Just finished it. Played it in two sittings. About 3 hours on Friday, and an hour today. Used a Polygon guide for two of the puzzles (one toward the beginning, and one in the middle).
Never really cared for Limbo. Got about 2hrs into it on mobile, but it was just boring to me. I admit, probably played it in the absolute worst possible way. So, when the reviews for INSIDE hit a couple weeks back, I was impressed, and said "fuck it," and gave it a preorder on Steam.
First things first:
-I love the artstyle; just gorgeous throughout, and I love super sharp, clean lines
-In addition to the art, the lighting was also fantastic
-And of course, dat sound design. Best I've experienced in a 2D platformer
-Incredible atmosphere
-I can really appreciate a game with very simple controls - 2 buttons and a joystick
-Clean UI
-No nonsense: no cutscenes, no filler, no exposition, no pacing issues
-Some very intense moments/enemies, specifically the fucking DOGS, man... and the mermaid things
Not so liked:
-Puzzles were decent. Many were easy to figure out once you understood what was happening, but difficult to get to that point. Hard to describe, but this game was unique in that I didn't have trouble with the puzzle; I had trouble determining what the end-goal was. And none of them really flowed together. I didn't feel like they grew bigger or more intensive... just different. I never felt I was taking what I learned earlier and using it in a different way, except for the launching boxes.
-Some of the platforming was a little off. I don't know - whether it was timing a jump, or having the groups of mindfreaks launch you, I never felt like I was in complete control of the boy... I sometimes had to fight to get the character to do what I intended
... but mostly, I'm disappointed by the complete lack of conclusion. I very much like open-ended stories. I love the idea of piecing together the repercussions of the story as a community. But this gave me what felt like nothing at all. I've read some guesses in here - and that's the thing, if we're being honest, any single one of them could be 100% wrong. I know I'm in the minority in this thread - but I was really amped in that last 45 minutes... but nothing came. I couldn't wait to figure out the big twist. And if not a twist, and least why I'm here. Why I'm hunted. What the tests are for. Where the rest of the world is. Why there's mind control. Where the facility is. Who built or is running the facility. Whether I escape. What I become. Etc, etc. I know many say I should have expected no clean conclusion... and to be honest, I didn't. I figured it would be slightly interpretive. But I figured I'd get some answers. Disappointed that I didn't, and that dings it hard for me.
Overall, I'll be generous and give it a 7/10. I loved just about everything... except the actual gameplay and, well, playing it.
Wasn't a game for me. But not every game can be. I can definitely see some real talent from Playdead - no doubt. Their art design in this space is very, very special. But I don't think I'll touch INSIDE again, nor do I think it would come anywhere near my Top Games of 2016 list.
Glad you're all enjoying it, though! I'll definitely be perusing more impressions and theories as they come.