Finding Paradise

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,581 reviews

story1.4k positive mentions

grinding18 negative mentions

Beautiful and emotional storytelling that resonates deeply with players.
Improved graphics and soundtrack compared to its predecessor, enhancing the overall experience.
Engaging characters and humor that balance the serious themes of the game.

Gameplay can feel slow and tedious, with characters moving at a frustratingly slow pace.
Some players may find the puzzles simplistic and unnecessary, detracting from the narrative flow.
The emotional impact may not hit as hard for some compared to 'To the Moon', leading to mixed feelings about the sequel.

story
3,758 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
60%
2%
The story of "Finding Paradise" is a poignant continuation of the narrative established in "To the Moon," exploring themes of loneliness, regret, and the search for happiness through the memories of its protagonist, Colin. Players are drawn into a deeply emotional journey, enriched by humor and unexpected plot twists, while the game's soundtrack enhances the storytelling experience. While some feel it may not reach the emotional heights of its predecessor, it remains a compelling and beautifully crafted tale that resonates with many players.
- “The story deeply resonates, evoking empathy and prompting reflection on various aspects of life, leading to a re-evaluation of many things.”
- “It's profoundly touching and contemplatively melancholic, drawing you in with its emotional depth and gentle storytelling.”
- “Finding paradise is a beautiful story that brought a tear to my eye in the end.”
- “However, unlike 'to the moon', this story didn't move me.”
- “The main plot and family just aren't as emotionally involving as the characters from the first game.”
- “The story here isn't as impactful as the story in the first game but there is more gameplay variety this time around and it's still a great way to kill a few hours on your pc/console of choice.”
emotional
1,210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Finding Paradise" has been widely praised, with many players expressing that it evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears. While some feel it doesn't reach the same emotional heights as its predecessor, "To the Moon," it still delivers a touching narrative filled with humor and poignant moments that resonate deeply with players. The combination of heartfelt storytelling and a beautiful soundtrack enhances the emotional experience, making it a memorable journey for those who appreciate narrative-driven games.
- “It's profoundly touching and contemplatively melancholic, drawing you in with its emotional depth and gentle storytelling.”
- “This game may have the best and most emotional story I have ever experienced.”
- “Finding paradise is a touching story filled with emotions accompanied by sweet music.”
music
1,191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
39%
1%
The music in "Finding Paradise" has been widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, with many reviewers noting that it evokes strong feelings and complements the narrative beautifully. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from Laura Shigihara, is described as both haunting and memorable, often leaving players in tears during pivotal moments. While some comparisons to the previous game "To the Moon" suggest that the music may not reach the same heights, it is still regarded as exceptional and integral to the overall experience.
- “The music in Finding Paradise maintains the high standards set by To the Moon, further enhancing the game's emotional impact.”
- “The last song that is played is incredibly emotional and makes you feel like you have had an emotional heart attack.”
- “The music is next level great, and I really do enjoy the dedication to a slow-paced dramatic RPG Maker game.”
- “At times, I muted the game to get a break from the obtrusive soundtrack.”
- “Unfortunately, the music seemed a bit repetitive to me and, in comparison, this one was a bit too cheesy to really get me to shed a tear again.”
- “The music is different from 'To the Moon', but it is still beautiful to listen to.”
gameplay
501 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
78%
5%
The gameplay in "Finding Paradise" is largely minimalistic, often described as a blend of walking simulator and visual novel, with simple puzzles and light interactive elements that serve primarily to advance the story. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and narrative focus, others criticize the slow pacing and lack of engaging gameplay mechanics, noting that it feels more like an interactive story than a traditional game. Overall, the experience is heavily story-driven, with gameplay elements that are often seen as secondary or even unnecessary.
- “The gameplay is simple enough; I'd go as far as to call it a visual novel with 2D JRPG gameplay.”
- “The gameplay and puzzles aren't difficult, but they give the player a connection to the story, allowing for interaction - an essential mechanic.”
- “Finding paradise improves most on the previous games in aspects of gameplay.”
- “Walking can be a bit too slow, and there's basically no gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is extremely limited; it is less of a game and more a narrative experience.”
- “Gameplay is too monotonous, and the mechanics are still trash.”
humor
322 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Finding Paradise" is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, often balancing lighthearted moments with the game's more serious themes. Many players appreciate the witty banter between characters, particularly the doctors, which adds depth to the narrative while providing comic relief. However, some reviews note that the humor can occasionally feel forced or intrusive, detracting from the emotional weight of certain scenes, yet overall, it contributes significantly to the game's engaging storytelling experience.
- “The humor is charming enough at times that even though there are some misses, you’ll move on and enjoy the next one; you can tell this guy loves making pop culture references as there are a lot of those in here.”
- “Finding Paradise has a beautiful soundtrack and the story is so compelling, deep, emotional, and at the same time humorous, and it is very well told.”
- “The story is gripping, the characters are as flavorful as ever, and the humor is on point.”
- “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
281 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
7%
The graphics of "Finding Paradise" are primarily characterized by their retro, pixel art style reminiscent of 16-bit games, which some players find charming while others consider simplistic or outdated. While the visuals may not impress those seeking high-end graphics, many reviewers appreciate the emotional depth and storytelling that the art complements, noting improvements in animation and detail compared to its predecessor, "To the Moon." Overall, the graphics serve the narrative well, with many players emphasizing that the story and music take precedence over visual fidelity.
- “The graphics are very pleasing pixel art reminiscent of the later 16-bit era of games.”
- “The visuals stick to the SNES era pixel graphics with some impressive visual design, particularly in the latter half of the game.”
- “The artwork in this game just feels generally more polished than it was in 'To the Moon', from the animations to details, to expressiveness of the characters.”
- “The graphics are absolutely terrible and I want to wash my eyes.”
- “Graphics and controllability still haven't improved, but the story is just great.”
- “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
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its emotional depth, enhanced by a beautifully crafted soundtrack and pixel art that immerses players in a bittersweet narrative. Reviewers note that the music not only complements the mood but also plays a crucial role in storytelling, creating a captivating experience that balances humor and poignant moments. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to evoke strong feelings and maintain a rich, atmospheric presence throughout.
- “The pixel art is beautifully crafted, and the music is absolutely astonishing, setting a perfect atmosphere throughout the game.”
- “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.”
- “However, it was not appropriate to use humor even in a serious atmosphere.”
- “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.”
grinding
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
Overall, reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as excessively tedious and time-consuming, often detracting from the overall experience. Many players express frustration with the slow pacing, lengthy dialogues, and repetitive tasks, which can feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of the gameplay. While some acknowledge moments of reward, the general sentiment leans towards a desire for a more streamlined and less grind-heavy experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “My biggest gripe though is the very slow, tedious buildup to the good stuff.”
- “Finding Paradise, in terms of gameplay, is frustrating and tedious by comparison--the 'memento preparation' puzzles are very poorly explained to the player and are tedious and trial-and-error based to solve.”
optimization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
Overall, optimization for the game is mixed; while some players report stable performance and no bugs, others experience clunky controls, frame rate drops, and stuttering, particularly in certain menus. The graphics are considered subpar, and while the RPG Maker engine isn't performance-heavy, issues with fluidity and responsiveness persist. Switching to a beta version may improve performance for some users.
- “Performance was fine and I experienced zero bugs.”
- “Built on the RPG Maker engine, Finding Paradise is by no means a performance-heavy game, but the design on the models and interface are 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.”
- “The gameplay and optimization (especially for dual screen) is really clunky.”
- “Graphics and performance: as with many other games in the Sigmund series (I know they call it the 'To the Moon' series, but come on), it's not very graphically impressive, while also being quite subpar in terms of performance.”
- “There is also intermittent stuttering when moving around, which is really distracting.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
43%
36%
Overall, the reviews present a mixed perspective on replayability. While some users highlight a lack of replay value due to limited gameplay mechanics and story resolution, others appreciate the potential for revisiting the game to uncover deeper narrative elements. A few reviews suggest that the game can be enjoyable for a second playthrough, particularly for those who appreciate its story, but many agree that it is not designed for extensive replay.
- “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 how 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.”
- “10/10, wouldn't 'play again' because there is no replay value, but if you come across this game for, I don't know, $15 or less (yeah expensive but damn me these games are good) get it, play it, and have someone to hug nearby.”
- “Also there is no replayability, so if you can get this game for cheap, it's a must buy.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
43%
The character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers highlighting a touching storyline that deepens the player's connection to the characters. The unique storytelling approach, combined with charming character design and impactful twists, enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature that resonates emotionally with players. Many feel that the game offers a profound exploration of characters' perspectives and experiences, elevating it beyond its predecessor.
- “A touching storyline with great character development and that unique form of storytelling that the first game offers.”
- “The character development is phenomenal!”
- “Great story and greater character development for the protagonists.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, which diminished my overall enjoyment of the story.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character development left me feeling disconnected from the narrative.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy is viewed as reasonable, with DLC priced fairly and not perceived as a cash grab; however, players feel that purchasing it is essential for experiencing the full story. Additionally, the game's promotion through word-of-mouth is considered more effective than traditional advertising methods.
- “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.”
- “I don't think they heard about the game from advertisements.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some have encountered bugs and glitches, others have not experienced any issues at all. The beta version also shows signs of instability in certain areas, indicating that while the game is generally enjoyable, it may still require further refinement.
- “Easy enough, but sometimes a bit buggy.”
- “It's fantastic like the rest, except some parts are buggy even when using the beta alternative version.”