A Game Called Paako

About

"A Game Called Paako" is a pixel-art 2D platformer metagame that follows a game major student creating his thesis project. The game features quality-certified double jump and wall jump mechanics, a fishing minigame, and unique experiences like job hunting and watching a talk show. It started as an MFA thesis project at the University of Southern California, offering a unique perspective on game development.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews

story12 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

A Game Called Paako offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the game development process, inspiring aspiring developers.
The humor and charm of the game, along with its engaging storytelling, create a memorable experience that resonates with players.
The game is free to play, making it accessible to a wide audience, and it has been praised for its originality and creativity.

Many players experienced frustrating bugs, such as dialogue stopping unexpectedly, which hindered gameplay and enjoyment.
The pacing of the game is often criticized for being slow and tedious, with excessive dialogue that cannot be skipped.
Some players felt that the game lacked substantial gameplay elements, relying too heavily on reading and narrative without enough interactive content.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The story of "Paako" is a humorous and inspiring narrative centered around an indie developer's journey as he approaches graduation, effectively blending gameplay with storytelling. While some players appreciate the unique meta-commentary and the depth of the developer's ego, others criticize the heavy reliance on text and the clichéd themes. Overall, the game is recognized for its engaging storytelling, reminiscent of titles like "The Stanley Parable," making it a standout in the 2D platformer genre.
- “It's a story-rich 2D platformer beyond what's necessary to succeed in this genre.”
- “A funny game that tells the story of an indie developer who is about to graduate from university; this game is basically his graduation project/thesis.”
- “A game called Paako is a brilliant game about the process of making a game. It reminds me a lot of The Stanley Parable, which, while the more famous of the two, focused on the choices that a player has to make. Paako focuses on the specific steps required to make Paako and expresses it in a story platformer game.”
- “The indie dev brand humor and cliché one-track story concept of being an indie dev, the deep dive into the dev's ego, and the large amount of text that essentially cannot be skipped... I could not name a single positive element.”
- “☐ no story”
- “But those had at least some gameplay and some story beyond the meta references.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The gameplay is generally solid and features a unique balance between mechanics and storytelling, with charming elements and humor that resonate well with players. However, some users find the dash mechanic poorly implemented and the overall experience lacking in engaging gameplay, often feeling tedious due to excessive reading and minimal action. While there are interesting mechanics introduced, the gameplay may not meet everyone's expectations for excitement and variety.
- “The gameplay is pretty solid, the charm of Paako is pretty fun, and the story of the dev himself is inspiring.”
- “The jokes are on point and the balance between the gameplay and the storytelling is so unique for a game; I love it.”
- “Each section lets you check out certain mechanics and ideas that are supposed to show up in the full game.”
- “Frankly, I'd have finished it if the dash mechanic hadn't been so horribly implemented.”
- “This mechanic is introduced after a while, and nothing in the game prepares you for it.”
- “It's kind of a cool game but it's very boring to be honest, there's a lot of reading and there isn't much gameplay to it.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of meta-commentary and indie developer clichés, with some players finding it amusing while others feel it falls flat due to lengthy, unskippable text and a tedious experience. While some moments are genuinely funny, the overall reception is mixed, with a few praising its unique approach and others criticizing it for being boring and lacking engaging content.
- “Paako provides a unique experience; the funny thing is that all things are done purposefully.”
- “Simple and funny.”
- “A funny game that tells the story of an indie developer who is about to graduate from university; this game is basically his graduation project/thesis.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics in the game are noted for their unique and personal style, effectively complementing the autobiographical narrative. Players appreciate the visual storytelling, which enhances the emotional depth of the experience. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's immersive quality.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have stability issues, with users noting that it is "bit buggy" during gameplay.
- “It's a bit buggy from my experience, though.”
- “It's a bit buggy from my experience, though.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”