Limbo Review (Mobile) | Is This Classic Horror Game Still A Masterpiece After a Decade?

2010 was arguably one of the best years for horror games. With phenomenal releases like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Alan Wake, jumping into a scary world was a hauntingly beautiful experience.

In the shadows, however, laid a certain black-and-white game that received critical claim for its eerie medley of horror elements and monochrome color palette. If you haven't guessed already (and we're sure you have), we're talking about 'Limbo'.

Developed by Playdead, the game may have been overshadowed by other releases, but over time has earned itself a reputation for being a simple yet classic horror game. A mobile port of Limbo was released a decade ago now, and we think it deserves a revisit to see where it stands in the current mobile game landscape.

Table of Contents

1. Game Concept
2. Gameplay
3. Graphics / Visual Presentation
4. Sound
5. Performance
6. Microtransactions
7. Uniqueness
8. Conclusion
9. Final Rating

Game Concept

Set in a treacherous world, Limbo follows a 2D side-scrolling format where you control an unnamed boy and help him navigate through various environment-based puzzles.

The story begins in a dense forest where you wake up unaware of how you got there and why that is. All you know is that you've got to escape the dangerous environment you find yourself in. As you progress through the puzzle areas – which are broken into Chapters – you will transition from the forest to an industrial area.

There, the story unfolds and you realize what you're looking for. Solve the puzzles to make it to the next Chapter, but one wrong step could cost you your life.

Gameplay

For me, two things stand out in Limbo: its true-to-life physics and impeccable puzzles.

The physics and mechanics of objects and actions in the game behave exactly as they do in real life. Now, I know this isn't exactly 'amazing' considering most games nowadays have that nailed to a tee. But for a game that's nearly 14 years old, that's quite impressive if you ask me.

As Limbo is first and foremost a puzzle game, you'd naturally expect the puzzles to be engaging or at the very least challenging. Fortunately, I believe the game delivers on both fronts and offers a near-perfect combination. Despite the game not having any dialogue to guide you, the puzzles are intuitive and very much dependent on how you perceive the in-game world.

At other times, the puzzles can be challenging which I thoroughly enjoyed and wanted more of. There were complex situations that required endless tries. There are multiple 'solutions' that you can try, but only one way will succeed. There were times when I was sure of myself that I was solving the puzzle only to end up dying shortly after.

I read that the developers described the game's style of play as 'trial and death' and I couldn't agree more. Your failed solutions will cost you and it's your utmost objective to make it to the other side alive.

Graphics / Visual Presentation

Limbo offers arguably one of the most unique graphics and visual presentations I've ever experienced in a game. It shows that you don't need fantastical colors and an extraordinary open world to be amazed. Sometimes, a basic color scheme used correctly is all you ever need.

The developers' use of shadows created mystery. Each character being a black void was a great choice too as it seemingly symbolizes the void of distrust you have in every new face you meet.

Another thing I appreciated was the use of camera angles (especially in the latter stages of the game) to either demonstrate confusion, uneasiness, or a warping of the world around you.

Sound

Thanks to the game not having any background music and dialogue, there is an unnatural quietness in Limbo. But I think this is something worth praising the game for. The sounds you hear are sounds produced from your surroundings. The pattering of heavy rain, the clanking of beastly machines, the rustling of leaves – these all lend themselves to creating a truly eerie atmosphere.

Pair this atmosphere with the solemn, dark color palette and there's an immersive environment right there. The absence of any real sound also adds to the sense of isolation you feel when playing the game. There really is no one around you except for the sounds of things around you.

Performance

Limbo runs smoothly on any modern-day mobile device. The system requirements are so low that even a device from 2015 can run it. On top of that, the game has a small download size that won't exactly cost you gigabytes out of storage, but only a couple hundred megabytes.

The gameplay experience is very similar to the one on major consoles and PCs. The mobile port does not sacrifice any in-game performance, so you can expect nothing short of great gameplay.

Microtransactions

No microtransactions can be found in Limbo. You'll be able to play through the entirety of the game for free after you've purchased the game.

Uniqueness

Quality puzzle games are hard to find, especially on mobile. The trend for mobile games right now tends to lean towards easier puzzles but with more levels.

Limbo is quite the opposite. It doesn't overstay its welcome by having an excessive number of levels. Whatever puzzles and levels there are, the developers use them to either explore a new mechanic, build upon the level's surroundings, or advance the plot. The game not only stands out in its approach to puzzle design but also its approach to graphics and sound design.

Conclusion

What else is there to say about Limbo other than I thoroughly enjoyed the game? I played Limbo around the same time it was initially released back in 2010 and now again in 2024. My sentiments have not changed since then. The game is dark, twisted, and yet oddly inviting.

I immersed myself in the game, its plot, and its atmosphere so much so that I lost track of time. It was truly a unique experience with gameplay that felt soulful and one that I hope you get to experience – even if you have played the game before.

If you ask me, mobile is a great platform to play Limbo on. The smaller screen builds on the rather claustrophobic feeling you might get as you play through the game. After all these years, I think it's safe to say that Limbo very much lives up to its cult-classic reputation and is still a masterpiece.

Final Rating

Our final rating considers the game's performance across six key areas. Namely, the areas are gameplay, performance, graphics / visual presentation, sound, uniqueness, and the level of microtransactions in the game.

Here is an overview of the scoring in each area:

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