Superliminal Review

Superliminal Review 

Developer: Pillow Castle 

Publisher: Pillow Castle

Release: 11/12/19 (PC) 7/7/20 (Console) 

Platforms: Switch PC Xbox One PS4

Superliminal is a game developed and published by the six-person team at Pillow Castle. It's a first-person puzzle game based on forced perspective and optical illusions. Here's a great description of the opening from the games Steam page: "As you fall asleep with the TV on at 3 AM, you remember catching a glimpse of the commercial for Dr. Pierce's Somnasculpt dream therapy program. By the time you open your eyes, you're already dreaming - beginning the first stages of this experimental program." Now on with the review!

The way you solve puzzles in this game is innovative. You pick up items in the world, for example, a cube. You then move the cube around and drop it wherever you'd like. If you drop the cube in the sky above then it will fall to where you are, getting bigger on the way down. If you drop it on the floor near your feet it will get placed there as a smaller cube. You use this move set to complete all of the puzzles in this game except for one level, where you get the power to duplicate items. The puzzles get more complex as the game goes on and the satisfaction you get when solving them grows as well.

I enjoyed the level design, especially the blackout level. The blackout is a level based on horror that ends in an incredibly cool way, that I won't spoil. There isn't a lot of levels due to this game's short length but the levels they have are fun. I love the way the story is conveyed to you through both an AI voice speaking to you and radios you will find throughout the game. The story as a whole is interesting, especially after figuring out the deep meaning behind it. I was also surprised at the quality of writing in this game, it had me chuckling many times. As for the ending, I won't spoil anything other than to say I absolutely loved it and won't forget about it for a long while.

This is just such a mind-bending, creative game. The length leaves something to be desired, however, I still recommend it highly. Links to the trailer and website will be at the bottom of this review.

Link to Trailer:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_SX8XMwMw6Y

Link to Puzzle Castle Company Website:

http://www.pillowcastlegames.com/

Superliminal           9/10          

Concept: Escape a dream world with stunning puzzles based on perspective.  

Graphics: The graphics are simple enough to help sell the dream setting.

Sound: I enjoyed the music but there just wasn't enough of it.

Playability: The controls felt normal and didn't blow me away. 

Entertainment: While I got stuck a few times the game never stopped being fun.

Replay Value: Moderately high

Thanks for reading and Game On!!