The Simplicity of the Great Way, the Ninth Art
In the world of gaming, decryption and adventure often mean strong narrative. And there is such a game that has won unanimous praise and became a nominee for the annual TGA game of the year, relying solely on graphic elements and a not-so-high-definition art style. Two years have passed, and with the original team gone, the official sequel still far away, and the spiritual successor lagging behind, let us once again appreciate this game.
It must be said that Inside is more like an experimental film than a game. It lacks a gorgeous game engine, a striking impact, and fancy gameplay. Even the storytelling is extremely subtle. But in this way, with its unique art style and metaphorical scenes, it takes people into that dark, bizarre, and vibrant world.
The Expressiveness of the Great Way in Visuals and Sound
Unlike traditional AAA games that show off their muscles with explosions and particles flying everywhere from the beginning, when you first enter Inside, you will be attracted by its oppressive black, white, and gray color scheme. Combined with exquisite lighting effects, it creates an extremely unique and elusive visual style. The excellent sound effects further enhance this sense of immersion.
There is no opening plot introduction, no text or icon prompts. Players are only told that they can control the boy in the red shirt using the four arrow keys and an interact key, and the story of Inside begins like this. We can see various details hidden in the darkness of the screen, just like "when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." These blurry yet tangible elements, along with the oppressive visual and sound expression, become the magic of this game. It naturally draws you in, making you become the little boy trapped in the dark cage of this side-scrolling puzzle game, trying to break free from unspeakable fears.
In the scenes, we can see the distant factory gates opening and a transport truck taking away the crowd. Sometimes, when you reach a specific location, a police dog in the distance quickly pounces on the boy. All of this makes the environmental elements truly become part of the gaming experience, rather than just dull backgrounds. This design even becomes part of the game's storytelling.
Coherent and Implicit Storytelling
The storytelling in the game is quite coherent, with no obvious breaks between levels. We solve the natural puzzles hidden directly in the screen through simple operations, and then continue forward to the next scene. Compared to other decryption games that forcefully "challenge your intelligence," the puzzles in this game can be considered quite friendly. This makes the overall gaming experience smoother, allowing us to focus more on the scenes and the storytelling. As the little boy goes from the jungle to the factory, dives into the deep sea, and crosses battlefields, each scene seamlessly connects and progresses logically. Players feel like they are not just solving puzzles, but reading a cryptic yet captivating novel.
The various indescribable things we discover in the scenes become part of our exploration of this world. Despite the absence of dialogue or cutscenes, even until the end of the game, I still don't know who the boy in the red shirt is, where he is going, or what the laboratory is researching. There are too many unanswered questions. The game is like a "wordless book," hinting at the story solely through character actions and scene changes. But what we can be sure of is that all the answers to the mysteries of Inside's world are hidden within the scenes; we just need to pay more attention.
What is the Game About, After All?
As Roland Barthes said in "The Death of the Author," each person can have their own interpretation of Inside. Whether it's about mind control, a dystopia, or even dreaming... We just need to experience it, imagine it, and unleash our own creativity. In the journey and countless details in the darkness, we piece together the complete picture of this world.
This world may be terrifying upon closer thought, or it may be warm in the darkness. The imagination of all players collectively contributes to the creation of this story. I believe this is the final crowning achievement that makes Inside the ninth art.