Limbo, by PlayDead Studios, was released for the Xbox Live Arcade a few days ago. Quite simply put, it is astounding in that it is both a loving call-back to games of the past while also pushing the envelope, so to speak. The story is so simple that it almost isn't even there. You play as a young boy who wakes up in a decidedly deep, dark forest. This is not your normal scary forest. It is, as the game's title points out, Limbo. You're apparently searching for your little sister. I say apparently because the only reason you would know this is by reading the description of the game before you download it. This is possibly the first of many call-backs to old side-scrollers, in which story was often an afterthought. I mean, what the hell was really going on in Mario?

This game is unique in a number of ways, the first being that it is entirely black, white and grey. The dark silhouette of the player is broken up only by the stark contrast of his bright, white eyes. You might find it a little creepy, which is interesting considering he's the one you're supposed to be identifying with.  Limbo is a puzzle platformer in the same vein as the recent Braid. Though not nearly as difficult, it is still innovative in its problem solving. Often, the way to overcoming an obstacle is death. You will die the first time you play Limbo. You will die frequently.

And let me tell you, these deaths are gruesome and oftentimes unavoidable. Sometimes the game requires you to take a leap of faith, and sometimes that leap of faith will put you in a pit of spikes if your reflexes aren't quick enough (thankfully my two decades of gaming have provided me with suitable enough instincts). Oftentimes the only way to best a trap is by letting it kill you and then coming at it from another angle once you discover how it works. And there are plenty of traps. Giant spiders, bear traps, spikes, buzz saws gone array, and just plain old pits of death. And even though the game is in black and white, the deaths are still gruesome. Particularly because of the way your rag-doll body gets torn apart, but especially because you're a kid. The lingering regret over your many deaths does not diminish over the course of the game.

Limbo also has an interesting lack of a soundtrack. There are ambient noises in the background, but the only sound comes from in-game actions. Leaves rustling, flies buzzing, blow-darts hitting your body. The lack of a score draws even more attention to the game play, which as I've said is fantastic, even though your only actions are jumping, grabbing and climbing. As many reviewers have noted, and as I agree, the latter half of the game is challenging but not as awe-inspiring. Gone are the creepy forests and menacing spiders in favor of a more traditional industrial yard, although the abandoned hotel signs are eerily poignant.

My only criticism of this game is that it is priced too highly. It's a short game that offers great replay value and a unique experience, but the 1200 Microsoft Points is a bit much for those of us who decided that we couldn't wait for a price drop. All in all, I highly recommend Limbo.