Ten years ago, the enigmatic puzzle-platformer Inside launched, initially as an Xbox exclusive. For IGN executive editor Ryan McCaffrey, the game remains one of the most polished and impactful experiences in his gaming career. He describes it as the closest thing to a perfect video game he has ever played. "Holy shit. That’s still the first thing that comes to mind when I think about that game," McCaffrey wrote in a recent opinion piece for IGN, looking back on the title's decade-long legacy.
Inside was the highly anticipated follow-up to Limbo, Playdead's acclaimed 2010 title that was a hallmark of the Xbox Live Arcade initiative. The development of Inside was a slow burn, with the game not being officially announced until E3 2014. When it finally arrived in June 2016, it was available first on Xbox One, followed by a PC release the next week, and finally on PlayStation 4 nearly two months later.
While acknowledging that true perfection in art is subjective, McCaffrey highlighted Inside's exceptional execution. From its initial moments, he noted the game's flawless polish: no framerate hitches, smooth animations, impeccable sound design, and precise controls. The game's length, similar to Limbo's roughly four-hour runtime, was expected, but its narrative delivery was not. McCaffrey described the climactic portion of its dialogue-free story as "monstrous, curious, intriguing, and in a twisted way, delightful," a sequence that subverted gameplay mechanics while leaving players with profound questions.
Despite its brevity, clocking in at around 3.5 hours for a first playthrough, McCaffrey found those hours to be among the best he has ever spent with a controller. The game's ability to tell an engaging story without a single line of dialogue, coupled with an ending open to interpretation, contributes to its lasting impact. Its presentation has held up remarkably well over the past decade, with McCaffrey asserting that "it hasn’t aged a day."
Former Xbox boss Phil Spencer was also captivated by the game, telling McCaffrey at E3 that Inside was "the game of the year," a sentiment McCaffrey echoed, even though Overwatch ultimately won IGN's end-of-year award that year. McCaffrey considered Inside a standout title during a period he described as otherwise challenging for the Xbox One. The game's unique legacy is further marked by an unusual collector's edition produced by a sex-doll company.
While Playdead has yet to officially announce its next project, with a gap similar to the six years between Limbo and Inside, McCaffrey expressed his continued anticipation. He noted that other projects by former Playdead members, such as Jeppe Carlsen's Cocoon and Dino Patti's Somerville, offer alternative experiences while players await the studio's next enigmatic offering. Inside is currently available on multiple platforms, including PC via Steam where it is on sale for $2.49, a 90% discount. McCaffrey offers his highest recommendation for anyone who has yet to experience the game.