PSN Review – LIMBO
Part of Xbox LIVE’s Summer of Arcade last year, LIMBO was among the few games that turned PlayStation 3 owners Xbox-green with envy. One entire year later, and after a number of industry accolades, LIMBO crept its way onto the PlayStation Network.
LIMBO is the exact opposite of what’s popular these days. There’s no shooting, no online multiplayer, no fast-paced action, no real story, there isn’t even color; it’s all in black and white. But it’s the lack of all the distractions and commotion of modern games that allows you to get lost in LIMBO‘s world.
LIMBO can go from being almost serene and tranquil one moment, to piercing and chilling in a split-second. The pacing is just right. The gameplay consists mostly of platforming, solving puzzles, and avoiding traps. It can get very difficult at times so consider yourself warned – you’re going to die… a lot.
As good as the gameplay is, it’s the level design and atmosphere that makes LIMBO special. The monochromatic art-style, the eerie mix of wilderness and industrial backdrops, the grainy visual, the feelings of solitude, all contribute to a very nightmarish feeling. Sounds, ominous and at times startling, are designed to add to compliment the atmosphere and gameplay.
LIMBO lasts anywhere between 2-5 hours depending on survival and puzzle-solving skills. There is some replay value in collecting hidden “eggs”, some of which are extremely well hidden. There’s also a hidden level not found in the Xbox 360 version, which in my opinion is reason enough for someone who already had played that version, to try the PSN version as well. It’s that unique.
Spoiler warning: The level itself is tucked away deep into the game in an already hidden area. It’s complete darkness, at least 95% of the time. The lighted segments, although small and short, are vital if you hope to successfuly traverse this stygian tunnel. Each dimly lit area introduces you to an obstacle you’ve faced throughout the main game, and it’s up to you to take note of the sound it makes in correlation with your location to the obstacle. As you inch toward an obstacle, the sound will grow increasingly louder. You must use only your ears to complete the entire area. It is quite simply one of the most unusual and interesting, albeit difficult, videogame experiences you’ll ever come across. -End Spoiler
LIMBO is stunning. One of those titles that shouldn’t be missed, even if only to see and hear the world that Playdead has created. It’s no wonder why LIMBO received so many awards and is heralded as one of the best examples for video games as an art form. Although the game is very short for the price, this is one of those cases where quality should be considered over quantity. The extra hidden content may not be enough for those who’ve played the game already to make another purchase, but it more than makes up for the time that PS3 owners had to wait to play LIMBO.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
+Simplicity of gameplay gives focus to atmosphere. +/-Game can be short and difficult. Difficulty extends the gameplay. |  |
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17 Responses to “PSN Review – LIMBO”
I’ve had bad luck with PSN games. I buy them, am mildly entertained for a couple hours, then never play them again. Unless something is really extraordinary about LIMBO I’ll have to pass.
Second. I own a ton of them but the only ones I come back to are the PixelJunk games and WipEout HD.
Played the demo and it just didn’t draw me in a lot, I’m not sure why. What was there was good, it just didn’t leave me with an “I have to have it” feeling. I do enjoy a good platformer though, so I may reconsider if this goes on sale.
I feel you… I’m on the same spot, I own arround 45 PSN games the only ones I really play are Marvel vs Capcom 2, Dead Nation, PSMOVE Ape Scape and Hard Corps…
I did download the DEMO and to be honest I don’t understand why they say it’s creepy, it looks like a somehow dark fairy tale but not creepy… Silent Hill 2 is creepy, Silent Hill 3 is creepy Limbo is just that: ¨a darkish fairy tail¨, it might be creepy for your 5yo lil sister though. The gameplay was at it’s best ¨OK¨ nothing special, so I’ll pass on this one, if I wanted to get scared I’ll play Dead Space or Silent Hill, and for 2D gameplay I got Hard Corps, LBP and SO MANY other good PSN tiltes…
a excellent PSN game is Spelunker .. you get a couple of hours online … but is very difficult to find people …
I got Limbo because I had heard so much good about it, and I had tried the demo. It is a very simple, but challenging game. It looks surprisingly beautiful too. I liked it, so I got it. I’m pleased with it, and with PS Plus, I got a little discount. It’s fun enough, but nothing extremely groundbreaking.
It seems that just because it ‘was’ a xBox 360 exclusive it got better scores than it should of i think. It’s ok, can’t see what all the fuss was about tho really. Yeah it looks different but gameplay was ok’ish.
Limbo is one of my favorite games this generation, but it’s certainly only going to appeal to a particular crowd. Some of my other favorites this gen include flower, Pixeljunk Eden, and Super Meat Boy. A lot of people like to complain about length vs. price, but I’d rather pay more for quality than length. If you are the sort of gamer who appreciates style and atmosphere, this game is well worth your money.
You’re right, it’s definitely a game that would only appeal to a certain type of person. Which is why I made sure to say it’s not like the popular games – shooters, online, etc. People who only play Call of Duty are going to hate LIMBO. However, someone who is open to a broad range of experiences, will love LIMBO.
That’s also why it’s a great game to prove games as art. Some people don’t get art. Just like some people don’t get an Oscar-award winner for Best Picture. Sometimes the appeal isn’t obvious to everyone.
Yea, I don’t get art. Dunno why, but I guess I’m just way too logical.
Can’t wait to delve into this one!
the demo didn’t really do too much for me and it still seems a little too pricey for the short playthrough.
For me the demo was enjoyable but not $12 worth (I’m a PS+ Subscriber so I get a discount)…It’s something where if I didn’t already have so many games to play I might pick it up, but since I have enough to keep me busy I would rather wait until the price drops.
this is one of those games i get at sales
like i did with Braid at $5 and still have not touched it lol
i got this game because there was something about it which reminded me of braid. But its lacking on the story to go along with the awesome atmosphere.@ gaming if you haven’t played braid yet do yourself a favor and do so, that game, imo, easily deserves to be a $15 game, but limbo meh.. 5-7
artistic my a$$,there are really “artistic” games out there that worth the price.not this one.way over rated just because it was exclusive to 360
I wasn’t impressed by Limbo at all. Too short of a game. The frequent deaths artificially stretch out the length of the game. This is a 45 minute game once you know what you’re doing. And while the aesthetic was very original, most of the puzzles (particularly in the second half) were fairly generic and of the “flip a switch and move the box” variety. $15 can get you much better on PSN.
Limbo is Great. Well worth the $$$$