Playdead’s INSIDE is the Pinnacle of Environmental Storytelling

INSIDE Review

INSIDE Review

Beautiful, atmospheric, and thought-provoking, Inside is an exceptional indie platformer/puzzler game. It is perhaps one of THE defining indie games. It was truly a wonder to play, and is definitely recommended. NameBrand.

I’m late to playing INSIDE, but after reflecting on the experience after playing shows me that it will be a timeless game, for a very long time. I played INSIDE hot off the heels of its spiritual predecessor, LIMBO (of which I was even later to playing). With that perspective, I can tell you that INSIDE is a much more accessible, and satisfying game to play.

LIMBO I completed, and through my frustrations, I saw it for the art piece it was. But that’s a journey I’ll never make again. INSIDE, on the other hand, is a game that I enjoyed to such a degree, that I’m certain I’ll play it again, eventually, because it’s an incredible, timeless journey. It seems as though the developers learned from their mistakes and smoothed out what I thought were sore spots in LIMBO.

This Historically Praised Indie Game Is Not Worth Playing
LIMBO Walked, so INSIDE Could Runpublication.thenamebrand.co

INSIDE is the pinnacle of environmental storytelling. Going from one location to another can feel mystical and wondrous, or dangerous and thrilling, as it tells the story of this dystopian world ruled with an iron fist.

The puzzles are perfectly difficult. LIMBO had me cursing at some points because of how precise the solutions were to its puzzles, but I didn’t have that issue here at all. If I knew the puzzle solution, I could complete it just fine. I respect that. I didn’t think there were too many either, and considered them a great way to break up the other portions of the game that focus on other gameplay elements.

The finale absolutely blew me away! I couldn’t believe my eyes. When the credits rolled, I sat looking at the names on screen, in complete speechless awe. It was so powerful that I thought about INSIDE for a few days afterward, and up into this review. It’s so wonderfully crafted, and a perfect example of the type of game that you know is pure ‘art’ because of how it well it clears every bar of creativity, and makes you feel.

I have only two minor gripes. The gameplay can feel a bit repetitive, and it is a pretty short game. But, again, these are minor, and I don’t believe they detract significantly from the experience at all. Maybe it would to some. I know there’s going to be a crowd of people that LOVE this game and another crowd of people that just think it’s okay, probably because of these two items, which is more-so why I include them here.

Ultimately, I definitely recommend you play INSIDE, which is a complete masterpiece of a game. If you’re even remotely interested, please play it.

Originally published at https://backloggd.com.