Dream-like puzzle game
Superliminal is an adventure game developed by Pillow Castle for multiple devices and platforms. It is a first-person puzzler wherein players will explore a surreal and dream-like world filled with seemingly impossible problems that they need to solve with the help of perspective and depth.
Similar to Portal 2 and The Talos Principle, Superliminal features complex and thought-provoking puzzles that hide behind its vibrant and beautifully minimalist presentation. What makes it stand out is its clever use of perception and depth to create unique and bigger-than-life obstacles to solve.
What's it about?
Superliminal starts with you heading to the Pierce Institute to participate in the Somnasculpt Dream Therapy. You fall asleep watching its TV commercial and by the time you wake up, you're already inside a dream, unwittingly having already begun the strange experiment without you even knowing it. As you explore, you slowly realize what you're seeing is not as simple as it appears to be.
Played in the first-person perspective, this game is a puzzler that relies heavily on optical illusions and forced perspective for its core gameplay. Certain objects in the game can be picked up and moved towards or away from you. It also scales to size depending on how you handle it, helping figure out and solve puzzles through the multiple rooms you'll explore to get to the exit.
A thought-provoking journey
The narrative takes unexpected turns, challenging players to consider not just the mechanics of the game but also their assumptions about reality and perception. This makes it more than just a puzzle game; it becomes a thought-provoking journey that stays with players long after the credits roll. Partnered with the subtle ambient soundtrack, the game underscores its surreal tone, signifying the eerie sense of being lost in a dream.
For added replayability, the game also features a Challenge Mode where you will be scored based on your speed, finesse, and other criteria—great for speed runs. You even get Steam Workshop integration so you can inject your own creations into it. Some players might find the experience a little on the short side in terms of playtime. Also, the puzzles themselves might not be challenging enough.
A surreal experience
Superliminal is a refreshing and innovative entry in the puzzle genre, offering a unique experience that plays with perception and challenges players to think in new ways. Its combination of clever puzzle design, surreal visuals, and thought-provoking narrative makes it a standout title that is sure to appeal to fans of games like Portal and The Stanley Parable.
