Verdict
Inmost is a short yet powerful adventure that tackles difficult themes in a delicate manner, through a haunting story about pain and loss. The pixelated graphics lend themselves to an unsettling atmosphere, while the sound design complements the gameplay and surroundings quite nicely.
Inmost came out just over five years ago on PC and Nintendo Switch, but now it's time for all of you mobile gamers out there to experience one of the most hauntingly stunning stories I've encountered in a videogame. I received access to the game on iOS, and it's the first time I've ever played it, and I'm glad I did.
However, if there's one thing I need to say immediately in this Inmost review, it's that if you find loss to be triggering, this might not be the game for you, as it's profound here - the game even issues you a warning as soon as you fire it up. As someone who's experienced great loss, I actually gel quite nicely with games like this, because I can relate and understand the feelings of the characters. Still, it certainly isn't that way for everyone, so I implore you to consider that before you embark on a journey about loss, pain, and bonding.
I generally don't have any interest in divulging things surrounding a game's narrative, for I despise spoilers unless someone actively seeks them out. However, I can certainly reveal that the story features three playable characters, and you get to discover how they connect over time. When handed the review code for this, the PR recommended that I grab a nice hot drink and settle in to complete the game in one sitting. I'm going to echo this sentiment to all of you, but I advise you also grab a blanket and make yourself cozy - hot chocolate is my recommendation for a warm drink here.
Immediately, I'm overtaken by an evocative atmosphere, with pixelated graphics that are truly quite beautiful. It becomes immediately apparent when you take control of the first character that you need to prepare yourself for some puzzles and platforming. As you might expect, the game is quite dark, so you need to pay close attention to your surroundings - find the light switch and shine some light on the situation.
You may need to move objects to reach higher platforms, and even engage in combat, but you at least have a sword when playing as the knight, so you do have a form of defense, rather than just running and hoping for the best. All three characters offer something different in regards to gameplay, so trust me when I say you're in for an interesting adventure. Frequently, you'll find that obstacles and locked doors block your path, so you need to find keys and tools to continue on your journey.
Controls-wise, there are two schemes that you can choose between; one has no UI to keep the screen completely clean, while the other gives you an analog stick and some buttons - the buttons allow you to interact, roll, jump, and attack, depending on your character. Truthfully, they're not intrusive at all, and I actually prefer to see my controls when they don't overtake the entire screen. Better still, it's all incredibly responsive, with crisp movements and immediate actions without delay.
To complement the smooth controls is stellar performance, with Inmost running perfectly well on my iPhone 13, so you don't need to have one of the best gaming phones to make the most out of this adventure. Better still, the pixelated graphics are utterly charming, bringing that little something extra to an already haunting atmosphere.
The sound design completes the environment perfectly, with the tune you first hear upon firing up the game staying with me. For the optimal audio experience with Imost, I recommend using headphones. While you can listen to the soundtrack just fine without them, I couldn't help but notice eerie noises coming through my headset, noises I previously didn't notice.
Overall, it takes roughly five hours to complete Inmost, though you can certainly finish it in under three if you're quick to solve puzzles and find your way. For the price point, I'd say you get your money's worth, as you get a thought-provoking experience that's sure to hit home for those who are familiar with pain and loss. Again, I always advise thinking about your own mental health first and foremost, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say that Inmost is a great little game, one that's worthy of mobile gamers.
If you're after more suggestions on what you can play on the go, our lists of the best Switch games and the best mobile games have something for everyone.