A Creepy, Twisted Trip Into the Unknown
Playdead's INSIDE is a puzzle platform adventure game that has received high praise from critics. It was released in 2016 and serves as the sequel to the developer's previous game, Limbo. Many have praised INSIDE for its dramatic tale, minimalist design, and challenging riddles. It takes players into a dystopian environment that is both unsettling and mysterious.
A Strange and Utopian World:
At the beginning of the game, players take control of an unnamed child who is being chased by unknown, masked people across a forest. This ominous prologue establishes the tone for the whole event. Dismal and dystopian, the game's globe is populated with foreboding factories, barren woodlands, and derelict buildings. The story unfolds in a world where the boy's every action is closely monitored, creating an atmosphere of repressive control.
Ambient and engrossing style:
The ambient design of INSIDE has received a lot of praise. The game's unsettling and engrossing atmosphere is achieved via the use of simple images and strategic lighting. The sombre color scheme and subtle character designs add to the sense of loneliness and helplessness.
Wordless Storytelling:
The narrative style in which INSIDE is presented is one of its defining characteristics. The tale is conveyed throughout the game without the use of any text or dialogue. Players must deduce the story's progression and meaning from the setting, character animations, and the boy's and the world's actions as they develop. This method inspires participants to take an active role in the story, creating an emotional investment in the hero's plight.
Obstacle Courses and Platforming Games:
While navigating the perilous realm of INSIDE, players must solve environmental puzzles and overcome platforming obstacles to get the youngster to safety. Players will need to think critically and explore in order to solve these riddles, which are cleverly woven into the story. The riddles grow in complexity over time, keeping players interested.
Design of Spooky Noises:
The music and sound effects in INSIDE are quite effective in setting the mood. The game's disturbing and gloomy atmosphere is bolstered by the use of subtle ambient noises, spooky music, and sudden bursts of dissonance.
Themes of Authority and Obeying the Rules:
The themes of INSIDE include tyranny, conformity, and the frailty of the human condition. The story of the game makes one rethink the legitimacy of power and the consequences of blind submission. As they go through the game's setting, it encourages thought on these issues.
A Brief but Meaningful Adventure:
The typical gameplay of INSIDE takes between three and four hours, making it a short game. It may not be long, but the quality of the story and gameplay more than makes up for the time spent on them. Players will be thinking about the game's themes long after the last cutscene has ended.
A Masterpiece That Will Leave You Thinking and Shaken:
The interactive narrative in INSIDE is superb. A memorable gaming experience is achieved by its combination of simple design, atmospheric presentation, and captivating story. For gamers who like experiences that force them to think outside the box, INSIDE is an essential experience that will have them puzzling over its riddles long after they've completed it.
- System: Mac OS 10.13
- Processor: 2.0 GHz dual i5
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: Intel Iris Pro 5200 1536 MB / AMD Radeon R9 M370X 2 GB or Metal-capable equivalent
- Storage: 3 GB
