INSIDE | Xbox One

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Games like INSIDE don’t come around often; it’s a truly special experience that should be savoured over its precious three to four hour course. It’s Playdead’s second game, the spiritual successor to LIMBO, and another absolute classic.

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​by Sam Sant

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@SlamShotSam

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Platforms: Xbox One, PC
Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead
Players: 1 

INSIDE is immediately gripping, consuming us with many a burning question. This desire to discover never subsided, which is impressive, considering not a word of dialogue is uttered throughout the game. The narrative is conveyed more fluently through lovingly detailed environments, body language and actions than most stories that are scripted with painstaking care.

This minimalistic philosophy encompasses the game’s systems as a whole. Be it the focus on diegetic sound, the muted colour palette, three-button control scheme, or forgone tutorial, menus and HUD - there’s a general simplicity of shape and design. The end result is an experience that feels firmly grounded - less game-like - whilst abstract.

There are many a controller-gripping, squee-subduing narrow escapes from the mysterious range of pursuers encountered throughout the young protagonist’s harrowing journey. What makes these instances altogether disturbing is how defenseless you are, in addition to the fact the conflict seems unprovoked. Masked adults will happily gun the boy down, or set attack dogs him, the ensuing violence of which is freely depicted. These moments are shocking, but perhaps worse are the times he’s knocked unconscious, limp remains dragged to a presumed fate worse than death.

Some grisly fatalities are a necessity, as death serves to teach the player. Most often the process will help deduce the conclusion to a puzzle, of which there are many, all naturally integrated as to not feel like contrived progress gates. Many are physics based - courtesy of a system that’s beautifully true-to-life - involving correct placement of environmental objects. They’re never frustrating; exclusively occupying that perfect middle ground that sees you pause to scratch your head, whilst not for long enough to consider throwing in the towel and looking up the solution.

To fully explore INSIDE’s strange and exciting subject matter would be to rob you of discovering them for yourself.

Platforming is a secondary gameplay pillar, more a means to an end than a challenge of its own. You’ll naturally employ the tightly controlled manoeuvres to aid in your traversal, but don’t expect any particularly taxing jumps.
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There’s a refreshing, if still slight, level of freedom for what’s usually a somewhat linear genre. Some sections can be tackled in an order of your choosing, dependant on which direction you choose to take off in, whilst there are also plenty of hidden secrets to uncover. These are tied to the game’s achievements, in addition to an alternate ending, but please resist the temptation to introduce the distraction of a walkthrough on your initial playthrough. Play at your own pace, allow yourself to absorb it, discover what you discover, then go back.

To fully explore INSIDE’s strange and exciting subject matter would be to rob you of discovering them for yourself. That said, the ending has been the one constant criticism raised. It certainly doesn’t answer all of the questions it prompted, but when paired with the alternate ending, we’re content with our interpretation. It doesn’t need to be spelled out.

Games like INSIDE don’t come around often; it’s a truly special experience that should be savoured over its precious three to four hour course.

There are many a controller-gripping, squee-subduing narrow escapes from the mysterious range of pursuers encountered throughout the young protagonist’s harrowing journey.

A rare, somber experience that’s dense with atmosphere, you’ll likely play in a stunned silence, mouth slightly agape in wonderment. If you ever find yourself in a games as art discussion - a topic that shouldn’t still be up for debate - point towards INSIDE and rest your case.

Pros

• Beautiful, encompassing simplicity of design
• Fantastic use of sound - focus on diegetic draws you in, whilst the scarcity of arranged pieces makes them more impactful
• Tight controls and intelligent puzzles
• Compelling narrative without the need to utter a word
• Respects and trusts the player with no form of handholding

Cons

• Can’t fault it

Score 10/10