Inside Reviews

“‘Inside’ is a masterful, atmospheric puzzler, and one of the best games of the year.”

This is a game that will still be talked about five years from now—even 10 years from now. Inside was pretty much three hours of me shaking my head, clutching my chest, and realizing every few minutes that my mouth was hanging wide open. It’s an analog science-fiction thriller, and so good that it’s impossible to improve upon. It’ll get right inside you.

Inside won't be for everyone, and likely will never carry the prestige that Limbo garnered years ago. However, it is a game made for those able to appreciate the nuance and artistry behind game design and building atmosphere. Though short, Inside is an amazing one-sitting gameplay experience for enthusiasts and indie-lovers that frankly should not be missed, no matter where you play it.

Inside is as beautiful as it is bleak. A truly fantastic experience that deserves its place among the very best games of the generation.

The boy in the high castle.

Reviewing Inside is a tough proposition. On the one hand, this is a game that is fully deserving of a write-up overflowing with superlatives. On the other hand, to describe practically anything that happens in the game in anything other than the vaguest of terms would be to rob the player of the joy of discovering those moments for themselves. And make no mistake: there's joy to be discovered at every turn in Inside. This is one of the finest releases of 2016, and one which will leave players with plenty to talk about once it's all over. Inside is a game that will show you some amazing sights, and will take you to numerous unforgettable places, some of which will probably leave you shocked and bewildered.

An easy Game of the Year contender, Inside is an example of game design executed near perfectly.

The brutal, beautiful spiritual successor to Limbo.

A beautiful union of impeccable visuals, thought-provoking setting and solid puzzle gameplay.

Any questions I had regarding why it took nearly six years for Playdead to release a follow up to 2010’s Limbo melted away as I was consumed with the polish on display with Inside. Inside is a visually stunning, thought provoking, nigh impeccably designed game that offers anyone willing to experience it a truly clever and original experience that takes familiar concepts and almost literally turns them on their head. Instantly captivating with deceptively deep yet simple mechanics that offer quite a bit of variety, it’s a testament to Playdead’s talents that they are able to not only continue to surprise but keep the entire thing fresh throughout. As a work of art, it’s astounding. As a piece of commerce, it is incredibly brief and depending on how you value one over the other, when you decide to experience this masterpiece is up to you. However, make no mistake, Inside is a game I recommend that everyone play.

The parallel to Limbo feels necessary when talking to people who haven’t yet played Inside; after finishing it, it feels wholly unnecessary. Inside stands on its own merits as a superbly captivating and moving experience, one that’s bound to be on your mind in the time you spend away from it. Someone once told me that the games you can’t stop thinking about when you’re not playing them are the truly great ones. I’m inclined to agree. Inside fits that mold even though we’ve seen others of its ilk before.

No doubt, though, Inside is yet another banner downloadable release for the Xbox console, and easily one of the best indie experiences delivered on any platform. Its puzzle design is smart, the visuals are striking, the world is haunting and memorable, and it’s the perfect bite-sized experience. Put simply: play this game.

Inside was reviewed using pre-release “retail” Xbox One download keys provided by Playdead. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics statement here.

Playdead's follow-up to Limbo is a superior game in every way.