Originally released as a mobile title on Apple Arcade, INMOST is available now for Nintendo Switch and PC, bringing its hauntingly beautiful story and puzzle platforming for more players to check out. Even with its pixelated world, INMOST is a perfect example of the emotional impact that video games can have on players.
Haunted
I mention the emotional impact of INMOST because although it is the defining element of the game, it most certainly isn’t for everyone. The tone of the story and the levels themselves are incredibly bleak and drab. That is kind of the point though. Without giving anything away, there is an additional layer beneath the dark and, quite honestly, depressing subject matter that makes INMOST worth sticking with until the end credits roll.
Narrative aside, there is a lot to be loved in INMOST. You’ll take on the role of three different characters - a little girl, a middle-aged man, and an action-driven knight - all of whom are interconnected in some way, with each character having their own specific gameplay dynamics. The little girl is primarily exploration-focused, uncovering mysteries and secrets in the areas that she finds herself, the middle-aged man represents the game’s puzzle mechanics, while the knight takes on enemies with actual sword-based combat.
The combat in INMOST is pretty straightforward, with the knight being able to slice and dice their way through each dungeon, taking out the oozing blobs that stand in their way. Some of the enemies are stationary when they attack, with others being able to move around. The knight is able to dodge attacks, though, making combat fun and intense, with combat taking place primarily with the knight. While there are slight combat components with the middle-aged man - in which he can really only run away or trap enemies - his focus is more on INMOST’s puzzle mechanics.
Like the game’s combat, puzzles are also relatively straightforward once you figure out the general patterns. Ledges and bridges break, hidden caves can be uncovered, and levers and pulleys play a major role in solving each puzzle. There is also a significant amount of backtracking, which is especially true as puzzles become more intricate and grand. This absolutely works, however, as the game itself is immersive enough to draw you into its world. Solving each puzzle is incredibly satisfying considering the amount of work that goes into each solution.
Speaking of immersion, the game’s soundtrack elevates the experience with its minimal yet effective music and sound effects. Destroying a wall with a giant crossbow is extra impactful thanks to the sheer loudness and crisp design of the arrow colliding with the wall. Enemies have the potential to make the hairs stand straight up on the back of your neck with their noises and the music that sparks up during the more intense situations. The soundtrack is available in a bundle on Steam, and is - if you ask me - a well-worth investment.
Stick With It
Before going diving into what INMOST has to offer, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind. First and foremost, be prepared to die. A lot. Basically a single touch by an enemy will do your character in. Sometimes, traps and enemies can be tough to spot, meaning you’ll waltz right into them unknowingly. Dying isn’t a stain on the game, though. You’ll start from the nearest checkpoint, which is usually almost the exact moment right before you died. There’s a lot of learning to be had in INMOST in that regard, adding to the satisfaction of completing each level.
The only technical flaw that I encountered on the Switch was that the jump and action buttons weren’t as tight as I’d expect for a platforming type of experience. Sometimes a jump or interacting with an object using the action button would be delayed. This wasn’t necessarily a big deal, other than the times I died as a result of an erroneous jump, but is certainly something to be mentioned if you’re picking up the game on Switch.
If not for any other reason, INMOST is worth checking out if you’re a fan of Chucklefish games. If the publisher of games such as Stardew Valley and Starbound was willing to publish INMOST, it’s hard to imagine the game wouldn’t hit on some sort of level with players, whether it be for its emotionally charged narrative, puzzle mechanics, or platforming gameplay.
Throughout my playthrough, I had a very “Wait, what is happening” type of mentality. I wasn’t really taken with INMOST at first, especially due to its bleak nature. However, as I played, I wanted to know more and get closure from the story, which ultimately led to a sub-three hour playthrough. As a puzzle-platformer, INMOST is more than capable of standing on its own. It’s the story and underlying themes, though, that make INMOST worth your time.
A Switch copy of INMOST was provided to TheGamer for this review. INMOST is available now for PC, Nintendo Switch, and iOS/Android mobile devices.
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