Paradise Killer

An incredible world of demons, mystery, and vaporwave, Paradise Killer sets new standards for the detective genre.

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"Paradise Killer" is a first-person investigation game set on an island outside reality, where a rogue human civilization seeks to resurrect dead alien gods. When the Council responsible for this process is murdered and the island is destroyed, "investigation freak" Lady Love Dies is called upon to solve the crime and uncover the truth behind the chaotic events. Uncover the facts and ponder the nature of truth in this stylized, psychedelic murder mystery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,385 reviews

music1,019 positive mentions

grinding132 negative mentions

Unique and engaging world with a vibrant vaporwave aesthetic.
Intriguing story and characters that keep players invested.
Satisfying exploration and evidence-gathering mechanics.

Platforming mechanics can feel clunky and frustrating.
Fast travel system is limited by a currency that can feel restrictive.
Final trial lacks depth and player agency in determining outcomes.

music
1,775 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in *Paradise Killer* has been widely praised for its exceptional quality, with many reviewers highlighting its vibrant vaporwave and city pop influences that perfectly complement the game's aesthetic. The soundtrack is described as a standout feature, often considered one of the best in video games, with tracks that are catchy, atmospheric, and engaging, enhancing the overall experience of exploring the game's unique world. Players frequently express a desire to listen to the soundtrack outside of the game, indicating its lasting impact and appeal.
- “To me, this game is a musical experience and a collectathon first and a murder mystery second, but that's fine with me because the OST is fire and the collecting is fun and the character designs are cool and the environment is awesome.”
- “The music, aesthetic, and overall themes were more than enough to keep me engaged the whole time and a little sad when it ended.”
- “The soundtrack is so good there probably are meme reviews made in the template of 'amazing album, came with a free game'.”
- “You've seen all there is to see, done all you could, and now the birds are dead, the skies are red, the seas are raging and the music is failing.”
- “The music is just whatever in-game music you've selected to play, over the top of that.”
- “There's a wide range of music but it seems to be selected semi-randomly, which is awkward when the game decides to play you smooth relaxing jazz while you're walking around an altar stained with the blood of thousands of innocents.”
story
1,765 mentions
40 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of *Paradise Killer* is a complex and engaging murder mystery set in a vibrant, surreal world filled with quirky characters and rich lore. Players navigate an open-world environment, piecing together clues and uncovering a narrative that intertwines themes of cosmic horror and existentialism, often leading to unexpected twists. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and creativity, some players find it convoluted and occasionally lacking in coherence, with the gameplay sometimes overshadowing the narrative experience.
- “The story is as unique and interesting as the visual style, the mystery kept me guessing until I was just about done, and the final resolution is both satisfying and complex.”
- “The game tells a dark story that contrasts sharply with its bright, playful art style, reminiscent of the Danganronpa series.”
- “The story has you investigating the murder of immortals.”
- “Some are relevant to the story, many are not, and there's usually no way to tell the difference.”
- “Would have expected more twists in a detective game though, the plot was played straight pretty much the entire time.”
- “The story itself is strictly secondary to the brilliant worldbuilding.”
graphics
1,173 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Paradise Killer* are characterized by a vibrant and unique vaporwave aesthetic that many players find captivating, though opinions on the execution vary. While some praise the art style for its creativity and charm, others criticize the graphics as basic or rough around the edges, describing them as reminiscent of older games. Overall, the game's aesthetic, combined with its engaging soundtrack, creates a visually striking experience that enhances the narrative, even if the technical quality may not meet AAA standards.
- “Visually, the game is spectacular, but also super plasticky and artificial feeling; this works wonders for the aggressive 80s aesthetic the game is striving for, but it's also a bit jarring at times.”
- “The aesthetics are completely gorgeous and excellently crafted.”
- “The art style is vibrant and unique, and the in-game music is exceptional, with tracks being personal favorites.”
- “I found the graphics ugly, the character names silly and the initial plot hook bizarre.”
- “The graphics are nothing notable surprisingly.”
- “Graphics can be off-putting at first but this is clearly a game with a very strong and interconnected story and a ton of world-building.”
gameplay
827 mentions
19 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Paradise Killer" is a blend of open-world exploration and visual novel elements, primarily focused on collecting clues and engaging in dialogue with a diverse cast of characters. While the game offers a unique aesthetic and intriguing narrative, many players find the mechanics repetitive and lacking depth, particularly in the trial phase, which feels underwhelming compared to other detective games. Overall, the experience is enjoyable for those who appreciate the story and atmosphere, but it may disappoint players seeking more engaging gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay lands somewhere between a whodunit point-and-click a-la Nancy Drew and the open-ended, curiosity-driven loop of Outer Wilds.”
- “Paradise Killer is a knockout home run in style, art direction, story, and gameplay for me personally.”
- “The gameplay is lightweight but you have a whole vaporwave island to explore at your own leisure and the story is the perfect mix of absurdity and mystery to keep you going.”
- “The gameplay loop starts really strong but quickly becomes a burden, because the open world is not interesting enough to explore it for the sake of exploring.”
- “The gameplay was also quite tedious as it was a lot of running around somewhat aimlessly over a space that was simply too large.”
- “The actual gameplay was a single repetitive 'puzzle' mechanic and janky 3D exploration around a map that's too big for its own good.”
atmosphere
166 mentions
49 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, combining a captivating soundtrack, striking visuals, and engaging world-building that creates a surreal and vibrant experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and a sense of exploration, with many noting the effective use of vaporwave aesthetics and a compelling narrative that enhances the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “Everything from the soundtrack to the art to the dialogue made it one of the most atmospheric games I've played <3”
- “Existential horror wrapped up in an absolutely phenomenal vaporwave atmosphere.”
- “Incredible atmosphere, banging soundtrack, wonderful writing, impeccable vibes.”
- “The developers have cited that a big part of their reason for the esoteric setting was that it allows the developers great control over the scope of player options (i.e nobody is going to complain that you can’t run fingerprints on everything) and it certainly achieves this, but also creates a strangely relaxed atmosphere considering how devious the crimes committed are.”
- “This is one of very few games (and probably not only games) that manages to create a convincing atmosphere of total madness.”
- “Very weird atmosphere and world to get used to at first, but once you get past that initial confusion you get invested in the world and its characters.”
character development
149 mentions
42 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the unique and vibrant character designs that enhance the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. While some players found the characters memorable and engaging, others criticized the lack of emotional depth and meaningful interactions, suggesting that the game prioritizes style over substantial character growth. Overall, the distinctive character designs and lore contribute to an immersive experience, but the depth of character development leaves room for improvement.
- “Every single person had distinctive and complex character development, the world building is immense and very original, and the case itself is really complicated but holds really well together once you've found all the evidence.”
- “In conclusion, Paradise Killer is a uniquely captivating experience that excels in its art style, soundtrack, and character development.”
- “The writing and character development also elevate the material and create characters you care about and want to learn more about throughout your time on Island 24.”
- “There is no character development, emotional moments, or satisfying 'ah ha' conclusions.”
- “As much as I want to love this game because of its style and phenomenal music, I just can't get past the character designs.”
- “The zany names and nonsensical story struck the wrong notes for me and I never felt invested - character design in particular was downright awful; at the end of the game, I tried to get the largest number of people arrested just because I disliked them that much.”
grinding
134 mentions
0 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tediousness, particularly due to the expansive world that requires extensive backtracking and item collection. Many players found the exploration and dialogue interactions to become cumbersome, especially towards the end, leading to a frustrating experience despite the engaging mystery. While some appreciated the unique elements of the game, the overall sentiment suggests that the tedious gameplay mechanics detract from the enjoyment.
- “Finally, forcing me to wait or click through a screen for every single action like picking up a crystal, taking fast travel, or riding an elevator made the whole experience feel really tedious.”
- “The gameplay was also quite tedious as it was a lot of running around somewhat aimlessly over a space that was simply too large.”
- “However, in order to make the investigation challenging, the island takes place on is massive, causing you to have to tediously comb every inch of it for clues.”
replayability
69 mentions
16 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits low replayability, with many players noting that once the story and evidence are fully explored, there is little incentive to replay. While some aspects, like the trials and character relationships, offer minor replay value, the linear nature and fixed outcomes limit the experience for completionists. Despite this, the game is still highly recommended for its unique experience and engaging world, making the initial playthrough worthwhile.
- “And while I have heard that some people don't think there is a lot of replay value, I will for sure be going back for the 24 achievements I missed.”
- “I'm not a very good reviewer, but I'll make an exception for this game and say for the price it is, you absolutely need to give it a try. The world feels so alive and you become so attached to the characters. During the trial, you may find your choices affected by the bonds you make with characters, not wanting to give the guilty verdict to certain lovers, friends, etc. There is a ton of replayability in finding secrets, different endings, and relationships.”
- “The climatic trial at the end was very cool and offers some interesting choices, so there's some definite replay value there.”
- “This game has no replay value and is extremely linear in its nature.”
- “Next to no replayability (other than 'what happens if' scenarios).”
- “I would highly suggest not seeing any spoilers about the game, since the situation is always the same so there is no replayability.”
humor
66 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a unique blend of dark, quirky, and often absurd, with well-written dialogue and memorable characters that elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the bizarre and whimsical elements, such as a sassy demon sidekick and humorous flavor texts, which enhance the exploration of a complex, sometimes disturbing world. Overall, the game successfully balances its serious themes with a lighthearted tone, making it engaging and entertaining for those who enjoy unconventional humor.
- “The dialogue and characters are very well written and there's a lot of great humor throughout the game.”
- “I actually caught myself laughing out loud a number of times.”
- “It's also endlessly funny, with weird bits of lore to pick up that remind you just how messed up this pleasing looking world really is.”
emotional
44 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed experience; while players appreciate the engaging characters and the sense of being a detective, many feel that the light-hearted tone undermines the emotional weight of the relationships and events. Despite the lack of character development and impactful emotional moments, the game successfully evokes feelings of moral ambiguity and personal connection when making difficult choices, culminating in a satisfying yet emotionally complex conclusion. Overall, it offers a unique blend of fun and emotional intelligence, though some players may find it lacking in deeper emotional resonance.
- “Overall, Paradise Killer is an interesting murder mystery with lovable characters that made me feel bad to convict.”
- “Having to accuse characters I had come to like of crimes was quite an emotional experience for me.”
- “That mystery culminates into an ending that can leave you on an emotional cliffhanger based on your choices, not only if you were correct but if you've done the right thing.”
optimization
23 mentions
17 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance on mid-range hardware, while others encountered significant issues that hindered 100% completion. Many noted the need to adjust settings, such as turning off reflections, to achieve better performance. Overall, while some players enjoyed a stable experience, others found the game unpolished and lacking in optimization.
- “Regarding performance, I played on an RTX 2060, i7 8700, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1080p and managed to maintain constant 60 FPS, without running into any glitches.”
- “Performance was super smooth on my aging PC (GTX 970, i5 6500) and I had zero bugs or crashes over 20 hours of gameplay.”
- “With some visual and performance issues taken care of and the addition of new secrets to uncover as well as some gorgeous ray tracing, there’s never been a better time to breathe life back into paradise.”
- “Maybe there's a decent game in there, but the art, controls, performance, voice acting, writing, and overall design were amateur and unpolished.”
- “But if you want 100% completion, it’s not possible with performance issues.”
- “[b]Performance:[/b] not the most optimized game.”
stability
16 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with players reporting various bugs, particularly with ladders and occasional freezing issues that can lead to lost progress. While some users experienced smooth performance with consistent frame rates, others encountered significant glitches that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game exhibits signs of amateurish development, with both frustrating and peaceful moments during gameplay.
- “It reeks of amateurish, but isn't really buggy at all.”
- “It had some buggy ladders (oh my god, I probably spent a good 1-2% of my playthrough stuck trying to get to the top of a couple difficult ladders where I would just fall immediately back down) and a few spots you can just get stuck (which the 'respawn' seems to be a solution for).”
- “The game freezes immediately after grabbing the starlight right at the beginning of the game.”
- “Disregarding the program itself, if you lose power or your entire system freezes, it could mean anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours of lost progress.”