As a big fan of puzzle games, seeing the trailer for Superliminal really got me excited. It looked unlike anything I'd ever played before, with a dark narrative teased behind the colours and chaotic nature of the gameplay showcased.
Jumping into Superliminal for the first time, it quickly becomes apparent as to the game's mantra: "It's all a matter of perspective." Puzzles that may seem impossible are quickly flipped on their head, as the player manipulates the size and function of individual objects to progress through a series of different rooms.
Taking place entirely within the confines of a lucid dream, our character is brought up to speed with messages and kooky illusions that prove nothing in this world is as it first seems. Just when you think you cannot progress, that lightbulb moment will happen, and you'll feel genuinely accomplished as you smash or build your way through to your next level.
I've seen commentators and critics call video games trippy in the past, and it's not a word I've ever really thought could be associated with anything I've played - that is, until now. Superliminal is without a doubt a VERY trippy play from start to finish, with some of the most mind-bending and memorable puzzles under its wing.
Comparisons may be made to games of the past, such as Portal, but honestly, Superliminal is an entirely-new concept. You're not going to come away from it feeling cheated, but instead like you've been through a unique experience.
The most comparable aspect to video games we've played before, is that of the characters involved. A feminine robotic voice guides you through the levels, but quickly turns a little sinister as they tell you off for manipulating your environments in a way that's not supposed to be allowed. The other main character is a male doctor, who speaks through recordings and whose aim seems to be to allow us an escape from our lucid dream/nightmare.
That narrative is one of the most interesting aspects of the game, allowing players something else to ponder as they work out the series of manipulative and striking puzzles. The genre isn't entirely reinvented here, but developers Pillow Castle Games have done a brilliant job of chipping away at the mould, if not breaking it.
Superliminal, from Pillow Castle Games, is available now on PC. A code for the game was given to Female First in exchange for a fair and honest review.