How Playdead Created the Greatest Level in Gaming History

Рет қаралды 10,267

Жыл бұрын

(This Video Essay contains SPOILERS for ONLY the FIRST HALF of the game)
Most game levels are enjoyable... but very few are as memorable as the Shockwave Level in Inside.

Пікірлер: 89

@Jack-mp9yg 8 ай бұрын

I’ve watched a lot of video essays in my time but none that have captivated me and tapped into emotion so deeply. I had the exact same experience with this level. Your videos are of a quality of someone with millions of subscribers and I have no doubt you will get there very quickly. Honestly I just watched your video on morality in games too and the way you’ve edited both of these videos and gotten those cinematic shots is absolutely Mindblowing to me. Your pacing, compositions and feel for drama and emotion is next level. Please don’t ever stop making these.

@StrictlyMediocre 8 ай бұрын

Dude thank you so much!!! I still feel like I've got a lot to work on but this lets me know I'm at least on the right path. I'm only getting started though :)

@Ara.Ara.. 7 ай бұрын

Apparently he also has you hooked .. I also came from that same video lmao and I think he really did just cop 2 new fans

@oooodaxteroooo Ай бұрын

i didnt. the word "great" is ambiguous anyway. the whole game is a well-crafted piece of art, but nothing stands out. if anything its the lump at the end that twists you insides somehow. that gripped me :)

@zorosboobies5346 Жыл бұрын

That has been my favorite level in INSIDE for years, besides the ending. It’s so cinematic, but the whole game is tbh.

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

The ending is INCREDIBLE. The level of awe you experience during it is indescribable.

@georgemccartney8906 8 ай бұрын

"I walked in the level with fear but I came out of it with bravery" If there is a single sentence to describe the impression this level leaves, it would be this. Bravo on this analysis, it was especially captivating and satisfying seeing someone just as enthralled by this level as I

@StrictlyMediocre 7 ай бұрын

Thank you man!!!!

@razmataziest Жыл бұрын

I saw the title and just knew which level it was. I love this level and will never forget the first time I played it. You really did it justice in this video.

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

Thank you!! I'm glad I was able to :p

@emilymitchell6823 Жыл бұрын

Totally unexpected for this to just pop up in my timeline and I’m glad it did. This is great

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate you giving my video a chance!

@LostLegendTrance Жыл бұрын

Superb video. I love this game and that level was also my favorite. Glad you pointed out how good the music is. As a musician, this level blew my mind, not only for the change of mood after that one puzzle, but the sound design. How the blast evolves into a synth bass stab that accompanies the swelling music, just brilliant. Great video, I have subscribed!

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

I'll often times play Inside and skip to the shockwave level just so I can have the ambient music in the background while I do other work. It's so soothing, even with the blasts. The sound design very much makes the moment special. Martin Stig Andersen is a genius. Thanks for watching and subscribing!!!

@placebo_effect Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you made this video!! It's my favourite level too, and this game is so underrated that I've never seen anyone talk about the level before. Or how such a silent game can make you feel such intense emotions. We had a similar experience playing the level, I remember not wanting to leave once I finally surpassed it, but the game had brainwashed me into just keep moving forward, so I did. After a few seconds of standing there, trying to understand whatever I had survived, I just kept running forward. But I haven't been able to stop thinking about the level, like what was the shockwave invented for? Why was there an entire obstacle course for it, sitting there, abandoned? How many people died before it was left there, shooting out it's shockwaves for the rest of eternity? Like the place is so dangerous, the scientists had to evacuate and leave it how it was. They couldn't shut that thing off. It gives me chills, and the whole game does. But jesus christ, why would anyone mess with something so lethal and dangerous. For the sake of science, but at what cost

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

That’s part of what makes this level incredible: The mystery surrounding the purpose and origin of the shockwave. The game gives you enough to piece together your own theory, while simultaneously not giving you much at all. It leads you to think deeply about it, like how you stated. It’s abstract, but at the same time, it isn’t. It’s a masterfully done level.

@placebo_effect Жыл бұрын

@@StrictlyMediocre Exactly, I've never wondered so much about a single video game level in my life. But playdead really knows how to let our minds fill in the blanks perfectly

@CoyoteCountry 6 ай бұрын

To this day, I can still hear the shock wave’s noise in my ear without having to listen to a video of it. This level BROKE me, and I am here for it once again.

@StrictlyMediocre 6 ай бұрын

The sound design is absolutely stellar in this game. I often have this level playing in the background while I do other work. There’s just something so oddly soothing about it.

@1EAS1World 10 ай бұрын

This is amazing! And the double bars and zoomed in areas make it so much more cinematic. Glad there's someone who likes this level as much as me.

@StrictlyMediocre 10 ай бұрын

Thank you! It’s a level no one talks about so I had to show love.

@1EAS1World 10 ай бұрын

@@StrictlyMediocre fr also np

@ariabritton9669 6 ай бұрын

you forget that once you reach the elevator, the game basically says "you ain't outta the woods yet, boy!" and the shockwave smashes the elevator car to bits with you in it.

@danielRpauls 6 ай бұрын

This level taught me what Lovecraftian was before I knew what Lovecraftian meant.

@StrictlyMediocre 6 ай бұрын

You’re so right. The whole game remains a puzzled mystery but this level in particular: The deadly blasts coming from a fog of abyss. There’s yet to be a scientific explanation for it. And that’s what makes it so great.

@matthewjames5474 5 ай бұрын

Inside is one of the greatest games I've ever played. Ranks up there with the 13 year me playing original Zelda on NES. the ending to this game is epic.

@TheKrutchie Жыл бұрын

This video was super well put together dude! You get across tone and emotion in ways I don't see many other creators doing, good stuff!

@s.hamedstriker5315 8 ай бұрын

" This threatening area is the most lethal in the game. It is the beating heart that powers this industrious world. it is intimidating, overwhelming, unfathom ... This place wanted me dead. But the fear I felt before has now been replace with invincibility ... it was inspiring ... I was now in the same mission as the boy whatever it was..." Wow. amazing words and description. I wrote an analysis for story of this game and I thought this area was remnants of an old war. but the details you've mentioned here, "the beating heart that powers this industrious world", seems much more correct. Yes! an active monstrosity that has this world in its talon wants us to stop, to be dead, as it has changed all free-will into puppetry and killed every good free person around it already. Not to mention the clashing debris you mentioned strongly suggests that these pulses are made to kill the boy otherwise those buildings or the elevator shaft later on would have been destroyed long time before. Thank you for giving me this insight about "inside"! You are very talented, however, I appreciate people like you to contribute more in the actual world than social media but that is just my opinion. Have a good life my man.

@RS-jb1lf 3 күн бұрын

This was a fantastic analysis and the relief is palpable; the shift in music when the cover with the rotating metal shields the boy is simply euphoric. Cinematic genius and so highly rewarding. Come on Playdead; bring us Game 3!

@luckykidz804 Ай бұрын

honestly it is INFURIATING how underrated this part is, It's so cool! how could this not be your favorite part?

@TheDarkNikolai1 2 ай бұрын

Finding a secret in this game was when I realised just how amazingly put together it really is. I was fully mesmorised. This presentation really took me back to that moment. Deserves a lot more views.

@id3YRecreating Жыл бұрын

Amazing video, like always ! Keep up the great work! Me too this is one of my favourite soundtracks after the shock wave, man I love this game

@ThousandairesClub 27 күн бұрын

*Everything you described is exactly how I felt about this level. the anticipation from the door vibrations, the clockwise shield, the music kicking in once you figure it out....its the most perfect experience I've ever had with this type of game* 👌

@draqonid Жыл бұрын

this was an amazing video wtf , i loved every second!

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

@ranchipoo1727 5 ай бұрын

You should be a voice actor for a horror podcast, your deep and rumblyvoice is absolutely PERFECT for it! Very thrilling!

@iainmcdonald9032 Жыл бұрын

The commentary, the editing and everything else puts this video above “Strictly Mediocre” into something brilliant.

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

Haha thank you!!!

@its_lauren3090 3 ай бұрын

this video was truly fantastic!

@cieles5758 Жыл бұрын

Great Video!

@ittakir 20 күн бұрын

Not a single word about THE LAMP? This is simply the pinnacle of a whole level!

@raakone 7 ай бұрын

Love this! It's epic. Also, at least one other game has a "tribute" to the Shockwave Chamber at one point.

@tommo120 7 ай бұрын

That was fantastic! Makes me very happy to hear someone else appreciating such a beautifully fantastic game, let alone the very literal best level in the whole game. I feel like there isn't anything I can add since you've put all of my feelings into words already here! All I can say is it feels pretty amazing to know others had their imagination light up like a Christmas tree playing that level.

@StrictlyMediocre 6 ай бұрын

Sorry for responding so late! Thank you though dude! It’s a level I constantly thinking about (it’s been seven years since I played it) so I just had to make a video showing my love for it. I’m glad others feel the same way about it!

@gummitheguppy5901 2 ай бұрын

"i felt attached to this boy after this long level"...The ending must've done a number on you huh 😭

@StrictlyMediocre 2 ай бұрын

*SPOILERS* Bruh I thought the whole mission of the game was to save the blob when I first saw it. Not become it 😭

@Skull_the_skellyton 19 күн бұрын

I don’t play inside every often but I love the feeling I get in some parts of the game. The same feeling of acceptance I get from dreams I’ve had where the only thing I can do is wander. Traveling endlessly because I have nothing else. No obligations or resources. I know I will die eventually in said situation so it doesn’t matter anymore.

@noodleydoo2862 Жыл бұрын

This was great!!

@dastaug 9 ай бұрын

My absolute favorite experience in a video game ever. A masterpiece indeed!!

@elisha2358 5 ай бұрын

Hey man, you created a very very profound piece of art with this video. My mind is blown by the quality writing and production.

@YesMyNameIsJohan 2 ай бұрын

So basically, «i did everything Else on impulse, when i got to use my brain i was filled with amazement and awe!» cool and such but very dramatic

@StrictlyMediocre 2 ай бұрын

Sorta? The game is filled with puzzles throughout that don’t rely on impulse decisions and require a level of thinking that varies from simple to complex. What makes this level different from the rest is the unique sound design and the feelings it invokes. The eerie set design. The life threatening shockwave that has no definitive explanation, yet there is so much in the design of this level that can lead to your own theories, which in turn adds to your experience. Admittedly, I can see how people find this video over dramatic, but I genuinely feel this way about the level. It’s not something I’m ashamed of 🤷‍♂️

@zeltsalat_ofc 6 ай бұрын

Beautifully explained 🙂

@StrictlyMediocre 6 ай бұрын

Thank you ❤️

@onlythistube 2 ай бұрын

There are so many memorable in this almost perfect game. My favourite is the overwhelming deep call of the underwater horn. Gets me every time. This is easily imho one of the best games out there. So are Journey, Ghost of Tsushima, Mad Max, Portal 1, 2 & Revolution, Ori 1 & 2, Gris, Fez, Chants of Sennaar, Days Gone, Sable, Control, Soma, Animal Well, Children of Morta, Alien Isolation, GTA IV, A Short Hike, Quantum Break, The Touryst, Horizon Zero Dawn, Luigi's Mansion 3, Honeycomb Hotel, The Talos Principle, Eufloria, Burnout Paradise, Mark of the Ninja Remastered, Outer Wilds, Dave the Diver, Stray...

@ArshadAnsari-lm2du Жыл бұрын

I think I should write my grocery list here for the algorithm.

@john1754 3 ай бұрын

I feel you man! I personally loved the game for its animation! ❤

@1negroup841 Жыл бұрын

You Need more Subs Dude Fantastic Video

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

@Shythalia Жыл бұрын

The level with the funniest death in the game.

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

yeah ngl I may have laughed when I first saw that death lol

@ArshadAnsari-lm2du Жыл бұрын

This was absolutely fire 🔥

@StrictlyMediocre Жыл бұрын

@Zackeroony Ай бұрын

My favorite part of the game is the shock wave part it has been for 7 years and it will always be

@ArtePluviali 17 күн бұрын

I just love INSIDE too. I started learning game-dev because of it.

@thenightflower7615 2 ай бұрын

This is undescribable ! I have no words to describe how beautiful and deep this game is ! And your words are so touching and sad I really like it 🍀 I hope you do another video about the game called " Little nightmares 2 " look forward for it ✨

@StrictlyMediocre 2 ай бұрын

That would be fun! I enjoyed the first one, and I’ve yet to play the second. It’s pretty up on my list of games to play. Thank you for watching!

@manishparmar3946 Ай бұрын

Man, this guy has not heard of GTA Vice city Helecopter mission, you dont come out as same person who went in, if... if you are able to complete it !!!

@ZOOM_BOI_YT 5 күн бұрын

Yeah.... Just appreciate the only thing ..... Not just about hardness also creativity and etc matters.... You minors don't understand 😑 if you don't understand the point of the video so just don't open your stupid mind here.

@sagnikchakraborty1613 5 ай бұрын

Inside and Limbo are not games, they're an experience. goddamn i agree with you 100% this level was the best there was. altho i'm a bit biased towards the anti gravity ones as well.

@StrictlyMediocre 4 ай бұрын

Those were incredible as well, but the sound design in this one takes the cake for me. They’re utterly perfect pieces of art. Each one is unforgettable. The “secret level” in Limbo blew me away. I could go on haha.