Title: Limbo
Developer: Playdead
Publisher: Playdead
Release Date: February 24th, 2015 (PS4 release)
Game Engine: Box2D
Number of Players: Single
Genre: 2D Side-scroller/Puzzle Platformer
I had quite a few titles for this game. “How low can you g– AHH SPIDER!!”, “Arachnophobia Simulator 2015”. Yet, the nightmare-fueled spider part of the game isn’t the main part. It’s only one of many things in this well-made puzzle platformer.
To say one is in Limbo, is to say they’re stuck between Heaven and Hell; purgatory pretty much. Both God and Satan don’t know how to determine your afterlife, so you’re forced to relive it.. over and over again.
This little unnamed, brave boy… no one knows how he died. All that’s known is he’s searching for his sister (though this is never discussed in any intro). And even though he’s dead, he’s still searching (as he’s stuck in limbo).
You guide the small boy through multiple environments, from a dark forest, into an industrial complex where switches can fuck with the entire level (by flipping it). Controls are pretty simple and straightforward. You couldn’t ask for a more simple controller-based game.
You can move with your directional keys and L3. X is your Jump, Triangle is your ‘get over obstacle’ key. Lastly, the Circle key can be used to pull objects toward you. You’ll know when you can grab ahold of something when you see the boy reach out his arms and hands.
Pushing is automatic. Just direct him to an object and he will push it (if it can be pushed).
So.. that’s pretty much it to say about this game. Time for my review;
Good:
-Very well done black & white graphics.
-It’s a game I just don’t want to stop playing (even though some of the puzzles are downright brutal).
-Brain slugs are freakin’ annoying (yet also a challenging mechanic).
Bad:
-No intro to the game. I had no idea this boy is looking for his sister.
Final review: If there’s one thing you should do before you die, it’s to try this game out. It will not disappoint.