Skip to main content

Finding Paradise

It doesn't hit the highs of To The Moon, but there is still a touching story here about living with your contradictions, loving your imperfections, and finding peace — not paradise — in what remains.
Finding Paradise Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
story, emotional
grinding, replayability
98% User Score Based on 5,789 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5XboxiPhoneWindowsPlayStationLinuxXbox Series X|SPCTabletMac OSPhoneiPadMobile Platform
Finding Paradise Game Cover

About

Finding Paradise is a single player casual role playing shooter game with drama and science fiction themes. It was developed by Freebird Games and was released on December 14, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Finding Paradise" is a narrative-driven adventure game and the sequel to "To the Moon." Players follow the story of doctors Neil Watts and Eva Rosalene as they enter the minds of elderly patients to grant their dying wishes. In this installment, they must navigate the complex memories of Colin Reid to fulfill his final request. The game features poignant storytelling with emotional depth, inviting players to reflect on life, love, and legacy.

Skip User Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,789 reviews
story1.9k positive mentions
grinding27 negative mentions

  • Finding Paradise features a deeply emotional and beautifully written narrative that resonates with players, often leading to tears.
  • The game successfully balances humor and heartwarming moments, making the experience both enjoyable and thought-provoking.
  • The soundtrack is exceptional, enhancing the emotional impact of the story and leaving a lasting impression on players.
  • The gameplay is minimal and can feel tedious at times, with slow walking speed and simple puzzles that may detract from the overall experience.
  • Some players found the humor to be forced and distracting, interrupting the emotional tone of the story.
  • The pacing can be uneven, particularly in the first act, which may lead to moments of boredom before the story picks up.
  • story
    4,788 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Finding Paradise" is a deeply emotional and introspective journey that explores themes of life, regret, and the quest for peace, as players navigate the memories of Colin, a dying man. While some reviewers feel it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of its predecessor, "To the Moon," many praise its intricate storytelling, relatable characters, and the impactful twists that unfold throughout the narrative. The game is described as more of an interactive story than a traditional game, with minimal gameplay elements that serve to enhance the storytelling experience rather than distract from it.

    • “The story is super good and interesting; also, 'you will never know the truth until it's too late'—keep that in mind.”
    • “Finding paradise isn’t just a story; it’s an experience that stays with you long after it’s over.”
    • “The story is deeply introspective with lovable characters and witty dialogue, while also delivering a deeply moving narrative that I'd argue is the best of the series thus far.”
    • “I remember when Finding Paradise was first released, the common consensus was that it had weaker story beats than To the Moon and that, while touching, it was inferior.”
    • “The story follows doctors traversing a dying man's memories, but the central conflict - involving an imaginary friend and vague dissatisfaction with an otherwise happy life - lacks the emotional weight needed to justify its 5+ hour runtime.”
    • “The story is not as strong as the previous game in the series 'To the Moon', but still manages to move you to tears.”
  • emotional
    1,545 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Finding Paradise" has been widely praised, with many players noting its ability to evoke deep feelings and tears, similar to its predecessor, "To the Moon." While some reviews suggest it may not reach the same emotional heights as "To the Moon," it still delivers a heartfelt narrative filled with humor, poignant moments, and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players have described it as an emotional rollercoaster, often reflecting on personal experiences and life lessons, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “Finding paradise is a deeply emotional and beautifully written narrative experience, building on the foundation of to the moon, it delivers a heartfelt story that balances moments of sadness, warmth, and even a touch of light horror.”
    • “The emotional journey really got to me (I actually cried).”
    • “Finding paradise is a beautiful and heartfelt story that captivates despite its essentially linear nature.”
  • music
    1,456 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Finding Paradise" has been widely praised for its emotional depth and beautiful composition, with many reviewers noting that it enhances the storytelling significantly. Composed by Kan Gao, the soundtrack features a mix of new pieces and familiar themes from "To the Moon," creating a nostalgic yet fresh auditory experience. Overall, players find the music to be a standout element that complements the game's heartfelt narrative, often evoking strong emotional responses.

    • “The music is absolutely beautiful.”
    • “After finishing the game, I actually went to listen to the soundtrack again because it stayed in my head for days.”
    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention—it is, as always, top-notch and perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “Unfortunately, the rest of the experience fails to match this musical excellence.”
    • “At times, I muted the game to get a break from the obtrusive soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is better than the game itself, though yet again it's still not as good as to the moon's.”
  • gameplay
    669 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in "Finding Paradise" is largely minimalistic, serving primarily as a vehicle for its emotional narrative rather than a focal point of engagement. Players can expect simple mechanics, such as exploration and light puzzle-solving, reminiscent of its predecessor "To the Moon," with some new elements introduced to enhance the experience. While some players appreciate the straightforward gameplay that allows for deeper immersion in the story, others find it repetitive and lacking in challenge, making it more akin to an interactive story than a traditional game.

    • “It's essentially an interactive story with a few puzzles and light gameplay, and yet I never got bored or wished for more to do, as the story was so interesting and heartwarming.”
    • “The journey is not about collecting achievements or overcoming mechanical obstacles—it is about understanding.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are really simple and easy, just enough for you to completely and solely focus on the story.”
    • “Virtually no gameplay, a very short runtime and not a very pretty game... and despite these things I have never quite played a game that has touched my emotional strings in the way this one did, having a story so powerful and a set of characters that feel so real that it's almost scary.”
    • “The gameplay didn't have anything that will excite you or make you want to keep on playing that much.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple and straightforward - personally I believe it suits this game perfectly, and the game definitely makes up for it by having some great visuals in pixel art style (and ... did I already mention - a great story).”
  • humor
    427 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Finding Paradise" is a standout feature, blending lightheartedness with poignant moments to create a unique emotional experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and character interactions, particularly between the two doctors, which provide comic relief amidst the game's deeper themes. While some humor may feel forced or out of place, the overall balance of funny and heartfelt moments resonates well, making it a memorable and engaging narrative.

    • “The dialogue between Eva and Neil balances poignancy with humor, their contrasting personalities providing levity amid the heavy themes.”
    • “Finding Paradise is filled to the brim with amazing writing, ridiculous humor, and about 20 gallons of tears.”
    • “The humor is delicately timed and emotionally attuned - offering just enough lightness to let the weight of the story settle gently, rather than overwhelm.”
    • “It does have this cringey sense of humor to it that some people, including myself, will chuckle at.”
    • “It is pretentious, unfunny, and unimpressive.”
  • graphics
    375 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Finding Paradise" are characterized by a charming pixel art style that resonates with nostalgia, reminiscent of classic 16-bit games. While some players appreciate the simplicity and expressiveness of the visuals, others criticize them as outdated, noting that the game's emotional storytelling and soundtrack often overshadow the graphics. Overall, the visuals effectively complement the narrative, enhancing the game's emotional impact despite their minimalistic design.

    • “Visually, Finding Paradise continues the studio’s pixel art aesthetic with notable polish.”
    • “The art style may appear simple on the surface, yet it conveys a remarkable amount of nuance—facial expressions, body language, and movement all carry emotional weight despite being represented by tiny sprites.”
    • “The graphics are very pleasing pixel art reminiscent of the later 16-bit era of games.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely terrible and I want to wash my eyes.”
    • “The graphics are very simplistic but this is done with the intention to keep the focus on the story.”
    • “The main one being that if you’re looking for a game with breathtaking graphics, visuals or interactivity/impact on the story, this game is the very antithesis of what you are looking for, and you should pass it by.”
  • atmosphere
    66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and immersive qualities, enhanced by a beautiful soundtrack that complements the narrative and visuals. Players appreciate the distinct atmospheres of various locations, ranging from nostalgic to melancholic, with minimalistic yet lively animations that create a captivating experience. Overall, the combination of heartfelt storytelling, stunning pixel art, and atmospheric music contributes significantly to the game's emotional impact and player engagement.

    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention—it is, as always, top-notch and perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “The setting and music give the game so much atmosphere that it completely immerses you into the experience.”
    • “A beautifully atmospheric game with a touching story and excellent music.”
    • “The atmosphere is very sad, reflective, and spooky; you're basically going through all the highlights of someone's entire life in 5 hours, and it feels real.”
    • “He makes childishly annoying and trivial comments that take away from the atmosphere of an otherwise emotional and well-designed game.”
    • “Finding one or two of the memory links was kind of tedious and the late-game puzzles could be semi-challenging, which sometimes slightly broke the atmosphere, but all in all, this game is phenomenal.”
  • grinding
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the games to be tedious and frustrating, often describing the pacing as slow and the mini-games as unnecessarily complex. Many reviewers noted that the repetitive nature of tasks and lengthy dialogues detracted from their enjoyment, leading to a feeling of boredom rather than engagement with the story. While some appreciated the unique storytelling, the grinding mechanics were frequently criticized for breaking immersion and making the experience feel drawn out.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The pacing was quite slow and almost tedious, as you could tell that there was an overarching message coming but we weren't being fed puzzle pieces that would lead to revelations later in the game.”
    • “The slow walking speed and tedious memory link collection only pad out an already thin experience.”
    • “My biggest gripe though is the very very slow tedious buildup to the good stuff.”
  • replayability
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the reviews indicate a consensus that the game has minimal to no replayability, with many players feeling that the emotional impact of the story diminishes subsequent playthroughs. While some mention minor choices at the beginning, they do not significantly affect the main narrative, leading to a lack of incentive to replay. A few users suggest that the game's music and memorable scenes might attract players for a second run, but this is not a strong enough reason for most.

    • “I think this one would probably hold up a bit better in terms of replay value as well.”
    • “Gameplay is integrated well, and with so much of the story shrouded in mystery, there is replay value to it as well – playing it again and realizing what a certain scene or moment that you didn’t understand before fits into the story.”
    • “It's reasonably priced for a game that's a little over 5 hours long with decent replayability, and if you enjoyed 'To the Moon' you'll probably enjoy 'Finding Paradise'.”
    • “No replay value.”
    • “There is no replayability - there might be some options that you can choose at the beginning, but I don't think it matters much to the main story.”
    • “And I'm not exaggerating; this game has 0 replay value because the first time you're playing through it, the emotions will hit you so hard that another playthrough just won't feel the same unless you have dementia.”
  • optimization
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance while others reported issues like stuttering and clunky gameplay, particularly in dual-screen setups. Although the graphics are not particularly impressive, the game runs adequately on most systems, and switching to a beta version may improve performance for some users. However, the lack of a newer build with enhanced features and the occasional performance hiccups detract from the overall experience.

    • “Optimization: 8/10”
    • “Built on the RPG Maker engine, Finding Paradise is by no means a performance-heavy game, but the design of the models and interface is well overhauled enough to stand out as a game of its own.”
    • “Switching to the beta 'alternative' seems to aid in a smoother, more fluid performance, though.”
    • “My only gripe is that it doesn't have a newer build with improved performance and a resizable window like TTM has.”
    • “The gameplay and optimization (especially for dual screen) is really clunky.”
    • “There is also intermittent stuttering when moving around, which is really distracting.”
  • character development
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players highlighting the touching storylines and charming character designs. Reviewers appreciate the unique storytelling approach that allows for meaningful dialogue and character growth, making the experience feel immersive and thought-provoking. Overall, the character development is described as phenomenal, offering a profound exploration of the characters' perspectives and experiences.

    • “A touching storyline with great character development and that unique form of storytelling that the first game offers.”
    • “The character development is phenomenal!”
    • “After playing through Finding Paradise, I appreciate the character design in this game, their perspective and their experience. I feel this is one step deeper in experiencing another person's life, more than I felt in To the Moon.”
    • “Absolutely astounding mix of delicate and whimsical characters, a lot of character development.”
    • “Yet this is precisely what allows Finding Paradise's storytelling to shine: by eschewing the more overtly gamy elements of its format, it leaves greater room for meaningful and moving writing, character development, and dialogue.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report mixed experiences regarding stability, with some encountering minor bugs and glitches, particularly in mini-games, while others experienced no issues at all. A few players noted that even the beta version had persistent bugs, leading to frustration despite troubleshooting efforts.

    • “It's fantastic like the rest except... some parts are buggy even when using the beta alternative version.”
    • “No amount of troubleshooting could fix this game.”
    • “There were some minor glitches in the mini-games (like enemy projectiles not harming you), but I'm not entirely sure if they weren't intentional.”
  • monetization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model is primarily based on DLC pricing, which is viewed as fair rather than exploitative, though some players feel that purchasing the DLC is essential for a complete experience. Additionally, there are no microtransactions, which is positively received by users who appreciate the absence of in-game purchases.

    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “The DLC policy is fair and adds value to the game without being intrusive.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to enhance the experience.”
    • “It's DLC-priced, so it's not a cash grab, but it isn't automatically suggested to purchase alongside the full package, and if you want the full story, in my opinion, it really should be.”
    • “Microtransactions and DLC policy are concerning.”
    • “I don't think they heard about the game from advertisements.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Finding Paradise

6h Median play time
6h Average play time
5-7h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 25 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Finding Paradise

Games Like Finding Paradise

Impostor Factory Image
To the Moon Image
Life is Strange Image
A Bird Story Image
Rakuen Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding Paradise is a casual role playing shooter game with drama and science fiction themes.

Finding Paradise is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, iPhone, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Finding Paradise.

Finding Paradise was released on December 14, 2017.

Finding Paradise was developed by Freebird Games.

Finding Paradise has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Finding Paradise is a single player game.

Similar games include Impostor Factory, To the Moon, Life is Strange, A Bird Story, Rakuen and others.