Paradise Killer

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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

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,169 reviews

music positive mentions

grinding negative mentions

Unique and engaging world with a vibrant vaporwave aesthetic.
Intriguing story and characters that keep players invested.
Satisfying exploration and discovery of clues, with a great soundtrack.

The platforming mechanics can feel clunky and frustrating.
Fast travel costs in-game currency, which can be limiting.
The trial mechanics lack depth, making the conclusion feel anticlimactic.

music
882 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in *Paradise Killer* has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its vibrant vaporwave and city pop influences that perfectly complement the game's aesthetic. The soundtrack is described as "phenomenal," featuring catchy, upbeat tracks that enhance the exploration experience and evoke a strong sense of atmosphere. Players often highlight the music as a standout element, with some even recommending it as a standalone listen, making it a key reason to engage with the game.
- “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.”
- “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 that I listen to it in my daily music consumption.”
- “The only good things I find about it are the artwork and music.”
- “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
874 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 and turns. While the storytelling is praised for its depth and creativity, some players find the plot convoluted and the resolution somewhat unsatisfying, highlighting a mix of intrigue and frustration in the overall experience.
- “The story is original, and the mechanics are unmatched.”
- “The story itself is sufficiently twisty and takes a lot of exploring and investigating to discover the whole picture.”
- “The story is very interesting and explores esoteric and philosophical themes.”
- “The plot and characters are definitely overrated; this is some simple shallow stuff essentially.”
- “The story is bland; Paradise Killer just dumps fanfiction-level exposition about demons, gods, and whatnot on you.”
- “The game is trying hard to be quirky and different, but characters have no personality and the whole story seems like an incoherent fantasy draped over a thin plot.”
graphics
581 mentions
44 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Paradise Killer* are characterized by a distinctive vaporwave aesthetic that blends vibrant colors and surreal designs, creating a visually captivating experience. While some players appreciate the unique art style and its ability to evoke a specific atmosphere, others find the graphics to be rough around the edges and reminiscent of older game designs. Overall, the game's visuals are a polarizing aspect, with many praising their charm and creativity, while others critique their execution and technical quality.
- “The visuals are gorgeous, the music is satisfying, and the main gameplay with finding the truth for yourself is also very good.”
- “Paradise Killer presents a fascinating visual experience with its stunning art style.”
- “The aesthetic is a killing (you might not like it but i think most people will appreciate it) and is served by a simple yet compelling art direction.”
- “I found the graphics ugly, the character names silly, and the initial plot hook bizarre.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics are very basic, but enough for this type of game.”
gameplay
410 mentions
19 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Paradise Killer" is a mixed bag, primarily revolving around exploration and dialogue, with players collecting clues and engaging in conversations to piece together a murder mystery. While the open-world design and aesthetic are praised, many reviewers find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, particularly during the trial phase, which feels simplistic compared to other detective games. Overall, the game is more about the experience and narrative than intricate gameplay mechanics, making it appealing for those who prioritize story and atmosphere over traditional gameplay challenges.
- “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 is mostly exploration-based clue finding rather than piecing clues together/puzzle solving like other deduction games, but the way the clues unfold to reveal the storyline is extremely well executed.”
- “The gameplay consists of making your way around a liminal, odd island that's equal parts beautiful and eerie to collect hundreds of collectibles, clues, upgrades, and currency to make your investigation easier.”
- “The gameplay is just a medium that helps tell the story in Paradise Killer, so don't go in expecting intriguing gameplay.”
- “The actual gameplay was a single repetitive 'puzzle' mechanic and janky 3D exploration around a map that's too big for its own good.”
- “The major downside is that exploring the island gets a bit mechanically annoying after a bit - scrambling from location to location, making jumps and crawling into hidden areas to find yet another minor item/collectible stops being fun and quickly becomes a chore.”
atmosphere
82 mentions
49 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of stunning visuals, engaging music, and immersive world-building, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its surreal and vibrant environments. Reviewers highlight the effective use of soundtracks and art styles, particularly the vaporwave aesthetic, which enhances the overall mood and complements the intriguing narratives and characters. Many players find the atmosphere to be a standout feature, making the game a compelling choice for those who appreciate rich storytelling and exploration.
- “Everything from the soundtrack to the art to the dialogue made it one of the most atmospheric games I've played <3”
- “Incredible atmosphere, banging soundtrack, wonderful writing, impeccable vibes.”
- “The atmosphere is unlike anything else I've seen, the soundtrack is 100% composed of bops, and the movement tech is weirdly deep.”
- “However, after reading the reviews, I got convinced by a promising vaporware atmosphere.”
- “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
74 mentions
42 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many reviewers praising the unique and vibrant character designs that contribute to an immersive atmosphere and engaging storytelling. While some players found the characters memorable and their motivations intriguing, others criticized the lack of emotional depth and meaningful interactions, suggesting that the game prioritizes style over substantial character growth. Overall, the distinctive aesthetics and quirky personalities stand out, 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.”
- “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.”
- “The character designs and writing are extremely interesting, and the flow of the mystery unraveling felt really well paced.”
- “There is no character development, emotional moments, or satisfying 'ah ha' conclusions.”
- “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.”
- “I think the game should involve a lot more interaction with them, a lot more character development, and also far more gathering of evidence and a lot more evidence in general.”
grinding
67 mentions
0 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious, particularly due to the extensive exploration required to collect items and evidence across a large, open world. Many players found the repetitive nature of backtracking, dialogue interactions, and item collection to detract from the overall enjoyment, especially towards the end of the game. While some appreciated the unique mystery and visuals, the cumbersome mechanics and pacing issues left a significant number of players feeling frustrated by the grind.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is both rewarding and addictive.”
- “The grind is real, but the satisfaction of leveling up makes it worth it.”
- “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.”
- “However, in order to make the investigation challenging, the island's layout is massive, causing you to have to tediously comb every inch of it for clues.”
- “The gameplay loop is simply too tedious to forgive in what should be a 'detective' game.”
replayability
34 mentions
15 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been noted for its low replayability, with many players expressing that while the initial experience is enjoyable and memorable, there is little incentive to play through again due to its linear nature and predictable outcomes. Some players mentioned the potential for revisiting the game to explore different choices or collect missed achievements, but these opportunities are limited. Despite the minimal replay value, the game's unique experience and engaging world have left a positive impression on many, making it worth the initial playthrough.
- “While the murder mystery doesn't have much replay value, I'll likely revisit Island 24 for the music alone.”
- “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 or friends. There is a ton of replayability in finding secrets, different endings, and relationships. I seriously hope Kaizen Game Works expands on Perfect 25 as an expansion or a new game because everything down to even the music in Paradise Killer was amazing.”
- “The climatic trial at the end was very cool and offers some interesting choices, so there's some definite replay value there.”
- “I don't think it holds much in the way of replay value, but the 17 hours I spent here left a pretty big impression the first time through, and I would happily recommend this at full price ($20).”
- “This game has no replay value and is extremely linear in its nature.”
- “While the murder mystery doesn't have much replay value, I'll likely revisit island 24 for the music alone.”
humor
33 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 absurd, with well-written dialogue and memorable characters that often elicit laughter. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance comedic elements with deeper, more disturbing themes, creating a rich narrative experience filled with bizarre lore and humorous interactions, particularly with a standout demon character. Overall, the humor enhances the exploration and detective aspects, making the game engaging and entertaining despite its darker undertones.
- “I loved the free rein you are given to explore the island and discover a huge, complicated mess of characters and motives and history in a darkly funny and disturbing world.”
- “The dialogue and characters are very well written and there's a lot of great humor throughout the game.”
- “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
22 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 an investigator, many feel that the light-hearted tone undermines the emotional weight of relationships and key plot points. The lack of character development and impactful emotional moments leaves some players feeling disconnected, despite the game's intriguing mysteries and moral dilemmas. Ultimately, the game excels in creating a fun investigative atmosphere but falls short in delivering a deeply emotional narrative.
- “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.”
- “All that said, the elements come together in what was a truly satisfying final trial complete with great writing, emotional moments, and a prevailing sense of moral ambiguity seeping into every exchange.”
optimization
11 mentions
18 % positive mentions
82 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is inconsistent, with some players experiencing smooth performance on mid-range hardware, while others report needing to disable certain graphical features to achieve acceptable frame rates. Overall, while performance can be stable for some, there are notable issues that hinder 100% completion and suggest a lack of polish in the game's design.
- “Regarding performance, I played on a 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.”
- “Performance - 2/2”
- “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 due to performance issues.”
- “[b]Performance:[/b] not the most optimized game.”
stability
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some players experiencing significant bugs, such as getting stuck on ladders and encountering freezing issues, particularly after specific actions. However, others report smooth performance with consistent frame rates and minimal glitches, suggesting that experiences may vary based on individual setups. Overall, while some aspects feel amateurish, the game is not universally plagued by bugs.
- “The game is well polished and bug-free, showcasing a high level of stability.”
- “Despite some amateurish elements, the game is not 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).”
- “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.”
- “The game freezes immediately after grabbing the starlight right at the beginning of the game.”