Review: LIMBO (XBLA)

Game: LIMBO (XBLA)
Publisher: Xbox Live Arcade
Developer: Playdead
Genre: Platform Puzzle
Price: 1200 Microsoft Points
Verdict: Incredible atmosphere, brilliant physics, simplicity at its best
Pros: Exudes character, challenging puzzles, satisfying ragdoll animation
Cons: May not be for everyone.

In Catholic theology, Limbo (Latin limbus, edge or boundary, referring to the “edge” of Hell) is a speculative idea about the afterlife condition of those who die in original sin without being assigned to the Hell of the damned. This is the suggestive premise of Danish developer Playdead’s first entry into the videogame market and boy what an entry it is. The game then garnered enough attention to be included in Microsoft’s Summer of Arcade promotion this year along with other titles such as Hydro Thunder Hurricane, Castlevania: Harmony of Darkness, Monday Night Combat and Lara Croft: Guardian of Light. Stay tuned to GrE as we follow this promotion directly with reviews as the games become available.

Early concepts and technical demos of LIMBO were shown to audiences at the Independent Gaming Festival where Playdead took home two awards in Excellence in Visual Art and Technical Excellence. After playing through the game, its not difficult at all to see exactly why. Nothing is told to the spectator about the story whether from a background point of view or during the game. LIMBO does such an excellent job with presentation and style that the story unfolds within your own mind. You’re given the premise that a young boy has lost his sister and in order to find her, he must travel to the edge of Hell. You begin the game by simply waking up in the middle of a forest, not knowing where you are or if the place you have in fact woken up in, even exists. Visuals are minimalistic at best, showcasing the world in a creepy black and white with key areas blurring in and out of focus to set the correct atmosphere for the remainder of the game. From here, you maneuver the little boy through perilous puzzle after death inducing obstacle seamlessly from beginning to end.

Graphically speaking, the game doesn’t sound too impressive. A black and white pallet awash with 2D silhouetting following a side scrolling platformer hardly evokes thoughts of stunning visuals. It is the atmosphere of muted tones, fuzzy images and multiple shades of grey set a tone that convey an almost macabre setting. Couple this with the excellent ragdoll physics that have been applied to the main character and you have a delightful game to admire. It is obvious that the team at Playdead took their time getting the physics of the young boy in Limbo exactly right. Whether you’re plummeting from a high ledge, being smashed by a wayward bolder or gaffed by the leg of a giant spider its hard not to be impressed and satisfied by the sometimes brutal death imagery that unfolds in front of you. This is a good thing because you will be dying a lot.

The gameplay is simple. With only the A button for jump and X button to grab onto objects, you’re set loose on the environment to get from point A to point B. Often times you’ll have plenty of time to study your newest obstacle and figure out your way around it while other times you’ll be running from giant beasts, crushing cogs or electrified floors and walls. Playdead took time to ensure the character AI is smart enough to grab when he’s supposed to which simplifies playing even more. Do not think, however that the game will be a breeze for you. The simplicity in the controls are part of what makes it brilliant. You’re not left to concentrate on overly convoluted controls while trying to manipulate your way through the latest section. Watching the game alone is not enough to fully appreciate what LIMBO offers as made evident when my wife was sitting next to me asking what I saw in the game that made me gush. I simply gave her the controller and asked her to play for a while and when I returned, she had a new appreciation for the graphics, animation and visual appeal.

The sounds in the game again follow the simplistic ideals behind LIMBO. There is no soundtrack, no narrative and no speech at all from anything on screen. All you have are ambient noises such as water dripping, echoing sounds as objects fall and an overall solitary feel from the truant soundtrack. These subtle yet perfect sounds blend well with the sparse visuals and overall chilling atmosphere that the game delivers.

In the end, at an entry price of 1200 Microsoft Points, or roughly $15, it is hard not to recommend LIMBO in anyone’s XBLA library. LIMBO sets a precedence on how small games from small developers can show the gaming world that you don’t have to be flashy to be brilliant. If more gaming developers could harness the sheer enjoyment that LIMBO delivers, the face of the gaming industry and the expectations from our game developers would change dramatically. In a sea of sequels, its refreshing to find such a unique and absolutely fulfilling entry in the small game market.