The old adage that looks can be deceiving has not rung as true as this in quite some time. At first glance, Playdead’s Inside looks like a very simple follow-up to their debut hit from 2010, Limbo. Both see you take on the role of a faceless child in a dark and dangerous world, running to the right; solving puzzles and avoiding danger as you go.
It doesn’t take long, though, for Inside’s true nature to reveal itself. Limbo is beloved with good reason, but Inside blows it out of the water. While the former was fairly one note in its gameplay and level design, leaning heavily on trial and error puzzles that could frustrate, Inside never lingers on one idea for too long. Playdead constantly introduce new puzzles, mechanics and concepts to keep you on edge, waiting for the next twist.
Just when you think you’ve got Inside sussed, it manages to surprise you once again – the final few chapters are unlike anything you’ve ever seen in a video game. It will likely leave you scratching your head, but also completely entranced, and way it concludes is astonishing on multiple levels.
The ending is horrific and awe-inspiring in equal measure, but it’s by no means the only sequence that stands out. Inside can be cruel, oppressive and downright disturbing; but it’s also gripping, creative and full of expression.
Every single scene is impeccably crafted, with a gorgeous visual style and equally effective sound design. Inside harbors some seriously unsettling imagery, and the presentation only serves to exacerbate it. Animation rivals the best the industry has to offer and the music – whilst used sparingly – is utterly haunting. It helps that the environments are far more varied than what Limbo offered; here you’ll traverse farmlands, cityscapes, research facilities and even head underwater.
To say much more about Inside would be doing a disservice to those yet to experience it for themselves. Nobody is under any illusion that it has been nothing short of a remarkable year for games, but Playdead’s latest is as unique as it is exceptional.