Review: Linger in Shadows (PS3)

Those considering purchasing Linger In Shadows should be warned that for £1.99 the real time length of this title clocks in at just under seven minutes. Yes, that's correct, no more than seven minutes. It is debatable whether this represents value for money in comparison to other titles available online that offer far more, for a small increase in outlay. The decision whether to purchase is ultimately yours alone, but hopefully by the end of this review you will be in a more informed position to judge.

Linger In Shadows has been created by a Polish group of artists, well versed in the underground ‘demoscene’ in an attempt to show off digital art on the PlayStation 3. Sony has always been well informed in such extremes, often integrating these with existing products that prove popular with the masses. To immediately dismiss Shadows as nothing more than a glamorous media player screen is a huge mistake. It is possible to let the sequences blend into one another when unlocked, but in order to achieve such a feat you will have to rely on your inquisitive gaming instincts.

In our gaming world there are too many signposts, helping us reach the next level or accomplish a task. Linger In Shadows dispenses with the helping hand routine and leaves you to decipher how to reach the next phase. The game is broken up into a series of unique artistic shorts. Visually while they are distinctive and outlandish, each hides a key to move onwards.

To the casual viewer these are nothing more than computer generated sketches with no discernible content or theme. However looks are deceptive, as a certain motion with the SIXAXIS controller will provide the solution to continue your voyage. You are able to interactive and explore each short, displaying far more content than was original visible onscreen. By panning the camera it is possible to find hidden icons of famous ‘demoscene’ teams thereby unlocking PS3 trophies.

More importantly you can use this new level of control to highlight clues about what movement is needed to proceed further. Linger In Shadows also offers opportunities to mess around with objects onscreen although this is not a universal feature and only applies to certain things. Once you’ve grasped how to find clues, it won’t take long to fly through the rest of the experience. The real challenge will come from finding each of the ‘demoscene’ icons and obtaining the full set.

Is there a storyline to Linger in Shadows? As of such the answer is no, its really just a voyage of discovery. You are able to see influences such as The Matrix and ICO for instance, yet by the end you’re no further forward in obtaining closure. Ultimately this game isn’t about a story or even a hero, its more focused on highlighting the abilities of the controller and the creative types who exist outside of the normal studio industry. Gamestyle’s major criticism is not the length, as for many it will multiple tenfold to find all those icons. At £1.99 it is overpriced and would have benefited by being released for free or a token price. That way the art will reach the maximum possible and not leave some upset about the content, as not everyone wants to take a risk when purchasing online. For those seeking PS3 trophies, then this is the cheapest and quickest way to start filling up your cabinet.

How do you score such a unique experience? Gamestyle is always in favour of breaking new ground, seeing new types of releases and evolving beyond the norm. Following in the footsteps of Riff:Everyday Shooter and flOw, this is another distinctive turn by the PS3 store. Though Linger In Shadows is only a snippet of what could be achieved, if you want to push your PlayStation 3 in an entirely new direction for a few moments, then this is what you’ve been waiting for.

Rating: 6 / 10

Words by Jason Julier