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. Inmost is short but the excellent proportion, charming visuals, and incredible audio all combine to make a truly enthralling experience. Grab it on a stormy night when you’re looking for something a little darker.

The pixel art aesthetic of Inmost is one of its main protagonist, accompanying ideally the grim story.

Somber, emotional, and allegoric, Inmost is more than the sum of its parts and a memorable experience, in spite of its short duration.

Driven by a mastered artistic direction and a staging that hits the mark, Inmost is a dark and captivating tale that can be read in one go.

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.

It's possible that the hybridization of styles may it lose some steam, as it is a short experience, but there is no doubt that its essence is very intense. Solid. Intimate.

I’ve worried before when criticising such tales that I might be undermining the real-life experiences of a creator, who is trying to process through their creation. I feel reasonably secure that no one has ever gone through a situation as ridiculous as what’s eventually depicted here. It’s bothered me.