What is... Limbo

Picture take from Amazon.com

Introduction

Something that I want to introduce now is a simple game from an indie developer. This puzzle platformer Limbo was released in July 2010 originally on the Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360 developed by an indie developer called Play Dead. The game now has been made available on other platforms such as PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android and the PC. I rarely play puzzle games because sometimes it gives me a headache when I can’t solve it, sure we can always Google the hell out of it but you’ll lose the major purpose of the game, which is to give you pride on your own achievement, if you do this. Well here I am talking about Limbo. Simple and dark, I think these two words can be placed perfectly well to describe this game. 

The nameless young protagonist.

Gameplay

One of the puzzles found in the game.

The gameplay takes form of a 2D side scrolling puzzle platformer that puts you in a role of a young boy that must use his wits to overcome deadly obstacles. With each path you approach, there will be challenges await you. You have to walk, climb, jump, and push your way forward. Due to the dark environments, sometimes it is hard for you to spot beartraps that are scattered on the ground ready to snap your body from your head, so players have to keep their eyes sharp even when the path looks clear enough. Puzzle experience in Limbo is not exactly challenging but it sure is innovative. If it does prove challenging, then it might take you 9 to 10 deaths before you can finally figure it out. If you find yourself frustrated over an unsolved puzzle that has been holding you back, then by all means, just google it noob. Hey, I’m just joking, you’re supposed to enjoy the game not to get mad over it. This game is designed to kill you, similarly to how Hidetaka Miyazaki of Dark Souls designs his video games to watch you fail, only the developers of Limbo still remember to take their chill pill.

Death by pressing the wrong key is very common.

Gameplay experience in Limbo will build up an amount of repetitiveness due to the high possibility of death before you make a progress on solving the puzzles. The challenge that you will most likely face is the miscalculation on your jump timing that will lead you to your death. This is very common since it is a platformer game, so death fall is the norm. On top of that, the lack of tutorial in the game will urge you to make mistakes and learn from it. For instance, the slug creature that will stick on your head and makes you move only to one direction, it will change direction if comes in contact with a light beam. In Limbo, every incoming challenge that you face will require you to experiment your way before finding the correct one. The game is linear, so every puzzle has only one fixed solution.

The only way to get rid of the slug on your head is to feed it to the ceiling creatures.

Creative Approach

Lost and alone making a quick sail in the vacant lake.

Though Limbo is described as a horror game, it is not exactly scary as compared to other horror games. Limbo’s atmosphere is something that you can described as eerie. The dark and misty forest creates a rather haunted environment, it makes you feel that you are being watch by a group of murderous creatures ready to strike you at any moment in any path that. The boy’s solo adventure further adds the sense of loneliness and isolation. Limbo’s graphic is very simple, but it matches the lonely and chilling atmosphere like it is a jam for a bread. The monochrome art style is something that I found unique and it has been one of the main reasons I developed an interest in this game. I like minimalistic art, they look neat and not extravagant, they are just perfect. Limbo also depicts death in a rather gruesome way where you can get decapitated by a bear trap, impaled by a giant spider, electrocute to death and many other various death animation. I think this feature shows off how matured the theme is supposed to be made in contrast to its depiction of a young boy protagonist. Though blood cant be seen due to the monochrome art of the game.


 

Limbo shows off its mature theme with gruesome death.

Conclusion

Limbo manages to capture the sense of isolation.

To sum up about this game, Limbo has this fantastic design through its simplicity, though the game lacks a narrative feature, it still stands as one of the most unique puzzle platformers of all time. Limbo punishes you from careless mistakes and miscalculations, or unexpected challenges but rewards you by increasing your creative thinking on solving puzzles. And personally, what I like from playing this game is the art design. Throughout my playthrough I take my chance enjoying the view of the scenery whenever I can, well that is if dark forest, ruined town, or filthy sewer can be considered as scenery. For those of you who have never heard of this little masterpiece, go check it out, it’s really cheap on Steam, I bought it for RM5 on sale. I can assure you it will be worth your time. For those of you who have seen Limbo floating around your Steam’s featured sale, what are you waiting for, add to cart and make payment you dumb dumb.