Blog
Linger in Shadows
It might not be a game, but PSN thinks it is.
As the artwork plays out, you are generally tasked with stopping, rewinding, and subtly changing the incredibly detailed real-time render. You actually have a surprising amount of play with this, using most of the features of the Sixaxis to inch forward or back, rotate figures, or in some cases "break" the crystalline, frozen structure into video noise.
There is an abstract plot of a kind of "beautiful nightmare" variety. Most of what is fascinating about the little experience is tying yourself tactilely to the Sixaxis tilt function (if you have a Dualshock, there is of course even further feedback). You become the camera which, not constrained by Hollywood editing convention, is eager to disrupt spatial reality and deliver you as a sort of ghost-witness floating just beyond inexplicable events. You are also able to unlock the camera and pivot it around on its tripod to discover hidden detail. The artwork rewinds if you miss something critical and provides gentle hints until you get it.
Above everything else, it's an exquisite aesthetic experience. I felt I was floating in the shared dream-space of Mamoru Oshii, Erick Oh, Tarsem Singh, Darren Aronofsky, Dave McKean and a little bit of the cursed video tape from The Ring. It's a stream of liminal imagery cut from the time-space dream cloth, evanescent and yet tangible, ephemeral and yet frozen forever. It also might kill you in 7 days.
Anyone wondering about "replay value" is missing the point. It's an interactive artwork, after all, so the value really lies in your engagement with it. It's a game how we sometimes like to think games are, as being more about art and immersion than goals and violence.
I, personally, could see myself coming back to this thing over the space of years. You could certainly spend $3 on many worse things. As it is, Linger in Shadows should join the ranks of flOw and the upcoming Flower for PSN titles that are worth it for the experience.
(I really hesitate to give my inaugural review on this site a near-perfect rating, but the fact is that for its stated purpose, the title achieves all that it needed to. It's not an FPS or a JRPG, after all. I only marked down because of minor graphical issues.)
Hit the link below for trailer and further info.
Comments
Your name dropping has caught my interest. I just might check this out.
I wouldn't mark it down for its aesthetics. I dig the style and its atmosphere.
McKean is a great name to drop as are the others. The only one I would add that I feel applies is Zdzislaw Beksinski.
Really great stuff here. My only complaint is that its too short (for me) as I find myself wanting more. I've played through the film about 9 or so times after I'd already found all the trophies. And, like you, know that I will spin it for quite some time to come.
Really great write up.
The only other thing I feel is worth mentioning is the music/sound track.
Awesome.
For what it intends to be, 10 out of 10 for me.
hmm well crap something else i may have to pick up..though for all i enjoyed about fl0w, i couldnt force myself to sit down and play it for more that 2 - 5 minutes
I'm a big fan of flOw, and I can't wait for Flower, so this might just be worth the $3. Nice review.
I read the PS.Blog's article on this and watched the trailer a little while ago. It's gotta be beautiful in every way. Anyone have it yet?
I totally missed that this was out this week. For $3 bucks?! I'm down.
Good coverage Miss Anthropy.
Hey, sounds cool. I need to get a PS3 for Little Big Planet anyway, so maybe i'll check it out. Good review, thanks a lot.