Playdead just announced that Limbo is headed to XBLA. Looking forward to seeing this at GDC.
Limbo looks fantastic, and there’s something just so archetypally elegant about that little stroll in the woods; its evocative of Miyamoto’s childhood hillside wanderings, and my own memories of the intersections of exploration and imagination.
Are atmospheric silhouette graphics all that it takes to impress me these days? I think no – Feist and Limbo in particular look to be particularly subtle and refined in gameplay and sound as well – but there still is something to be said for simplicity of visuals taking such a strong position in the indie community now.
If players are appreciating visual subtlety in games more and more, that’s a great thing – but will the pendulum swing away from it? As Dejobaan Games’ Ichiro Lambe recently said on GameSetWatch regarding their approach to visuals on AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! — A Reckless Disregard for Gravity:
One of our tenets is to look closely at what the big studios do, then do the exact opposite.
This is a stylistic as well as practical decision. What happens if non-mainstream style is appropriated, to some extent, by the mainstream (as things often do with very near everything besides games)? What’s next?
Limbo trailer after the break…