INSIDE

Inside very clearly builds upon what made Limbo great, and in fact builds something greater. Its unimaginable twist may leave you dumbfounded, confused, and quite possibly speechless, but it will fuel heated discussion with your friends about its meaning, its message, and its intentions. It’s a short ride, but one I felt compelled to take again – including a search for its mysterious hidden orb collectibles. Play it soon before anyone spoils a single big moment for you.

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.

The real achievement of this game, though, is the way that it crafts its narrative: detailed environments convey the bizarre world that you travel through; introspective moments are filled with minimalist sound design and just the barest touches of music; and the things you must do to complete your journey force you to confront the realities of humanity, freedom, and existence.