It seems like an age ago now (2010!! Where has that time gone?!), that a little game called Limbo hit our consoles and delighted gamers and critics alike with its blend of gameplay, art direction, sound and mood. And since then fans of Playdead’s game has been patiently waiting for their next effort, seeing Limbo released on every platform under the sun before its successor saw the light of day. And with very little furore, Inside was released onto Xbox One at the end of June. Bar the media outlet hype there has been little to no marketing campaign or advertising. It’s just here. Could it possibly live up to its predecessor? Boy can it!
Inside really is a work of art. And I mean this in a whole host of different ways. Some people say that the best art pieces have many different interpretations of what is happening in the piece. This could not be truer of Inside. I’m going to keep this review as spoiler free as possible, but from the start you’ll be asking what’s happening, and why is it happening? And just when you think you might have an answer it’ll throw a curveball that may well totally change your thoughts, confirm them, or confuse you all together. There is no dialogue here, and no linear ‘story’. This is a game that will no doubt be the subject of much debate down the years, and that is ok. Discussion and disagreement is perfectly fine and healthy when events can mean different things depending on each person’s interpretations of them. I’ll be honest, I was totally baffled towards the end of the game, but reading up on others experiences since finishing has made me want to immediately play through again, to see if I can come to my own conclusions.
The ‘art’ doesn’t end there either. You can have a more conventional look at it aswell. The actual graphics, the world itself and the gameplay surrounding it all. It is plain to see than the developers and art team have poured their heart and soul into this meticulously crafted game world. The visuals don’t skip a beat, and they are some of the crispest and most impressive you’ll see in a game on the Xbox One. The expert use of light in an otherwise grey and dark world really does the trick to breath realism into it. The use of weather and particle effects, subtle splashes of colour and foreground and background objects allow you to appreciate the depth in a game that is played otherwise in a 2D platform style.
On top of the above, the Playdead have implemented an almost perfect physics engine. From seeing the character stumble and climb realistically to how the chains, ropes and boxes move when touched and pushed. The animations used to demonstrate these are great also. Throw in convincing AI enemy characters that react to what you do and what they see, and well thought out puzzle sections (which maybe aren’t quite as challenging as Limbo’s), Playdead’s commitment to making Inside the best it can be is clear as it can be.
As good an example this is of gaming craftsmanship, I can appreciate that this will not be a game for everyone. People who exclusively play AAA titles such as GTA, COD, and Battlefield etc. may not find a huge amount of enjoyment here, and with no clear story this is not going to be a game that everyone enjoys. But if you were a fan of Limbo, are a fan of platform/puzzle games, or are open to something different and can go in with an open mindedness, I implore you to try this. This is a perfect example of why games should be accepted as an art form.
**Thank you to XCN for providing a review copy of this game**