Limbo - Game Theories

So, you've finished the game. Great. After everything the game has offered, the strange environment and playthrough with an abrupt end, you might be left wondering on what does the game's story truly mean? What message is it trying to send to its players? What is the plot all about? Well, does it really have to mean something?

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Judging from the game's unknown starting point and ending, mixed with its direct gameplay plus less detail, the players are also left in a limbo of wonder. Thus, a number of game theories emerged in attempt to justify the confusion from the game's story. Now this post contains possible game explanations which have been floating around the internet for a while. Clearly these are just my personal preferences, and you could choose a lot out there. In addition, I will be giving my own game theory as well.

#1 The Test Theory

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This theory supports the idea that the boy died and is stuck in his own limbo (his personal hell or could be a place between life and death with nowhere to go). This place emanates from his fears and other traumatic experiences he encountered in his life. These could be represented through spider attacks, fear of heights, drowning, guns, falling objects and other people as well.

The author of this theory also expounded various symbols found in the game. When the boy was harassed by other people, this could be a sign of bullying and manipulation that he encountered in the past. Thus, the dark setting could represent his dark times. The spider could represent his fear of death or death itself. The slow transition of the setting from the forest to the city could represent the inevitable transformation of the world into a dystopia.

Ultimately, after the the main character broke free from the limbo, he found his sister burying him. By some religion, the soul from a deceased person would wander in an inescapable limbo until he is properly buried. By the end of the game, the little girl seemed to be giving him the right ritual for his soul to rest in peace. Further, he passed the tests inside the limbo earning his place in heaven.

#2 The Dream Theory

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This believes that the whole game was a product of the boy's lucid dream. He and his sister was playing in the forest near the treehouse. The boy explored the surrounding areas of the forest, and then fell asleep or may have fallen unconscious by unknown reasons. He enters the limbo where everything seems to be a repetitive nightmare. In there he encounters his fears - which includes spiders, strangers, water, and heights.

With the main aim of finding his sister, he ventures through different settings. Judging from the game's shifting gravity, traps and puzzles, this supports the idea that the gameplay is indeed based on a dream state. Kind of similar to mechanism with the movie Inception (2010). In the end, he breaks through the glass then woke up from his dream. Back to reality, he then goes towards the treehouse to find his sister was fine all along, giving the game a happy and wholesome ending.

#3 The Coma Theory

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The boy and his sister accidentally fell from a treehouse causing them to enter to a near death state. The main character has undergone to a coma and struggled to get through the limbo. All things happening and are present in the limbo are based on their experiences.

Analyzing the game's setting, the boy and his sister's experiences are aren't very pleasant which indicates they've lived a sad life. But the boy goes on from puzzle to puzzle, indicating his strong will to face his fears and find his sister or possibly save her from the strange world. In the ending scene, the boy has successfully conquered his fears and challenges which allows him to finally approach his sister. However he realized that they are now ghosts and together they accept a peaceful death.

My Theory

I believe that the boy has been inside the limbo for a very very long time. Only to be awakened by a driving force to venture forth - you. You, the player of the game. You are the guiding force, the guardian angel perhaps who led the little boy to the recursive nightmare. The force is within you.

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An idea that supports this is the presence of the mind-controlling slugs. This is an evidence that it's possible for the boy to walk only in one direction if driven by a force (or in this case, attached with a glowing slug). Now breaking the forth-wall, it is you that's controlling the boy's actions and guiding him to solving puzzles. Another evidence is the presence of a butterfly when you were about to meet the boy's sister. That could be a representation of you, the player, leading the boy to his journey. In the end, you helped him beat the limbo and setting him and his sister in peace.

The game may have fallen short in giving all the details, but that's the beauty of it. It leaves every possibility to the player's imagination. Share your thoughts as well. 😊

Have an awesome day!