Playdead games| Puzzles, but make them creepy…

This is a twin review with Limbo and it’s younger brother, Inside.

Part 1

Limbo is a two dimensional, black and white puzzle-platform game. It starts with a young, unidentified boy who awakens in a dreary forest only to wander the decaying wasteland, avoiding traps, enemies, and engaging in easy to moderate puzzles.

There isn’t any specific storyline to guide the player in their actions though the overall atmosphere and encounters give off a sense of feeling lost, very much in theme with the title of the game. '

Gameplay mechanics are that of your average platform game; forward, backward, jump, climb, grab, pull. Along your journey, if you happen to die, you quickly learn from your mistakes and correct your approach after spawning at the closest checkpoint.

The dark greyscale of the game is interesting as it helps define the emotional tone but also strategically lends itself to keeping a level of the unknown throughout game play, whether it’s hiding the solution to a puzzle or keeping you guessing what might be looming just ahead.

The game is a bit short, taking up only two hours from start to finish and it leaves me wanting more as there is no real crescendo and a bit anti climatic, but then again this falls in line with the overall themes, so who am I to complain.

It is a simple and short run, but it has been fun replaying what is an interesting trek through the melancholic nature of existence or lack of existence, depending on how you read the journey and maybe even where you are in your own state of being...

AiK Rating: 3.5/5 Adventure Coins
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Picture by Nintendo

Publisher: Playdead

Genre: Adventure, Puzzle

Players: 1 player

Part 2

Inside defines Playdead’s style further with more challenging puzzles, pops of color and an easier to follow narrative that captivates the player in a more satisfying way than its predecessor.

Inside starts with an unidentifiable boy but now he must voyage through a dystopian society while trying to be covert enough as to not be caught by an oppressive regime. Why is he on the run? The regime is turning humanity into slaves, devoid of all human emotion and thought.

The mechanics are a simple forward, backward, jump, climb, grab, pull, which is the same as in Limbo, but what really separates the two games is the pacing. The developers went for more of a fluctuating scale that pairs well with the story as well as tickling the players nerves- with narrowly escaping deaths or if you are me, dying on many occasions.

The art style is yet another breathtaking design but really knocking it up a couple of levels. I get 1950’s sci-fi vibes while also taking on an esthetic that is smooth and unique to the game. The environment sports a monochromatic cold tone with our protagonist sporting a very prominent red shirt… not the best when trying to evade authorities. But what I find the most impressive with the visuals is the depth. Some of the space looks like it just goes on and on, especially impressive for a two dimensional game space.

The best part of the game and also where it sets itself apart from Limbo is the climax. This one really ramps things up toward the end and story wise was completely unexpected, which made it really fun.

AiK Rating: 4/5 Adventure Coins
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✨Despite its darker themes, Inside really is a delightful experience that hits all the points you’d want in a dystopian sci-fi game and with a new title recently being teased, I’m very much looking forward to whatever is next from the creators.

✨Watch Inside gameplay highlight by Coco here.