's so good! Very interesting with a little bit quest part.
  29. sjogro
    Jun 16, 2019
    10
    This game is perfect in its own universe. It's been a weird and wonderful ride, with unexpected development in the story and a natural flow for the gameplay. Not very difficult, but very intriguing nonetheless. I would definitely recommend this and file it under must-play.
  30. nusco
    Dec 24, 2021
    8
    The second game from the authors of Limbo.

    PROS: AMAZING ATMOSPHERE: Inside is creepy as heck, set in a post-industrial hell that is in equal parts gorgeous and oppressive. FANTASTIC ART: This game has some of the most impressive graphics and animation, and the most amazing sound, ever seen on the Switch. Resolution aside, many scripted sequences are worthy of an animated movie.    The second game from the authors of Limbo.

    PROS:

    AMAZING ATMOSPHERE: Inside is creepy as heck, set in a post-industrial hell that is in equal parts gorgeous and oppressive.

    FANTASTIC ART: This game has some of the most impressive graphics and animation, and the most amazing sound, ever seen on the Switch. Resolution aside, many scripted sequences are worthy of an animated movie. Inside deserves to be played on the biggest screen you have, with a headset.

    SURPRISING ENDING: While Limbo kept a consistent tone until the ending, the last few sequences of Inside include a pretty jaw-dropping twist. However… (See the "cons".)

    CONS:

    THE ENDING IS SOMEWHAT WEAK: The last few levels are surprising, yes–but it's also a bit weak compared to Limbo's goosebump-inducing final sequence. Also, the sudden change in tone might leave some players cold.

    IT'S BASICALLY MORE "LIMBO": While Inside introduces plenty of new mechanics of its own, the basic idea is the same as Limbo: move left and right, climb and push stuff, solve puzzles. By the second game, the style is starting to feel like a formula.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Switch Game of 2018
22
#22 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018
51
#51 Most Shared Switch Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Sep 5, 2018
    85
    As many people as possible should have the opportunity to experience Inside. [Issue #35 – September/October 2018, p. 21]
  2. Gaming Nexus
    Aug 30, 2018
    90
    Like Limbo, Inside is short, mechanically addictive and emotionally haunting. It’s the perfect addition to the Switch’s growing library of now-portable indie hits.
    Read full review
  3. XGN
    Aug 17, 2018
    85
    Inside is an awesome game that is even more horrifying than Limbo. The best thing about this game is the mode and the way everything in this world wants to kill you. The adventure is a bit short but you will definitely love it if you enjoyed Limbo.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »