INSIDE

 Xbox One
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 87 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 87
  3. Negative: 0 out of 87
  1. Ars Technica
    Jun 28, 2016
    Just be warned: Inside will not win you over purely as a puzzle-platformer. The game is divided evenly into four types of play: no-challenge traversal; obvious puzzles; annoying head-scratchers; and truly clever challenges. Like Limbo, Inside limits your control to running, jumping, and an open-ended "interact" button. Sometimes, that button lets you push boxes or climb ropes. Other times, its functionality opens up the game's best and weirdest moments.
  2. CNET
    Jun 28, 2016
    Inside defies expectations and delivers plenty of surprises. It's a triumph in storytelling, atmosphere and design. It's never boring or redundant and yet at the same time it's crafted with such a beautiful sense of style and feeling.
  3. Mashable
    Jun 28, 2016
    It doesn't have an Important Message to deliver and it's not openly political or overbearing about driving home underlying themes. It's just an expertly crafted story that — through clever design and eye-catching art — propels you from one terrible discovery to the next.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Jun 29, 2016
    Discomfort is what Playdead has proven itself to be best at creating. The studio understands that there’s disquiet in the unknown and the undefined, and that what’s unheard and unseen can be even more powerful than what’s right in front of us. This is a philosophy that informs Inside’s every trait, from its ambiguous narrative to its uncomplicated character designs and fragile soundscapes. What really cements the developer’s prowess is the finale, a shocking sequence that proves Playdead is just as capable of recognizing when to break free of those restraints as it is knowing when to apply them.
  6. Wired
    Jun 28, 2016
    Inside, like the studio’s freshman effort, is again a monochromatic, tense, haunting, side-scrolling puzzle game, but with six years of effort under its belt, Playdead now delivers a masterclass in its form.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox One Game of 2016
14
#14 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2016
5
#5 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 780 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 634 out of 780
  2. Mixed: 67 out of 780
  3. Negative: 79 out of 780
  1. Project-2
    Jun 29, 2016
    10
    Fascinating and breathtaking from A to Z. Never a game has deliver so much feelings to me.

    INSIDE shows how video games are meant to be.    Fascinating and breathtaking from A to Z. Never a game has deliver so much feelings to me.

    INSIDE shows how video games are meant to be. But it also shows how Art can be.

    Thank you Playdead, for everything.    … Full Review »
  2. nevsim81
    Jun 30, 2016
    7
    I can understand how certain fans of a specific genre might give it a 10; if you were a huge fan of Limbo or of similarly beautiful artI can understand how certain fans of a specific genre might give it a 10; if you were a huge fan of Limbo or of similarly beautiful art styles, you'll love this game just as much, and it is quite an immersive world through its beautiful animations and dark dreamlike atmosphere. But this game needs an honest user review from an unbiased gamer who loves games of all genres.

    The 2 main facets of Inside are the puzzles and the story. Firstly, the puzzle sections of the game were often repetitive without anything truly revolutionary (although with some original concepts) for a 2-D platform/puzzle game. They aren't incredibly difficult which some may not be very happy about, but for me that actually isn't a complaint because I'd rather let the game and my enjoyment flow as opposed to getting stuck in frustration on a quirky puzzle for an hour at a time. Thankfully, I only spent about 20 minutes on the most challenging puzzle, and rarely as much on any other one. But as I mentioned, they are repetitive, and on the rare occasion annoyingly so. I also do have to give the game credit on being playable for almost anyone, and the mechanics are very simple with just a jump button and an action button the entire way through, and they work extremely well and are very functional.

    That brings us to the story. Without giving anything away, I have to admit it really leaves me wanting for more (again, I won't say exactly in which way as to avoid giving any absolute impressions about it, because I do feel it is something that needs to be interpreted by each player individually). I'll just say that on top of it being short, you'll either absolutely love the story and it's ambiguous implications, or you'll be left scratching your head in the end. There is mystery involved...

    So overall, Inside is a very fresh addition to anyone's game library, and a fun evening spent puzzling away. But really, that's all it is- one evening of play and as far as I could tell, no variation or incentive to playing it more than a second time around (if even that). So to give it as high a score as I would to some of the true masterpieces of the gaming world would be a crime, in my opinion. A hearty score of 7 for the 5 or so hours of fine enjoyment I got out fit, as well as the beautiful art and atmosphere. But nowhere near a 10 like so many others are giving it without at least another 10 hours of puzzles and gameplay, and certainly an extension of the story.    … Full Review »
  3. partyintheback
    Jun 30, 2016
    10
    It's rare to play a game as utterly perfect as INSIDE. I'm not one for indie games, nor was I a huge fan of Limbo, but INSIDE is one of theIt's rare to play a game as utterly perfect as INSIDE. I'm not one for indie games, nor was I a huge fan of Limbo, but INSIDE is one of the most impeccably crafted video games that I've ever experienced. If you're looking for pitch perfect pacing, inventive but doable puzzles, haunting atmosphere with richly detailed environments, beautiful lighting, and a soundtrack that serves to enrich the visual surroundings, and have it all look smooth and animate well when in motion, you can't really do much better than INSIDE. Very rarely does a game come along with this level of polish and quality that permeates every single facet of the game. This is easily one of the best video games of not just this generation, but hands down one of the best that I've ever played.… Full Review »
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