Inner Chains

I'm a little bent with this one because it's honestly a well-made and fun game, it's just kinda repetitive.
I mean, the graphics, cut-scenes, environments, and atmosphere are all stunning. The soundtrack is passable and the game-play is engaging and unique enough to not be too cookie cutter. The world is actually kinda interesting, and I think the fact that you as a player aren't special, you're just another prisoner who happened to get lucky is pretty cool. Also, the fact that your wrist and gun are the HUD is neat. Overall, it IS fun.
The problem with it and I think the reason why it has such mixed reviews is that progression is quite slow in the beginning, enemy variety isn't bad but definitely could be better, and it overall feels like they were trying to stretch the game without a ton of content to back it up. I do think this is made worse by the somewhat lackluster story (and meh voice acting, though still impressive for non-native English speakers). Also, it's not a horror game, it just sorta has the world of one.
That's why this is kind of a tough one to rate, the core game is awesome, so much potential. I think if they made the game shorter and maybe added an enemy type or two and if they just dedicated some extra time to fleshing out the story, I think this game could have been an easy 8/10
But as it stands, I'm sorry I gotta give it a pained:
6.5/10
Only get it on sale though cause full price, it's closer to a:
5-5.5/10

this is a very unique game with some really exciting artwork and atmosphere. Its constantly attacking your senses and keeping you on edge. i havent finished it yet but i really ;like it i hope there is a part 2

If you are looking for a walking simulator with a good environments, this is the game.
You just walk through an HR Giger inspired landscape, but is not a copy paste of the art style, a mix between flesh and mechanical fusion.
I don't think you can follow the story when the only places to read it needs a cypher and the only way you get the "key" is looking for tablets that get you achievements.
I think if you are interested in the art and the atmosphere, give it a try. Otherwise this is not a must play.
Don't expect anything more than intriguing art.

Inner Chains is an FPS horror game set in a surreal, dark and deadly biomechanical world, played through to the credits. The game turns out to be a pleasant surprise against the expectation of a fairly average shooter.
The biomechanical world is striking, with Giger-style design that recalls Scorn and a grim, mysterious atmosphere throughout. The first jump scare is a standout, with the healing-station trap ambushing the moment it is used.
The three-gun loadout has clear identity, with the flamethrower shredding any gun-toting enemies and the shock rifle proving the most useful overall. The shock rifle stuns plants and zombies and has so many puzzle applications that it anchors the encounter design.
The weapon puzzles work, with the shock rifle for stuns and the flamethrower for plant-like hazards signalling the intended tool. The difficulty is fair, and later encounters become manageable once the flamethrower is used in long bursts.
The narrative is impenetrable, with the meaning of the story never becoming clear throughout. The masked enemies are the worst part, since they bumrush and box in the player with nothing to be done once surrounded.
The game is not optimised all too well, with a constant compiling-shaders popup that never stops. The shock rifle's alternate-fire attachment is never explained and picking it up bugged the weapon switching, while some later encounters demand the flamethrower and punish running out of ammo.
Overall, the biomechanical atmosphere, the weapon identity and the fair difficulty make this an enjoyable bio-horror FPS. The opaque narrative and the boxing-in mask enemies are the caveats.

Loved the map design. The game has some nice gun play too. A bit glitchy sometimes but it was fun.

Developed by Telepaths Tree and published by IMGN.PRO, Inner Chains is an ambitious first-person horror adventure that blends survival mechanics, exploration, and atmospheric storytelling within a world unlike anything found in traditional sci-fi or horror games. Rather than placing players in a recognizable post-apocalyptic landscape, the game imagines a distant future where humanity has become only a minor part of an ecosystem dominated by living technology. Organic matter and machinery have fused through millions of years of evolution, creating a civilization that feels both alien and strangely believable. From the opening moments, the game establishes an oppressive tone through its grotesque environments, inviting players to uncover the mysteries hidden within its disturbing yet fascinating setting.
The game's narrative favors subtle environmental storytelling over direct exposition. Instead of lengthy conversations or cinematic sequences, players gradually learn about the world's history by exploring abandoned structures, observing strange lifeforms, and interpreting clues scattered throughout the environment. This approach encourages curiosity and rewards careful observation, making every new location feel like another piece of a larger puzzle. The setting suggests a society where biological evolution and advanced technology have become inseparable, creating a harsh world where survival depends on adapting to nature's twisted creations. While this style of storytelling successfully builds intrigue, those who prefer clearly explained narratives may find the plot difficult to fully grasp without paying close attention to environmental details.
Exploration is one of Inner Chains' greatest strengths. Every area introduces unsettling landscapes filled with pulsating organic growths, biomechanical architecture, and bizarre creatures that reinforce the game's unique identity. Progress often requires more than simply eliminating enemies, as players must learn how the environment functions and use living mechanisms to overcome obstacles. Resource management also plays an important role, with ammunition and supplies remaining limited enough to make encounters feel tense. Rather than encouraging constant combat, the game often rewards patience, observation, and strategic thinking, giving each confrontation a greater sense of consequence.
Combat offers a mixture of traditional first-person shooting and environmental interaction, though it is also where the game's flaws become most noticeable. Weapons are functional and provide enough variety to keep encounters interesting, but the gunplay lacks the responsiveness expected from modern shooters. Enemy behavior can occasionally feel inconsistent, leading to situations where difficulty stems from awkward artificial intelligence instead of carefully designed encounters. Movement can sometimes feel stiff, and navigating through the visually dense environments may become confusing, especially when important pathways blend into the surrounding biomechanical scenery. These issues do not completely diminish the experience, but they prevent the gameplay from reaching the same level of quality as the game's artistic presentation.
The audiovisual design is unquestionably the highlight of the experience. Inspired by surreal biomechanical art, every location is filled with unsettling details that blur the line between living organisms and machinery. Massive organic structures, grotesque creatures, and haunting environmental effects combine to create an atmosphere that remains memorable long after each area is completed. The sound design further enhances the tension through unsettling ambient effects, eerie creature noises, and restrained musical compositions that emphasize isolation rather than action. The result is a consistently oppressive mood that makes exploration feel both captivating and uncomfortable in the best possible way for a horror experience.
Inner Chains is a game driven by creativity and artistic ambition rather than flawless execution. Its unusual setting, immersive atmosphere, and commitment to environmental storytelling make it stand out among first-person horror titles, even if rough combat mechanics, inconsistent enemy behavior, and occasional navigation issues prevent it from fully realizing its potential. Players who appreciate experimental world-building and atmospheric exploration will likely find much to admire, while those seeking polished action or a straightforward narrative may struggle with some of its design choices. Even with its imperfections, the game's unforgettable visual identity and unique interpretation of biomechanical horror make it a worthwhile experience for fans looking for something different.
Rating: 6/10

Take the journey through a dark fantasy world, you are one of many and need to survive, given an artifact what allows you too become selected to live so as earning elementary based weapons. The story is simple: find your way through a well animated medieval world till reaching the queen, the build recalls games like Hexen and Quake with some flair of Scorn, sound and atmosphere are doing their part. Solve riddles and care of what is above you, as everywhere lurks the enemy, 2 and 4 legged. Your goal is to collect letters in order to decipher the notes on paintings so as opening barriers and wisely use your weapons in order to push forward. Compared to similar games, this one is well made and near bug free, giving you several hours of walking, exploring, dealing with foes and riddles. The savepoints are fairly placed and the plant navigation system does help either, The intermissions are copy / paste but not a matter to enjoy the run. Keep your eyes open to find all achievements what is not a difficult task, heal yourself at any colored source, where you recharge your weapons. Have the 3 elements on your side for approaching enemies with the right choice. All in all, nicely animated UE4 graphics are great to watch and this game in its actual version might deserve a better score than 'mixed' only.