There’s a very big space in my heart that I keep for indie games. I don’t know what it is about them, but I really like to see them succeed, and I usually try my hardest to at least give most of them the time of day. Ever since I first saw the trailer for Closure, I knew I was not only going to enjoy it, but I was going to be completely enthralled by it. After I have played it, I now know that my pre-game assumptions could not have been any more spot on. Not only is the concept of Closure something that was nothing short of genius, but the artwork just ties the game together into one pretty wrapped package that I couldn’t help but get excited over.
Closure is a puzzle game that runs on a very simple rule. Everything that isn’t lit by light doesn’t exist. Things can go from being there to not with the simplest move. It takes a bit to get used to, but it really creates some pretty awesome possibilities, and it kept me entertained throughout the entire game. Most puzzles usually took a lot more thought to actually beat, considering I had to take into account that I could jump over walls by simply making them not lit up. I also had my fair share of rage when I would move a light, and fall into oblivion as the fall went out before my feet. If I could only use one word to describe Closure’s gameplay, I would have to use phenomenal. Yes, I could have used a bigger word, but I think it gets the job done very well. Every puzzle brings a new element to the table, and it always keeps you thinking, something that some puzzle games can’t say.
The other part of Closure that really stands out is found in the game’s atmosphere. This was accomplished by using a combination of not only great artwork, but a creepy soundtrack. The closest alternative that I could use to describe it would be one of my other personal favorite games, Limbo. While the artwork styles were very different, they both managed to create a very eerie environment that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Take that artwork and add a soundtrack that was so dark and creepy that it made me cringe, and you have an atmosphere that is very hard to rival. It may not have been as good as ThatGameCompany’s hit title, Journey, but it definitely comes up in a close second in terms of artwork in indie titles.
As hard as I looked for something bad to say about Closure, I really can’t find anything that stands out to me. The only thing I could possibly say is that it was almost “too hard” at points. There were a few levels where it took me almost 30 minutes to solve a puzzle, considering I am far too stubborn to look up a guide. That just ruins the game. Besides that, I really couldn’t think of anything that stands out to me that would make anyone dislike Closure. It’s just a very solid game.
Overall, to say that I enjoyed Closure would be an understatement. It perfectly combined eerie, well-executed artwork with an equally creepy soundtrack to create a game that can only be artistically challenged by games like Bioshock and Journey. The puzzles in Closure will keep you entertained for hours, and not to mention there is a very good amount of content for being a $14.99 downloadable title. A job very well done, indeed. I would definitely suggest that anyone who likes puzzle games fork over the money to give this title a try. I can guarantee that you won’t be let down.
