If you like to have fun, don't play this

Assassinador · 11-27-2011, 08:41 AM

This game is pretty, looks good, stylish if you will, but it's not fun. Not at all. I think it's supposed to be an adventure, that's fine. I like adventure games, solving puzzles, etc. But for the most part when you play this you have absolutely no clue what you're doing and what the consequences will be. For instance, you may pull levers and press buttons, but only discover what that does after you had to do it and by then it's generally too late. A block of concrete falls on your head, or a giant spider climbs down from the tree and impales your azz or the room fills with water which is a big problem since the character, even though he can climb a rope faster then a monkey, can't swim. Not to mention the worms that attach to your head and make you walk non-stop to the nearest cliff so you fall on spikes or just drown as usual. This is so frustrating it's hard to express it with words. Trial and error is different from fun. Especially if it means having to do the same damn thing litelly dozens of times until you figure out the solution.

If you're looking for an excelent, modern adventure, buy Machinarium. That game is 10 out of 10 for me. Limbo I'm just gonna finish because I paid for it and don't want to feel like I threw my money in the garbage.

Excifer · 11-27-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assassinador

Limbo I'm just gonna finish because I paid for it and don't want to feel like I threw my money in the garbage.

It sounds like you've already made your decision. Why try to justify it by putting this at the end of your rant?

By the way, the trial and error concept was completely intentional, according to the developers. I don't think they were trying to apply a fun factor. I think they were going for 'challenging'. It'd be like saying that Amnesia is not fun because it tries too hard to scare the player. Thus, the point of the game.

If you knew what you were getting into, you might have been dissuaded from buying the game. But trying to make a jab at a game that is clearly not trying to appeal to the happy-go-lucky adventure fans out there is a low blow.

Assassinador · 11-27-2011, 09:58 AM

I didn't know what I was getting in to and now I'm trying to make people not fall in the same ♥♥♥♥hole I did because I wasn't warned. A game can be perfectly be fun AND challenging at the same time. Limbo is challenging and jarate-you-the-♥♥♥♥-off at the same time. Games are supposed to be fun, everything else is just icing on the cake. If you're trying to say they intentionally made a game that wasn't supposed to be fun... well, that just agrees with what I said in the first post. This game is not fun and if you want to have fun go play something else.

For example, the worms on the head I mentioned. Finally I figured out that when you step into the light they make you walk the other way. That could have been an interesting discovery if I didn't have to have died 14 times before I made it. Death in games basically means failure and it also serves as a way to add a little more challenge and tension to situations. In Limbo death is how you learn to play the game and solve its puzzles. That can be viewed as the game's style, but to me is just frustrating and at times even lame.

Maksie99 · 11-27-2011, 10:42 AM

I disagree with the OP. Yes, many times I've died because I didn't see something coming. But the game is fun for me, because I have to take a few seconds to think about how to get past something. And when it works, it's fun!

SIR_FreakShow · 11-27-2011, 11:05 AM

Parents that are worried about GTA, gtfo. I am young. I have played Grand Theft Auto, and it caused absolutely no stain on my childhood whatsoever. This game, this game. Every time I double-click the desktop icon I die a little inside. That puzzle near the start, where you've got to get the body of a hanged girl in a bear trap? And other kids attepting to impale you in several different ways? That ♥♥♥♥s with a guys' head.

Excifer · 11-27-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIR_FreakShow

Parents that are worried about GTA, gtfo. I am young. I have played Grand Theft Auto, and it caused absolutely no stain on my childhood whatsoever. This game, this game. Every time I double-click the desktop icon I die a little inside. That puzzle near the start, where you've got to get the body of a hanged girl in a bear trap? And other kids attepting to impale you in several different ways? That ♥♥♥♥s with a guys' head.

I don't know how this pertains to the discussion at hand, but I agree nonetheless. The most disturbing games out there are overlooked because they don't have boobies and butt.

But back to the topic, I think the game can be fun if you focus on the surroundings. If you just walk forward and die all the time, and then turn around and blame the game for being "lame", then you seriously need to evaluate what the game is about. If you don't want to think that hard about a game, then I implore you to go and play more "fun" games that hold your hand from beginning to end. Warning the potential buyers that they are not going to like the game because you didn't like the game is a bit pretentious.

kjath · 11-27-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assassinador

This game is pretty, looks good, stylish if you will, but it's not fun. Not at all. I think it's supposed to be an adventure, that's fine. I like adventure games, solving puzzles, etc. But for the most part when you play this you have absolutely no clue what you're doing and what the consequences will be. For instance, you may pull levers and press buttons, but only discover what that does after you had to do it and by then it's generally too late. A block of concrete falls on your head, or a giant spider climbs down from the tree and impales your azz or the room fills with water which is a big problem since the character, even though he can climb a rope faster then a monkey, can't swim. Not to mention the worms that attach to your head and make you walk non-stop to the nearest cliff so you fall on spikes or just drown as usual. This is so frustrating it's hard to express it with words. Trial and error is different from fun. Especially if it means having to do the same damn thing litelly dozens of times until you figure out the solution.

If you're looking for an excelent, modern adventure, buy Machinarium. That game is 10 out of 10 for me. Limbo I'm just gonna finish because I paid for it and don't want to feel like I threw my money in the garbage.

i don't think you read into the game before purchasing it. before you buy a game, try reading up on it. it's obviously too late for you, but i pulled an excerpt from Wikipedia for you to read addressing your complaints.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

The developer built the game's puzzles expecting the player to fail before finding the correct solution. Playdead called the style of play "trial and death", and used visually gruesome imagery for the boy's deaths to steer the player from unworkable solutions.

they want you to die. that's half the fun of the experience. i thought this would be a given seeing how there isn't a penalty for death, as you have an infinite number of lives. do not put a game down because you don't fully understand the concept. that isn't fair to the game developers who obviously put a lot of time and thought into the game.

abort_user · 11-27-2011, 03:33 PM

i gotta admit im baffled by this game. its critically praised, yet i just dont see it.

it oozes with style. the game is beautiful but thats as far as it goes. the gameplay is like an old adventure game. lots of trial and error and the game is very picky about what it wants you to do. this is fine if thats what you want in a game. however, i really didnt expect the game industry to praise a game designed in such an archaic manner.

the biggest problem is the controls and physics are very wonky. you will die a lot at the same section despite knowing what to do and doing it. you have to stand in precise spot to make certain jumps. you have to have perfect timing for certain puzzles. on example, you are supposed to use the spider to catapult you up to another ledge using a tree and a perfectly timed jump. i died so many times i thought i was doing something wrong, so i went to gamefaqs to check for the solution (which i never do in games btw). but i was doing the right thing. the game was just very picky about how to solve the puzzle. that is not good level design IMO.

i admit this game could be a lot of fun with some better puzzles, physics, controls. i dont mind the retro throwback deaths (the ones that come from not knowing whats ahead). those are like old adventure games. its a bit archaic design but it still has its charm. games like I Wanna Be The Guy rely on this type of design too. this type of gameplay, however, requires tight controls and physics. you arent supposed to fight the game to play the game.

this game is manageable and you can play it. just dont expect much outside of amazing art style. this game seems to be another case of reviews rating the graphics instead of the game. its definitely not a 9/10.

ElfShotTheFood · 11-27-2011, 04:55 PM

I think the game is good, but it's definitely a case of style over substance. Most of the rave reviews don't mention how completely frustrating certain sequences are. Having to do certain parts over and over just because you were a pixel off from where you were supposed to be is really annoying.

Like the user above me, I had to resort to online help (Youtube) to figure out certain areas. Not for solutions, but to find out where precisely to stand or move something to an extremely specific place.

If this game was in color, it wouldn't have gotten half the acclaim it has received.

Bieeanda · 11-27-2011, 05:15 PM

"Steer you away from unworkable solutions" my ♥♥♥. There are an abundance of jumping sequences that need to be timed extremely closely. In the context of a platformer where it's clear that those paths are the only way forward, it's a challenge. In this case, it's an invitation to visit YouTube to see if your attempted solution to the puzzle is completely off-base, or if your timing is simply imperfect.

Unusual Cookie · 11-27-2011, 05:27 PM

I don't see how this game isn't fun.Dying is very gruesome and enjoyable to watch.(especially getting smashed my thumpers).You have infinite lives and the checkpoint is usually very close.I don't see how this is frustrating.(And trust me I've played games enough to turn into the Angry German Kid).

I wasted 20 minutes near the first water puddle, because I thought I could somehow use physics to give the Crate some momentum and get across that way.And each time I died it was somehow very calming.

There is no GIANT message that pops up and says you have failed.I LOVE THAT.

zenpunk · 11-27-2011, 06:50 PM

The most fun game of the year, imo.

Sure, you'd have to be truly epic gamer to go through it without ever dying once, but if you take it slow and really think, and observe, you can greatly minimize your deaths. If you just charge ahead, and treat it like a Mario Bros dash to the finish, then sure, the game will eat you alive. I died like 5 times a minute when I started playing, but once I slowed down and started thinking and looking more I don't die so much any more.

I don't believe it's just a trial and error thing unless you are rushing. And I don't understand the 'having to resort to youtube cus you're always 1 pixel off' remark. I think I'm about 80% of the way through the game, and haven't come across anything like that yet.

Cannonball · 11-27-2011, 09:39 PM

1st of all, it's in the name:

LIMBO -an imaginary place for lost, forgotten, or unwanted persons or things.
-a prison or confinement.

Word History: Our use of the word limbo to refer to states of oblivion, confinement, or transition is derived from the theological sense of Limbo as a place where souls remain that cannot enter heaven, for example, unbaptized infants. Limbo in Roman Catholic theology is located on the border of Hell.

That doesn't sound like fun to me.

Now with that out of the way... the art style is obviously that of the melancholy and depressing. The developers were clearly not going for a fun or cheerful experience and simply looking at the screenshots on the store page express that.

No one walks out of Shindlers List feeling good, but that didn't stop it from being an amazing movie. Though I will say, it's not for everyone, and neither is this game.

That being said...

THERE IS A FREAKING DEMO!!!!

It's absolutely the consumer's right, and in my opinion their obligation to try before you buy when the opportunity presents its self. Those who don't absolutely get what they deserve.

And a side note I would like to add. Part of the charm of this game for me is how the game:

1) doesn't have a tutorial and doesn't hold your hand.
2) in turn makes you have to actually figure it out all on your own
3) does this by eliminating the ugly ♥♥♥ instructive popups and messages that plague most games these days and causes the beauty of the art and story to come to the surface.

kjath · 11-27-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannonball

It's absolutely the consumer's right, and in my opinion their obligation to try before you buy when the opportunity presents its self. Those who don't absolutely get what they deserve.

/thread.

Malk · 11-29-2011, 01:41 PM

Cant say how much i disagree with the OP.
This is one of the few games where i suddenly realised when playing that i was sitting with a huge smile on my face.
The game design is just so awesome, and allthough there isnt anything comical about the game its just so much fun that i couldnt help smiling, grinning even.

And when it was on sale it was really up there with the best when it comes to value for money.

11-27-2011, 08:41 AM	#1
Assassinador Join Date: Jan 2009 Reputation: 15 Posts: 35	If you like to have fun, don't play this This game is pretty, looks good, stylish if you will, but it's not fun. Not at all. I think it's supposed to be an adventure, that's fine. I like adventure games, solving puzzles, etc. But for the most part when you play this you have absolutely no clue what you're doing and what the consequences will be. For instance, you may pull levers and press buttons, but only discover what that does after you had to do it and by then it's generally too late. A block of concrete falls on your head, or a giant spider climbs down from the tree and impales your azz or the room fills with water which is a big problem since the character, even though he can climb a rope faster then a monkey, can't swim. Not to mention the worms that attach to your head and make you walk non-stop to the nearest cliff so you fall on spikes or just drown as usual. This is so frustrating it's hard to express it with words. Trial and error is different from fun. Especially if it means having to do the same damn thing litelly dozens of times until you figure out the solution. If you're looking for an excelent, modern adventure, buy Machinarium. That game is 10 out of 10 for me. Limbo I'm just gonna finish because I paid for it and don't want to feel like I threw my money in the garbage.

11-27-2011, 04:55 PM	#9
ElfShotTheFood Join Date: Nov 2009 Reputation: 314 Posts: 1,925	I think the game is good, but it's definitely a case of style over substance. Most of the rave reviews don't mention how completely frustrating certain sequences are. Having to do certain parts over and over just because you were a pixel off from where you were supposed to be is really annoying. Like the user above me, I had to resort to online help (Youtube) to figure out certain areas. Not for solutions, but to find out where precisely to stand or move something to an extremely specific place. If this game was in color, it wouldn't have gotten half the acclaim it has received. Last edited by ElfShotTheFood: 11-27-2011 at 04:59 PM.

11-27-2011, 09:39 PM	#13
Cannonball Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 4 Posts: 111	1st of all, it's in the name: LIMBO -an imaginary place for lost, forgotten, or unwanted persons or things. -a prison or confinement. Word History: Our use of the word limbo to refer to states of oblivion, confinement, or transition is derived from the theological sense of Limbo as a place where souls remain that cannot enter heaven, for example, unbaptized infants. Limbo in Roman Catholic theology is located on the border of Hell. That doesn't sound like fun to me. Now with that out of the way... the art style is obviously that of the melancholy and depressing. The developers were clearly not going for a fun or cheerful experience and simply looking at the screenshots on the store page express that. No one walks out of Shindlers List feeling good, but that didn't stop it from being an amazing movie. Though I will say, it's not for everyone, and neither is this game. That being said... THERE IS A FREAKING DEMO!!!! It's absolutely the consumer's right, and in my opinion their obligation to try before you buy when the opportunity presents its self. Those who don't absolutely get what they deserve. And a side note I would like to add. Part of the charm of this game for me is how the game: 1) doesn't have a tutorial and doesn't hold your hand. 2) in turn makes you have to actually figure it out all on your own 3) does this by eliminating the ugly ♥♥♥ instructive popups and messages that plague most games these days and causes the beauty of the art and story to come to the surface. Last edited by Cannonball: 11-27-2011 at 09:48 PM.

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11-27-2011, 09:58 AM	#3
Assassinador Join Date: Jan 2009 Reputation: 15 Posts: 35	I didn't know what I was getting in to and now I'm trying to make people not fall in the same ♥♥♥♥hole I did because I wasn't warned. A game can be perfectly be fun AND challenging at the same time. Limbo is challenging and jarate-you-the-♥♥♥♥-off at the same time. Games are supposed to be fun, everything else is just icing on the cake. If you're trying to say they intentionally made a game that wasn't supposed to be fun... well, that just agrees with what I said in the first post. This game is not fun and if you want to have fun go play something else. For example, the worms on the head I mentioned. Finally I figured out that when you step into the light they make you walk the other way. That could have been an interesting discovery if I didn't have to have died 14 times before I made it. Death in games basically means failure and it also serves as a way to add a little more challenge and tension to situations. In Limbo death is how you learn to play the game and solve its puzzles. That can be viewed as the game's style, but to me is just frustrating and at times even lame.

11-27-2011, 10:42 AM	#4
Maksie99 Join Date: Oct 2007 Reputation: 183 Posts: 766	I disagree with the OP. Yes, many times I've died because I didn't see something coming. But the game is fun for me, because I have to take a few seconds to think about how to get past something. And when it works, it's fun!

11-27-2011, 11:05 AM	#5
SIR_FreakShow Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 8 Posts: 99	Parents that are worried about GTA, gtfo. I am young. I have played Grand Theft Auto, and it caused absolutely no stain on my childhood whatsoever. This game, this game. Every time I double-click the desktop icon I die a little inside. That puzzle near the start, where you've got to get the body of a hanged girl in a bear trap? And other kids attepting to impale you in several different ways? That ♥♥♥♥s with a guys' head.

11-27-2011, 03:33 PM	#8
abort_user Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 85 Posts: 1,179	i gotta admit im baffled by this game. its critically praised, yet i just dont see it. it oozes with style. the game is beautiful but thats as far as it goes. the gameplay is like an old adventure game. lots of trial and error and the game is very picky about what it wants you to do. this is fine if thats what you want in a game. however, i really didnt expect the game industry to praise a game designed in such an archaic manner. the biggest problem is the controls and physics are very wonky. you will die a lot at the same section despite knowing what to do and doing it. you have to stand in precise spot to make certain jumps. you have to have perfect timing for certain puzzles. on example, you are supposed to use the spider to catapult you up to another ledge using a tree and a perfectly timed jump. i died so many times i thought i was doing something wrong, so i went to gamefaqs to check for the solution (which i never do in games btw). but i was doing the right thing. the game was just very picky about how to solve the puzzle. that is not good level design IMO. i admit this game could be a lot of fun with some better puzzles, physics, controls. i dont mind the retro throwback deaths (the ones that come from not knowing whats ahead). those are like old adventure games. its a bit archaic design but it still has its charm. games like I Wanna Be The Guy rely on this type of design too. this type of gameplay, however, requires tight controls and physics. you arent supposed to fight the game to play the game. this game is manageable and you can play it. just dont expect much outside of amazing art style. this game seems to be another case of reviews rating the graphics instead of the game. its definitely not a 9/10.

11-27-2011, 05:15 PM	#10
Bieeanda Join Date: Jan 2009 Reputation: 2 Posts: 50	"Steer you away from unworkable solutions" my ♥♥♥. There are an abundance of jumping sequences that need to be timed extremely closely. In the context of a platformer where it's clear that those paths are the only way forward, it's a challenge. In this case, it's an invitation to visit YouTube to see if your attempted solution to the puzzle is completely off-base, or if your timing is simply imperfect.

11-27-2011, 05:27 PM	#11
Unusual Cookie Join Date: Oct 2010 Reputation: 33 Posts: 668	I don't see how this game isn't fun.Dying is very gruesome and enjoyable to watch.(especially getting smashed my thumpers).You have infinite lives and the checkpoint is usually very close.I don't see how this is frustrating.(And trust me I've played games enough to turn into the Angry German Kid). I wasted 20 minutes near the first water puddle, because I thought I could somehow use physics to give the Crate some momentum and get across that way.And each time I died it was somehow very calming. There is no GIANT message that pops up and says you have failed.I LOVE THAT.

11-27-2011, 06:50 PM	#12
zenpunk Join Date: Nov 2009 Reputation: 19 Posts: 87	The most fun game of the year, imo. Sure, you'd have to be truly epic gamer to go through it without ever dying once, but if you take it slow and really think, and observe, you can greatly minimize your deaths. If you just charge ahead, and treat it like a Mario Bros dash to the finish, then sure, the game will eat you alive. I died like 5 times a minute when I started playing, but once I slowed down and started thinking and looking more I don't die so much any more. I don't believe it's just a trial and error thing unless you are rushing. And I don't understand the 'having to resort to youtube cus you're always 1 pixel off' remark. I think I'm about 80% of the way through the game, and haven't come across anything like that yet.

11-29-2011, 01:41 PM	#15
Malk Join Date: Jun 2009 Reputation: 11 Posts: 315	Cant say how much i disagree with the OP. This is one of the few games where i suddenly realised when playing that i was sitting with a huge smile on my face. The game design is just so awesome, and allthough there isnt anything comical about the game its just so much fun that i couldnt help smiling, grinning even. And when it was on sale it was really up there with the best when it comes to value for money.