Limbo is a puzzle platformer in which players control a boy as he traverses side-scrolling landscapes, solves obstacle puzzles, and defeats occasional enemies.

The game is rendered in black and white and the graphics are presented in a 2D side-view silhouette. Enemies throw fireballs, shoot arrows, or try to lure the boy into traps; traps and hazards contain giant boulders, saw blades, electric wires, spikes, and snapping bear traps. When killed, the boy gets flung around environments, impaled on spikes, or sliced into pieces. Black-and-white blood splashes accompany most attacks and death animations.