Time and again, Microsoft's subscription service Xbox Game Pass proves itself to be one of the best on the market, not only for its value for money but also for its sheer variety of games. There are titles to appease the broadest of tastes, from hack and slash action games to somber indie releases. Playdead's 2010 hit Limbo is one of the strongest indie titles on Xbox Game Pass at the moment, but players don't have that long left to enjoy it. Limbo joined the service in July 2021, so gamers are running out of time if they still haven't managed to check it out yet.
Despite being more than a decade old, the puzzle-platform title still packs a punch. Its original concept, lovingly-crafted visuals, and haunting gameplay will stay with players long after they've completed it. Limbo made a massive impact when it came out, and helped build the foundation for Playdead's phenomenal 2016 title Inside as well. If Game Pass subscribers have not yet managed to play through Limbo yet, they really should give it a chance before it's gone.
The Wonderfully Weird World Of Limbo
The indie genre has really flourished in the last decade or so, with smaller studios able to release some truly incredible titles that have managed to rival even the biggest and most-established franchises. The originality and diversity of indie games are a true credit to the industry, and gamers have been able to enjoy a wide range of unique titles with beautiful visuals and compelling stories across the years. One of the most influential indie games in recent years is undoubtedly Limbo – the monochromatic masterpiece that follows a little shadowy boy as he travels through a dangerous forest to find his sister.
Limbo's visuals were instantly iconic, with silhouetted figures flitting through dark trees and traversing the eerie atmosphere of the forest. The contrast of light and dark was not only striking but beautiful in its simplicity, and helped set Limbo apart from a lot of its competitors at the time. Limbo was a testament to the creativity of developers and embraced the minimalism of the genre without making it feel lacking or boring. The minimalism also transcends to the game's audio, with simple ambient sounds that help create a tense atmosphere that almost makes Limbo feel like a proper horror game.
Why Players Should Give Limbo A Try
Limbo's sound design, impeccable scene-setting, and challenging puzzles make the game feel like a perfectly constructed experience. It's almost constantly tense, mostly fun, and at points demanding, but it never outstays its welcome. Like most indie games, Limbo isn't a long experience, with the average playthrough only taking five to six hours to complete. It's a great way to spend an afternoon, especially if players are looking for a more somber antidote to some brasher or more action-packed games. Limbo may be a melancholy title, but players should still experience its timeless elegance and haunting aesthetics.
Limbo was foundational for a whole sub-genre of the indie movement. Before it came along, the classic idea of an artful, creatively focused indie title was much more elusive, but Limbo showed how less flashy or bombastic indies could still make a huge impact and achieve success. More thoughtful, stylistic games followed in its footsteps, providing players with releases like the simple but breathtaking platform-adventure Gris, or the equally atmospheric and disturbing Little Nightmares. The upcoming Silt has tonal similarities and surreal yet lethal environments that feel straight out of Limbo's playbook, showing how it's still influencing titles to this day.
Limbo may be twelve years old now, but its simplicity helps it hold up even against more sophisticated modern game design. Its puzzles are innovative, and each one feels fresh and different, while its story is straightforward but effective. Limbo really is worth a player's time if they're looking for a quick gaming fix and an experience that will stay with them long after they've put down their controller.
Limbo is available now on Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.
