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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. SenDji
    Sep 13, 2020
    10
    The reason why I love indies! Superb art direction, atmosphere, and animations. Enjoy this treat of a game!
  8. jaeho
    Oct 27, 2018
    10
    시작부터 마음을 사로잡게 만드는 무언가가 있다. 어두운 분위기에서 시작되는 시작부분은 마지막까지 의심의 의심을 불러일으키고 어느샌가. 엔딩에 도달한다. 퍼즐도 그렇게 막히지 않고 조금만 생각하면 풀어갈수 있다. 좀더 배경과 제작자가 만들어준 세계관에 몰입하게 만들어주고, 캐릭터도 너무 맘에 든다. 마지막 부분에서는 충격을 주면서도 어느샌가 플레이의 마지막에 도달해 크레딧이 올라오는데, 살면서 크레딧다본 게임은 처음이다. 어둡고 비밀스러운 세계관은 내가 좋아하는 SF물에 극을 달하기에 말로 표현하기보다는 직접해봐야한다. 유일한 단점은 너무 몰입해서 엔딩까지 너무 짧게 느껴진다는거. 짧은데 돈이 하나도 안아깝다. 그냥 10점만점에 10점 유일하게 크레딧 다본 게임.시작부터 마음을 사로잡게 만드는 무언가가 있다. 어두운 분위기에서 시작되는 시작부분은 마지막까지 의심의 의심을 불러일으키고 어느샌가. 엔딩에 도달한다. 퍼즐도 그렇게 막히지 않고 조금만 생각하면 풀어갈수 있다. 좀더 배경과 제작자가 만들어준 세계관에 몰입하게 만들어주고, 캐릭터도 너무 맘에 든다. 마지막 부분에서는 충격을 주면서도 어느샌가 플레이의 마지막에 도달해 크레딧이 올라오는데, 살면서 크레딧다본 게임은 처음이다. 어둡고 비밀스러운 세계관은 내가 좋아하는 SF물에 극을 달하기에 말로 표현하기보다는 직접해봐야한다. 유일한 단점은 너무 몰입해서 엔딩까지 너무 짧게 느껴진다는거. 짧은데 돈이 하나도 안아깝다. 그냥 10점만점에 10점 유일하게 크레딧 다본 게임.
  9. Onioncreature
    Oct 12, 2022
    10
    Inside is an extremely impressive narrative puzzle platformer, with an outstanding presentation. The sound and visual design are really well done, and are quite immersive. The gameplay works well, and augments the story. Really cool game, nothing else is quite like it.
  10. Daisuk
    Dec 10, 2020
    10
    This game is a profound work of art. It's not a particularly challenging game, but it is very engaging, absolutely beautifully designed, and it just keeps building up and up and up until a masterful crescendo - where the visual style, the storytelling and the sounds/music all just fit so well together. it's an absolute marvel. The plot, the characters, the setting, the mood ... I haven'tThis game is a profound work of art. It's not a particularly challenging game, but it is very engaging, absolutely beautifully designed, and it just keeps building up and up and up until a masterful crescendo - where the visual style, the storytelling and the sounds/music all just fit so well together. it's an absolute marvel. The plot, the characters, the setting, the mood ... I haven't ever played anything quite like it. One of the best and truly original emotionally gripping video games I've ever played. A pure gem.… Expand
  11. Sugo
    Apr 6, 2022
    10
    This is a classic. One of the best platforms of all time. And it has one of the best endings in gaming history.
  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. GrapesToHarvest
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Heads up, I clicked spoiler on this but I'm not sure what I write will qualify as a spoiler. clicked it though because IMO the less you know about this game going into it, the better.

    Nonetheless, I purchased inside when it first released on Xbox One and purchased it again to replay and support on the switch. Obviously I'm a big fan. Why?

    I've always been drawn to creative expression, especially creativity that is mysterious, unexplained, or dark. Inside is a masterclass in those elements. It is a short experience, or at least it feels like it is. Every platforming obstacle you traverse, every puzzle you crack - you are drawn deeper into this strange, disturbing, unexplained mystery. Who is this boy? What is he doing? Where is he? What does any of this mean? This quest drags you deep into a dystopian, unsettling industrial nightmare and leaves you with no sense of closure and demands interpretation.

    To be specific, it is a 2d puzzle platformer with bare-bones game play and one of the best, dark art-styles in the gaming industry. The aesthetic and mood is so distinct that it has become consistently imitated and sometimes poked fun at by more jovial indie offerings.

    Overall, this game is a perfect example of how the video game medium has shattered the stigma that games are not art, or stupid. This game, i would argue, is an example of not only art, but high art. Best of all, unlike some other developers that dabble in using video game development as a artistic outlet, it is still fun to play.    … Expand
  15. 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
  16. fantasylord
    Apr 22, 2021
    10
    you have to play if you are fascinated by suspense and adrenaline games
    it has a confusing story that leaves you with goosebumps at the end and when you think you understand everything then the game changes the course of everything to ask you more questions in your head
  17. jonjohn048
    Jan 29, 2023
    10
    After checking out Limbo, I wasn't sure if I wanted to check out Inside but I am SUPER HAPPY I did because not only is Inside a better game than Limbo, it's more or less one of the best indie games I've played. Limbo was a great 2D puzzle game that had absolutely no story to keep me hooked, Inside is a 2.5D puzzle game that tells it's story in a strange way where you have to essentiallyAfter checking out Limbo, I wasn't sure if I wanted to check out Inside but I am SUPER HAPPY I did because not only is Inside a better game than Limbo, it's more or less one of the best indie games I've played. Limbo was a great 2D puzzle game that had absolutely no story to keep me hooked, Inside is a 2.5D puzzle game that tells it's story in a strange way where you have to essentially look for it and when you reach the end, it leaves you asking more questions from when you first played it and unlike Limbo, playing the game PLENTY of times began to help me piece plenty of pieces together and the story is amazing btw. It's 2.5D mechanic is surprisingly not a gimmick and it's used surprisingly well like with some enemies showing up in the background potentially getting in your way and hampering your progress. The puzzles are roughly similar quality to Limbo which is not a bad thing since Limbo's puzzles were pretty and actually made you THINK to solve them. The graphics are great for an indie game and the color pallate is in a strange way appropriate to the atmosphere of this game which is more or less what the developers intended and I can't commend them enough for that. The "collectables" come back from Limbo and they're different to the point where they feel like they belong to a world like Inside. Your main protagonist doesn't speak but he realistically doesn't need to since he's supposed to be nothing more than a simple avatar and you're supposed to imagine yourself in his shoes. Overall, this game is one I strongly recommend if you like suspense and even to people that don't because the way how it integrates strong puzzles into a fascinating story is remarkable to say the least and I'm glad it managed to fill in the void Limbo left behind.… Expand
  18. SheldanxD
    Nov 26, 2022
    10
    Los 2 dólares mejor invertidos, me encanta que no te explican nada y te obliga a interpretar todo y corre muy bien en nintendo switch.
  19. beautifulforest
    Dec 6, 2021
    10
    Really good, definitely deserves more recognition. Silent, tense and truly unique gaming experience.
  20. rebster
    Mar 18, 2023
    10
    This game is fantastic. Atmospheric and definitely a must play if you enjoy puzzles and thrillers.
  21. dan-man
    Jan 10, 2022
    10
    Essential game for the discerning gamer of taste. Cheap. Great port. Short and sweet. Unique. Fascinating. Bizarre.

    Buy it.
  22. yasino21
    Feb 27, 2022
    10
    masterpiece great game good gameplay good graphics interesting story i want see more inside games .
  23. 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
  24. Oddlennon
    Sep 1, 2022
    10
    Fantastic game!
    Had fun from start to finish. Would definitely play again and often recommend to others.
  25. Bkillinm
    Nov 10, 2022
    10
    One of the best indie games out there, a 2D puzzle platformer with incredible atmosphere, great sound design and inviting game play. Could be a bit longer but what it sets out to achieve it does so flawlessly.
  26. 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
  27. Joe2539
    Jan 3, 2023
    10
    Very Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good Good
  28. the-big-dady
    Jan 31, 2023
    10
    Es un juego que la primera vez que lo vi me quede sin palabras, la segunda vez tambien y la tercera mas de lo mismo. Es un juego excelente son puzles de esos que no dices que "tontuna de puzle", son todos puzles de aunque te pases media hora para resolver siempre dices "OOOOO". La direccion de arte es maravillosa. Aunque sea minimalista me encanta el diseño de personajes y aunque sea unaEs un juego que la primera vez que lo vi me quede sin palabras, la segunda vez tambien y la tercera mas de lo mismo. Es un juego excelente son puzles de esos que no dices que "tontuna de puzle", son todos puzles de aunque te pases media hora para resolver siempre dices "OOOOO". La direccion de arte es maravillosa. Aunque sea minimalista me encanta el diseño de personajes y aunque sea una atmosfera opresiva, apagada y triste el mundo se siente vivo. En conclusion un pedazo de juego que deberia de haber ganado a Overwacht.… Expand
  29. ANAKISS
    Jun 12, 2023
    10
    Everything is perfect. From the music to the design. Obstacles never repeat themselves and the story is comprehensible even if the game don't say anything about it
  30. Nevbear1206
    Jun 22, 2023
    10
    A masterclass in visual storytelling, simplistic gameplay, environmental puzzles, and everything else that this perfect platformer sets out to achieve. Each section is more engaging than the last, with a finale that has gone down in gaming history. I was continuously amazed by the sheer attention of detail and polish that was carefully imbued into this title. Indie mastery.
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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 »