Linger In Shadows

Written by Tom Clare in PS3 Game Reviews, Sunday 8 March, 2009

Released: 2008
Developer: Plastic
Genre: Demoscene
Platform: PS3
Version: 1.00

Less of a game, more of an experiment in interactive short-film making, Linger In Shadows is a stylish and clever diversion that makes sound use of the DualShock3 and motion sensor controls, but at a little under seven minutes in length, it doesn’t linger long.

A dark, artsy demoscene production, Linger In Shadows can best be summed up as ‘different’. It makes little sense on a narrative level with its drab modern cityscape playing host to a range of unusual mise en scene that finds inspiration in an odd mix of cultures. Among the curios within you’ll find a creepy cat and dog; ominous swirls of black mist; some weird, mechanical creatures and to finish a rather awesome Greek-styled statue as the coup de grais of the piece. Whilst as a whole the results may seem something of a mish-mash, aesthetically-speaking it’s undoubtedly a success.

It starts with an atmospheric trip through the stratosphere, where Linger In Shadows little innovations start to become evident – you can shake the controller to break through the clouds to a later point in the timeline, or simply admire the beautiful faces that are etched into them, with their oil painting-like qualities. This soon gives way to a pallid but equally evocative urban landscape that, despite the greyness, carries a dynamic and morbid attractiveness – the cat and dog that find their way into the thread in this section are wisely granted close-ups so as to allow you to pour over the detail and grace of their animation in slow-motion. You can stop proceedings at any point and rewind/fast forward at various rates dependent on the pressure you apply to L2 or R2, and thanks to the useful HUD, you can identify points where the camera is free to move by tilting the pad in the desired direction, or rotated to create a similar result on an in-game object, as well as many other small effects. The games attraction is primarily aesthetic and in gameplay terms it is of course quite primitive, though LIS takes a significant step towards a less restrictive, humdrum existence for the PS3’s motion controls, whilst short-films may also reap the benefit of greater interaction with their audience.

The music certainly deserves credit also for its rich and aptly brooding accompaniment, whilst the soundtrack is one of the few available for free on the PlayStation Network which is a bonus. Perhaps the biggest incentive from a gamer’s point of view will be the sixteen trophies up for grabs; chiefly as they are easy to acquire. Admittedly, the concept of gameplay-based rewards for software of this nature sits rather awkwardly to say the least, though finding ten images hidden in the periphery of the scenes proves a good way of encouraging ‘exploration’ by moving the camera outside of what the screen ordinarily reveals.

In other words, Linger In Shadows is best suited to those who admire a creative streak in their software. Though it’s short and simplistic, the motion tricks are creative and enjoyable, and in a way, your £1.99 pays for what can be seen as an encouraging showcase as to what Sony’s console could one day be capable of.
 

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