LONG BLOG
Limbo: If You Don't Like Me, Then Go Play Halo.
I finally got around playing the great artistic indie title called, Limbo. The game Jim Sterling gave a 10 to. A game by Destructoid’s own definition is a “Flawless Victory”; a game people point the finger at to prove that video games are an art form; a game that’s been in development for 5 years; a game that’s painted in a lovely, yet uninspiring black and white silhouette art style. In short, Limbo is one of the most disappointing, and pretentiously lazy “art” game I ever played.
To start this off, I have to say that I’m a big fan of minimalism and ambiguity, but there is a limit to it. When ambiguity is used correctly it can tell its audience to play along with the story. The artist gives you some of the puzzle pieces and it’s up to you to put them together. To tell a story you need something present. Dialogue and characters are not needed, but you need some piece of information to put the puzzle pieces together, or at least enough to interpret whatever the artist is trying to tell you. Limbo doesn't know what story it's telling, nor does it seem to care. Ambiguity can reveal information that can be understood or interpreted in more than one way and is completely different from vagueness. Too bad Limbo is the definition of vagueness. Limbo is like the kid trying to look smart. The kid uses big fancy words with a posh voice, but has no idea how to put them together. Unfortunately, most people are afraid to stick up to the kid, because if they do, then they will be looked at as stupid, or not “getting it”. The main argument I hear from the defenders of this game is that it’s all about the atmosphere, but atmosphere can only get you so far; I got bored after an hour of this “atmosphere”. I’m also a big believer that games have to be fun to be enjoyed. I know people like Anthony Burch disagree with me here, but why can’t we have an artistic title that’s also fun to play. For instance, Flower, with its simple motion controls achieves this, but why is Flower, the only example I can think of? Art games like: The Path, Edmond, Flow, and many others seem to lack the fun factor that are key in a video games. My question: how can anyone enjoy such a boring game? But then again, everything is subjective.
Oh yeah, if you don't like Limbo, then go play Call of Duty.
VenusInFurs
To start this off, I have to say that I’m a big fan of minimalism and ambiguity, but there is a limit to it. When ambiguity is used correctly it can tell its audience to play along with the story. The artist gives you some of the puzzle pieces and it’s up to you to put them together. To tell a story you need something present. Dialogue and characters are not needed, but you need some piece of information to put the puzzle pieces together, or at least enough to interpret whatever the artist is trying to tell you. Limbo doesn't know what story it's telling, nor does it seem to care. Ambiguity can reveal information that can be understood or interpreted in more than one way and is completely different from vagueness. Too bad Limbo is the definition of vagueness. Limbo is like the kid trying to look smart. The kid uses big fancy words with a posh voice, but has no idea how to put them together. Unfortunately, most people are afraid to stick up to the kid, because if they do, then they will be looked at as stupid, or not “getting it”. The main argument I hear from the defenders of this game is that it’s all about the atmosphere, but atmosphere can only get you so far; I got bored after an hour of this “atmosphere”. I’m also a big believer that games have to be fun to be enjoyed. I know people like Anthony Burch disagree with me here, but why can’t we have an artistic title that’s also fun to play. For instance, Flower, with its simple motion controls achieves this, but why is Flower, the only example I can think of? Art games like: The Path, Edmond, Flow, and many others seem to lack the fun factor that are key in a video games. My question: how can anyone enjoy such a boring game? But then again, everything is subjective.
Oh yeah, if you don't like Limbo, then go play Call of Duty.
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About VenusInFursone of us since 4:39 PM on 02.11.2011
Wow, I have a twitter now. Hmmm, would you like to follow me? Here, take this link. If you follow me; I will make all your dreams come true: Twitter
Here's my Tumblr; it's where I write all my miscellaneous stuff: Tumblr
Do you like films? Do you like my writing? If so, then have a look at my movie blog: Flixist
I'm a student. I'm currently working on my second degree. My past jobs were working at a gym and Urban Outfitters. I love to play guitar, read, listen to music, and watch films. I'm funny and enjoy the arts. I sometimes can ramble on about literature and films. I'm born and breed in New York. I'm easy going and I love fashion. My favorite system is the DS. I constantly shop at Urban Outfitters and Topshop. I really don't know what else to say. Oh yeah, I'm a cool guy!
Movies:
I Stand Alone, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Fight Club, Antichrist, Enter The Void, Dogtooth
Music:
Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Lhasa De Sela, MC5, Neil Young, Velvet Underground, Radiohead, Manu Chao, The Smiths, Nine Inch Nails
Books:
The Trial, Notes From Underground, Paris Spleen, Crime And Punishment, Junky, Hunger, Nausea, The Stranger
Games:
Super Mario Bros., Lost in Shadow, Braid
Favorite Articles I've written:
Demon's Souls: An Allegory for Life
Fuite
Diary of a Breton: Journey to Solitude
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Explain Yourself!
Venus, Put on some Fur and let's Talk
Front Page Articles
The Emasculation of a Father
A Small Thank You
I started a blog at this very site to let some of my feelings out. In some way Destructoid was therapy for me. I write about everything from my mother, past relationships, financial situations, friends, hipsters, school, etc. This is done not for sympathy, but as a way to expresses myself. My financial situation is a mess and I have no idea how I’m going to make a living, but writing and reading some of the response from great users have bought a wealth of positiveness to my life; It really doesn’t have to be anything big, but a simple comment of appreciation is enough to fill my heart with joy. It’s strange writing this, but joining this community has been the best thing I've ever done, well, second best thing; getting laid is pretty cool. What I’m trying to say here is thank you. Thank you for this awesome community. Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for being awesome.
A big thanks goes to falsenipple for the header!
Venus In Furs - Don't know what it is? Well, my freind, click on the link and listen to the song.
The Velvet Underground - Venus In Furs (Original)
DeVotchKa - Venus In Furs (Cover)
Here's my Tumblr; it's where I write all my miscellaneous stuff: Tumblr
Do you like films? Do you like my writing? If so, then have a look at my movie blog: Flixist
I'm a student. I'm currently working on my second degree. My past jobs were working at a gym and Urban Outfitters. I love to play guitar, read, listen to music, and watch films. I'm funny and enjoy the arts. I sometimes can ramble on about literature and films. I'm born and breed in New York. I'm easy going and I love fashion. My favorite system is the DS. I constantly shop at Urban Outfitters and Topshop. I really don't know what else to say. Oh yeah, I'm a cool guy!
Movies:
I Stand Alone, Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Fight Club, Antichrist, Enter The Void, Dogtooth
Music:
Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Lhasa De Sela, MC5, Neil Young, Velvet Underground, Radiohead, Manu Chao, The Smiths, Nine Inch Nails
Books:
The Trial, Notes From Underground, Paris Spleen, Crime And Punishment, Junky, Hunger, Nausea, The Stranger
Games:
Super Mario Bros., Lost in Shadow, Braid
Favorite Articles I've written:
Demon's Souls: An Allegory for Life
Fuite
Diary of a Breton: Journey to Solitude
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Explain Yourself!
Venus, Put on some Fur and let's Talk
Front Page Articles
The Emasculation of a Father
A Small Thank You
I started a blog at this very site to let some of my feelings out. In some way Destructoid was therapy for me. I write about everything from my mother, past relationships, financial situations, friends, hipsters, school, etc. This is done not for sympathy, but as a way to expresses myself. My financial situation is a mess and I have no idea how I’m going to make a living, but writing and reading some of the response from great users have bought a wealth of positiveness to my life; It really doesn’t have to be anything big, but a simple comment of appreciation is enough to fill my heart with joy. It’s strange writing this, but joining this community has been the best thing I've ever done, well, second best thing; getting laid is pretty cool. What I’m trying to say here is thank you. Thank you for this awesome community. Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for being awesome.
A big thanks goes to falsenipple for the header!
Venus In Furs - Don't know what it is? Well, my freind, click on the link and listen to the song.
The Velvet Underground - Venus In Furs (Original)
DeVotchKa - Venus In Furs (Cover)