Limbo is a puzzle platformer set in a gloomy, monochromatic universe. The player takes control of The Boy, a protagonist who is supposed to have entered the land of Limbo in quest of his sister. However, the story might be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for companionship and navigating a new environment. There are no cutscenes or hints at the start, and the game begins immediately. His resources are limited in that dangerous world, and he is vulnerable. Only two buttons are used, one for a weak jump and one for an action linked with movement. This allows him to explore the world by hanging on ledges, sliding down slopes, pushing items, pulling levers, and clinging to ropes. Still, the player must make the most of what is available in the environment to get by, often using physics-based components.
The dreary universe has a dusty filter that shows the game through misted glass, with no bright colors. It is separated into 24 chapters that flow into each other fluidly; only the level option in the main menu determines where a new chapter begins. The universe is represented in 2D, yet the scenery has several depth layers. It progresses from a forest to an abandoned city to an industrial zone. The player is faced with three types of trials. There are hurdles where The Boy simply needs to find a way through, frightening monsters that hunt him down and try to kill him, and finally, a gang of children who band together to ward off the intruder and set traps for him, a la Lord of the Flies. On the other hand, encounters with other humans are brief and infrequent. These account for most of the psychological horror moments, with other unsettling scenes, such as when the player is forced to use the corpses of other children as a bridge.
No music, sound effects, or on-screen components related to health or other information exist. Every mistake, frequently with heinous repercussions, is lethal. Similarly, the boy cannot jump from tremendous heights or very far. When you die, the game reloads right before the current puzzle. Most of the interactions revolve around riddles, which occasionally rely on timing or speed when being pursued. Other components establish the scene, such as when The Boy rides a boat across a lake (he cannot swim and drowns quickly) or discover the remains of those who did not make it to Limbo. Most game aspects are found by experiments, such as the effects of a glowing worm attaching itself to The Boy’s head, affecting gravity flow, or what occurs when a giant spider captures him. There is only one path through the levels and usually only one solution to a problem.
