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.
I usually am not a thriller or horror fan, and I can honestly say I love this game. The way it moved me throughout, making me feel a great deal and a broad spectrum of emotions, really speaks to this game on another level.
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.
I think the biggest standout is the atmosphere. For a game that has nearly cartoony visuals and NO gore at all (this game is rated T) it still hit those tension marks I would expect from a good horror game. I was thoroughly surprised with the entire experience and just in time for the Halloween season. This is one game that I recommend whole-heartedly for anyone looking for a good psychological horror game that focuses more on exploration and puzzles than full on combat. Don’t sleep on this one. It’s pretty great.
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 one of those surprises that come out of nowhere. The set of refined playful and narrative components manages to offer a complete, varied, immersive and challenging experience thanks to a series of simple ideas and intuitive concepts that work pretty well together.
Review in Italian | Read full review
I enjoyed In Sound Mind far more than I expected to, thanks to the great variety to its puzzles and overall atmosphere. While the final revelations didn't blow me away, they did bring a wry smile to my face. In Sound Mind is one of my favourite indie horror games of the past few years and is highly recommended if you're a fan of the genre.
In Sound Mind is a psychological horror game which borders more on tense than scary, and proves to be a unique look into the minds of struggling individuals. Having each tape/patient provide a different world, with the patient's inner torment essentially lashing out as the level's boss, is a unique twist on the genre. The juxtaposition between the monster trying to hurt you, but also expressing its doubt and fears, all while Desmond attempts to calm it and show that he wants to help, felt surprisingly fresh – and gave me much more reason to continue than a simple good versus evil fight would have. A sense of humor, large levels, and a variety of puzzles make In Sound Mind a game worth picking up for those looking for a new twist in an overdone genre.
The true success of In Sound Mind comes from the atmosphere that We Create Stuff has crafted. The puzzles are smart and well-thought-out, the jump scares that the game utilizes don't feel forced or cheesy, and the drastically different style of each tape shines through to create a spooky, complete-feeling game. With creepy sound design, and original music by The Living Tombstone, In Sound Mind is a fantastic single-player horror game.
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
It doesn’t provide an experience that’s free of frustration or hiccups, but that doesn’t stop In Sound Mind from being one of this year’s biggest surprises – an action-horror game that delivers not only scares, but also head-scratching puzzles and plenty of engaging combat encounters, all wrapped up in a story that makes you think. With this sort of creativity, it’s exciting to see what We Create Stuff comes up with next. But until then, if you’re brave – and clever – enough, you’d be wise to throw yourself into In Sound Mind.
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
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 is a bit of a strange case of a bogeyman. After a 30-minute session, I turned off the title and planned to forget about this game. Fortunately, something touched me and a few days later I gave this horror a second chance. I got hooked and had the opportunity to check out a really ingenious title that certainly ranks high on the list of horror films I've played in recent years.
Review in Polish | Read full review
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.
At the start of the review, I asked myself if this was the horror game to finally click with me. And long story short, the answer is yes. In Sound Mind does a good job in juggling both horror and mystery, even if it leans more towards the latter at the end. Although the story conclusion was a little lackluster, the phenomenal voice acting, the great level design and the creepy atmosphere make In Sound Mind a game worth playing. And yes, even for those who aren’t horror game fans.
In Sound Mind is an ambitious horror title that throws us into real nightmares, giving life to highly varied situations but lacking in the horror component, with a few really scary situations and some gameplay design choices leading to monotony rather than tension. Despite this, it remains an interesting product with a good longevity, deserving the attention of fans of the genre.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In Sound Mind is a surprisingly compelling title, offering an interesting story and strong horror experience. However, some aspects start to outlive their welcome - if only due to annoyance. Tackling a sensitive subject like mental health, In Sound Mind could have really fallen flat if We Create Stuff didn't handle it well, and while it can come across as heavy-handed at times, this is generally well done and worth experiencing.
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