Inmost Reviews
Between its dark tale, its stellar visuals, and its fun and varied gameplay mechanics, there’s plenty to keep you totally absorbed in INMOST’s emotional adventure. I really enjoyed playing as the trio of unique characters and seeing their tale through to its conclusion, whilst their journey along the way was enjoyably perilous as you look to vanquish the darkness around them. There were a few aspects of the game that didn’t always hit the mark, such as the trial-and-error gameplay of the Hero and the occasional bouts of clunkiness when platforming, but these are minor hindrances in what is otherwise a gripping and entertaining adventure.
GOOD - Inmost is a dark and emotional 2D puzzle adventure featuring three playable characters via an intertwining story. Detailed pixel art and a moving soundtrack help sell the story and the puzzle solving is rewarding. Some of the action segments fall a bit short and the last half hour or so of the game seems rushed, but overall it’s an experience I won’t soon forget.
Pixels shouldn’t be this scary. Inmost is a short but very memorable metroidvania horror, full of cinematic lighting and intricate diorama-like levels. The visual storytelling is masterful, and it’s without doubt the most atmospheric 2D game since Hollow Knight. Grab some noise-cancelling headphones and turn off the lights, you’re in for a fright.
For those who like a cinematic adventure - even if in pixel art - full of meanings and worthy of a night of reflection, INMOST is the right choice. Whether in its three different protagonists who have a lot in common, or in the refined audiovisual content, the message of the game will be delivered. It is a pity that, with so much mystery, it remains open to so many interpretations.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
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.
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 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.
I think that the developers really went for their vision wholeheartedly but I think that Inmost as a game could have been much better.
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.
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.
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.
Simple yet thrilling 8-bit platformer with outstanding art, beautiful music and emotional story.
Review in Russian | Read full review
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
Hidden Layer Games found the perfect way to present this meaningful look into an emotional and atmospheric narrative-driven puzzle platformer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.