Closure

The wall is solid because you can see it.

Closure is a Flash game by Tyler Glaiel. You can play it here, and you definitely should. The idea behind the game is simple enough: a platformer where only illuminated areas are solid. Of course, a simple concept doesn't necessarily mean simple puzzles, and it shows. Featuring moving lamps, teleporting light orbs and lights that dim when approached; it should be no surprise that completing this game is harder than it seems at first.

But the thirty levels offer more than just interesting gameplay; the game is excellent proof that browser games can be seen as an art form. Dynamic music and a distinct graphical style help in creating an oppressive, dark mood. The story is told completely without dialogue: your only hints are the background drawings and writing on the walls – and even then, you're left completely in the dark until the very last level of the game.

A full version of the game was released on Playstation 3. Unlike a human-like figure, this version has a strange 4-legged and 2-armed creature as a protagonist who changes shape depending on the chapter. First chapter includes man with a weird helmet in a mine/factory, the second features a woman in a forest and a hospital and the third one features a child in a carnival. The storyline is only hinted by the drawings as well but this time there are no writings on the wall.

Tropes used in Closure include:

• Blackout Basement: The major mechanic of the game.
• Crate Expectations: Crates are meant to be pushed and climbed on in this game.
• Credits Medley: In Playstation 3 version.
• Deliberately Monochrome: Newgrounds version only uses black and white color. Playstation 3 has some dark shades of gray in between.
• Eldritch Location: Especially in Playstation 3 version.
• Expository Hairstyle Change: Sort of. Your character has a ponytail throughout the entire game, but you only see its shadow until the final level.
• Fake Difficulty: The game doesn't tell you what different orbs or lamppost do, forcing the player to figure it out on their own. In other words, you have to die a few times before you get it.
• Hope Spot: "I've had enough."
• Hub Level: In Playstation 3 version, there is a chapter and level select areas.
• Mental World: From which you try to escape.
• Nintendo Hard
• Room Full of Crazy: Level 28. The Shout Outs to other artgames could be seen as spoiling the mood a bit...
• Super Drowning Skills: The protagonist in Playstation 3 version although it may be justified as the character is not entirely a human.
• Variable Mix: In Playstation 3 version, the music slows down while being under water.