Linger in Shadows Review
- Posted October 15th, 2008 at 19:30 EDT by
- 44 Comments
Review Score
- PSU Review Score
- 3.0
- Avg. user review score:
- 8.3
Summary
Gamers need not apply. This one is for the arty folk out there. Add five points to the final score if you fit into that category.
We like
- The sixteen easy Trophies
- The good implementation rumble
- Its incredibly strange style
We dislike
- That it isn't a "game"
- Its incredibly strange style (both a pro and a con)
See PSU's review on Metacritic & GameRankings
The demoscene makes its way to the PS3 in a title that will leave some thoroughly confused and others stroking their goatee as they write a detailed analysis on their Mac, pausing only to fix their beret. And other artist stereotypes.
Linger in Shadows is not a game. Let's just get that out of the way first. It is marketed as interactive 'art' of sorts, although it's more like an interactive tech demo in all fairness. Confused? Wait until you try it out.
This oddity comes from an underground culture of artists that create real time graphical videos (rather then pre-rendered FMV) that tries to utilise hardware to its fullest. Apparently it started in the crazy 80s, where demoscene artists would use their Commodore 64s and ZX Spectrums to make animations. These days they do it on toasters and washing machines and anything with computer chips in it.
The title has two modes, and some more information on the demoscene, although chances are if you bought it, you already know what the demoscene is. The two modes are 'Linger' and 'Watch', and both incorporate five small cutscenes and transitions which basically add up to a very short film.
In both modes, there are points where you can change the perspective of a variety of items/background elements. One bit may want you to twist around the controller, which in turn rotates a stone dog, or you can change the spin of a crazy shadow thing by pressing up or down on the D-Pad. You can pause the game by pressing X at any point, where you can find out which movements (if any) can be used at this particular point. You can also fast forward and rewind using R2 and L2 respectively, and take screenshots which will store on your hard drive with the select button.
The artistry looks good, if a bit random. Floating trees? Flying dogs? A stone octopus? For anyone who doesn't get the demoscene, Linger in Shadows will prove a complete mystery, even if there are some puzzle elements as outlined below.
In the Linger mode, you need to perform certain actions to move on to the next scene. It's not difficult, as the actions you need to perform do show up when you have paused playback. You may need to shake apart a scene to move onto the next, or see the scene unfold through a cat's eye. Did it come up that this title is confusing?
One of the things this title is good for is Trophy whores, erm, aficionados. There are sixteen Trophies to collect, and you can get most of them in the twenty or so minutes it takes to complete the Linger mode. The rest need to be sought out in the watch mode by looking in the right places.
Overall, it's an interesting idea, probably more so if you follow the demoscene. But if you a lack of appreciation for in-game artistry, the only reason to get it is if you want sixteen Trophies in thirty minutes.
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Comments
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zombieking36
- 2:38pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 1
I always doubted this would be much, I do fear for Heavy Rain too. If it veers too far off from gaminess, it may suffer. Little Big Planet is a massive to new concept, but there is more than an abundance of gameplay, these games lack such and brings doubt...
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zombieking36
- 2:38pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 2
I always doubted this would be much, I do fear for Heavy Rain too. If it veers too far off from gaminess, it may suffer. Little Big Planet is a massive to new concept, but there is more than an abundance of gameplay, these games lack such and brings doubt...
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thekingtut
- 2:43pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 3
Dane Cook, get ready for all of the disagreements. Why would you review something from a "genre" that you don't like. Maybe you are trying to make up for some past overscored reviews. You should get an "artsy" person to review this, or anyone else. The cons are "not a game" and "freaking weird," really? How about the graphics? There are things that I feel you didn't mention because you felt it wasn't a game. Let us take cgi movies as an example. Just because those are movies it doesn't mean you shouldn't comment on the visual quality. I mean no disrespect.
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Daver
- 3:02pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 5
Wtf is this sh!tty review
This should not be reviewed, in my opinion
The cons are ridiculous.... ''Its not a game'' no its NOT a game, was it suppose to be one.. no, its interactive art that is somethign that is not a game. ''Freaking weird'' in the cons? hmmm ok thats what make this so interesting and fun
Lingers in shadows is an amazing art piece that worth the 3$ its not something you will play again and again, it was weird, it was fun, it has trophies for some its important loll
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SnakeEater89
- 3:04pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 6
3.0 / 10 ?????
What are you saying???.... Linger in Shadow is a great example of what developers could make...finally something DIFFERENT from all the other games.....bad review...
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Falanx13
- 3:14pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 7
"Freaking weird" is a weak point for a review.
I kinda liked this 'game' (buyer beware!); it did some pretty cool things with the sixaxis, the paint-textured graphics are impressive, and it has some pretty easy trophies to collect. The whole thing played like an acid trip, but I'd still give it about a 7 just because it kept me busy for 2 hours and $3.
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G00ber1993
- 3:41pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 12
wow how many times does it have to be said this is not a game it is art and i think it was well made i think its a fun experience that is completely unique and is a nice break from the usual sifi or apocalyptic story lines we've all seen before if u ask me the gaming world needs more creative thought like this
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Alpha2
- 3:51pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 16
Honestly you guys shouldn't even have reviewed it because it's not a game and therefore dosent fit into the same rules. Do a story on it or something but dont give it a crap score just because it's not a game. If you're going to do this you might as well review every video that enters the PSN store or each and every DLC for RockBand and GH3!
FAIL.
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CSUPSU
- 4:14pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 18
What's with you people?... This game/demoscene/video/whatever sucked...as an interactive experience altogether...I find it intriguing that you would all down someone for actually paying attention to this NON-game rather than ignoring it altogether...you guys talk as if he spat on your favorite shirt or somethin', or as if you actually PAY these guys to provide you with the news that they do; h3ll, you aren't even required to LOG IN to the site...and for the record, I think a 3.0 out of 10.0 was generous, from either a gamer's perspective OR an art fanatic's...Like he said, add 5 points if you're THAT emotional distressed...
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Slamori
- 4:30pm EDT - October 15th, 2008
- 19
I was happy that you guys didn't review this , but now you post it ...
Why even review this game ? its a DEMOSCENE you people just don't get it do you ?This makes me upset , You guys as professional authors should know that a game like this is special normally we shouldn't be able to play this at all.
People that review this FAIL , sorry.
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