Ask me about Loom(TM).
Loom might be one of the most underappreciated games in the LucasArts library.
Loom has always struggled for recognition in comparison.
That said, I sense a growing appreciation for Loom among people who write about games.
What Loom has instead is atmosphere.
(Moriarty’s not the only figure playing an important part in Loom’s development, of course.
Narratively, Loom takes a broad strokes approach.
It’s set in a fantasy world where the population is split into different guilds.
These guilds are geared solely around particularly industries.
This is fertile ground for the story’s unashamedly sentimental core.
The seventeen-year-old hero is not just a very talented youth, however.
Fittingly, Loom is genuinely beautiful.
Its reduced colours, in fact, may make it more striking than the overly saturated DOS version.
Most important to me are the distinct locations, characters, and careful staging of the scenes.
This was particularly important for the original release, as there was no voice acting.
It’s satisfying to play, too, despite that lack of obvious challenge.
It’s hard not to be swept along by this.
Sonic the Hedgehog was beloved by players of all ages.
Of course, none of these games had much in the way of narrative.
Today feels like a perfect moment for Loom to get another chance.
Many older games are making a comeback and showing how intriguing and playful this earlier era could be.
As it stands, Loom is both a timeless adventure and a reminder of a lost approach to design.
Loom’s short and memorable.
It stays with players long after the credits have rolled.
