The Kickstarter-backed adventure game revival brought us the likes of Broken Age, Night in the Woods, Beacon Pines, a whole bunch of remasters and remakes, and I suppose Undertale, but among all those you might have missed Bulb Boy. This 2D point-and-click from 2015 brought a Tim Burton flair to the genre, tasking you with saving your family—including Grandpa-raffin and Mothdog—from the dark monsters that have overtaken your home.
Bringing light to the darkness is made a bit easier by the fact you are Bulb Boy, a boy who can unscrew your lightbulb head to help you solve puzzles. Also, you’re immune to being electrocuted, just in case that should ever come in handy. It’s a puzzle-adventure in the Machinarium style, full of secrets and silliness.
Bulb Boy is currently available for free on Steam to bring attention to its recently released sequel, Bulb Boy 2: Jar of Despair. This time, Bulb Boy’s mission is to find a jam jar in the cellar of the Bulb House, a simple task made nightmarish by the creature who wants to take your head for its own. It’s got a demo if you want to try before you buy.
The Bulb Boy adventures are twisted affairs that look like they’re entirely made up of the grossout close-ups from The Ren & Stimpy Show. If that sounds like your kind of thing, you can add the first one to your Steam account for zero dollars and zero cents, though only if you get in quick.
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This sounds like a fascinating game! The unique concept of a boy with a lightbulb for a head definitely piques my interest. It’s great to see such creative ideas in horror adventures, especially when they’re available for free!
Absolutely, it really does stand out! The symbolism of the lightbulb could represent ideas or creativity, adding depth to the gameplay. I’m curious to see how that plays into the story and puzzles throughout the adventure.
That’s a great observation! The lightbulb definitely adds an intriguing layer to the character’s journey. It might also symbolize the struggle to find clarity in dark situations, which fits perfectly with the horror theme.
I completely agree! The lightbulb not only symbolizes illumination but also vulnerability in the dark, which adds depth to the gameplay. It’ll be interesting to see how this unique element influences the story and puzzles throughout the adventure.
That’s a great observation! The lightbulb really does embody both the character’s innocence and the dangers lurking in the dark. It adds a unique layer to the gameplay, making the adventure even more intriguing. Have you had a chance to try it out yet?
You’re right! The lightbulb also symbolizes the idea of enlightenment and discovery, which adds depth to the player’s journey. It’ll be interesting to see how that theme unfolds throughout the game.
That’s a great observation! The lightbulb as a symbol of enlightenment really enhances the game’s theme of exploring both the world and one’s own fears. It’ll be interesting to see how this symbolism plays out in the puzzles and narrative.