LISA: The UNDONE

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In "LISA: The Painful," you play as Brad, a middle-aged man searching for his lost daughter in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The game is a dark, grim adventure filled with challenging battles, tough choices, and a unique art style. With heavy themes of despair, humor, and determination, players must survive and protect their party in a bleak world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,754 reviews

story1,271 positive mentions

grinding154 negative mentions

story
3,281 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Lisa: The Painful" is a deeply emotional and dark narrative that explores themes of trauma, addiction, and redemption through the journey of Brad, a flawed protagonist searching for his adopted daughter in a post-apocalyptic world devoid of women. Players are drawn into a unique blend of humor and tragedy, with choices that significantly impact both gameplay and the unfolding story, creating a compelling experience that resonates long after the game ends. While the gameplay may be challenging and at times frustrating, the rich storytelling and character development are often cited as the game's standout features, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven RPGs.
- “The story gets dark and wrenches my heart every time as I want the best for all these characters but am made to compromise into bittersweet endings, or tragedies that hammer home the importance of every victory I do get story-wise through my choices.”
- “The story is there, it’s deep, and it’s heavy, without being too overbearing on the actual gameplay side of the game.”
- “Lisa tells a very emotional story that made me care about characters so much that I was hooked into playing it all the way after coming back a year later.”
- “The story is underwhelming and kinda dumb in my opinion; the scenery is bland and the music is mediocre.”
- “The story is miserable, traumatic, and horrific.”
- “The story is dark and twisted, and I definitely wouldn't suggest people of a young age or weak constitution play it, as it can be truly disturbing.”
humor
1,936 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Lisa: The Painful" is a complex blend of dark, absurd, and often crude elements that juxtapose the game's heavy themes of trauma and despair. Players frequently note the game's ability to oscillate between gut-wrenching moments and laugh-out-loud scenarios, with many praising its unique characters and witty dialogue that provide comic relief amidst the bleak narrative. While the humor can be polarizing, it is generally celebrated for its cleverness and effectiveness in enhancing the emotional weight of the story.
- “Great balance of quirky/funny with deeply unsettling handling of taboo subjects.”
- “I giggled as I climbed a long ladder up for at least 5 minutes with a sign 'very important above' next to it, only to find a middle finger figure standing there laughing at me.”
- “Lisa is a journey that will have you laughing, crying, and going through emotions you never thought a game could make you feel.”
- “Not funny.”
- “This game is not funny; I bought it because it had a tag called dark humor.”
- “It's not funny, incredibly undetailed, and actually makes you feel like shit inside.”
music
1,449 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Lisa" is widely praised for its unique and eclectic style, blending catchy, bizarre, and sometimes unsettling tracks that perfectly complement the game's dark humor and emotional depth. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its ability to evoke a range of feelings from joy to despair, and some even consider it one of the best in gaming. While a few tracks may be polarizing or grating, the overall consensus is that the music significantly enhances the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
- “The soundtrack is amazing.”
- “The music is fantastic, totally memorable and creepy in parts but also catchy and fun to listen to in other parts, depending on where the game is taking you.”
- “The music, the story, and the world was just weird and fun.”
- “The music is chaotic and noisy at times and features a lot of absolute bangers, perfectly fit for this dark, yet funny adventure.”
- “The music is awful, yeah really it's unbearable, especially the battle music; I'd even go as far as saying that only 20% of the OST is either decent or good, which means 80% of the OST is bad.”
- “The music follows this same trend - often so cheesy and low budget that you can't tell if it's intentional or... well, that low budget.”
gameplay
1,335 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Lisa" is a blend of traditional turn-based RPG mechanics and unique elements that enhance the narrative experience, such as character permadeath and moral choices that significantly impact gameplay. While some players find the mechanics repetitive or frustrating, many appreciate the depth and strategy involved in managing a diverse cast of characters and navigating the game's dark themes. Overall, the gameplay is engaging for those who enjoy a mix of humor and emotional weight, though it may not appeal to everyone due to its punishing nature and RPG Maker limitations.
- “The gameplay is balanced and it’s fun to learn the nuance of each status effect.”
- “The way gameplay and narrative mix together to the point it's hard to tell them apart is compelling, the party system and character-specific mechanics and strategies are extremely fun to play around.”
- “The gameplay is surprisingly solid (although the movement speed can be a little too fast), and for all of this to have been made in rpg maker is strange, but understandable.”
- “The gameplay is a lot of running around at snail pace and praying the game doesn't softlock and force you to restart from your last save, and the saves are fixed placements so significant progress was lost every time.”
- “The gameplay simply is not fun.”
- “The gameplay part however, I would describe it with one word: torture.”
emotional
879 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Lisa: The Painful" is described as a profound and often harrowing journey that masterfully blends dark humor with deeply impactful storytelling. Players report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from laughter to heartbreak, as they navigate themes of trauma, addiction, and toxic masculinity, often leading to tears by the game's conclusion. The game's ability to evoke genuine emotional responses, alongside its quirky characters and unique art style, makes it a standout experience in the RPG genre, though it comes with a warning for those sensitive to its heavy themes.
- “Lisa's storytelling is unique in how masterfully it uses its 2-dimensional side-scrolling form to create emotional impact.”
- “The game perfectly blends comedic elements and moments with some heartbreaking and mature themes, that are expanded on in the update.”
- “This game is an emotional rollercoaster that I had so much fun playing and beating.”
graphics
434 mentions
28 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Lisa" are characterized by a minimalist pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro RPGs, particularly reminiscent of the "Earthbound" series. While some players appreciate the charm and expressiveness of the visuals, others find them simplistic or unappealing, with a mix of grotesque and humorous elements that align with the game's dark themes. Overall, the graphics effectively contribute to the game's unique atmosphere, despite being technically limited.
- “The graphics are simple, yet convey more character than a detailed 3D model could.”
- “The art style is cool; the game manages to create an identity in the crowded RPG Maker market, with a variety of scenarios and characters, some of which are very original and charmingly designed.”
- “The visuals look nice, and the game is very atmospheric, but its humor falls short to the point where it's more annoying than funny, and most of the game's mechanics are very cut and dry and unintuitive to the point where it is more frustrating and boring to play than enjoyable.”
- “The graphics are dull.”
- “A lot of the game's visuals are lazy or plain terrible.”
- “The graphics are functional but monotonous, and it's not just because of RPG Maker limitations.”
atmosphere
223 mentions
46 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Lisa" is widely praised for its unique blend of dark humor, emotional depth, and unsettling elements, creating a rich and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to juxtapose absurdity with bleakness, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack that complements the narrative's themes of despair and hopelessness. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both haunting and engaging, making it a standout feature that captivates players throughout their journey.
- “Harrowing atmosphere, straight up bizarre music/sound design, poignant and deeply disturbing writing - if you want a great story with great gameplay, look no further.”
- “The atmosphere is so well designed that even before and after really shocking events, it has room for a lot of comedy that doesn't feel out of place.”
- “The single most atmospheric game I have ever played, from its depressing story, to its crude humor, to its ability to instill worry and hopelessness that can be felt right down to its mechanics and sound design that supplements the story so well it's impossible to imagine playing it mute.”
- “The atmosphere is thick, the mood is gritty, the storyline is depressing; you'll feel absolutely terrible.”
- “The game creates an atmosphere of paranoia and depression that is all too familiar to some of us in a world that is not familiar to any of us.”
- “The art style and the initial atmosphere of the game is a masterclass in deceit as the cartoonish visuals and the hilarity rife within the game contrast with the dark and bleak storyline coupled with the game world inhabited by men whose continued existences reek with absurdity.”
grinding
170 mentions
8 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the lack of grinding, noting that it allows for a more engaging experience focused on exploration and story, others find certain aspects of gameplay tedious and occasionally grindy, particularly when facing tough enemies or needing to level up. Overall, many agree that the game successfully minimizes grinding compared to traditional RPGs, making it a refreshing experience for those who typically dislike grind-heavy mechanics.
- “One of the main reasons I enjoy this, even though I dislike RPGs, is that there's little to no grinding.”
- “As an RPG, it manages to avoid the traps that similar games fall into by having a large variety of party members and requiring no grinding to beat the game with a fair but sometimes brutal difficulty curve.”
- “The battling system is easy to sink into and not grindy, making for a smooth experience the whole way through.”
- “If you are not properly prepared for fights, you are gonna get your butt kicked no doubt, which leads you to the boring grinding of killing the same weaker enemies over and over again while barely making any currency in the meantime before the big fights.”
- “The story is good, though I can hardly actually get invested in the characters, and the gameplay is slow, tedious, and just not fun.”
- “I really wanted to like this game but grinding for money to get basic necessities or additional characters is a huge chore.”
replayability
101 mentions
35 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its diverse cast of characters, multiple endings, and strategic gameplay that encourages experimentation with different party configurations. Many players note that each playthrough offers unique experiences due to the impactful choices made throughout the game, while some express that certain aspects may lead to diminishing returns on subsequent runs. Overall, the combination of engaging story elements and varied gameplay mechanics ensures that players are likely to return for multiple playthroughs.
- “Lisa has insane replayability for the quality of characters, choices, multiple endings, and overall experience.”
- “The game also does a great job of encouraging replayability through multiple endings, alternate choices, and different party configurations.”
- “From the unique and heartbreaking story, to the eclectic cast of characters, to the huge variety in party building, to the bizarrely catchy music, to the surprising replayability - everything about this game hit all the right notes for me.”
- “I don't think the game has much in replay value.”
- “I'm so sick of Lisa the Joyful; it is a glorified movie with no replay value, with the only exception being forced to go through it again to get the other ending since one overrides the other.”
- “The game has decent replayability with multiple 'bonus endings' should certain conditions be met, forcing at least two playthroughs to see it all and potentially three playthroughs to get all achievements, if you are a perfectionist.”
character development
50 mentions
54 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly for main characters like Brad and Buddy, though some players note that certain party members lack sufficient development. The juxtaposition of quirky character designs with serious themes enhances the narrative, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, while the character design is often highlighted as imaginative and engaging, the effectiveness of character development can vary, with some emotional moments feeling underwhelming due to inconsistent writing.
- “With engaging combat as well as character development and choices that directly impact the gameplay and a robust cast of memorable characters, bosses, and party members, it is a game you must experience with as little knowledge as possible.”
- “The character development and the clever use of its art makes Lisa's plot multifaceted.”
- “Character development: you really get to understand Brad and feel for his character, 10/10.”
- “My one major criticism is that the emotional moments late in the story fall flat due to insufficient character development.”
- “The character development is somewhat lacking for certain party members in the game.”
- “Add to that, you get the best party members very early on and there's almost no character development whatsoever in the game.”
stability
28 mentions
11 % positive mentions
-7 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, including softlocks and visual issues, particularly after certain gameplay events. While some users noted that many bugs have been patched, others experienced significant game-breaking issues, especially in the definitive edition. Overall, while the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, its stability remains a concern for many players, impacting their overall enjoyment.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck, by the way.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs; the stability is impressive.”
- “20 bucks for a game full of softlocks and glitches?”
- “The definitive edition is an extremely forced, buggy release that completely ruined Lisa's identity as a game.”
- “The game itself is boring and buggy, and all the charm lies in what is outside of it.”
optimization
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering combat inputs and poor overall performance, especially on older systems. While some users noted minor performance hiccups that didn't heavily impact gameplay, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for its low-resolution design, leading to frustration among players.
- “Some grinding may be necessary here and there, and that could be because of my somewhat poorly optimized teams, but it's otherwise very engaging.”
- “Just enough strategy, team planning and management, optimization, etc., to feel like you're not just mashing out moves.”
- “The game suffers from some very minor performance issues at times, though it doesn't detract from the game very much at all.”
- “The game runs like absolute dogshit with combat inputs constantly stuttering.”
- “I really wanted to play it, as the story seems really interesting, and I like the style (humor, art, etc.) of the game, but it's got too many performance issues.”
- “I like the concept of the game but it's the performance and options that are so poorly done for such a low resolution game to begin with.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game raises concerns among users, with some suggesting that it may lean towards being an easy cash grab, despite the immersive and unique musical experience it offers.
- “Did Austin go for an easy cash grab?”