You would think that when deciding on a game everyone should play, one should chose something universal. Well that was a good idea in practice but I went for something that is universal as long as you are over 16. I know that isn't universal in the slightest but I don't know anyone under 16 so I figure I can get away with it. Anyhow, I think everyone should play Limbo. And by Limbo, I mean the disturbing surreal arcade title and not the one where you shimmy under a stick of varying height. That's a real game for real people. But I know everyone will not play this title unfortunately as half the people reading this probably have the incorrect console and the rest aren't even gamers. Perhaps when I am undisputed lord and master of the world you shall all play Limbo under the do-as-I-say regime, but until then you can pick up this title on Xbox Live Arcade and Paystation Network. I am not sure about the Wii- I doubt it would cross over well. Shake Wiimote to wii yourself and go fetal.
In Limbo, you play a child trapped within the mind of Joseph Fritzl. Well, I am sure you are trapped in limbo as the name suggests. However, everything is so dark, twisted and out to get you that you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. When I first played Limbo, I hailed it as the game that could give you arachnophobia. I stand by that statement- when the giant spiders slink out of the shadows I still run for the hills. I am sure playing Limbo is not healthy for the psyche. Literally anything would be healthier on the mind. Even a twelve hour flight to New Jersey. Sat next to a screaming baby. And the in flight movie is something with Adam Sandler. And they are out of headphones. That was a long one, but you get the picture. Limbo is pretty damn dark.
Darkness is not the reason I recommend Limbo however. Don't get me wrong it does disturbing incredibly well, which is difficult to find in games of late (Unless you have played Fallout 3 and stumble across a vault full of clones who can only say "Gary," inspiring terror yet also curious memories of that Only Fools and Horses episode) but that is not the sole reason why you should all play Limbo. You should play Limbo for the artistic value. The game looks wonderful, in a creepy arthouse sort of way. Everything is black and white set with thick heavy shadows, which only serves to enhance the horror when a 20ft spider lumbers menacingly out of nowhere to impale you in the noggin and suck out your young delicious brains. The sound design is nothing short of epic- the wind whispering through the trees is ominously atmospheric, genuinely conveying the "I'm about to be murdered by something spiky" feel. In short play this game and enjoy its deliciousness- eat it like a cake. A cake of terror. So anything with coconut, har har. But seriously, Limbo is so unique and artsy it is like a breath of fresh air. I give it 3 thumbs up.
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