Limbo brings platform games back with a vengeance

Limbo Screenshot (Photo credit: JesseRad)

Limbo is one among few of recent platform games which is reinvigorating a genre which was all but lost by being outgrown and evolving to the great 3D craze which almost directly followed its virtual obsolescence (read more here).


The artwork is sombre without being overly brooding. The reductionist non-existent colour palette is offset by layered atmospheric scenes and complimented with intricate attention to detail and mechanics which alone is impressive. After playing the downloadable demo, it is evident that this is not just a looker. The puzzle solving element requires more than serial advancing and requires non-standard thinking to counter.

The minimalism is carried throughout the game with a very short menu system and control system which consists of moving, jumping and using objects. The very minimal sounds are more than adequate with certain end game effects enough to make this writer jump.

Try the demo now it's available at http://limbogame.org/ on Windows, Mac, PS3 and Xbox 360. For fans of platformers this one is sure not to miss.

Where have all the Platform Games Gone?

Super Mario Bros,  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Platform games were one of the mainstay genres in the early to mid 90's popularized by the likes of Super Mario Bros. Owing to improving hardware processing capabilities, developers sought novel ways to gain audiences, with the result that platformers were slowly relegated to handheld devices or flash games.

This neglected genre has had some noteworthy editions of indie fame, such as Braid and Super Meat Boy, quite recently. With it has come a resurgence and has reinstated its proliferation on all major gaming platforms.


The latest in this genre, Limbo is an excellent marriage of art, gameplay and entertainment. Click here to read more.

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