Kicking off 2010′s Xbox Live Summer of Arcade, is the odd Limbo from PlayDead Studio. Setting itself apart from the rest, Limbo is a strong argument for the importance of art direction in video games while the majority of studios are spending millions trying to bridge the uncanny valley. Short and sweet – maybe sweet isn’t the correct word here – memorable, Limbo is a distinct game that I wouldn’t have a problem recommending to anyone.

The trailers for the game led to easy, surface level comparisons to Braid because Limbo looks artsy. I get it, and I myself can’t help but draw comparisons between the two. Where Limbo really takes off for me is its simplicity. There is no reading, no explanation of systems or what buttons do. Limbo exists on its own, as well of each of its challenges. There are bits of trial and error to be sure, but the game is far from punishing for each failure. The violent moments that illicit mischievous smiles are just as strange as the ones that make you question what it is you are doing and where you are. Oddly enough, there is something darkly funny about the deaths of the star of Limbo.

Oh, I haven’t mentioned his name yet, because there isn’t one. He just wakes up, and you go. Limbo so strongly capitalizes on a gamer’s natural curiosity through the simple responsive controls and the strange environment. I wanted to explore every inch of this strange world. It was new and unique, and changed so much from start to finish. Its refreshing to see something like this come along, that is both new and familiar. Each puzzle presents itself in a way that adds to the strangeness of the world, whether its baiting an odd insect to attack, or encountering other estranged people. You learn your lessons, apply them and run along, sometimes without the opportunity to go back.

Speaking of going back, there are a few achievements, but they are mostly tied to not dying and encouragement of further exploration. This somewhat makes up for the brevity (3–4 hours?) of Limbo, but I think the game is satisfying in a way that stays with you after you’ve completed it. I ended up talking to a friend about how the moments of storytelling are scarce, but the world is such a curiosity that you can’t help but wonder what it was all about.

There is no excuse for not checking out the demo of Limbo, and while $15 dollars seems a bit steep for a game this short, the minimalist attention to detail, fantastic art direction, and clever game play make this richer experience than I’ve had with many recent games.