Paradigm

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 835 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • graphics
Paradigm Game Cover
If Roger Wilco and Larry Laffer had a child... via genetic engineering.
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"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.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 835 reviews
humor377 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Hilarious and absurd humor that keeps players engaged and entertained throughout the game.
  • Beautiful art style and unique character designs that enhance the overall experience.
  • Intuitive puzzles that are challenging yet not frustrating, allowing for smooth gameplay.
  • 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 or crashes, particularly on certain platforms.
  • humor382 mentions

    The humor in this game is widely praised for its absurdity, clever writing, and unique character interactions, often drawing comparisons to classic point-and-click adventures. While many players find the humor genuinely hilarious and engaging, some critique it for being overly reliant on randomness or self-referential jokes, which may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the game is celebrated for its quirky, dark, and sometimes crude humor that enhances the overall experience, making it a standout in the genre.

    • “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.”
    • “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).”
    • “And it's just line after line of this inane, unfunny dialogue.”
  • story112 mentions

    The game's story is characterized by its bizarre humor and absurdity, often leaving players both entertained and confused. While some appreciate the unique characters and engaging dialogue, others find the plot lacking coherence and depth, with a mix of hilarious moments and nonsensical elements. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy quirky narratives and offbeat humor, though it may not satisfy players seeking a more traditional or serious storyline.

    • “The story is weird, but that is just part of the humor.”
    • “The humor was extraordinary, the characters were endearing, and the story kept me engaged throughout.”
    • “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 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.”
    • “A lot of time is taken up by text that has nothing to do with the story, just attempt after attempt at teenage-nerd-style jokes, very few of which work.”
  • graphics90 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, which combines elements of surrealism and nostalgia, effectively bringing the quirky world to life. Many reviewers highlight the attention to detail and the variety of artistic styles used throughout the game, contributing to its charm and humor. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms regarding gameplay dullness.

    • “As for graphics, the game is presented in a rather distinct cartoonish art style which works well to bring its wacky world to life while feeling fittingly uncanny.”
    • “The surreal art style and quirky humor are fantastic, really makes this game stand out from others in the point & click genre.”
    • “The artwork is fantastic and surreal.”
    • “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 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.”
    • “The graphics are worth a mention as well.”
    • “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.”
  • music86 mentions

    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 integral to the overall experience, often prompting players to purchase it separately. Overall, the combination of excellent music, engaging voice acting, and creative sound design significantly enhances the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The humor is great and the music fits perfectly in the game.”
    • “The music is absolutely phenomenal and really captures the analog tech-pocalypse that this game inhabits.”
    • “The art style, the writing, the soundtrack, the overall design, everything is absolutely impeccable, and I cannot recommend this game more.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay31 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a blend of point-and-click mechanics and humorous storytelling, reminiscent of classic adventure games like Monkey Island. While some players appreciate the diverse and entertaining gameplay, including mini-games and witty dialogue, others find the humor and pacing less appealing. Overall, the game offers a casual, engaging experience with memorable characters and a fun narrative, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its unique comedic style.

    • “I love the characters, love the art style, and love the off-the-wall comedy gameplay.”
    • “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 mini-games that you don’t get sick of just pointing and clicking.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its charming yet disturbing qualities, blending humor with a retro 80's synth vibe. Players appreciate the engaging art style, witty dialogue, and the overall immersive experience that encourages exploration and interaction within its unique universe. The combination of these elements creates a memorable and captivating environment that enhances the gameplay.

    • “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!”
    • “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, click every item, and listen to all these ridiculous and funny dialogues with a bunch of sarcastic answers and funny responses, which could easily become golden quotes somewhere in the future.”
    • “The atmosphere was great and extremely effective at giving you an 80's synth/retro throwback ambience.”
    • “The atmosphere feels disjointed and lacks cohesion, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
    • “Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere is flat and uninspired, leaving me feeling disconnected from the experience.”
    • “The game tries to create a unique atmosphere, but it ultimately falls short, resulting in a bland and forgettable experience.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    Paradigm is praised for its blend of humor and heartwarming moments, offering players a wholesome affirmation of life's value despite its imperfections. While it hints at deeper emotional narratives, it primarily maintains a whimsical tone, eliciting laughter and joy throughout the experience. Overall, players find it to be a uniquely emotional adventure that resonates on multiple levels.

    • “Believe it or not, there's something more in Paradigm: 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 development5 mentions

    The game excels in character development, featuring fantastic character design and voice acting that bring a diverse and detailed cast to life. Players appreciate the engaging personalities and humorous commentary, highlighting it as one of the best examples of character development in recent gaming releases.

    • “Character design and voice acting are fantastic.”
    • “Character designs are detailed and varied.”
    • “Best character development in any game released.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly towards the end, leading to boredom from repetitive clicking. While some acknowledge the developers' effort in crafting this experience, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the monotonous gameplay.

    • “Gets very tedious towards the end.”
    • “Developers did a really good job creating this tedious piece, but man, I get bored really quick clicking everywhere.”
    • “This is one of the most tedious games I've ever played.”
  • stability3 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally good, with users noting it runs well and provides enjoyable gameplay. However, there are minor issues on Linux, including occasional freezing when skipping cutscenes, though these do not lead to crashes.

    • “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.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for its engaging and creative elements, such as mini-games and musical performances, which reflect a strong homage to classic titles like "Day of the Tentacle" and "Monkey Island." Players appreciate the attention to detail and the overall performance, making it a delightful experience for fans of glam metal and quirky aesthetics.

    • “If you love glam metal, candy-vomiting sloths, and peak performance art, this game is for you!”
    • “There are also some really cool gimmicks like mini-games or small music performances from different objects and characters, which show how much love and aspiration went into creating this geeky homage to older titles like 'Day of the Tentacle' and 'Monkey Island'.”
    • “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the overall experience.”
    • “Despite its charming aesthetics, the poor optimization leads to long loading times and crashes.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players highlight the game's high replayability, noting that it offers a quick playthrough and significant value for multiple sessions. However, some users mention being unable to revisit it yet due to other gaming priorities.

    • “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.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy of the game is heavily criticized for being overly aggressive, with many users labeling it as "shameless advertising." This approach detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration among players.

    • “The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “I can't believe how many ads pop up; it ruins the immersion and makes the game feel like a cash grab.”
    • “The in-game purchases are overpriced and give an unfair advantage to those willing to spend more.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
1-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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