The object of the game is not to bring the grass back to life, in case you were confused.

In honor of my short article about downloadable games I recommend a free browser game that has the moody and surreal quality of the recently released Limbo. I celebrate every published piece of writing (the party usually looks something like this), and you should, too. Here’s how:

Coma may not be the most original title (the similarities to Nevermore 3 are too obvious to ignore), but it’s a showcase of the programming and composing powers of Thomas Brush.

Take control of young Pete and navigate your subconscious searching for clues to save your sister. From what? Umm, I’m still working on that one, but the half-hour trip is worth any confusion. The musical and visual aesthetics are uniformly charming and the end effect is that of traversing a kids book that was written on acid. Like Where the Wild Things Are.

Click here to play Coma.

This article appears in July 30 • 2010.

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James graduated from Columbia University in 2000 and moved to Austin a year later. Ever since, he has followed the arts and video game scene in ATX, editing and writing stories for the Chronicle along the way. Over his more than 20 years with the paper he has climbed the "corporate" ladder from lowly intern to managing editor.