Cheats & Secrets

Cheats & Secrets for Inside

No Cheat Codes

Inside by Playdead has no traditional cheat codes, unlock codes, or console commands on any platform (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch). The developers deliberately avoided cheat functionality to preserve the game's minimalist, immersive atmosphere. There are no debug menus accessible through key combinations. However, the game is rich in hidden content, Easter eggs, and developer-intended secrets that reward exploration.

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Hidden Collectibles: The 14 Light Orbs (Hidden Objects)

Inside contains exactly 14 glowing, white spherical orbs hidden throughout the game. Collecting all 14 unlocks the secret ending (see below). The orbs are not required to complete the main game, but they are the only collectibles. They are positioned off the main path, often requiring backtracking, precise timing, or solving extra puzzles.

Key locations (spoiler-free hints):

• 1–4: Early forest and farm areas, behind movable objects or in darkness.


• 5–8: Underground factory sections, often inside vents or behind machinery.


• 9–10: Water segments, submerged in narrow passages.


• 11–12: Laboratory and shockwave sequences, hidden in corners.


• 13: In the "hidden cornfield room" (see below).


• 14: Near the end, in the final underground facility.


> Tip: If you see a strange glow in the distance, investigate. Orbs are always stationary and white.

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Secret Ending (True Ending)


After collecting all 14 orbs, a new, silent, black-and-white cutscene plays after the credits. In it, the boy awakens in a dark forest, touches a glowing tree, and the screen fades to the game's title. This ending is widely interpreted as a loop or a hint at the boy's true nature. This is the only way to see the full narrative closure intended by the developers.

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Hidden Area: The Cornfield Secret Room


Just before the cornfield where dogs chase you, there is a small, fenced-off area with a single cornstalk. If you approach it and pull down repeatedly, a hidden hatch opens beneath the corn. Inside is a secret room containing:

• A single light orb (collectible #13).


• A small, mysterious diagram showing the boy connected to the water blob (the final creature).


• No other items.


This is one of the most well-known secrets and is easily missed because there is no visual prompt.

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Secret Area: The Shockwave Room


During the shockwave sequence where you must run from a massive blast, instead of running right, go left immediately after the explosion. A previously sealed door will be open. Inside is a small chamber with a diagram of the boy's brain connected to wires—hinting at the game's themes. No orb here, but adds to the lore.

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Easter Egg: The "Girl in the Water"


In the water segment where you must avoid searchlights (around 40% into the game), if you swim to the far left of the first room, you'll find a submerged, drowned girl hanging upside-down. This is a direct reference to the original Limbo protagonist's sister. It is purely atmospheric.

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Easter Egg: Limbo References


Inside contains several nods to Playdead's previous game Limbo:

• The boy's design (silhouette, white eyes) matches Limbo's protagonist.


• The hanging bodies in the early forest mimic Limbo's death scenes.


• A hidden spider in one of the underground tunnels (quickly scuttles away) references Limbo's giant spider.


• A broken carnival ride in a later area looks identical to a Limbo puzzle element.

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Developer Room (Not Normally Accessible)

Inside has a so-called "developer room" hidden in the game files, not accessible in normal gameplay. It contains debug tools, unused assets, and concept art. On PC, modders have found ways to unlock it via save-file editing, but this is not an intended secret. Do not attempt on consoles—no legitimate method exists.

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Alternate Ending via "The Plug"

Near the very end of the game, you control the massive blob. There is a moment where you see a buried plug in the ground. Pulling that plug causes the blob to dissolve, leading to an immediate, premature credits roll. This is considered a bad ending and is not the intended final sequence. It does not require orbs. This is more of an interactive fail-state than a secret, but it's a memorable secret for players who experiment.

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Secret Message in the Credits

If you complete the game with all 14 orbs, the credits include a subtle flashing frame (lasting one frame) that shows the word "INSIDE" in a stylized font. This is nearly impossible to spot without video recording.

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Unused Content/Glitches (No Cheats)

Some players have discovered glitches that skip puzzles (e.g., clipping through walls with precise jumps), but these are not developer-intended and may corrupt saves. The game has no warp zones or debug cheats.

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Summary Table

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> Important: Inside deliberately has no cheat codes. All secrets are discoverable through careful exploration and multiple playthroughs. Use a guide for the orbs if you want the true ending without excessive backtracking.