My mind is blown about all the horrifying implications of this theory. I can't think of a more awful dystopia than one that controls your unconscious 😲

To anyone who hasn't played these games, you must. These two games are incredible peices of art. The sound design in both games is just incredible especially inside. I wait so anxiously for playdeads next game whenever that will be.. All I know is it will be just as incredible as their previous work.

Just here to show support to max because he’s one of the best youtubers with such meaningful content, thank you Max, thanks to your efforts my life is a bit better:)

Never played these games, but your analysis really makes me want to step inside these games for myself. Good job

6:06 not only that, the wooden “wall” we busted through was curved and shaped like a dome. Its not a wall to protect them from the outside, its a deliberately constructed environment, INSIDE the concrete and industrial facility. Edit: you can clearly see the dome shape at 7:51

My personal linking theory between the two is that inside is the meatball’s or the organization perspective of the boys actions but limbo is from the boys perspective, he sees everything different because he’s this mass of consciousness as well as having the lingering thoughts of being a young boy. I don’t really have much to back this up but I personally think if it fits, I mean wouldn’t being mind controlled kinda seem like you’re in limbo, also his sister might be a representative of the meatball.

inside is the best game ever made, its a super deep masterpiece, it also has the most distinct atmosphere creation and art direction ever, it also has the smoothest gameplay ive ever played, i couldnt tell where animation loops stopped and started

Thank you for making this. My first experience with Playdead's stuff was INSIDE which was referred to me by a friend and ever since I played it I became hooked on the lore behind the game which eventually led me to play Limbo. Great hearing your views on the possible connections between the two universes.

The Flesh Bob from Inside's good ending died while it was in the forest. The boy within teared his way out. He became the Shadowy Boy from Limbo who later finds another character in the game's ending. This character was Six from Little Nightmares who had recently escaped the Maw and ended up on land and lost in a forest. And they try to escape by travelling together and ended up in Little Nightmares 2. The larger people in Little Nightmares 1 were basically amalgamations of people (like in Inside except perfectly formed unlike the Flesh Blob). I know it's an absolutely mental theory, but it's crazy enough for me to believe it.

I loves this explanation, thank you so much! It makes sense that whoever this unseen force is found mind control in both alive and the afterlife,thats both a scary and brilliant thought,and those worms are in the both games, and the technology of mind control is the very center of both stories, you just made me appreciate both games more, thank you my friend.😊

The prove to myself, that the enjoinment of something is fulfilling me, is that I start to phantasize while doing whatever. That was the case with both games and is the case with this video. Thank you.

9:02 don't do this, don't hype me for a bloodborne analysis

I just saw an inside gameplay, and the guy playing the game said it is made by the creators of limbo, I immediately searched if the universe were connected and this theory seems that they do, you have assured us that they do, good job dude, you are super underrated

Hey Max. It’s been a while since I watched your stuff and I just binged a bunch of your videos. Just wanted to say how amazing you are and how much joy you bring. Your a great dude. Truly great. I hope you can keep doing what you doing. Have a great day Max !

I'm doing a deep dive into Inside and Limbo rn and I agree that in Limbo there is a sense of the boy being watched - there are moments where the POV zooms in on him like he's being scrutinized. My interpretation is that its he's under ethical judgement being in Limbo but I do love(?) the horrific idea of people still being under control after death

Don't even know how many times I've played Inside, but it still fascinates me whenever I do. I really hope we get some new information about Playdead's new game soon. Great video, as always. Thanks Max! Keep it up and stay safe!

Thanks Max for uploading and discussing a game(s) that is extremely underrated, and I cannot thank you enough for your efforts while also having difficulties yourself. Stay strong my friend.

The entirety of limbo is pretty much what depression feels like. I like the car crash theory I think that's the strongest one. The reason I think the 3nding is what it is is because that's where they were buried, next to their tre house, the place with their most fondest memories and the reason why his sister is there seeming to bury him is because that is actually him burying her in her eyes and she just went through the same exact thing he did to get to that point in the game. 😊

Your Videos on Inside were exactly what made me realize I need to subscribe to you, and I am SO GLAD I DID. Keep up the awesome work Max!

Man, the videos you make and the topics you discuss are so right up my alley. Great work once again!

Thanks for making more videos Max! I love your channel and your deep analysis of psychology, mythology and great gaming.

I love this video so much, I'm very happy to see another great analytical video in your channel and I'm very excited to watch your next ones! Also, I'd really love for you to venture into the world of Baroque sometime soon, as in my opinion, it's one of those deeply buried treasures in the video gaming industry with original takes on existential nihilism as well as other interesting concepts and ideas.

Love the vid max. I am always fascinated by your take on things. Keep them coming

Thank you for all the work you do! I find it life changing. Especially your work on Aion by Jung and introducing me to Uberboyo.

Always enjoy seeing new content. Hope you are feeling better

played inside months ago, and just finished limbo. absolutely love both and love this theory. great video, man.

To me, Limbo is like a very hellish version of purgatory and Inside is like a place between purgatory and our physical plane because there's colour and it's slightly more realistic. I'd love to see a third game.

Thanks a lot for this analysis, Max. I have played both of these with my friends quite sometimes and we both couldn't help but notice some of these similarities between them, most notably the worms. What we used to think, is that those worms were catalysts that sped up the brainwash which strips away all control the UNCON has on the subjects and which is why it still haunts these people even in their Limbo, where the Uncon is freely floating, but scarred by the brainwash nonetheless. Seems quite a shallow theory when I look back at it.

I love your analysis videos. It's brain food for me.

It is incredibly impressive how well-made and planned Max's videos are

Easily top 10 youtube channels of all time.

We all knew this was on the way

I subscribed because of the stay yellow statement :) And I had to play Limbo so I can watch this video after checking the two inside ones. Totally worth it :)

Or maybe the kid with the red shirt has only been physically controlled the whole time (as kind of inferenced by him slumping over like one of the zombies in the secret ending where he disconnects all the plugs), and while all that is going on, his conscious is in Limbo (so he's also the limbo kid). And that would mean the machinery in Limbo all comes from him unknowningly knowing something's making him use his body to operate that kind of stuff. Maybe that's why there's worms in Limbo too because he knows he's being subjected to them. It's kind of a stretch

Thank you for making these type of videos a lot

I’ve never seen a video about the connection between Limbo and Inside that highlights the common denominator: experimentation. Starting from this, we may extract meaning from the two games. The main character of both games is allowed to resume activity after “death”. This suggests that his many deaths are a product of repeated simulation. If this is considered to be part of the narrative, the true experiment is being conducted on the game player, whose activity creates engagement with the world in question. The alternate ending of Inside suggests that the characters that have left behind a means of separating the player from the game (the orbs) are the developers themselves. Additionally the games seem to be mirror images of one another. Whereas in the first game, you and others are subject to control via worm/parasite, in the second game we gain the ability to control others and in some cases control others who are controlling others. The spider that captures us and shifts the narrative by fooling the Limbo player into thinking the story is over is replaced by the water creature that captures us towards the center of the story of the. second game, Inside. This, to me, suggests that we are being “kept on the hook” by being presented with a version of reality that invites participation through reversal. The technology that allowed the boy in Limbo to alter the direction of gravity along the x and y axis is twisted when powerful forces are directed at the boy along the z-axis. Whereas in Limbo, we remain weak and easily destroyed by the world around us, in Inside, we are given a position of strength and those that we may have feared before appear to be at our mercy. When we are caught by the water creature, we appear to be acting in their service, able to complete tasks they may wish to. It seems that they were the subject of an experiment that preceded the large multiple creature experiment and seek revenge. The water creature appears to understand that it’s ultimate ends are served by granting the boy its own underwater breathing capacity, perhaps through the very technology that gave rise to its own peculiar condition. The question that remains is: Why make such games? What would be the point? To me, it seems that this point is hidden under a few layers of subconscious material. We are shown that the boy and other denizens of that world, are controlled by an early stage of the parasite in Limbo. In Inside, the parasite appears to have evolved (or to have been experimented upon) in a way that allows for humans to be more durable with respect to being submerged underwater or subjected to fire. Notice that the boys in Limbo may drown, but zombies under mind control may hold their breaths indefinitely. By making such a game, the developers shed light on two modes of consciousness: the mode in which one runs frightened through the world, responding to perceived threats immediately and emotionally. The second mode is one of exploration, careful observation, and appreciation. The yellow wires that signal that the boy is close to a secret area are only noticed by someone who is not rushing through the game, but appreciating it with careful observation. Notice that the ultimate puzzle beneath the cornfield is solved only through careful listening and recording of musical tones. Can you think of any better way to communicate the importance of slowing down and appreciating the world? Those who have observed well enough to solve the puzzle filled areas may find rest on a beach designed for said rest. Those who have returned through the game and discovered all secrets may disconnect from this world, a slave no more, and capable of exploring, observing, and appreciating the non-game world without need for secret areas and hidden orbs which are ultimately a means of manipulation. The game, having taken us below our liminal states, teaches us to access and make use of the parts of our minds that are especially adept at exploration and appreciation. This part of our mind is often distinct and opposed to the purposive activity of the working world, where our labor is “plugged into” a larger system of control. The suggestion here, is that we journey within to find answers for ourselves instead of looking to the outside world for stimulation and distraction. That sort of searching is bound to end with manipulation and loss of autonomy. Though we may believe we are in control, we are led towards our eventual loss of autonomy through our dependable need for exterior stimulation, as our willingness to stand on an obvious trapdoor while reaching for a jump-box tells us. Both games are moral lessons on how to take in the world around us to achieve maximum benefit for ourselves and others with a warning that if we merely follow the track that’s been given to us, we may reach a point where repose and appreciation is possible, but not before being consumed and becoming part of the many-limbed abomination that is often known to many as becoming part of the work force.

Those hashtags could be a game in itself. LIMBO INSIDE: PLAY DEAD

Another awesome video and man do I love the music of Limbo

Yesss great work, Max. Your channel is my favorite for sure!

cool theory mine is that both the main character in limbo and the main character in inside are the same boy. in limbo, you're playing as what's going on inside his mind as he's under government/evil corp's control (evident in secret inside ending). in inside, you're playing as his physical body but not as his conscious mind. idk if that explanation makes total sense but yeah

I thought your theory on Inside was spot on, but for this, I don't know. When it comes to gaming studios, I believe the easier explanation is that they have a style and a way of developing games that is similar in both games. The same could be said for most works of art, the same creator creates art that are similar. The shared gameplay mechanics, the sonic waves, the machines, are all styles that the studio found worked well in Limbo, and so they reused some of those ideas for Inside. I also feel that Inside is more refined, more thought out game than Limbo, and it makes sense for them to build upon what they learned from Limbo when making Inside. It might be a bit boring to see it from this perspective, but I think it's important to remind oneself that everything does not have to mean something. Even though the stories are different, the creator is the same, and though the creator might not even like it their personal style will still shine through. When you focus too much on the specific attributes of the author, you might lose focus of what the author want you to see.

what if limbo is actually a sequel of "INSIDE"? I mean, imagine limbo is the after-death experience of the boy from INSIDE!

Yes! I always wished you would make a video about the similarities between these 2 games, and it's been worth it. I only wish the creators will put out a third game as the last piece of the puzzle.

Having to stay inside the house because of china's blessing, your video's are one of my go-to's. Keep it up max

Just now found this video, and YT had turned off my notifications for your videos! Smdh 😒 Regardless, amazing video as usual, I would love to see interviews with these games creators! 😊

I really like this theory! In a video that does out of bounds stuff for games, I saw one that showed buttons and levers in the lab in Inside and they're the same buttons and levers in Limbo. My theory is that one mega corporation is making these traps for 'outsiders' (like both boys from both games).

great theories, great to watch and listen to.

That thumbnail is actually looks really cool, especially after watching the video

Welcome back, Max!

If you like Limbo and Inside also check out Black The Fall and The Little Nightmare.

These games have so much meaning to our own simulation in this matrix makes you think be aware

I found this channel by chance. And boy am I glad I did

This video and the others videos on this channel are worth watching

Genuinely anticipated your theory to about the kid from Inside dying in the alternate ending and living through his past in Limbo. Nonetheless, solid analysis!

Perfect ❤❤

amazing

i never thought about it like that

I would disagree with the ending accessment.. I think it's more likely that the boy from limbo was killed in these experiments or the glob finally dies.. And now that he is dead he is experiencing and seeing things from his life. Since his limbo is clearly a compilation of things he has experienced in his life.

I looove these games thank you!!!

What if all this mind or will control is kind of a critic of the player. I mean we control the character at all times, also we extend this control to other characters and use them to keep going even if they left behind or whatever happens but we don’t free them. They are just puppets. Like our main character. And the alternate ending is going almost to the beginning un unplugging the connection and going to black out as a simbol that there is no further game to explore. What do you think about that. I just finished yesterday with the “normal” ending with a lot of questions so that’s why I went to your channel to seek for an explanation. And after that I realized this idea. Have a great day Max. And happy new year.

I feel limbo is a plane of existence like in creepypastas and the brother goes in to find her and ends up being stuck with her and they both die

Hope you feel Good Max!

We also notice that in inside the mermaid monster drags us down to the botton of the ocean and some believe that she gave us the ability to breathe underwater but we really could just be dead and still under control of the facility people.

Good theory

8:40 well they control your movement AND body functions as well as what you are/aren't able to think, that pretty much covers the conscious and the unconscious

So inside is the prequel to limbo....? Interesting. That makes so much sense. So the boy in inside died and in his “limbo” all his experience from inside was symbolised by the things he encountered. In inside, the boy could swim but only just... so therefore in limbo he drowns as soon as he enters water due to how he became fearful of water... (he was killed in water by the water girl). Also in limbo there are people who try to kill him which is the same as what he encountered in inside. Also the guns are things that are seen in both. The worms also are in Both, and suggest that in inside he resented the mind control. Heights and fear of technology and industry would also make sense. Because in inside the boy encounters lots of industry. Also the hotel image would make sense. People thought that inside was resembling limbo when it was the other way round. Limbo is resembling inside. The events of inside happens before limbo. Limbo is the boys after life, and inside is the boys actual life. the boy was killed in inside when the water girl killed him, from that point on he was just a mindless puppet, so therefore limbo takes place after that moment. We also don’t get told anything about the boys family in inside. He could have had a sister and she could have been taken by the establishment too. Limbo could be the story of the Boys spirit finally finding closure and release from all fear and all suffering that he has been put through. The ending sequence in limbo, when the boy breaks through the veil shows his release of all past events. The boat ride in limbo and the submarine in inside both give the same empty atmosphere. In a way is seems to suggest a link to the boys inner feelings about the life he is living. The music comes on at crucial moments of clues that links both games too. In limbo we also see the boys longing for childhood. The forest and the tree house and tyre swings all show this. Maybe he never had a proper childhood because of the AI alien controlled establishment he was living in. The water girl in inside could have been the boys sister in limbo. She and the boy were the last of humanity. The facility previously attempted the same experiment on her that they perfected with the boy. Only the experiment went wrong and she was left an empty shell. So they had already killed his sister. And she was just another puppet. This explains why she killed him. The timing therefore would also match up. In limbo his sister is already dead, so that is why she is on the other side before him. They also have black hair and are the only characters in inside which seem very similar. Why would Playdead make the water creature in inside specifically a girl, and a child? Why is the water creature the most important in the narratives progress and the one who killed the boy? This has to be a clue. This is also why the “climax” of inside involves the boy dying in the water, confronting his sisters body and being connected to the hive mind. After that the boy is dead and goes to limbo trying to find his sisters spirit. They both reunite and are spiritually released. This moment therefore is the end of the boys life and the beginning of limbo. It is also a moment that links both games together. This why there is music in this scene. inside is in the “real” world and is coloured and animated as such. Limbo on the other hand take place in the realm of spirit and consciousness so therefore does not have a realistic design. This is also why we don’t have any closure in inside. The game just starts again. It’s telling a story and limbo completes that story. In limbo the boy finally finds closure. To really crack the puzzle, like any Playdead puzzle, we need one element and then all will be solved. They set both games up without dialogue and with no explanation because it’s a puzzle, and there are hidden clues to guide the player. It would make sense that Playdead released the games backwards in terms of the story. The player would be mislead to believe that inside (if they thought both were linked at all) is the sequel to limbo, when actually inside is what happens before limbo. I feel that your theory really shed light on the whole thing. When I first saw the thumbnail I felt like this would be a far reach but As soon as I was 3 minuets into the video. things started to make a lot of sense.

Hello Max, have you heard or played " Jung's Labyrinth"? What do you think about it? Thank you.

Where I thought you were going with this was that the boys in both games are the same person, but Limbo takes place inside his mind while his body is being controlled. That seemed like a really plausible theory to me before I remembered that Inside is called Inside, so that doesn't make sense.

This theory gets much more interesting when you consider the fact that limbo never outright says that the boy is in literal limbo, it could be a symbolic sort of limbo. My personal headcanon is that the “facility” that the game takes place in a previous facility abandoned by the people who are in control of the dystopia in INSIDE. The boy in limbo isn’t quite under the control of the powerful people behind the events of INSIDE, but also not quite completely free. That is what I believe the title of the game refers to. A sort of purgatory-on-earth. I don’t believe this is the interpretation that the writers intended on, but it’s quite interesting to think about. Also, if anyone reading this can come up with how the giant spider from limbo fits into all of this, please share.

STOP... STOP... WAIT. So, say that you're correct and Limbo and Inside canonically cross over. There are small theories saying that Inside's protagonist is also under mind control, either from the people experimenting on the Huddle, the Huddle itself, or, it's trying to break the fourth wall and say that it's us. (I mean obviously, but we've seen the secret ending and this supports the fact that the ending seems to break the fourth wall a bit.) Now here's my theory. What if the Inside protagonist IS the Limbo protagonist? The Limbo kid is him in his unconsciousness and the Inside kid is his mind-controlled self. Judging by the secret ending after he pulls out the plug, the Inside kid could very well be dead from the start. The story of Inside differs so much from the story of Limbo because the Inside kid is under mind control and in a different situation so there's no space for his backstory, Limbo is testing the Limbo kid's fears (theoretically) while he is under mind control. What about Limbo kid's sister? Let's again say that Inside and Limbo cross over. This then absolutely proves that she's dead because she doesn't show up in Inside. The game doesn't even hint at her. The sister probably died a lot earlier. Or... What about the only other female character in the game? The Mermaid? That could very well be the sister in the same state. More into the Limbo kid = Inside kid thing, I feel as if the events of Inside take place exactly at the same time Limbo's events take place, and they're happening in sync. The Inside kid disconnecting himself in the secret ending could indicate Limbo's ending where his unconscious self meets up with his sister and they enter Heaven. The only thing I can't explain is how they got into the place Inside takes place. If anyone is reading this at all (pray to god you are), thank you so much for wasting your time here-

Inside was one of the best games I've ever played. The sound design, the graphics, and the brilliant scenario... Just finished the game a few hours ago, just had it after Epic Games made it free a few days ago.

The game starts without any explanation or instruction. I think this means that someone had connected the boy to Hive Mind and he doesn't know who he is, where he is going and he(we) tries to figure it out during the game by himself) So I think the boy is some kind of a part of the experiment himself, and in the Limbo, we see the boy who wants to save his sister, isn't it possible that the boy in the Limbo is the same boy of Inside) This makes sense because the Limbo and Inside are very similar and some kind of tell the same story. So it is possible the boy after physically connecting to Hive Mind is immersed into the limbo)

Hi max!! A hug from Italy

Surely one of the most arguments ever!

Very "I have thirty mouths, and I must scream"

You have made me want to enter these games for myself. You should check out Gris and do an analysis on that.

The "meatball" is actually known as the huddle

You know I honestly think why the rain machine is in the game it is either because the boy doesn't know how to swim and and that's why the rain make the one room till with water or his sister was afraid of the rain or lightning and his sister is littler than the boy and the car crash can easily be explain were the two bodies are seen you see a car at the top of the tree. I just realized what if the whole anti gravity thing or the water thing is connect to the car crash I mean think about what if it was a rain cause the car crash and this led to him and his sister just so happen to fall to death under their tree house or the gravity stuff is because the boy has no gravity to the situations he's tosed in like when the fake out scene where it looks like the boy was gonna get to his sister he just got the head slug and had no gravity to the situation or when the boy gets thrown through the glass in the ending he had no gravity to himself flying out and hitting the glass and couldn't do anything and had no choice and that date only had one plan for him well sorry for the long comment.

The sun will shine on you again, my guy. Stay strong

I feel somewhat reminded of the film "Upstream Color". I'd be interested in your opinion about that one.

Kept me waiting huh? (seriously though, its been awhile, i of course haven't watched the video yet, but i'm sure it'll be great)

Okay this is a half brained idea but what if limbo is the second part of inside. Once the boy becomes part of the hive mind thing but the boy is dead and his limbo is actual hell reliving horrific puzzles and he wishes he was actually dead with a family member hence the ending to limbo. I mean you mentioned something like this. Good video tho

i was thinking inside is a prequel to limbo and your playing as the boy from inside stuck in limbo

The conscious and unconscious theory reminds me of carl jung, who is from the same country as the creators i believe

What if the new game by the devs is actually the rest of the earth outside Inside's compound, but we get to connect the pieces on the last part of the game in a very subtle way? One can dream right?

I don’t think they are the Same universe but I think it is the same boy and his fears got incorporated into his afterlife

Watching this is just had the revelation that the boy could be the same boy, if the pc farmer man was originally controlling children, what happens to the consciousness of the person? Send to limbo?

Could you link your original video in the dencription ? I can't seem to find it. I would love to here the more detail, good videos

I got both games and they are very very very good yes I see the similarities are there any new one in the pipeline

Hope you are doing okay Max

Who would downvote this amazing analysis?

I can't speak for the themes, but I always thought that _Inside_ was very similar to _Black the Fall._

Maybe the boy in limbo was living around the time that all this science knowledge and mind controlling was happening. He could of heard it in the news and the memory was being recreated in limbo.

Whats funny is the kid in both games might be the same person. Inside is the kid but slightly older.

In conclusion, the likelihood of both games sharing a universe is just "possible", instead of "conclusively definitive". Both games have similar themes and aesthetics, and nothing from either game states that both game *can't* be sharing a universe. Still, I thought I'd see some evidence that makes this video more than a head canon.

What if the boy from the insdie is the boy of limbo dreaming about the facility after being dead.

Wait till Max finds about Inside ARG that I think is still going

Limbo + lnside = ( inside Limbo ) o my god 😮

Since inside kid doesn't have a name I've named him Johnny Cracker and nobody can tell me that isn't his actual name

What if limbo is what people see under mind control