An Interactive Reflection on the Human Spirit
Art has always been a reflection of the human spirit. It asks questions about what it means to be human and how we interact with the world around us. From the first handprints left in the caves of France to Edvard Munch’s “The Scream,” which perfectly captures the anxiety of the human condition, art takes many forms. Some works are straightforward in their message, while others are far more abstract and subjective.
PULMO is a piece of art with some gaming on the side. It is a short journey exploring the spirit of being human, leaving its meaning entirely up for discussion. Everyone’s interpretation will likely be different, but here is mine.
The Second Act of an Artistic Trilogy
This is a follow-up to ALVEOLE, a game we reviewed back in 2021 that tackled similar themes. Created by a very small team of artists, it boasts a unique visual style alongside an abstract, inventive approach to game design. Serving as the second instalment in a planned trilogy, PULMO does not offer a linear story to latch onto, nor does it feature a cutscene-heavy narrative filled with traditional protagonists and antagonists. There is no grand quest across a fantasy world to find a magical object. Instead, it is a small, experimental title spanning ten chapters that investigates the human journey.
PULMO is a game about an individual trying to find their meaning in society: how do we plough our own furrow while navigating through the crowds of the world? You play as a nameless, faceless figure navigating ten trials that explore different themes and, in a way, different stories. I appreciated the nature of this game because it is so distinct from everything else on the market. It feels like a piece of art that belongs in a gallery, yet here it is on our consoles and TV.
I loved the abstract nature of the world and feel it is a genuine step up from the first game in the series. It features thought-provoking cutscenes before each chapter and an ending that I found incredibly hopeful. While some might find the lack of a coherent narrative and character off-putting, I fully embraced the strange and the unique.
A Gallery of Mechanics
The gameplay is simple and changes with each chapter. The mechanics for controlling your nameless figure are incredibly straightforward; you just move them around the screen and occasionally interact with objects. I don’t want to spoil what happens in every chapter because that would ruin the experience, but I will give you two examples.
In one section, you play as a human figure walking down from the top of the screen in the pouring rain. You have an umbrella, naturally, but as you move downward, other humans begin falling from the sky. If they hit you as they plummet to the ground, you have to start again. So you must carefully navigate the level by watching the shadows to predict where they are going to land. I told you it was unique.
In another level, nine humans stand in a square formation. You have to walk up and touch each one, but there is a specific order that must be deduced through trial and error. If you are successful, all of them will sit down on the ground to signal the end of the level.
The other chapters are just as varied in their puzzle mechanics, but you will likely finish the entire game in under an hour.
Monochrome Beauty
PULMO retains the same visual design as the first game in the series: a monochrome, hand-drawn animation style that is brilliantly simple, beautifully creative, and highly effective. I loved the design throughout, and the way the game concludes is both clever and quite poignant. The music is superb too, featuring some particularly great tracks during the nine-person square level mentioned earlier.
A Poignant Surprise
Playing PULMO is like stumbling across a strange interactive art show in a gallery; you pay a small entry fee on a whim and are treated to a lovely surprise. I liked PULMO a lot, particularly its beautiful music, striking visuals, and abstract levels. However, I do wish it had been a bit longer than ten chapters; I could have easily played much more before it outstayed its welcome.
It might be a bit too strange for those who prefer more straightforward gaming experiences, but for me, I am eagerly looking forward to the final instalment in the trilogy.
Important Links
PULMO Does Things Differently – https://www.thexboxhub.com/pulmo-does-things-differently/
Buy PULMO, Optimised for Xbox Series X|S – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/pulmo-xbox-series-xs/9PKZXXRVLQXR/0017
Buy the Xbox One version – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/pulmo/9P39RGX5DXX7/0017
