From start to finish, Infinite Inside offers a memorable journey that is sure to leave a lasting impression
Developed by Maze Theory, Infinite Inside tasks you with exploring some ever-changing blocky concrete environments and piecing together ancient artifacts to unlock their secrets. As you step into this mysterious world, you’ll find yourself captivated by the seamless integration of narrative and interactive elements.
The gameplay is intuitive, with smooth mechanics that make exploration and puzzle-solving both challenging and enjoyable. The pacing of the game keeps you on your toes, constantly encouraging you to uncover more of the intriguing story. Yes, it borders on the "artsy-fartsy, piece it together" story vibe, but it kinda works and you'll want to keep playing to understand what this strange and eerie reality is.
Infinite Inside offers an interesting combo of mixed and virtual reality gameplay. As soon as you start, a strange plinth will appear in your environment in MR mode and you can interact with it by rotating it, moving it up or down, inspect every inch for clues and open drawers where you will find puzzle pieces or shapes. You grasp these shapes, twisting and turning them until they click perfectly together, forming a key you can insert into the plinth.
Then you are transported fully in VR. The hand craftsmanship shines in every exquisite detail of the stone walls and architecture of this monolithic reality. Intricate carvings and faded writings allude to a long lost civilization. You'll find remnants of daily life - a discarded notebook, a music box, a photograph, whatever, it all brings you closer to piecing together the story. Floating orbs allow you to move around these environments via a node-based teleportation and as you move around, you will find and collect even more puzzle shapes. Once you collect all of them, it's back to the MR mode, where you form the key, insert it to the plinth and so on.
The difficulty curve is well-balanced, providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment without causing frustration. The variety of puzzles keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, ensuring that you remain invested in your journey through the game’s intriguing world.
One of the coolest features of Infinite Inside is its hand tracking. The Meta Quest 3’s advanced sensors allow for precise and responsive control, making interactions feel natural and fluid. Picking up objects, manipulating the environment, and solving puzzles with your hands adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall immersion. However, I still prefer the tactile feeling of the controllers along with the subtle haptic feedback that they provide. Still, having the option to play with your hands is such a cool addition.
Infinite Inside excels in its presentation, with stunning visuals that bring its mysterious environment to life. The attention to detail in the graphics is remarkable, from the texture of the objects you interact with to the atmospheric lighting that enhances the overall mood. The sound design complements the visuals perfectly, with a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack and well-executed sound effects that draw you deeper into the experience. The overall aesthetic is cohesive and immersive, creating a world that feels both enchanting and eerie.
From start to finish, Infinite Inside offers a memorable journey that is sure to leave a lasting impression. This is a essential title (also known as a masterpiece in my books) for Meta Quest 3 owners, offering a masterfully crafted blend of gameplay, interactivity, and presentation that sets a new standard for VR experiences. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by the developers. Infinite Inside is available on Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, PCVR, PSVR2, and Pico.
