Cube Escape: Paradox

About

In "Cube Escape: Paradox," players assume the role of detective Dale Vandermeer, who finds himself in a mysterious room with no memory of his past. He must solve increasingly difficult puzzles to regain his memories and escape the room, all while uncovering connections to the Rusty Lake universe. The game features unique gameplay and a film crossover experience, with two chapters available, including a free one, and supports 14 languages. Chapter 2 continues the story with new challenges and mysteries to uncover.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,753 reviews

story258 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

Engaging and challenging puzzles that require logical thinking.
Atmospheric and creepy setting that enhances the overall experience.
The integration of a short film adds depth to the story and gameplay.

Some puzzles can be overly complex or obscure, leading to frustration.
The game lacks a hint system, making it difficult to progress without external help.
Chapter 2 requires a purchase, which may deter some players from continuing.

story
565 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
4%
The story in "Cube Escape: Paradox" is described as intriguing and complex, weaving together elements of mystery, horror, and psychological themes that engage players throughout the gameplay. Many reviews highlight the importance of playing previous titles in the Rusty Lake series to fully appreciate the narrative depth and connections between characters and events. While some players found the story confusing or abstract, others praised its captivating nature and the way it enhances the puzzle-solving experience.
- “Escape Cube Paradox is an engaging and fun escape room experience that offers a great mix of challenging puzzles and intriguing storytelling.”
- “Amazing game with good puzzles, good story, and secret achievements leading to multiple endings.”
- “The story is intriguing, the puzzles are hard, but not overly so that you can't solve them, the graphics are simple but fun, and it strikes a perfect balance.”
- “🔲 this game has no story”
- “I wish this had a story that was easier to follow.”
- “The story wasn't clear, I get that it's not supposed to be crystal clear -- everyone wants some level of mystery and twisted story in these types of mystery thriller 'who am I?'”
graphics
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the unique art style and its ability to create an eerie atmosphere that complements the narrative. While some players appreciate the simplicity and creativity of the visuals, others criticize them as lacking polish or being too basic. Overall, the graphics are seen as fitting for the game's tone, though opinions vary on their quality and appeal.
- “The switch between the game art style and realistic film is amazing; I really love it.”
- “Overall, Cube Escape: Paradox excels in delivering a seamless and enjoyable user experience, blending intricate puzzles, a compelling narrative, and stunning visuals into a cohesive and captivating package.”
- “The artwork is beautifully hand-drawn in a realistic style, with lots of details, excellent use of color, and appropriate shadowing to create dimension.”
- “The art style clashes with the tone badly; it's atmospheric, not scary (certainly not horror).”
- “Rusty Lake, please do something about your graphics.”
- “Tldr: graphics suck, hire a professional.”
atmosphere
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie, immersive, and spooky qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience with a blend of unsettling sound design and intriguing visuals. Many players appreciate the balance between the atmospheric tension and the creative puzzle-solving elements, while some note that the art style may not always align with the intended tone. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating and mysterious environment that keeps players engaged and on edge.
- “The atmosphere is immersive, scary, and the challenges require a good balance of logic and creativity.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is truly amazing, drawing you into a world of mystery and intrigue.”
- “The attention to detail, puzzle design, and atmosphere are all astounding, and when combined with the story being weaved, this game quickly became one that stuck with me.”
- “I did not find this game to have any feel or atmosphere to it.”
- “The atmosphere is eerie and unsettling.”
- “The puzzles are less complex but more varied than in the previous games and the atmosphere gives the perception of being less bizarre and dark than before ... which is just a preparation for the delightful chapter 2.”
gameplay
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay has been praised for its engaging mechanics, challenging puzzles, and unique atmosphere, with many players appreciating the blend of new and familiar elements from previous titles in the series. While some found certain mechanics tedious or difficult to intuit, the overall experience is described as enjoyable and thought-provoking, with a strong emphasis on puzzle-solving and exploration. The integration of narrative elements and visual storytelling further enhances the gameplay, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
- “I especially loved the new mechanics of this game, and the additional nifty little features such as the TV and rotary telephone.”
- “The gameplay is a lot of fun and puzzle solving is again really well thought out. I really like how it incorporates solutions from other media in the Rusty Lake series, especially with the Paradox movie which is free to watch on both Steam and on the Rusty Lake YouTube channel.”
- “The game is spectacular, the story is intriguing, the graphics are beautifully well done, and the gameplay is extremely intuitive but not boring.”
- “Only con is that some of the game mechanics are a bit tedious/annoying (i.e., difficult to get the numbers just right on the rotary phone).”
- “The puzzles in this were very difficult and the game mechanics/transitions from between puzzles were difficult to intuit.”
- “The gameplay feels like a storyboard from the movie, and I refuse to buy the second chapter on a free game.”
music
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, creating a perfect blend of eerie and immersive experiences that complement the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the beautiful and haunting soundtracks, noting that they effectively build tension and contribute to the overall mystery and emotional depth of the game. While some mention that the music can become repetitive, the general consensus is that it significantly elevates the game's artistic and narrative elements.
- “The main theme music by Victor Butzelaar is unimaginably beautiful.”
- “The soundtrack is well-made, and I love how they included FMV scenes from the companion movie.”
- “The music is very immersive, tense, and at times genuinely frightening.”
- “And only one background music all the time; it's weird.”
- “Creepy music adds to the suspense but can get old after a while.”
- “The music scratches my brain; I got an inflated ego coming out of this game thinking I was so smart only to forget my average in class.”
replayability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
52%
13%
Overall, the reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability across different games. While some titles are praised for their infinite replayability and the challenge of achieving 100% completion, others are criticized for having low to negligible replay value, particularly in puzzle games where the experience may not change significantly upon replay. Games that offer multiple endings or additional content, such as expansions, tend to enhance their replayability, making them more appealing to players seeking new experiences.
- “At 12 hours clocked for both games, I've still only got 50% of the achievements, and I believe there is more than one ending available, so definitely replay value as well.”
- “Great replay value in trying to get all the achievements.”
- “Because of the complex nature of the gameplay, I would rate the replay value high as well.”
- “Granted, puzzle games do not offer much replay value (unless you manage to forget the puzzles), so a low price is justified.”
- “Frankly, there's no replay value in this game and it is forgettable.”
- “Replayability is kind of a zero in a game like this, so no, I'm not going to do the whole thing over again just to see if the last screen crashes again.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
38%
54%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While some puzzles are engaging and well-balanced, many users express frustration with tedious and repetitive mechanics that can detract from the enjoyment, leading to a sense of needing extra lives to progress.
- “Interesting puzzles, spooky, and not tedious or repetitive.”
- “Getting back to where I was will be soooo tedious.”
- “Some are tedious and boring, like the ones involving maps.”
- “I eventually quit near the middle due to how tedious the puzzles were.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for feeling like a cash grab, particularly with the inclusion of paid DLC and the pricing strategy for sequels. Many users view the game primarily as an advertisement for a short film rather than a standalone gaming experience, leading to disappointment over its perceived lack of value and content. While some appreciate the puzzle elements, the overwhelming presence of promotional content detracts from the overall experience.
- “Nice puzzle game, didn't need the DLC on the side; it seemed like a cash grab.”
- “Not worth anyone's time and it's a poor attempt at a cash grab.”
- “Puzzle advertisement, that is what over half of the content is.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
88%
The game's stability is inconsistent, with users reporting frequent freezes, particularly during specific interactions and navigation challenges, leading to frustration. While some players experienced no crashes and found the controls straightforward, others highlighted significant bugs and lag that detracted from their overall enjoyment. Overall, the game has potential but requires stability improvements to enhance the user experience.
- “The controls were nice and straightforward, and I experienced no glitches.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs, making for a seamless experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the story.”
- “The game completely freezes sometimes when you shift tab for too long (for example, Steam messaging).”
- “I was having a fun time and then I got to the part where you have to use a rotary phone and it just freezes; it didn't even let me go beyond 1 because it lagged a lot, so please fix this bug.”
- “I wanted to really enjoy this game, but it's just too buggy, and my experience was not positive.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a complex emotional experience with the game, describing it as a blend of eerie and heartwarming moments that evoke strong feelings, including goosebumps and a sense of realization. While some found the puzzles challenging and occasionally felt lucky rather than skilled, the overall atmosphere successfully elicits a range of emotions, from creepiness to emotional engagement as players uncover deeper mysteries.
- “What started out as a nice ambiance and interesting puzzle, before moving on to sometimes really requiring some focus, somehow turned into a mix of emotional entanglement and realization.”
- “This game gave me goosebumps and also made me feel smart.”
- “It can be creepy, it can be heartwarming, it can get very emotional when you suddenly progress enough to solve some of the bigger mysteries carefully staged by these guys.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by clever and well-designed puzzles that create a lighthearted contrast to its eerie atmosphere, enhanced by music and mild jumpscares. Players appreciate the blend of surrealism and macabre humor, reminiscent of David Lynch's "Twin Peaks," which adds a unique charm to the experience. Overall, the humor serves to balance the game's unsettling elements, making it both engaging and entertaining.
- “The funny thing is some of the puzzles are so clever and well designed that the game designers make it look easy when in reality it was probably a challenge to program.”
- “The series borrows heavily from David Lynch's Twin Peaks, and if you're a fan of that feeling of dread mixed with a little bit of humor and a broad stroke of surrealism, I can assure you that you're in for an absolute treat.”
- “Just be aware that the series has a very macabre sense of humor.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
Character development is praised for its impressive hand-drawn design and surreal environments, which enhance the overall experience. While some elements are reused, this familiarity contributes positively to the game's unique aesthetic and immersive progression.
- “The character design is great, and the hand-drawn style looks really good!”
- “The depth of character development is impressive, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations becoming clearer as the story progresses.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not provide relevant information regarding the optimization aspect of the game, focusing instead on the performance in the accompanying film. Therefore, no summary can be made about optimization based on the provided text.