Closure review

In the years since it garnered awards from developers and gaming luminaries, Closure has become something of an indie darling. Given PlayStation Network’s predisposition toward adapting artistically diverse titles, it seems fitting that the 2009 browser-based game would get a new lease on life on consoles. If you’re interested in picking up something designed to tickle your brain while you’re on the couch, this is an excellent choice.

Closure is a platform puzzle game that uses light and shadows to introduce some fascinating concepts. You start off as a quadrupedal demon-like creature, and as you inhabit each section of the game, you’ll step into the shoes of three different people, including a construction worker and a little girl. Each person has 24 puzzles to solve, plus extras after you’ve cleared those designated stages. Quite literally and succinctly, you live and die based on illumination.

As you hold the orb of light, everything in the environment becomes visible and easy to navigate. Consequently, the other elements disappear. Essentially, light protects you, shadows create deadly chasms that you fall into. Well, most of the time they can. In other instances, you can create gaps that allow you to drop from one lit platform to another by splitting the light focus.

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Each section is paced so that you’ll gently step into its puzzles with some relative ease, then see a steady increase in difficulty. And you’ll fail. Your character will fall into chasms and abysses, and you’ll lose keys that unlock doors to the next stage, several times over.

It’s tough as nails at points, but its trial-by-death design is elegant and suspenseful. Despite immediate comparisons to Limbo, it’s a game that really toys with your perceptions differently, despite the similar dimly-lit art style. There’s a compulsion at play here that’ll keep you doggedly determined to crack through its well-made brain-twisters.

Granted, it’s a game that’s playable in your web browser with a few careful keyword searches (for a taste of what's at play in this superior version), but Closure’s monochromatic art design translates beautifully to HD-friendly consoles, there's a vast amount to experience, and the Dual Shock 3 provides plenty of precision. And of course, there are trophies for those who are interested. It’s an excellent opportunity for PS3 owners to try out an excellent indie title.

On one hand, you can easily open another tab and find Closure playable in a browser. On the other, the PSN experience looks fantastic and offers Dual Shock support, plus trophies. Overall, the PS3 game is a neatly-constructed package that wonderfully showcases a smart and challenging puzzle game. It's a great way to dive in and invest your time in a unique and soundly designed experience. Regardless of how you experience it, just be sure not to miss Closure.