Super Meat Boy
I really like the timer mechanic to super meat boy. The idea of the game is to make it from the start of the level to the end and rescue a character called bandage girl. The idea behind bandage girl is that she is made out of bandages and meat boy is basically just meat, he is bleeding everywhere. He needs bandage girl to complete him. Once you make it to the end of the level you are given a time in what you made it in under. I think this mechanic makes player want to keep replaying the level to get a better time. I think it makes the game slightly more competitive.
I think the art style of super meat boy has some cartoon like features with vector style graphics. I like this art style a lot and it keeps the game feeling fresh and simple so the player can focus on the game mechanics while keeping the fresh clean look to the game.
The levels aren’t too complicated to look at. Your view distance for the whole level is really high so you can see all around the level without having to move there first. This helps you plan out your exact path in which you will take to complete the level in a good time.
There are obstacles in the levels that can kill you. Things like spiky balls will spin and try to make your path way to the end of the level more difficult. Avoiding these should not be a problem if you have some practice at jumping around them.
Team Meat. (). Media. Available: http://supermeatboy.com/media/1/Super_Meat_Boy/. Last accessed 17th Nov 2014.
Limbo
Limbo is a 2d sidescroller game using silhouette assets. You have to make your way through the level without attacking anything until you move on to the next level. You have obstacles that you can move to help you climb up things and progress onwards. The game is put into a number of levels that you have to each seamlessly complete to finish the game.
The game is made entirely out of silhouette assets. No colour is in this game. This creates a very moody look to the game. It fits the title of the game and what it is about. The idea of limbo is about it being very empty and wiped of life. The greyscale silhouettes make this feel empty without colour. It’s like someone has turned out the lights and you can’t see anyone anymore so you ju8st have to keep moving on to try and find things.
As show in the picture there are giant spider creatures that can come after you in the game. Again these add to the spooky, creepy look and feel to the game. It puts you under a bit of pressure to run quicker through the level and gives you less time to thing when having to do puzzles within the level.
Chris Priestman. (18 October 2013). Playdead confirms that Limbo is no longer a PS3/Vita Cross-Buy game. Available: http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PS+Vita/Limbo/news.asp?c=54620. Last accessed 17th Nov 2014.