Inside

This game drew me in. Made me interested from the beginning. AAA games don’t do that.
I've only just recently discovered this game and it is without a doubt one of the greatest gaming experiences of my life (and I'm 37 now). It’s probably the most fulfilling videogame experience I’ve ever had, and is easily one of my favourite games of all time. I went into it praying for more Limbo and it just held my standards down and pimp-slapped the sh*t out of them. I’m struggling to think of the last time a game made me step back and say "Wow". An absolute masterpiece. This game is the epitome of quality over quantity. There are games out there that last months to complete but are nowhere near as satisfying as Inside.
Inside was honestly such a roller coaster of emotions. It's become one of my favorite games, and I was just impressed how it could just grasp my attention so well without any words. The art style, the simple gameplay, thoughtful puzzles throughout the game, etc. I loved it all. It was so thrilling and an amazing journey. Many atypical gamers might label Inside as pretentious gibberish, however I think that what Playdead managed to pull off here is really quite extraordinary. Much similarly to something like Journey, Inside attempts to immerse you in sound and visuals, whilst slowly peeling away bits of this mysterious world that you find yourself in. I could clearly see that they took and learned from limbo and expanded on it every single way, rather than attempting to do something on an absurd scale like most sequels tend to. If you feel alienated by this game, so be it, however I am happy that for once a game asked for my participation.
For those curious, Inside has the same amount of story as Limbo, i.e. not much at all. BUT theres just enough little bits of the world that will get people wondering and making theories for a long time. The atmosphere is one of the best ever. Don't know how else to put it. Everything just feels so creepy and wrong, even though you can never really put your finger on what exactly is happening in this world. The puzzles are good too. Very similar to Limbo's puzzles (push this block, climb that rope, do both of those things together) but with several cool new gimmicks that get thrown in later.
In Inside, there could be a theoretical timeline of events leading up to the beginning of the story. You wander through environments thinking, "My god, what happened here? Who did this and what were their motivations?". By the time the credits roll, some of those questions may have been answered, most only hinted at, and others you will have to find closure with on your own terms. I love how you get dropped into a new situation and you can easily pick up what you're supposed to do from the cues. It's so brilliantly designed. I hate when any story dumps exposition into my ears, so having the world speak to me visually was enough. I'd stare at the background in awe or horror. It's crazy how intense it can be at times. In Limbo, the world is intriguing, but it doesn't feel as realistically inhabited as in Inside. This is easily one of the most unsettling horrible series of scenes and vignettes I've ever seen in videogames. It made me feel awful in the best way. The gameplay is more playdead, but streamlined and more thoughtful.
I think it's totally worth full price though, especially if you're looking for shorter experiences that you can complete if your gaming time is limited. I always think that Inside answers the question of why do we love videogames. It is a masterpiece, a 10 out of a fu*king 10, and everyone should experience it.
10/10

INSIDE is a masterfully crafted puzzle-platformer that showcases the brilliance of Playdead, the developers behind the iconic Limbo. Building on their signature style, INSIDE offers a dark, atmospheric journey that is equal parts haunting and captivating.
The game's minimalist approach to storytelling draws players into its mysterious world, leaving much to interpretation. The visuals are stunning, with a striking use of light, shadow, and sound that amplifies the eerie tone. The puzzles are clever and seamlessly integrated into the environment, ensuring the gameplay remains engaging from start to finish.
As a big fan of Limbo, INSIDE feels like an evolution of that same eerie charm, delivering a more refined experience with deeper emotional weight. It's an unforgettable journey that lingers with you long after the credits roll. Highly recommended for fans of atmospheric and thought-provoking games.

While I can see why Inside is so highly praised, I personally didn’t enjoy it that much—and that’s been troubling me, because the level of acclaim made me wonder if I was missing something.
Let me be clear: the craft is outstanding. The animation is incredibly fluid, the sound design is immersive, and the visual storytelling is elegant. There’s real artistry in how this game conveys emotion and tension without a single word. From a technical and atmospheric standpoint, it’s a masterpiece.
But where it falls short—for me, at least—is in its worldbuilding and narrative coherence. The story leans heavily on ambiguity, symbolism, and meta-commentary (including on the player’s role), and while many people seem to love that freedom of interpretation, I found it unsatisfying and even inconsistent.
For example, the world sets up clear patterns: everyone wants to capture or kill the boy, until the final facility where the scientists suddenly stop caring about him. There’s no in-world explanation for that shift. Then they all rush to the blob chamber as if something major is happening—but when you get there, the blob just floats in its tank as if nothing’s changed. When the boy merges with the blob, the scientists panic—only to start helping the blob escape moments later, opening doors and seemingly guiding it toward freedom. Why? What do they want? Why the contradiction?
And then there’s the ending. The blob reaches the light of the beach and just… stops. If that was its goal, what was all the build-up for? If it wasn’t, then what now? The game raises intriguing questions but refuses to give even the bare minimum of in-world logic or consistency. It felt more like a thematic stage for a message than a living, breathing world.
I know some players find this kind of ambiguity thrilling, and they enjoy piecing together their own interpretations. That’s valid. But I tend to look for internal logic—if something happens, I want there to be a reason that makes sense within the world itself, not just metaphorically or meta-narratively. Without that, it feels arbitrary, even manipulative.
So… should I recommend it? Honestly, yes—but with caveats. If you enjoy symbolic, atmospheric experiences and don’t mind (or even enjoy) a story that resists explanation, you’ll probably love it. But if you’re like me and you value narrative coherence and clear world rules, Inside might leave you cold despite its technical brilliance.
Pros:
- Impeccable animation and visual polish
- Haunting, minimalist atmosphere
- No HUD or dialogue, pure environmental storytelling
- Intriguing, symbolic themes open to interpretation
Cons:
- Worldbuilding lacks internal logic and coherence
- NPCs' behavior becomes contradictory near the end
- Narrative relies too heavily on ambiguity
- The ending feels empty without clear context or resolution
- Meta-commentary (player control, game structure) overrides story immersion

INSIDE is a dark and mesmerizing journey that pulls you into its eerie world from the very first moment. With no dialogue, it tells an unsettling yet deeply engaging story through its haunting atmosphere, brilliant level design, and clever puzzles. Every step feels like a mystery waiting to unfold, and the game masterfully builds tension as you progress deeper into its strange, dystopian setting.
The gameplay is smooth and rewarding, blending platforming and puzzles seamlessly with a gripping sense of danger. The world is beautifully crafted, with stunning visuals and immersive sound design that make every moment feel impactful. Just when you think you understand what's happening, the game takes unexpected turns that leave a lasting impression.
INSIDE is an unforgettable experience that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll. It’s a masterpiece of storytelling through gameplay, and if you enjoy eerie, thought-provoking adventures, this is a must-play.

Inside is a short but unforgettable experience that draws you into a haunting, dystopian world with chilling, atmospheric visuals and ambient sound design. You play as a boy exploring ominous landscapes, navigating puzzles that challenge without overwhelming. The story unfolds wordlessly, relying on visual cues and subtle details that grip you from start to finish. With its immersive storytelling and flawless design, Inside is a must-play for anyone who enjoys games that linger in the mind long after they're done.

I finally got around to playing INSIDE, and I wish I got to experience this game much sooner, almost 10 years after release this is one of the best games I have ever played. The eerie atmosphere really sets the tone for this dark horror game. Each area feels like a painting and the contrast between light and dark is stunning. The minimalist design fits this game perfectly and creates a rich canvas and thought provoking adventure. The ambient music and sounds provide a creepy tension and sets the pace as you traverse the baron but beautiful landscapes. In this dangerous and unforgiving world you have to use your wits to puzzle your way forward. Many moments are intense and each action has a sense of purpose. All of the puzzles are engaging and well thought out, and never too challenging or repetitive. The story is very unique and will leave you haunted and captivated. The type that will have you thinking about it well after finishing the game. From top to bottom INSIDE is a masterpiece and a must play in my book.
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⚠️ SPOILER WARNING – This post contains major story spoilers for the game INSIDE. Read at your own risk.
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You see these lifeless humans—just empty shells, like scarecrows—mindlessly moving around, all under control of some shady organization.
But why?
Then there are those chicks that follow you around… and yet, you just use them to push forward. Why do we do that?
Even the scarecrows can control others sometimes. What are we actually witnessing here?
A bit further in, you reach Lab #2. A failed test subject is doing everything it can to grab you—but it’s terrified of light. Why?
Why are there weird soundwaves outside the boundaries of the facility?
Soon after, you encounter Subject #3. It’s basically like the one before, but now it has three cables attached to it. It chases you relentlessly… but it never catches you. You manage to escape.
And just when you think it’s over...
Subject #2 returns.
It finishes what #3 couldn’t. It catches you, drags you deep underwater, and connects some kind of mind-control device straight to your heart.
Later, you encounter Subject #4.
It’s a strange entity that isn’t even shown clearly, but every single lab worker is just staring at it, doing nothing—no one interferes.
Eventually, you reach the real Subject #4. A massive, grotesque mass of human bodies. It swallows you whole… and this time, you take control of it.
You rampage through the facility, kill the head of the organization, and finally collapse into a strange pool of light—presumably dead.
But... is that really the end?
No.
Turns out, you were Subject #4 all along.
The entire journey? It was one big experiment.
All those people you met—scarecrows placed along the way to help guide you forward.
And remember those officials with masks at the start? The real workers—the ones who actually run the facility—weren’t wearing any.
So what was the goal of this whole thing?
They wanted to see if they could remotely control a subject without it realizing.
Every dead body you passed? Just another failed attempt.
But now comes the real question...
Who was controlling YOU?
When you gain control of Subject #4, you encounter 13 electric orbs—one by one, you disable them.
If you restart the game afterward, you can find a hidden door in a cornfield. Go down into a secret bunker, and to the right, you’ll find a locked door with a secret code—based on the positions of those same orbs.
Behind that door?
A hidden control room.
If you look closely, the machine in the background mirrors every move you make.
That’s right. That system was controlling you.
When you unplug the machine, Subject #4 shuts down for good.
But here’s the final twist...
Who’s really behind all of this?
You.
The player.
You’re the one pulling the strings, watching everything, pushing forward like a puppet master.
But now… ask yourself:
Who's controlling you?