INSIDE REVIEW
By Edwin Velez
Reviewed on Xbox One
Playdead Does it Again, Inside is Platforming Perfection
Where to start, where to start. Even trying to conceptualize how to even begin to write about INSIDE was a challenge all its own, and now here I am actually doing it. To get straight to the point, INSIDE is a moving, chilling, and overall fantastic piece of creative work. It is art in motion, and every step you take in the three to four hour experience is one you will not regret. In 2010, Playdead treated players to LIMBO, a dark and visceral platformer that was as challenging as it was charming. Here now six years later, INSIDE brings many inspirations from its predecessor in an enhanced, fully fleshed, and practically perfect game. INSIDE does everything it aimed to do, and as challenging and mind-boggling as its story is, the beauty of it is that it can be interpreted in multiple ways. Due to the nature of the game, I will try my absolute best to avoid any spoiler-esque details regarding story, scenes, or generally intriguing content that the game has, but note that I will use some detail to get my point across.
Much like LIMBO before it, INSIDE places you in the control of a young boy with no introduction as to what the circumstances are. There is no hand-holding for the control scheme either. Playdead’s stories are all about discovery and enlightenment, and truly no one can weave a story without words quite like they do. It is almost immediately evident how gorgeous and inviting the game is visually from the moment it starts. Never has a dimly lit forest looked this good in a platformer. Taking in the peaceful scene is all too brief, as danger draws closer and your platforming skills get tested. Running, jumping, climbing, swinging, and pushing are the basic ingredients for a platformer, and they are all masterfully executed in the title. The boys physical appearance and motions have a weight and body to it that you can feel, making each movement feel incredibly accurate and proportionate to the character. Even his general response to the world around him feels immaculately real and personal. From simple glances at objects, moving an obstacle, and even the odd stumble here or there, INSIDE mirrors Uncharted 4 in character motion quality, and that is truly saying something.
The themes at hand are incredibly creepy and cryptic, and again are all open to interpretation. My time spent with the game was one of pure awe, with so many questions being naturally pondered over the course of time. My mind was like a cork board with pins and strings all over it, trying to connect the pieces the give the player over the course of the adventure. If there was a novelization of INSIDE that gave a deeper background, I would buy it immediately. There is so much to soak in, and it is clearly intentional and paying off. The online community, since playing this game that came out only a day ago at the time of this writing, is extremely excited to talk about their experiences with the game and what they think it means. This is an achievement all its own, as this type of inquisitive gathering online is seldom seen. Whatever you interpret it as, INSIDE to me is one of the best science-fiction realizations I have ever seen come across my screen. Its depth is unmatched in the genre, touching on social constructs, human life’s worth, and evolution. It is inspiring to me that something can have so much to process in such little time while maintaining complete control over the narrative. It’s truly amazing how spot on the pacing is.
The themes at hand are incredibly creepy and cryptic, and again are all open to interpretation. My time spent with the game was one of pure awe, with so many questions being naturally pondered over the course of time. My mind was like a cork board with pins and strings all over it, trying to connect the pieces the give the player over the course of the adventure. If there was a novelization of INSIDE that gave a deeper background, I would buy it immediately. There is so much to soak in, and it is clearly intentional and paying off. The online community, since playing this game that came out only a day ago at the time of this writing, is extremely excited to talk about their experiences with the game and what they think it means. This is an achievement all its own, as this type of inquisitive gathering online is seldom seen. Whatever you interpret it as, INSIDE to me is one of the best science-fiction realizations I have ever seen come across my screen. Its depth is unmatched in the genre, touching on social constructs, human life’s worth, and evolution. It is inspiring to me that something can have so much to process in such little time while maintaining complete control over the narrative. It’s truly amazing how spot on the pacing is.
When it comes down to the puzzle side of things, I was taken aback how naturally the situations worked themselves out. A grizzly death or two here and there meant I was learning, or missing something right in front of my face. Some were amazingly creative, and others just straight up had the “whoa” factor for how cool they were. I caught myself saying “that’s awesome” dozens of times in my playthrough, and I do not regret a single uttering of the phrase because INSIDE is just plain smart. Chase scenes were packed with nail biting anxiety, and the quieter scenes were filled with ambiance and a solemn serenity. Every inch of the game works the way it should, from the platforming, to the emotional response and even driving the narrative. Where the game clearly stands out however is how great it’s new ideas work. Some puzzles are done by controlling other people, and while I will not touch on this too much to save from spoilers, I will say its damn smart. Going into this game I had no intentions of that feature being present, and was just as surprised when I found out you could also travel in a bathysphere style submarine. Each piece of interaction ties into that impressive pacing, and makes for a hell of a trip.
Creepy, cool, and intelligent are some of the many positive terms I could use to describe INSIDE. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The only shot of disappointment I had with the gem of a title was when it was over and the credits rolled. I wasn’t ready for the end, and I am on the fence about how satisfactory that end was. That was until I went back and snagged every collectable, revealing an alternative ending that brought everything full circle. In short, my mind was blown. That sealed the deal on the score you are about to see. If you like LIMBO, play it. If you like platformers, play it. If you like smart and creepy-cool sci-fi stories, what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and play INSIDE, because the next thing you know it will be game of the year and you will be regretting not playing it sooner.
Creepy, cool, and intelligent are some of the many positive terms I could use to describe INSIDE. It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. The only shot of disappointment I had with the gem of a title was when it was over and the credits rolled. I wasn’t ready for the end, and I am on the fence about how satisfactory that end was. That was until I went back and snagged every collectable, revealing an alternative ending that brought everything full circle. In short, my mind was blown. That sealed the deal on the score you are about to see. If you like LIMBO, play it. If you like platformers, play it. If you like smart and creepy-cool sci-fi stories, what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and play INSIDE, because the next thing you know it will be game of the year and you will be regretting not playing it sooner.
FINAL SCORE: 10/10
|
+Immersive and Gorgeous Environments
+Character Physicality +Impeccable Pacing +Everything Else |
Release Date: 6/29/2016
Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead
Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead