By John Walker on January 26th, 2009 at 12:09 pm.
Flash game supremo, Tyler Glaiel, follows up Aether (co-created with Edmund McMillen) with a new, imaginative puzzler, Closure. The all-important unique device: if it isn’t lit up, it doesn’t exist.
It’s an extremely smart idea. Orbs of light can be picked up and carried, or placed in moving devices, such that areas of the level are lit. If it can’t be seen, it isn’t there. So if there’s a wall in front of you, get past it by casting it into the shadows. Darkness is a tool.
This very quickly becomes extremely difficult, offering tough challenges a third of the way through its 30 levels. New orb types appear later on, along with locked doors and keys, and various new tasks. But what makes the game more than a new gimmick is the intelligent application. You’re asked to rethink how you platform with this new device in mind, and in no way handheld. In fact, you’re going to have to embrace its ideas to start the thing at all. Well worth checking out.
Sounds great
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Bah. I was thinking of trying to create a game revolving around a similar idea myself. I really should make these things for which I get ideas, rather than just sitting there until someone beats me to it. I may still go ahead with it, as there are probably enough differences that it wont seem like a rip-off.
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Like it. :)
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that mechanic was in mario galaxy
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Seriously, my opera quick-selection tool just showed me the closure pic…and I thought you guys were going away…
Now, I’ll be a good visitor and read the article :)
phew
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Just given it a quick go and I think it is nicely put together. The art direction goes well, controls are simple and the puzzles nicely thought out.
Good find Sir.
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Must be named Seizure, not Closure, for those who don’t have Flash Player 10.
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Indeed this is nothing really new – Mario Galaxy has a level like this – but the art direction, the sound and the puzzles really make it shine! – pun intended:)
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Its freaky. I dont like the dark and creepy noises. But the gameplays good.
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Very Platonic.
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I’m stuck on 22. Enjoying it so far, I love puzzle games.
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I can’t stand authors who limit their game to one site. Newgrounds is blocked under “Porn” for some reason, so I’m unable to play.
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Very interesting game. The timing parts ruin it for me though, I hate platformers.
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Can anyone run this on Linux? Flash content, including other NG stuff, normally works fine for me, but on this all I get after hitting Begin is a whit screen with black smudges that move a bit and a bonging noise when I hit space.
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@Scott: but that’s the game, innit?
:)
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Enjoyable little puzzle/platformer. Thanks for the heads up!
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Scott: Works fine for me under Linux. Flashplugin version 1:10.0.15.3-0.1 (Debian unstable) if that’s any help.
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Concept reminds me of Echochrome. I like the whole ‘what you see is what is real’ concept of games.
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@ Sarajilja
No, there are no images, it’s looks more like Rorshach’s mask than a platformer. I played a few levels on my roommate’s box.
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I’m a little late finding this article, but I loved it
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