In Sound Mind Reviews
In Sound Mind feels like a call back to yesteryear, in a good way. A style of game design not often seen these days, more of a niche title but one that hits that niche VERY well. It’s easily the best psychological horror game I’ve ever reviewed here, and the amount of polish and sheer heart help it stand out even outside of the niche. Above all else, In Sound Mind is fun. The horror and melancholy of what’s going on in the plot is balanced out by light-hearted camp, the levels are all interwoven exploration puzzles where a new tool invariably makes you realize several new areas you can discover, it’s all so easy to just get lost for hours and hours until next thing you know it’s 3AM.
In Sound Mind manages to be a confident full debut for We Create Stuff that shows its successful time experimenting with the Source engine was of great benefit.
In Sound Mind nails a majority of the typical survival horror elements and then some. It’s just a pity that a couple of rotten game design aspects drag down an otherwise top-notch presentation and puzzle construction. It’s an easy pick-up for horror fans, but be warned – there will be several moments of frustration.
In Sound Mind is an ambitious project that seeks to depict dark subject matter and does so successfully with a narrative about overcoming our mental fears. The experience is dragged down by a frustrating inclusion of combat, and an approximately 12-hour length that isn’t justified, at a detriment to the story. It’s not conventionally scary - though it has its hair-raising moments - but it’s disturbing and at times uncomfortable due to a sometimes grounded and sometimes surreal delve into the effects of mental illness on the mind. On the plus side, there is an uncanny valley companion cat - that you can pet - which is instantly a redeeming factor.
If you are looking for a psychological horror game with creepy Twin Peaks and X-Files vibes, I would definitely consider giving In Sound Mind a chance!
In Sound Mind might lack the scare factor but it is an unsettling experience throughout that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of psychological horrors.
All told, In Sound Mind wasn’t the game I was expecting. But I still found myself pushing forward, eager to uncover a little bit more. If you’ve got any appetite for cerebral horror and puzzle solving, In Sound Mind might be just what you’re looking for.
In Sound Mind, a new psychological horror adventure, is an ambitious title that blends many different styles into a perplexing package
In Sound Mind attempts dark humor to great effect, but quickly falls back into basic first-person shooter gameplay tropes, leaving its original intentions behind. The game still plays well, and makes for an engaging puzzler and exploration game; it just doesn't maintain its horror vibe for very long.
In Sound Mind is a well-done psychological horror, fun and stimulating from start to finish. It's less scary than expected and could be improved from a technical standpoint, but the mix of gameplay elements knows how to stimulate the player by offering them a new element to use in each level.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In Sound Mind is a psychedelic survival horror with shooting, sneaking, platforming, and puzzles. The story is fantastic, and the soundtrack is even better. But for the expensive cost of clunky gameplay and horrendous lag, In Sound Mind just isn't worth the price tag.
In Sound Mind excels at its atmosphere and characterization of Desmond and the delusions of his patients. Combat can feel a little lackluster, and the story structure is formulaic. However, there is a love of horror on display found in the environments and core design of the experience.
In Sound Mind is an original cocktail of terror, puzzles and action. As soon as it catches your attention, go for it knowing as little as possible. It will surprise you.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
In Sound Mind is a case of a great idea hobbled by flawed execution. It has some fascinating mechanics and an engaging story to tell. However, to experience the game’s best parts, you’ll have to suffer through a lot of moments of frustration. If you’re up for the challenge, this might just be a psychological horror title worth checking out. For anyone else, you might want to wait and see if developer We Create Stuff can iron out the kinks first.
In Sound Mind is a flawed but fun horror-adventure game. Flawed on the horror but fun on the adventure.
As a movie, In Sound Mind may have been an interesting and quirky, if slightly derivative, story of introspection and psychological understanding. As a game though, it simply doesn’t have the depth of mechanics to hold you through its 5-6 hour runtime. Sporting awful combat and stealth sequences, boring level design and inconsistent presentation, In Sound Mind activates too few of the adrenaline-controlling brain areas. Instead, it peaked some interest which slowly faded out the longer I played. You wouldn’t be out of your mind to play it if you’re a psychological horror fan, but you’ll potentially be in two minds of whether it was actually fun to play.
In Sound Mind boasts an intriguing story, decent (if repetitive) combat, and enjoyable puzzles and platforming. However, the lackluster horror, uneven character development, and lack of immersion bring down an otherwise solid psychedelic horror experience.
In Sound Mind is an experience to be had. The game relies above all on its plot and its atmosphere to lead the player to question the protagonist and what really happened to his patients. Despite some shortcomings, it is really addicting and you will have a lot of fun exploring the subconscious of different people.
Review in French | Read full review
Of the 5 days I have had to do this analysis, the interest in 'In Sound Mind' grew in each of the sessions I dedicated to it in the same way that the title gained interest. In my penultimate game I did not think that I had almost 4 and a half hours without stopping playing, something that had not happened to me for a long time. I was very involved, in the plot, in the gameplay, in opening the next door, in definitively defeating one of the bosses. It is the result of a good work, of well-applied ideas, which even to an individual back from all the Survival Horror, has known how to surprise. It even allows a couple of moments that bring a smile to your face.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A psychological horror game with a focus on narrative consistency and gameplay variety, In Sound Mind is a great time due to excellent pacing, level design, and pure ingenuity, even if it's not particularly scary.