The City is the third area in the 2D atmospheric puzzle game Inside. Players were introduced to a new mechanic in the second level, the Farm: a mind-control device dangling from a wire that enables the Boy to control human husks to do his bidding. While the story and events in the game are never explained, including how the Boy is able to manipulate the device, players are moving closer and closer to finding out what's happening as they cross into the City.
The City is one of the largest areas in Inside, and while it doesn't teach players new mechanics, it brings back mechanics from the first level, the Woods, and combines them with mechanics from the second level, the Farm. It also gives players more story elements and lore, although it does so with atmosphere and the environment rather than exposition.
Players will begin the City level as soon as they finish the Farm, and it will begin with players sliding down the roof. Before reaching the end, jump off to grab a pipe, or else the Boy will fall to his death. Here, players will begin playing through the puzzles in the third level of Inside, the City.
How to Solve the City Puzzle in Inside
Once the Boy is on the pipe, climb up and continue heading right, jumping over obstacles, climbing down ladders, and interacting with the environment as necessary. Eventually, players will come to a room in a basement with a ladder that seemingly leads to nowhere. Push the ladder so it points to the right, then climb it to continue. There will be a lever with a yellow light at the top; pull the lever to trigger some sentries in the next room. Using the skills they learned from the first level about hiding and waiting, players need to hide behind the pillars to avoid the sentries' lights. Take the elevator up and continue to head right until the Boy falls through the floor into a line of human husks.
The sentry here will be suspicious of the Boy, so make sure to move in time with the other husks to not draw suspicion. When the human husks stop, players must stop as well. When the human husks in the box jump, players need to jump as well. Continue copying the movements of the husks in line with the Boy. After making it through this segment, a dog will start barking, alerting the people in charge that the Boy, an imposter, is present; break out of line, run to the right, and jump through the window. The dog will still chase players, so trick it to running into the pit while the Boy escapes to the right. Jump into the mind-control device to continue.
In this next segment of Inside, use the mind-control device to have the husk move the cart to the right. Once players are on the other side they will need to open the gate to continue. Do this, hop back in the mind-control device, and move forwards on the track. Players will need to have the husk jump up and trigger a button, but it requires weight to operate. Have the husk jump into a secondary mind-control device, which brings in a second character to control. Have the second husk activate the button, then use the first husk to continue. Use it to push the boy above a large metal gate, leave the Boy suspended over the gate, and use the husk to open it with the lever. Once the gate is fully opened, drop the boy from the mind-control device, and he will fall into a large water pit.
Underwater, there will be a lever that players can operate which will bring a crank the wheel when the spotlight is not overhead, and it may take 3-4 times before being able to jump into the lowered cage. Continue heading right, avoiding spotlights, until the Boy reaches the next area in Inside: the Underground.
Inside is available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
