INSIDE

 Xbox One
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

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  1. 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 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    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 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.    … Expand
  2. Vixremento
    Aug 8, 2016
    7
    As a fan of Limbo I knew I had to play this. It looks great and plays in almost the same way with one or two extra little features that set it apart all while also being a tad nicer to look at when compared to Limbo.

    You control a little boy through an environment moving along and solving a few puzzles here and there to allow you to continue on your quest "to the right". This journey is    As a fan of Limbo I knew I had to play this. It looks great and plays in almost the same way with one or two extra little features that set it apart all while also being a tad nicer to look at when compared to Limbo.

    You control a little boy through an environment moving along and solving a few puzzles here and there to allow you to continue on your quest "to the right". This journey is completed in a mostly dark environment that fills you with all sorts of questions as you progress: How did I get here? Where am I supposed to go and why am I supposed to get there? Why are those people and "things" chasing me? Am I meant to be "absorbed" or "assimilated"? etc. Fret not my dear friend as almost none of these questions will be answered and that is probably this games biggest fault.

    In addition it's also quite an expensive experience (for what you get in my personal opinion) as in before you know it you'll have completed the game and you'll also most likely be left with more questions than answers. There are perhaps one or two puzzles that are decent enough for you to not instantly figure out however others will just ensure that you back track a bit to make sure you have all of the pieces. There is also a hidden set of most optional bits (I'm trying to not give away anything here) that will unlock a secret "ending".

    Overall it was a fun experience and I'm glad I got to enjoy it however I was also left slightly empty afterwards especially knowing that I'd have to wait a good few months to possibly a year or two to make it viable for a second play through. In the end I was just left wishing that I'd rather just ignored it until it had gotten cheaper as it just didn't feel as if I had gotten my values worth.

    Buy it if you really, really really loved Limbo and you want more of the same thing and don't mind the current asking price otherwise wishlist it and pick it up with a discount a while later on down the line. 7/10 hurt mostly by it's very short playtime, limited replay value (it really is going to be almost identical to your first play perhaps with one or two additional secrets discovered here and there) and finally leaving you with more questions than answers after completion.    … Expand
  3. Niall79
    Jul 19, 2016
    7
    Inside is a triumph of style over substance. The art direction is often
    breath-taking (although with one too many grim warehouses and an overly long water section.) As with Limbo, the animation is smooth and the controls are both simple and nicely weighted.
    Unfortunately, it’s all in service of not a lot of game. The story never really gets going, too much is left open to    Inside is a triumph of style over substance. The art direction is often
    breath-taking (although with one too many grim warehouses and an overly long water section.) As with Limbo, the animation is smooth and the controls are both simple and nicely weighted.

    Unfortunately, it’s all in service of not a lot of game. The story never really gets going, too much is left open to interpretation, and a brilliantly surreal ending twist is over before you can fully get your head around it.

    While it’s technically far superior to Limbo, as an experience it feels shallow and slight by comparison.    … Expand
  4. metadubrev2
    Jul 4, 2016
    6
    it's pretty but it's still just a platformer. the "puzzles" are generally not that hard but just require timing which can be really irritating and requires dying over and over and over and over and waiting on reloads. some "puzzles" are just too obtuse requiring a walkthrough/guide. who would ever think you have to move one particular unmarked box among all the unmarked boxes to revealit's pretty but it's still just a platformer. the "puzzles" are generally not that hard but just require timing which can be really irritating and requires dying over and over and over and over and waiting on reloads. some "puzzles" are just too obtuse requiring a walkthrough/guide. who would ever think you have to move one particular unmarked box among all the unmarked boxes to reveal the required path? love the look and atmosphere though i find the actual gameplay tiresome. also not that great a value. 20$ for a few hours of gameplay as opposed to some games for 60$ you can put in 100's of hours… Expand
  5. TheMetacritiqer
    Jul 16, 2016
    6
    The critics got it wrong. But they are half right. The first half of the game is great stuff. Their is a lot of variety and cinematic(as you can get for a simple 2D platformer) moments. But then the many deaths get annoying and the puzzles get harder. At this point I just wanted to get the game over with. And the ending feels numb. The secret one makes things too simple. For a game likeThe critics got it wrong. But they are half right. The first half of the game is great stuff. Their is a lot of variety and cinematic(as you can get for a simple 2D platformer) moments. But then the many deaths get annoying and the puzzles get harder. At this point I just wanted to get the game over with. And the ending feels numb. The secret one makes things too simple. For a game like this the plot should have a little weight but it all comes down to basic themes that we've all played, watched, and read before. Now to try Limbo.… Expand
  6. CoolDadTx
    Aug 4, 2020
    7
    Pretty good platformer but if there was a story there I cannot imagine what it was. This game is minimal in everything. I was hopeful that the end game would the plot but nothing. It started out like somebody being hunted but quickly divulged into what looked like a dream. Really baffling what the purpose was.

    Overall the biggest issue I had was the controls were never explained and the    Pretty good platformer but if there was a story there I cannot imagine what it was. This game is minimal in everything. I was hopeful that the end game would the plot but nothing. It started out like somebody being hunted but quickly divulged into what looked like a dream. Really baffling what the purpose was.

    Overall the biggest issue I had was the controls were never explained and the only settings didn't show all the controls available. Since the puzzles required that you use progressively more complex controls and it was never even mentioned what you could do some puzzle were just confusing until you figured out you could do something that might not even make sense. After that things get a little easier.    … Expand
  7. ILCAVALIERE
    Mar 21, 2018
    6
    El juego esta bien,pero no se,le ha faltado algo ,me gusta mas el limbo pero este es muy recomendable
  8. DKurac
    Sep 11, 2021
    6
    Way better than Limbo. There was less death based puzzles and more brain use puzzles but still it wasn't good. Whole game I was asking myself what even is this game and at the end I was just ........... . If you want to play this just download it with game pass. It is not worth buying especially for 5 hours of gameplay.
  9. CenkAlp
    Jan 2, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = 8
    Oynanış = 7
    Grafikler = 6
    Sesler = 7
    Keyif = 8
    Atmosfer = 8
    Süre = 6
  10. Mercyscene
    Apr 21, 2019
    7
    If this game has peeked your interest, go play LIMBO. I downloaded INSIDE on sale because I enjoyed LIMBO and because it was very hyped. There was one standout moment of brilliance, and I did complete the game. By the end, though, I felt like it was one step below LIMBO in several ways when it should have been an improvement by PLAYDEAD. The puzzles seemed easier and more compact, deathsIf this game has peeked your interest, go play LIMBO. I downloaded INSIDE on sale because I enjoyed LIMBO and because it was very hyped. There was one standout moment of brilliance, and I did complete the game. By the end, though, I felt like it was one step below LIMBO in several ways when it should have been an improvement by PLAYDEAD. The puzzles seemed easier and more compact, deaths slower or more obvious, what was happening made less sense, and there was less continuity in gameplay. In at least two points, I was respawned after failing to a location that gave away what I needed to do. For a game rated for a mature audience, a little more sophistication and challenge would have been welcome.
    This is a slow-paced, linear, puzzle-platformer with a unique but simple art style with maybe a handful of interesting ideas. I did enjoy INSIDE, but it's not fantastic, and I honestly felt like I was just walking forward during more than half of this 5-hour journey.    … Expand
  11. Ilikethisartist
    Jun 24, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. At the start of the game, I was immediately captured by the visuals and puzzles but then I was kinda disappointed when I realised that the puzzles were as easy as they were at the end of the game. Unlike Limbo where the puzzles escalated in difficulty at the end ,this game just had little range of difficulty. The game has beautiful graphics and the team did a great job creating this game , but the sotey was what let me down. The story was supposed to be ambiguous but just ended up being confusing. Nothing pieces together like the human bouncy ball to the mermaid. What was the mermiad about? Why was she there? Also how did we get resurrected by fish and could brrather under water? You cant just piece random ideas into a game and expect it to come together to become a story. And then the ending.... Huh!?! We just die? How can we touch fire but we die by rolling down a hill? Its confusing to say the least! But the ending doesnt bring down the whole game? No. Do I think this game is worth the hype the critic ls saying? No. This game is alright, it's short and confusing but not totally terrible. Overall it's not worth 20 euro it a 10 dollar short indie game that's alright if you are a fan of easy puzzles.… Expand
  12. ewenr
    Jun 30, 2020
    7
    Without a doubt, one of the weirdest games I have ever played. If you like an intriguing game that will have you saying "wtf" to yourself every 5 minutes, pick this one up and you will be pleased.
  13. dsrtd
    Oct 5, 2020
    6
    I enjoyed this game, but its biggest pitfall was that I was left wanting so much more, and that was a major detractor.

    The biggest problem with Inside was it's play time. I was able to beat it within a short few hours and was expecting much more. With all the rave reviews of this game, I felt like it would be much much longer than it ended up being. The story was somewhat    I enjoyed this game, but its biggest pitfall was that I was left wanting so much more, and that was a major detractor.

    The biggest problem with Inside was it's play time. I was able to beat it within a short few hours and was expecting much more. With all the rave reviews of this game, I felt like it would be much much longer than it ended up being.

    The story was somewhat interesting. I had zero idea what I was getting into. And it's rare that I start off with a game knowing nothing of the story or what I am about to play, but I wanted to give Inside a fairly blind shot. While the visual storytelling was generally successful, and definitely gave me an idea of what was happening, it always had a bit of a disconnect for me, and the ending completely lost me. I was rather disappointed upon finishing the game. Also having played it, it doesn't feel like it has much replay value either.

    All that said, the game held up in visual quality, amazing sound and great overall atmosphere. The problem with Inside is that it left me wanting more of all of that, with a bit more of a cohesive story to go along with it, and a different ending. This is worth buying if you can find it on sale for sure, but I wouldn't pay full price for it by any means.    … Expand
  14. DoctorMojica
    Oct 8, 2021
    7
    Inside is a good game, the kind of game you play to relax a while between more complex games. The artstyle as well as the graphics are great and work great. It will keep to interested for 4 hours. Unfortunately, as well as Limbo, lacks soundtrack, a good story, purpose and emotion. If you are looking for a metroidvania or a puzzle platform game, this is not the one. Play it only with aInside is a good game, the kind of game you play to relax a while between more complex games. The artstyle as well as the graphics are great and work great. It will keep to interested for 4 hours. Unfortunately, as well as Limbo, lacks soundtrack, a good story, purpose and emotion. If you are looking for a metroidvania or a puzzle platform game, this is not the one. Play it only with a great sale price.… Expand
  15. Ginger_Avenger
    Dec 11, 2022
    7
    Impressive execution. Striking art design like its predecessor Limbo, with a similar minimalist narrative, but this one goes to new places. I liked both games, but I think I prefer Limbo, as this game's atmosphere was great but the puzzle aspect wasn't as interesting, even if it was often unexpected.
  16. MerryHaddock961
    May 24, 2022
    7
    I recently played this game because I had been interested in it’s concept. But when I played it I am sad to say it underdelivered. The game features an interesting world and but some bland and uninteresting gameplay at parts and the game is criminally short. It’s still a good game but nowhere near the level that other reviewers are saying. This isn’t a bad game simply a game that is funI recently played this game because I had been interested in it’s concept. But when I played it I am sad to say it underdelivered. The game features an interesting world and but some bland and uninteresting gameplay at parts and the game is criminally short. It’s still a good game but nowhere near the level that other reviewers are saying. This isn’t a bad game simply a game that is fun but not that fun.… Expand
  17. SaberOfXebec
    Jul 25, 2023
    7
    Good:
    -Story
    -Atmosphere
    -Music
    -Generous normal level puzzles

    Bad:
    -Nothing really bad I just feel that there is no more in it
  18. Asviin
    Aug 6, 2023
    7
    Amazing atmosphere. A game without any dialogue. a platformer with fun puzzles.
    Straight out of nightmare. Short and wierd story If you have game pass you should play it

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. BaziCenter
    Feb 14, 2017
    100
    By entering the world of Inside, you'll forget your own world and everything that's been going on in it. From beautiful art design to engaging gameplay, thrilling atmosphere to marvelous story, everything about this game is truly exceptional. Do not miss it.
    Read full review
  2. Worth Playing
    Sep 12, 2016
    90
    Inside shows that Playdead has a knack for the short but powerful puzzle-platformer. The puzzles are logical and challenging, while the story is told well without a reliance on the usual things like dialogue and cut scenes. The balance between both creates a game that has a ton of memorable moments, and the flow is smooth enough that you're compelled to keep playing until you reach the thought-provoking ending. With a presentation that adds greatly to the narrative, Inside is well worth your time.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    Sep 6, 2016
    92
    The most haunting and affecting game of the year. [Sept 2016, p.76]
See all critic reviews »