this is one of my favorite XBLA games ever so I'm downloading it now on the iPad Mini. Worth it for mood alone but wondering how the touch controls will translate to iOS.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/07/03/app-insider-limbo-ios/2487003/

Perhaps it's fitting the name of the developer responsible for Limbo is Playdead, as you can expect to die multiple times throughout this puzzle-filled side-scrolling platformer.

But just like Limbo on other platforms – namely, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and PCs, Macs and Linux -- you won't mind the abuse, as this charming video game is so much fun to play.

Now available for iPad 2 (or higher, including iPad mini), iPhone 4S (and higher) and the latest iPod touch, Limbo stars a young and nameless boy, who awakens in a forest. You aren't given any backstory or objectives – which is part of the game's appeal – but without giving too much away you will encounter other characters and locations, and unravel what you're supposed to do and why.

Also part of the game's charm is its presentation. Limbo is a 2D black-and-white game, with a heavy emphasis on silhouettes; the smoothly-animated main protagonist, for example, is only represented by a blacked-out body against a mostly grey backdrop, and with two white eyes that close when he perishes.

And it'll happen often.

As you hop over spikes, swing from great heights, pull giant stones to climb on top of or step out of a boat onto solid ground, you'll no doubt face instant death if not careful – and that's just during the first 3 minutes of play. Your goal is to successfully navigate around deadly traps and other obstacles, and solve head-scratching mechanical puzzles later on in the game, while working towards your mysterious goal. It's a lot of trial and error, and frustration, but you just can't put it down.

That said, the all-touch controls take a little bit of getting used to – especially if you've played Limbo on one of the other button-based platforms. But the Danish-based indie developers at Playdead did a great job with this universal iOS version.

Another beef is the relatively high price tag at $4.99, compared to a dollar or two with most games at the App Store.

Even still, Limbo is more than worth it for fans of platformers and puzzles alike. It's truly an engaging, atmospheric game worthy of your time and money.

The offspring :-D

PSN & XBL: LOQuent