Closure Review

Closure. is a flash animation puzzle game programmed by Newgrounds.com user Tyler Glaiel (Glaiel-Gamer) and drawn by Newgrounds.com artist Jon Schubbe (Starogre). This black and white game was submitted to Newgrounds.com on January 23, 2009 and won a Daily 2nd Place award on January 24, 2009 as well as a Weekly 5th Place award on January 28, 2009.

Game Background

There is very little background information given. The entire game is shrouded in darkness and mystery. You begin the game near a car on fire holding an orb that seems to be giving off light. After going through a short informal tutorial on movements controls, the game begins.

Controls

Use arrow keys to walk around.
Press Up to jump.
Press Down to pick up and put down objects. (You can only carry one object at a time.)
Pressing K, R, or Enter will restart the level. This can be helpful if you get stuck.

Gameplay

The game involves moving around orbs to reach doors, which open to the next stage. Sounds simple enough, except it's not as easy as that. You are only allowed to walk on ground that is lit up. You will fall through dark areas, as if there was no path, even if you saw that there was a path there when you lit the area up. In other words, you can only walk on what the light around you makes visible at any given moment. This makes for very interesting gameplay, as you must manipulate light and dark to reach your destination. Holding a light orb while you walk will illuminate areas on which you can walk. There are also dark orbs that darken an area when you approach the orb. Light orbs are only activated when you pick them up or are near them. Dark orbs light areas up until you approach them. The light from light orbs counter the dark orb's darkening effects to produce a smaller amount of light than usual.

Throughout the stages, you may encounter orb holders that move the orbs around for you, freeing up your hands so you can pick up keys and whatnot. There are also areas where you are not allowed to drop anything, which complicates things just a bit. Your main goal, however, remains the same: reach the door and keep moving.

Eerie background noises add to the mysterious atmosphere, which keeps players cautious of their movements while maintaining their interest level.

Review

Closure. is a great game for those looking for a unique puzzle game. Keeping the game shrouded in mystery keeps players playing, interested in what is at the end of the game.

Closure. scores a 9/10. Although the gameplay can be made a little smoother by reducing the file size, the overall quality of the game is quite impressive. The game concept is wholly interesting, and the game offers great potential entertainment.