When you think of bullet hell games, you likely imagine a screen filled with projectiles and the precise movements needed to weave through them. One game at PlayX4 stood out by aiming to break that stereotype: ‘Dream of Limbo,’ developed by Dream Yarn Studio, which was showcased at the Taipei Game Show booth.
While Steam classifies the game as a bullet hell, and the enemies certainly flood the screen with projectiles, the protagonist’s movement is anything but ordinary. When people think of bullet hells, they usually imagine vertical or horizontal scrolling shooters, but ‘Dream of Limbo’ is completely different. It features unique mechanics like dashing and, most notably, attacking enemies while constantly navigating platforms. With the game currently being polished for a September release, we sat down with Ting Cho, co-founder of co-developer Gaming Animal, to hear about the experience they aim to deliver.
Could you introduce yourself.
“ I’m Ting Cho, co-founder of the Taiwanese indie game studio Gaming Animal. We are developing ‘Dream of Limbo’ in collaboration with Dream Yarn Studio, and we’re here at PlayX4 to showcase it.
I heard this is your first time at PlayX4. How are you finding it?
“ It’s my first time, and I’m impressed by how spacious and comfortable the booth area is. I’ve participated in BIC before, and while that was great, this feels different. It’s a bit quieter, which actually makes it easier to have conversations with visitors?
Also, the organizers providing interpreters was a huge help. Communicating with Korean game industry professionals solely in English was quite difficult due to the language barrier, so that support was a real lifesaver.
What kind of game is ‘Dream of Limbo,’ which you’re showcasing at PlayX4?
“ Dream of Limbo’ is a 2D side-scrolling action bullet hell game. It’s inspired by ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and follows the story of a heroine named Psyche as she explores the Kingdom of As with three companions. Gameplay-wise, it focuses primarily on boss rushes, and you can choose a different companion for each battle to enjoy different playstyles. Furthermore, defeating a boss grants you their abilities, allowing you to play the game in increasingly diverse ways.
A side-scrolling shooter where you defeat bosses and gain their abilities—that sounds a bit like ‘Mega Man.
“ Actually, that is one of the works that inspired us. It’s a game I personally love and was deeply immersed in.
Beyond that, the most unique element of our game is the platform system. You don’t just shoot; you have to step on platforms. Depending on the type of platform, you can deal damage to enemies, heal, or charge energy to trigger companion skills. Defeating bosses unlocks new platforms, and you can mix and match these platforms for every battle to create your own playstyle.
A bullet hell game where you shoot while stepping on platforms—that’s a very unique idea.
“ That idea was actually inspired by a popular mini-game in Taiwan. It only has a Chinese title, but if you translate it literally into English, it would be something like ‘The Kid Goes Down the Stairs.’
To describe that game, the character has to keep going down stairs. It gets faster and faster, and as it accelerates, you start to feel a sense of rhythm. I wanted players to enjoy that same rhythmic element in our game. As you play, you’re constantly breaking platforms, creating a ‘thump-thump-thump-tap’ rhythm, which is exactly what we intended.
Also, in most bullet hell games, you focus on dodging, which can feel quite passive. We wanted to include elements that allow players to deal with bullets more actively.
For example, in ‘Dream of Limbo,’ you can dodge bullets with a dash. And if you break a platform, you can clear away nearby bullets. We wanted to move beyond just watching bullet trajectories and dodging; we wanted players to actively respond and create their own variables.
These elements are fresh, but since the mechanics differ from traditional bullet hell games, users might find them unfamiliar. How have people reacted at PlayX4 and during previous tests?
“Yes, most users who played our game said their first impression was, ‘This isn’t an easy game.’ Of course, bullet hell games are inherently challenging, so that was a natural reaction.
Beyond that, the elements that allow for various ways to respond—other than just dodging—are key. Many people mentioned that while it’s a bullet hell game, it feels like a blend of several genres. Some even said it felt like an action game with various styles, where you dodge like in a Soulslike. I was happy to see feedback that players had a new and fun experience with the demo. That was the reaction we were hoping for. We wanted to break away from the stereotypes associated with bullet hell games and offer something different.
It’s impressive how the art style balances a cute, fairy-tale aesthetic with a darker side.
What aspects did you focus on while creating the art?
“The key, I believe, lies in the fact that everything is hand-drawn. To provide a slight hint about the narrative, as I previously mentioned, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ served as our primary source of inspiration. Given that it’s a fairy-tale narrative, we aimed to craft an experience reminiscent of wandering through a fairy tale—evoking the emotions felt in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ or ‘Wonderland.’
Thus, while incorporating a variety of vibrant colors, we also sought to juxtapose these with darker elements. The characters and creatures may exude a certain charm, but lurking behind them all is an ‘Ancient God.’ The central theme of ‘Dream of Limbo’ revolves around Psyche’s quest to rescue her younger sibling from this Ancient God.
I wasn’t anticipating the appearance of an Ancient God or cosmic entities; that certainly took me by surprise.
“Interestingly, this game acts as a precursor to an upcoming series we have in the works. Following the unfolding of the story from Psyche’s perspective, we intend to delve into the narratives of other characters in the subsequent installments. The allies introduced now may even transition into adversaries in the sequels. We are diligently working on game development to bring these tales to life.
With elements ranging from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to Ancient Gods, there seems to be a rich tapestry of diverse influences. If you had to pinpoint the primary source of inspiration, what would it be?
“‘Touhou Project.’ Our producer holds a deep admiration for the series, and it played a significant role in shaping our decisions regarding the genre and other elements. Additionally, the mini-game ‘The Kid Goes Down the Stairs,’ as previously mentioned, exerted a substantial influence. These two factors stand out as the primary inspirations.
How far along is the development process? And when can we anticipate the game’s release?
“Our journey with this project commenced slightly over a year ago, and we anticipate its completion by September of this year. We have mapped out a total of 18 boss battles, and we are currently 70% through the development phase. Progress is proceeding smoothly, and we are confident in our ability to meet the deadline.
Lastly, a message for the Korean gaming community.
“Hailing from Taiwan, we are an indie game studio thrilled to introduce ‘Dream of Limbo’ to the Korean audience. We are eager to showcase our game at PlayX4 and would greatly appreciate it if you consider adding it to your wishlist. Our team is dedicated to delivering an enjoyable and immersive gaming experience, so stay tuned for more updates.
[Read Original]
Please rewrite the following sentence so that it is more clear.
Original sentence: The dog that belonged to my neighbor’s cousin’s uncle’s best friend ran away.
Revised sentence: My neighbor’s cousin’s uncle’s best friend’s dog ran away.