INSIDE

Instilled with a pervading sense of disquiet and a knack for the disturbing, Inside is a memorable, beautifully realized puzzle-platformer. The game’s middle drags as it leans too heavily on puzzles, and the game’s short length and ending will no doubt put some off, but some strong puzzle and world design and an engrossing, murky narrative makes Playdead’s latest is an adventure worth taking.

But Inside can’t resist padding its story with what passes for gameplay. Whatever the case, Inside is a provocatively outside-the-box story in a disappointingly inside-the-box game.

The shadow of Limbo is felt strongly though, and perhaps Inside never quite escapes its influence, but nonetheless the game remains a towering achievement. It’s The Empire Strikes Back to Limbo’s A New Hope, and it’s the type of game Playdead could feel absolutely confident of releasing without an ounce of promotion. Its quality speaks for itself, and – as you venture deep inside – it certainly speaks to the player, too.