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Paradigm

A surprisingly deep, emotionally engaging tale for a game that lets you fornicate with a toaster.
Paradigm Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
humor, story
grinding, stability
97% User Score Based on 1,670 reviews
Critic Score 87%Based on 3 reviews

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Paradigm Game Cover

About

Paradigm is a single player action game with comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Jacob Janerka and was released on April 5, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Paradigm" is a comedy-packed, single-player point-and-click game set in the surreal, post-apocalyptic Eastern European country of Krusz. Play as the genetically engineered mutant, Paradigm, who must face his past and reluctantly save the world, all while pursuing his dream of becoming a renowned electronic music artist. With its marvelous storyline, stunning graphics, and awesome music, "Paradigm" is sure to make you laugh.

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Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
Paradigm screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,670 reviews
humor755 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • Hilarious and absurd humor that keeps players engaged and entertained throughout the game.
  • Unique art style and character design that adds to the overall charm and creativity of the game.
  • Intuitive puzzles that are challenging yet logical, making for a satisfying gameplay experience.
  • Some players may find the humor too random or juvenile, which could detract from their enjoyment.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players wishing for a longer experience.
  • A few technical issues, such as bugs and resolution problems, can disrupt gameplay for some users.
  • humor
    765 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity, clever writing, and unique character interactions, often drawing comparisons to classic point-and-click adventures like *Monkey Island* and *Sam & Max*. While many players find the humor consistently funny and engaging, some critique it for leaning too heavily on self-referential and random jokes, which may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game is celebrated for its quirky, dark, and sometimes crude humor that adds to its charm and entertainment value.

    • “Supremely weird and hilarious story.”
    • “The humor is often crude, but never mean-spirited (though Paradigm, the main character, often directs his harshest barbs at himself).”
    • “Paradigm is a wonderfully unique, weird and funny as hell point-and-click game that has fun puzzles even.”
    • “This game has excellent graphics and the voice acting is awesome, but the game itself is dull and unfunny.”
    • “And it's just line after line of this inane, unfunny dialogue.”
    • “While it's not an 'acid trip' enough to be considered 'art', it is weird enough to the point where you realize it's supposed to be funny but you're not really laughing out loud as you thought you would (or should).”
  • story
    224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is characterized by its bizarre humor and absurdity, often leaving players both entertained and confused. While some find the narrative engaging and filled with quirky characters, others criticize it for being incoherent or overly reliant on juvenile jokes. Overall, it offers a unique blend of creativity and randomness that appeals to fans of unconventional storytelling in adventure games.

    • “The story and dialogue are hilarious, the characters are eccentric, quirky, and well designed, the artwork and music are extraordinary, and the voice acting is amazing.”
    • “The humour was extraordinary, the characters were endearing and the story kept me engaged throughout.”
    • “Awesome game, awesome art, awesome atmosphere, awesome story, well...it's awesome!”
    • “The few puzzles do not require much thought, as the inventory is fairly light on items and hotspots are few, and there is no coherent plot to speak of.”
    • “While the plot is rather original, the storytelling seemed lazy and dull.”
    • “If you go into this with some expectation of a coherent story, you will either be disappointed or surprised.”
  • graphics
    180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, which combines cartoonish elements with surreal and quirky visuals that enhance the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the attention to detail and the variety of artistic styles used throughout the game, making it stand out in the point-and-click genre. Overall, the graphics are considered a major strength, contributing significantly to the game's charm and humor.

    • “The surreal art style and quirky humor are fantastic, really makes this game stand out from others in the point & click genre.”
    • “The art style is very striking and the humor portrayed through it is amazing.”
    • “The graphics are nostalgic but very readable - it doesn't all just blend in and become a pixel hunt; there is depth and character for days.”
    • “I am not even sure what I've just been through... it's a point-and-click adventure game that doesn't really have any hard puzzles in them but more on the... umm... weird and disturbing looking artworks (not even sure if we can call these surreal), and uh... low immoral jokes... probably a game for those who find toilet jokes funny I guess... not a bad story though... just well... weirdly inappropriate in everywhere... well... that might be the charm and main selling point of this game I guess... had fun... so a thumbs up.”
    • “Instead of trying to do stuff 'the old way', Paradigm has its own aesthetics, references, music, artwork, etc. and the humor is also on point.”
    • “It doesn't have the unforgiving '10,000 ways to die' aesthetic the old King's Quest games had, which is good, because the writing is so top-notch that you'll want to interact with literally everything just to see what happens.”
  • music
    172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its superb quality and how well it complements the game's quirky art style and humor. The soundtrack is described as varied, enjoyable, and fitting for each scene, often evoking nostalgia for classic adventure games. Overall, players recommend purchasing the soundtrack, highlighting it as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.

    • “The music is absolutely phenomenal and really captures the analog tech-pocalypse that this game inhabits.”
    • “The humor, the art style, the music, everything blends together so well it makes for a wild and enjoyable ride.”
    • “The music complements the art and tone, and it's all around a lovely experience.”
    • “The music was hit-or-miss for me.”
    • “Okay... I hated the humor in this game, and it is almost 100% humor-driven, from the music to the story.”
    • “Some music is uncaptioned.”
  • gameplay
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized as a solid point-and-click adventure with humorous and memorable characters, engaging storytelling, and a variety of mechanics that keep it entertaining. While some players appreciate the comedic elements and nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic games, others find the humor and gameplay style less appealing, leading to mixed reactions. Overall, the game offers a casual and enjoyable experience, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its unique comedic approach.

    • “The gameplay is simple and easy to understand, the characters are humorous and memorable, the story is fun and keeps you on your toes thinking of what can I pick up, what to use on what, and when you can use it.”
    • “The humour is good the whole way through, voice acting and dialogue is smooth, the art is great and the gameplay is varied enough with the inclusion of minigames that you don’t get sick of just pointing and clicking.”
    • “Charming characters, great story, and fun gameplay made for a very awesome experience.”
    • “Unfortunately, the humor just wasn't for me, neither was the gameplay, and I found it hard to not be distracted at how offensive it all felt to me.”
    • “I felt as if I had to choose between obviously 'wrong' choices, just to see the funny/narrative outcome, or go to the most likely choices at once.”
    • “The gameplay is nothing particularly special.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming yet disturbing qualities, effectively blending humor with a retro 80's synth vibe. Players appreciate the hidden dialogue gems and the engaging art style, which together create an immersive experience that encourages exploration and interaction. Overall, the unique and quirky atmosphere enhances the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The whole atmosphere is so charming and disturbing at the same time, that you are eager to stay in that universe as long as possible to solve all these puzzles, to click every item, and to listen to all these ridiculous and funny dialogues with a bunch of sarcastic answers and funny responses, which can easily become golden quotes somewhere in the future.”
    • “The atmosphere was great, and was extremely effective at giving you an 80's synth/retro throwback ambience.”
    • “If you're into point and clicks with a sense of humor, great art, funny writing, or an all-around great atmosphere and feel, then Paradigm is for you!”
  • emotional
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Paradigm is praised for its blend of humor and heartwarming moments, offering players a wholesome affirmation of life's value despite its imperfections. While some moments hint at deeper emotional narratives, the game largely maintains a whimsical tone, eliciting laughter and joy from players. Overall, it delivers a unique emotional experience that resonates with its audience.

    • “Believe it or not, there's something more in [i]Paradigm[/i]: a kind of wholesome affirmation about the value of life, even when that life is none too pleasing to the eye.”
    • “There was a moment I thought the game was going to shift to a more emotional narrative given the background of Paradigm's character (no spoilers) but still stayed on the more whimsical track.”
    • “It's like seeing your friend's newborn baby 9 months after watching them have sex, truly emotional stuff.”
  • character development
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its fantastic design and voice acting, featuring detailed and varied characters that are both engaging and humorous. Reviewers highlight the unique personalities of the characters, including sassy robots, and consider it among the best in any game released.

    • “Best character development in any game released.”
    • “Character designs are detailed and varied.”
    • “Full of hearty details in the character designs.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly towards the end, leading to boredom from repetitive clicking. While the developers are acknowledged for their effort, the overall experience is marred by the monotonous nature of the gameplay.

    • “Gets very tedious towards the end.”
    • “Developers did a really good job creating this tedious piece, but man, I get bored real quick clicking everywhere.”
    • “This is one of the most tedious games I've ever played.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game exhibits some stability issues, particularly on Linux, where users report minor bugs and occasional freezing when skipping cutscenes, though it does not crash. Overall, it runs well and provides an enjoyable experience despite these minor hiccups.

    • “Runs great and is a whole lot of weird but wonderful fun.”
    • “A bit buggy on Linux; this is nonetheless a funny point-and-click game with great beats.”
    • “The only minor fix the game requires is that when you skip some cutscenes (intro logos, for example), the game freezes for a couple of seconds, but does not crash.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is praised for its performance and creative elements, showcasing a strong homage to classic titles like "Day of the Tentacle" and "Monkey Island." Players appreciate the engaging mini-games and unique character performances, highlighting the developers' dedication to delivering a polished experience.

    • “There are also some really cool gimmicks like mini-games or small music performances from different objects/characters which show how much love and aspiration went into creating this game as a geeky homage to older titles like 'Day of the Tentacle' and 'Monkey Island'.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is noted for its high replayability, offering quick playthroughs that encourage players to return. However, some users have not yet revisited it due to other gaming commitments.

    • “It's a quick playthrough and has tons of replayability.”
    • “It has such great replay value, but I haven't had the chance to replay it yet because there are other games I want to play a lot.”
    • “It's a quick playthrough and has tons of replayability.”
  • monetization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is heavily criticized for relying on shameless advertising, which detracts from the overall experience. Players feel that the aggressive promotion undermines gameplay and immersion.

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87%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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5h Median play time
4h Average play time
1-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Paradigm is a action game with comedy and science fiction themes.

Paradigm is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Paradigm.

Paradigm was released on April 5, 2017.

Paradigm was developed by Jacob Janerka.

Paradigm has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its grinding.

Paradigm is a single player game.

Similar games include Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure, Deponia, The Darkside Detective, Deponia: The Complete Journey, There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension and others.