Inmost Reviews
Inmost tells its dark and troubling tale with plenty of style and there's an expertly handled mixing of narrative elements and satisfying gameplay mechanics for the most part that only really loses its way in the final stretch, unwisely wrestling control away from players and brute-forcing a rather neat and tidy ending that's at odds with how deftly the multi-layered story is handled early on. This and a few control niggles aside, however, are not enough to derail what is a genuinely haunting and memorable experience that's well worth checking out.
INMOST was a pleasant surprise. The game was a short experience with a powerful narrative with effects that can last so much longer. As for the gameplay itself, the fun puzzles and collaboration with the story helped to bring the game to life.
Inmost is a very sad and psychologically moving story about loss, personal experiences and pain, which gives players a hope for purification and redemption, showing a bright and love-filled ending. And hope is what we miss so much in a life filled with stress and nervous tension, especially this year.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Inmost delivers a variety of gameplay styles, delivering three thoughtfully discordant narratives that tie together with a gut punch at the end. Beautifully constructed pixel-art graphics set a surprisingly somber tone, and the music is top notch at setting the horrific yet contemplative mood. Recommended.
Dark, depressing, and more than a little intense, Inmost is a gorgeous game with a powerful narrative hook that doesn't need to focus on its gameplay to deliver a powerful experience.
Ambitious as it is beautiful, INMOST is another example of why you shouldn't cancel that Apple Arcade subscription just yet. It's amazing presentation and fun gameplay makes INMOST a must play title.
Haunting and striking in equal measure, Inmost strikes a balance between narrative and platform-puzzler that mostly succeeds for the entirety of its short running time.
There’s little fat on this adventure. The aesthetic is unnerving and the audio production is second to none. What presents as a cute adventure quickly turns into an unsettling tale that might leave younger minds checking the closet for moving shadows. Just as you think things are starting to become mundane, Inmost unleashes a new twist. Whether that is a new character, a different enemy, or a new tale of woe, there’s no hanging around for filler.
Hidden Layer Games found the perfect way to present this meaningful look into an emotional and atmospheric narrative-driven puzzle platformer.
Inmost may seem like an ordinary 15 dollars indie game that you can kill in a few hours, but it is actually a unique tale full of secrets that will make you play it over and over again to fully discover its creepy world.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Simple yet thrilling 8-bit platformer with outstanding art, beautiful music and emotional story.
Review in Russian | Read full review
INMOST is by no means the most original game, but players who appreciate simply being absorbed into a beautiful, frightening setting should enjoy it. The world is small but densely packed with details that truly conjure the feeling of exploring a shadowy realm by the light of the moon.
Inmost could be the very definition of a hidden gem. It is probably too niche and maudlin to connect with a wider audience, but one would suspect that those it does connect with will find it to be a unique and affecting experience. It's short and not a difficult undertaking to get through, but it does do just enough to get the grey matter moving, and rewards consistently with those congratulatory "aha!" moments or aforementioned set-pieces. This really defines itself with a dark atmosphere and filmic quality, even if that's hard to imagine a 2D aesthetic doing. It has an auteur's mark on it, which leaves an impression, and makes Hidden Layers Games, Alexey Testov and Andriy Vinchovskiy ones to watch out for in future.
I'll include a list of the topics this game delves into in the Talkback thread, as I suspect it may be upsetting to some folks.
More than a logical adventure, INMOST is a kind of tool for communicating and interpreting topics that are not talked about much. The idea of the whole title left a powerful experience in me that sticks with me for days after finishing it. The pixelated visuals, along with the perfectly matched music and eerie atmosphere of the title, fit perfectly, and I can't imagine everything working so well together if even one component was a little different. Nothing distracts from the plot, quite the opposite. An average of four hours may not be enough for some, but for me it was completely enough.
Review in Czech | Read full review
I think that the developers really went for their vision wholeheartedly but I think that Inmost as a game could have been much better.
Inmost took me by surprise as I wasn’t prepared for the incredible story it has to tell. Its gameplay and puzzle elements are perfectly symmetrical, making it easy to immerse yourself in this dark world for an evening and come out feeling satisfied, if not, a little melancholic. Load times and lack of direction do very little to hinder this adventure that I think is well worth your time.
An immersive atmosphere is the biggest highlight of INMOST. Following the plots of the three protagonists is both attractive and disturbing because of the various topics covered and the impacting scenes. A look with few colors, lighting full of contrasts and soft music help to set up the gloomy ambience. Mechanically, the game features a good variety of styles with puzzles, action and platform moments. Unfortunately, there are some problems, such as underdeveloped aspects, unintuitive solutions and constant trial and error, which brings frustration. In the end, INMOST is a brief and interesting experience, albeit with flaws.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Inmost is the rare case of a really good game that intentionally tries to be discomforting and uneasy due to its themes. I liked its visuals, level structure, and sound design, but it’s hard for me to actively recommend it. It’s just way too downtrodden and depressing in a way that it almost demotivates you to play it for long.
What initially sold me on INMOST was the notion that it was inspired by the considerably more light-hearted To The Moon; while I wasn’t expecting such a tragic tale about pain and suffering, the developers definitively recaptured what made their muse great. Realistic depth of characters, discussion of topics oft-overlooked yet extremely relatable, and a compelling narrative made for a captivating journey that will stick with me for a long time.