While all games can be considered art, there are certain games that seem to jump out for gamers. Whether these are the chilling worlds created in games like the original BioShock and Cyberpunk 2077 or games like Grim Fandango, which brings the film noir style to the game, certain games leave an impression with players.Such is the case with
LIMBO, a platform puzzler that is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary. First released on Xbox Live Arcade back in 2010, the title has received rereleases on multiple consoles and PC since then.
Let's take a look back at the game and see what makes it so special, even today, 10 years later.
LIMBO is art
We’d be remiss not to mention LIMBO’s style first and foremost. While there are plenty of things to love about this puzzle game, LIMBO’s art style and story are two of the things that stick with gamers the longest.
LIMBO takes an extremely minimal approach to graphics, and while that may seem like a turnoff at first, it nails the concept and manages to leave a lasting impact only using a few colors.
The predominant color in the game is black. Darkness. The unknown. From your character to the foreground, much of what gamers will see is black. There are also shades of grey to be found in the background and all of this comes together to make each level seem like a mini work of art.
The story is also worth mentioning here. Like its art, LIMBO takes a minimal approach to storytelling, while still exploring bigger concepts like failure, perseverance, and love. As for the literal plot, you are a nameless boy trapped at the edge of hell (hence the title). You must face monsters, puzzles, and even other humans as you look for your sister who is also trapped.
While some might be disappointed with the open-ended ending, the journey well makes up for it.
A thinking game
Past the art style, LIMBO offers a solid gaming experience. Interestingly enough, the gameplay was created after the visual direction was decided, but don’t let that fool you. If you enjoy classic 2D platformers, but also like to work your brain a bit, LIMBO is perfect for that. It’s also not a terribly long game, so it never starts getting stale. Each level is unique and offers an exciting challenge.
LIMBO also leans into its art style to influence certain puzzles and levels. Because there is so much darkness, things can sometimes be hidden in plain sight, to either aid or hinder your quest.
One thing the team at Playdead (the studio behind the game) focused on when creating its game world was to make each level unique. Unlike many puzzle-type games that find themselves repeating similar obstacles, LIMBO strives to make each puzzle its own experience.
In addition, Playdead continued its minimalistic theme, making the game as accessible as possible by only including two main actions - jump and grab. While that might seem like it would get old quickly, don’t worry, there are plenty of challenges along your journey!
A game that stands the test of time
Whether you’re looking for a beautiful experience or challenging platform puzzler, there’s a lot to like with LIMBO. The game is as fun today as it was 10 years ago when it was released, which is saying something!
If you’ve never had the chance to play the game for yourself, or are looking to revisit the beautiful world of
LIMBO, now is the perfect time to dive in.
