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A tense puzzle platformer with horrifying atmosphere focused on a child looking for his sister

A tense puzzle platformer with horrifying atmosphere focused on a child looking for his sister

Vote: (320 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Playdead

Version: 1.7

Works under: Windows

Also available for Android Mac

Vote:

Program license

(320 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Playdead

1.7

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Android Mac

Limbo is an award-winning, creepy-crawly indie game with strong, unique visuals and new twists on old gameplay mechanics. The actual game, a 2D puzzle platformer, is simple enough to engage with. The atmosphere might make it a game to avoid playing right before bed unless you do not mind dreams of giant, clicking spider legs descending on you as you sleep.

Presented almost entirely in black and white, Limbo opens with a nameless protagonist boy waking up on the outer edge of hell. In search of his sister, the young boy encounters several other humans. None is particularly friendly. There are many hazards in the forms of giant monsters, rising waters, creaky towers, and other unsettling obstacles. Like most puzzle platformers, the challenges increase in difficulty as you progress. The atmosphere of Limbo will likely leave you with Goosebumps as you navigate through a noir landscape filled with fog and tricky lighting. The feeling that someone may be lurking is pervasive throughout the journey.

The story itself leaves a great deal open to interpretation. There is a variety of theories surrounding the intended plot of the game's developers, Denmark-based studio PlayDead. Whatever interpretation is applied to the game, the result is both unsettling and engaging. The game maintains replay value not because the implementation of mechanics changes, but because the main focus and pride of Limbo is the atmosphere. Players can replay the game as often as they like and that same spooky atmosphere will be there waiting for them.

Limbo received many awards following its release in 2010, including "Best Platformer" by IGN, and was named GameSpot's "Best Downloadable Game". It also received the most nominations at the 11th Annual Game Developer's Choice Awards. There are many reasons to love this game, but many of them must be experienced first-hand or with friends.