Introduction

Linger in Shadows is a game that defies many traditional gaming norms. For starters, it's about as far from traditional gameplay as you can get without falling off the map and landing straight into an abstract art gallery. Released in 2008, this interactive art experiment by Polish demogroup Plastic had players scratching their heads and controllers alike, wondering if they should be playing it or just staring at it with a glass of wine in hand. Spoiler alert: it's mostly the latter.

Gameplay

The gameplay is less about saving the world and more about letting your mind wander through a series of beautifully rendered dreamscapes, which, let's be honest, might have been what the developers were doing when they created it. The controls, based on the Sixaxis motion sensitivity, allow you to move a camera around and manipulate the environment... or try to, if you can figure out what the developers were thinking. You can shake and tilt your controller like a maraca and unlock parts of the experience, which is all fine and dandy until you realize that the entire thing lasts about seven minutes. Yes, you heard that right - seven minutes. That's barely enough time to microwave a burrito before the art initiation is over. The narrative is as abstract as a Jackson Pollock painting, filled with hidden Easter eggs for demoscene aficionados and a handful of trophies that feel more like participation ribbons.

Graphics

Graphically, Linger in Shadows is like what happens when you mix a dream with a test of your high-end graphics card. It features stunning visuals that, ironically, are quite likely the reason many people will actually enjoy it. The environments are rich, filled with beautiful lighting effects, and serve as a reminder of what could happen when developers take a load off and let creativity lead the way, instead of just rehashing the same formulaic gameplay. It could be said that Linger in Shadows offers what many 'serious' games fail to achieve: a feast for the eyes. Imagine wandering through a living painting while wearing 3D glasses and experiencing effects that feel like they're flirting with your brain - that's Linger in Shadows in a nutshell.

Conclusion

Overall, Linger in Shadows is a unique experience that leaves players pondering the nature of gaming as a medium. Is it art? Is it a game? Is it merely a fancy screensaver? Who knows? What is known is that it's certainly beautiful enough to stare at for a few minutes before moving on to something that lets you actually do something-like, you know, save the universe or rescue a princess. If you're feeling particularly artsy, you might just give it a go. Just don't forget to keep your burrito in mind. Because trust me, you'll need one after this fleeting experience.

See Latest Prices for Linger in Shadows on PS3 on Amazon

See Prices for Linger in Shadows on PS3 on Ebay