Light Fall asks you to believe in Numbra, a land of perpetual night where the moon never rises and the sun never sets. That belief is the game’s biggest challenge, and it is also the engine that drives everything else about it. Developed and published by Bishop Games, the 2018 platformer arrives on PC, Mac and Nintendo Switch as a small, ambitious package with big ideas about freedom, exploration and competition. It is not a perfect game, but it is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be.
Trailer, via Black King.
The Shadow Core
The central mechanic is the Shadow Core, a magical box that spawns beneath your feet. Use it to propel yourself into the air, move across the land at your own pace, and become the master of your surroundings. This is the core of the experience, and it works.
That freedom is the game’s strongest argument. There are no fixed paths in Numbra. You can wander the Lunar Plain, the Marshlands of Sorrows, the Vipera’s Forest and the Unknown Depths, reaching new heights and exploring every nook and cranny. Shortcuts, alternative paths, hidden collectibles and easter eggs await in large numbers. The world is generous with its secrets, and the Shadow Core gives you the tools to find them.
Stryx the Grumpy Owl
Your companion is Stryx, an old and grumpy owl who acts as your sidekick and in-game narrator. He offers useful advice depending on his mood, or he will bluntly mock your failures. The banter is a small pleasure, but it is a consistent one. Stryx’s presence grounds the adventure in a character who cares enough to bother you.
A Land of Eternal Night
Numbra is a strange universe where darkness prevails over light. The premise is simple: explore this forgotten world to uncover your mysterious past and save the land from an imminent threat. The tone is mysterious and fantastical, and the game leans into both. The land is perilous, and you will rely on your Shadow Core to brave the many challenges and foes standing in your way.
The world is vast, and the sense of scale is impressive. Each region has its own identity, from the open plains to the dense forest to the dark depths below. The game encourages you to wander, and it rewards you for doing so. Hidden items are plentiful, and the map is full of places to look.
Freedom Through the Core
The Shadow Core is the key to everything. You can spawn it beneath your feet to propel yourself into the air, and you can use it the way you see fit to face the challenges of the game. The freedom is real, and it is the game’s greatest strength.
That freedom comes with a cost, though. The game does not hold your hand, and some of the challenges are harsh. The difficulty curve is steep in places, and the game expects you to learn its systems quickly. The Shadow Core is a powerful tool, but it is not a forgiving one. The game respects your intelligence, and it demands your attention.
The Vast World to Explore
The world is the star of Light Fall. The Lunar Plain, the Marshlands of Sorrows, the Vipera’s Forest and the Unknown Depths each offer their own mysteries. The game is generous with its secrets, and the map is full of places to look. The speedrun mode adds a layer of competitiveness, but the main game is about wandering and discovery.
The game is at its best when you are moving through its worlds, looking for the next hidden item or the next shortcut. The exploration is the heart of the experience, and the Shadow Core is the key that unlocks it. The game is generous with its secrets, and the map is full of places to look.
The Speedrun Mode
The complementary Speedrun Game Mode is a separate beast entirely. It lets you revisit the world of Numbra to compete with players worldwide and compare your fastest times with theirs on the online leaderboard. It is a different kind of challenge, one that rewards precision and timing over exploration.
The speedrun mode is a separate experience from the main game. It is a different kind of challenge, one that rewards precision and timing over exploration. The main game is about wandering and discovery, while the speedrun mode is about mastery. The two modes coexist, but they serve different purposes.
The Verdict on Numbra
Light Fall is a game that succeeds when it trusts you and fails when it doesn’t. The Shadow Core is a brilliant idea, and the world of Numbra is worth exploring. The game’s ambition is admirable, even when its execution stumbles. It is a game that asks you to commit to its universe, and it delivers a memorable experience when you do.
The game is not without its flaws. The difficulty spikes are real, and the pacing suffers in places. The game expects you to learn its systems quickly, and it does not always hold your hand. These are minor complaints, but they are persistent ones.
Light Fall is a game that rewards curiosity and punishes hesitation. It is a game that asks you to trust its systems and its world. It is a game that delivers a memorable experience when you commit to it.
Key Facts Box
- Developer: Bishop Games
- Publisher: Bishop Games
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Nintendo Switch
- Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
- Themes: Action, Fantasy, Mystery
- Modes: Single player
- Perspective: Side view
A Running Order
| Region | Focus |
|---|---|
| Lunar Plain | Open plains, wide exploration |
| Marshlands of Sorrows | Dense, wet terrain |
| Vipera’s Forest | Forest paths, hidden items |
| Unknown Depths | Dark, dangerous regions |
The game is a small package with big ideas. It is a game about freedom, exploration and competition, and it mostly delivers on those promises. The Shadow Core is a brilliant mechanic, and the world of Numbra is worth exploring. The game’s ambition is admirable, even when its execution stumbles. Light Fall is a game that asks you to commit to its universe, and it delivers a memorable experience when you do.
The score reflects that balance. The game is not a masterpiece, but it is a game with a clear vision and a strong identity. It is a game that you will remember, and it is a game that you will want to return to. It is a game that deserves your time, and it is a game that rewards your patience.
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