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Could this be one of the best games ever? Do I have your attention yet?
If you haven’t heard about Limbo, Let me tell ya bout it. While it might not be the best game ever it is surely going to rank high as one of my favorite games of all time. From start to finish, though that may not be a long time, you will surely be hooked and you will die… A LOT. The first game from PlayDead Studios has impressed me immeasurably, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.
Limbo (XBOX Live Arcade)
Developer: PlayDead Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Released: July 21, 2010
Imagine this: A grayscale world, with no dialog, no story elements, and no instructions; sounds pretty boring right? Wrong. These are the elements of Limbo that add more to the depth of the game. The game begins with a boy waking up in the forest and…go. No story to tell you who you are or why you are there. This may leave you confused since the only way you’ll know the story is if you read the product description of the game before you play it. I have said this before but personally, less is more when it comes to video games. Heck, I didn’t even know about the game until about six hours before it was released. How did a game like this escape me?
One thing I have noticed is that everywhere I look, people are calling this game a platformer. I find this funny because I found the puzzles to be a much bigger focus than the platforming. The complete lack of story in the game makes the pace so much faster and with no cut scenes or long conversations, the game can simply be broken down into one life-risking puzzle, then another, then another. What I found to be so addicting was solving a puzzle when I didn’t know the end result…. that and the countless gory deaths. There will be deaths… many, many, many deaths. Luckily, two things make the death count okay: 1.) There is a good auto save system that doesn’t make it too tedious, and 2.) the deaths are awesome. From swinging bear traps, falling boulders, giant spiders, spikes, darts, and lots of little children who are out to get you, you must face endless danger with a target on your chest.
Some might argue that Limbo is too short, and yes it is a little on the short side, (around 5-6 hours) with a 1200 point price tag it may not seem worth it, but think about the last time you saw a bad movie. Chances are, you paid around 8-10 bucks for about an hour and a half of bad entertainment. For $15 you can get a good 5 hours of amazing entertainment. I can’t remember where I saw it, but a while back I saw an article online about a great New Years Resolution, to buy a game off XBLA, PSN, or Wiiware once a month. If you think about it, average cost of a game like that is $5-15, so you would spend about $120 a year on 12 games, that’s the cost of TWO current gen console games. So in my opinion, go buy this game NOW, it’s worth every penny, well every Microsoft point.
Limbo is PlayDead Studios first game, and I am already eager to see what they make next. Whether they make another Limbo (I hope so) or just another new game I am really looking forward to what they have to offer.
**If you haven’t seen a trailer for this game, don’t. I’m not saying don’t look into the game before buying it, but a lot of the solutions to puzzles, or partial solutions, are in the trailers. Several times I found myself knowing how to get out of a sticky situation because I saw them do it in a video. So if you want to know more about it, watch the official teaser trailer once and leave it at that.
Score: 98 out of 100
Comments
14 years, 5 months ago
This game was...different. I like the art style. It kind felt like I was reliving Tim Burtons childhood. But I did find it tedious at some times.
I think this was a mixed bag
14 years, 5 months ago
I thought it was amazing.
Loved everything about it.
Can't wait to see more from PlayDead.
14 years, 5 months ago
I have never enjoyed playing a puzzle game.
Never. Not even Braid.
But then Limbo came along and changed me. The visuals, the ambience, the controls, everything works perfectly. The puzzles are, sometimes, difficult, but always gratifying to complete, and the ending was chillingly perfect.
My only complaint is that I want more!
14 years, 5 months ago
I only played the demo for this, and I want to buy it. It was like playing a really good LittleBigPlanet level, but the deaths were more amazing. The spider obstacle was a challenge at first, but only because it doesn't tell you what to do, and I love that. It's a simple design with a lot of work put into the puzzles. We need harder puzzle games.
14 years, 5 months ago
I'm still on the fence about Limbo. I played the trial, and the only thing it seemed to have going for it was the art style. The platforming and puzzles weren't all that great, but I only played the trial so it might get better. It seems kind of like ICO and SotC to me, which I didn't enjoy very much.
14 years, 5 months ago
This game is really a make your own story thing it gives you such a brief summery its really saying "here is the main plot you decide the rest" which is cool i guess but people without imagination are going to be pretty confused on whats going on
14 years, 5 months ago
this game was absolutely amazing. there's so much thought that actually is put into this game. limbo is a powerful place to play since you're playing as a child who died. people may think "oh this is horrible" (pointing to the deaths) but that's part of life and death and it [most likely] wouldn't have the powerful message without them since you are gonna die at least your first play through. this game makes you think whether you want to or not since you aren't told anything unless you read the description which is just once sentence (if i remember correctly). the boy is in the forest for a reason and is traveling through the places for a reason, searching for something but what exactly? the specifics? you, as the gamer, figure it out.
when i came across the ending, it was just, wow. very deep. i don't want to say anything about it at the risk of spoiling but the game from beginning to the very end was simply amazing. highly recommendable to everyone! :]
14 years, 5 months ago
I like instead of just being chased by creepy kids in a horror themed game that you get to be one of them.
14 years, 5 months ago
A 98? Really? One of the best games of all time? I like you Nolan, but your review reeks of hipsterdom. It sounds like you got swayed by the presentation.
I don't care. People can like the game all they want if it makes them feel smart and superior to others. I just don't want people to oversell the gameplay in lieu of the reasons they really like it: pretentious narrative and a stark visual style.
14 years, 5 months ago
I bought and played Limbo as well. Graphics were beautiful and well rendered and help with the atmosphere of the game. I enjoyed the music *and lack there of* and the game play and the puzzles. I wouldn't rate it so high, though. As soon as I saw trailers for this, I knew it was going to be just like Heart of Darkness for PS1, and it was. So, for originality it gets poop from me. Game took me more like 2 hours, not anywhere close to 5.
Between originality and play time, and the lack of story *who the hell were those other kids running around?* I'd rate it more like a 90 than a 98. I'll replay it, though, so at least re playability is nice for the price.
14 years, 5 months ago
Nolan, I loved this game, also, Great job on the review.
14 years, 5 months ago
This Game is one of the best puzzle games out there on the xbla. I found this game being played by brad i think...? Anyways, it looked fun, so i decided to try it out. Best arcade game ive ever downloaded. But i have one complaint. I think 1200 ms points is a little pricey for a few hours of gameplay. Other than that this game is great and i had a blast with it!
14 years, 5 months ago
really want it
14 years, 5 months ago
98 out of 100...
I think that's scoring it bit too high.
I played through this game in about 2,5 hours and it cost 15 bucks...
I dont have any problems with that, because this game was easily worth it.
Same with Braid game you complete in 3,5 Hours and that also cost 15 Bucks.
But they both are still one of the best games that ive downloaded from XBL.
And when you think of it Braid and Limbo are very similiar... they both are games that only use 2 buttons, (A, jump. X, grab or rewind.) they control the same,
they both are puzzle platformers and youre chasing after a girl.
But one thing that separates these games is the style and the Brutality!
I downloaded the trial without knowing what kind of game this was, so i start the trial and im jumping around thinking "wow this is actually pretty fun kind of kiddy game"... And then i kinda stepped on my first bear trap. Suddenly the whole style and pace of the game changes Theres all these f'd up traps and monsters and suddenly it doesnt feel like a kiddy game.
And i totally agree with you on the teaser video thing.
It was pretty frustrating after seeing the teaser because when i got to sertain parts of the game i knew "oh, now that things gonna fall and i gotta grab onto that thing." And after beating the game i was kinda disappointed because after completing the game, you kinda know what you have to do in certain parts.
But i was wrong when i said that there's no re-play value because theses these secret egg's or something around the enviroment and i think theres 10 of them over all and i found 2 on my first play through. So i might go back and try to find them, but nice short review that pointed out pretty good things about the price of the game!
14 years, 5 months ago
I'm a HUGE fan of puzzle games, and a HUGE fan of creepy horror games
AND WHAT IS THIS
LIMBO!
I loved your review, you had a lot of the same thoughts about this game
it's something new, and I really appreciate that.
14 years, 4 months ago
Pettry awesome atmosphere, the giant spider thing is fucking creepy
14 years, 3 months ago
[...] Have Been Betterby Travis Granger on July 23, 2010 · 25 commentsin Commentary,In My Opinion Limbo is a fantastic game. No doubt in my mind tells me otherwise. Limbo has the rare value of being a simple, yet [...]