Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost is a narrative-driven adventure game with a fresh new concept that effortlessly immerses you into its world. If you are more into good storytelling than perfect gameplay, you should check Paradise Lost out

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"Paradise Lost" is a mysterious adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic, nuclear-ravaged Poland. Play as Szymon, a 12-year-old boy searching for a stranger from a cherished photograph amidst the ruins of a massive Nazi bunker. Uncover the secrets of the bunker and the fates of its inhabitants in this atmospheric, story-driven experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,211 reviews

story489 positive mentions

gameplay42 negative mentions

Exceptional storytelling that immerses players in a haunting, alternate-history post-apocalypse.
Beautiful graphics and detailed environments that enhance the overall atmosphere.
Compelling themes of loss, grief, hope, and resilience that resonate throughout the narrative.

Painfully slow movement speed that detracts from the exploration experience.
Game-breaking bugs, particularly the issue of being unable to move after loading a checkpoint.
Limited interactivity and lack of meaningful choices that reduce replayability.

story
1,248 mentions
39 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Paradise Lost" is a central focus, praised for its compelling narrative and rich environmental storytelling, which unfolds through exploration and the discovery of notes and audio logs. While many players found the plot engaging and emotionally resonant, some criticized its predictability and pacing, noting that the slow movement can detract from the experience. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate story-driven experiences, despite its limitations in gameplay mechanics.
- “The narrative is deeply compelling, not just in its main plot but in the layers of environmental storytelling woven throughout the world.”
- “Yes, it is a walking simulator but that doesn't mean it is a bad game, far from that, visually it's amazing, if you follow the story well it's very nice and it has multiple endings.”
- “The story is haunting and it is long, but if you enjoy a lengthy narrative story in game exploration form and can overlook a rough user interaction interface then this is a story/game for you!”
- “Unfortunately, the story in this one is not great.”
- “While the premise is very interesting, the story lacks substance and comes across as a pseudointellectual attempt to be deep and meaningful.”
- “The story is very thinly laid out, and unfortunately this happens from the very start of the game: we're meant to care about our character's mom, but we don't really have enough time to bond with her or really know anything about her to care that much.”
graphics
331 mentions
62 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, detailed environments, and atmospheric design, often described as breathtaking and immersive. Many reviewers noted that the graphics significantly enhance the overall experience, despite some technical issues and performance concerns. While the visuals are a highlight, some players felt that the gameplay and story did not always match the high graphical quality, leading to mixed feelings about the game's overall impact.
- “The graphics are great, paired with a beautiful OST and sound design.”
- “The graphics are strikingly beautiful in areas.”
- “The visuals and the sound are exceptional in this game!”
- “While the voice acting and graphics are of high quality, they don't save the game from being a dull and repetitive experience.”
- “The visual imposition and the oppressive atmosphere of this place is marred by the somewhat dusty graphics, the choppy motion sequences, and the limited freedom of movement.”
- “Even though my computer met the minimum specifications to play this game, I had to downgrade the graphics settings to the lowest possible setting in order to move somewhat smoothly through it.”
gameplay
246 mentions
10 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Paradise Lost* is primarily characterized as a walking simulator, featuring slow movement and minimal interactive mechanics, such as pulling levers and opening doors. While the game excels in storytelling and visual design, many players find the gameplay tedious and lacking depth, with numerous bugs and clunky mechanics detracting from the overall experience. Overall, it appeals more to those who appreciate narrative-driven experiences rather than traditional gameplay engagement.
- “Despite this being about a 4-hour game for one run through of the story, it feels like there are quite a few mechanics in the game just meant to slow your progression through the game down.”
- “The game is pretty awesome and interesting as the story gets more and more interesting, visually the game looks pretty great and the simple gameplay mechanics help the player to focus on the important things in the game.”
- “The gameplay is tedious and slow; the ending is predictable, but alright in the end, so it's not a game that I would recommend at full price but if you can get it at 50% off or more, then I guess it's a good investment.”
- “The gameplay consists of just walking around, opening doors, pushing a few buttons, and reading notes.”
- “Unfortunately, the story and gameplay suffer as a result.”
atmosphere
224 mentions
69 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Paradise Lost" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and meticulous detail, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the game's stunning graphics, sound design, and environmental storytelling, which effectively evoke a post-apocalyptic setting. However, some note that while the atmosphere is strong, the gameplay can feel slow and the story may not fully engage all players.
- “Played through it in VR and I was baffled at the tense atmosphere, the sheer beauty, and love to detail.”
- “The environments here have been made with meticulous care, the atmospheric audio design really draws you in, and the soundtrack is simply haunting.”
- “The atmosphere is downright terrifying in some parts, and I didn’t miss chase scenes or jump scares most games like this include.”
- “You will realize that nothing will ever happen while playing, though – all that atmosphere and build-up to get nothing in return.”
- “The visual imposition and the oppressive atmosphere of this place is marred by the somewhat dusty graphics, the choppy motion sequences, and the limited freedom of movement.”
- “The desolate, eerie atmosphere expected from an abandoned underground complex is transposed very well in Paradise Lost, albeit it's way less terrifying than it should be - especially from the perspective of a young boy.”
music
85 mentions
61 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the story. While some players found the soundtrack haunting and immersive, others described it as generic or repetitive, indicating a lack of memorability. Overall, the sound design, including ambient sounds and music, is generally regarded as high quality, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The music and sound design are well done.”
- “The environments here have been made with meticulous care, the atmospheric audio design really draws you in, and the soundtrack is simply haunting.”
- “The game is beautiful, the narrative is captivating, and the music makes it incredibly immersive.”
- “The soundtrack felt so generic that I do not even remember it.”
- “Music is repetitive.”
- “Lastly, the music left me wanting a soundtrack.”
stability
62 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, such as getting stuck in the environment, freezing during key moments, and issues with save functionality. While some users managed to play without major problems, the overall consensus is that the game is unpolished and requires substantial fixes to improve the experience. Despite its intriguing narrative and aesthetic, the technical issues have led to a generally negative reception regarding stability.
- “Unplayable buggy crap full of glitches.”
- “Game is gold plated buggy trash, not worth playing at all in its current state.”
- “It's terribly buggy, especially the 3rd chapter - figuring out how to fix the whole big lounge-like area to be able to go through it (and not fall through the non-existent floor the moment I step through the invisible, supposedly closed door) was a chore since I had no idea which room is supposed to be open and which one should be opened later.”
optimization
61 mentions
15 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
41 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frequent crashes, low frame rates, and bugs that cause characters to get stuck. While the graphics and story are praised, the overall experience is marred by inconsistent performance, requiring players to lower settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates. Many users express frustration over the game's poor optimization, which detracts from its otherwise engaging content.
- “The visuals and optimization, on the other hand, are great and what you'd expect from the underlying UE4 tech.”
- “Graphics are quite good and the game is nicely optimized; it doesn't lag like most of the games nowadays.”
- “The performance of the game is fine without too many issues.”
- “The performance of the game is terrible in certain areas and would drop into the teens for no apparent reason.”
- “Poorly optimized, unrealistic shadows and reflections, horrible controls, and frequent stuttering even on top-of-the-line PC hardware.”
- “The game overall would be nice, but it's very unoptimized and pretty chaotic in story.”
emotional
41 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth and touching narrative, particularly in its exploration of themes like loss and survival within a dystopian setting. While the voice acting received mixed reviews, with some finding it lacking in emotional nuance, many players felt a strong emotional connection to the story and its characters, culminating in a poignant ending. Overall, despite some technical issues and predictability, the game is recognized as a worthwhile emotional experience with beautiful visuals that enhance its storytelling.
- “The narrative of 'Paradise Lost' is its standout feature, offering a poignant and emotionally charged exploration of loss, survival, and the consequences of unchecked power.”
- “Prepare for an emotional ending that almost brought tears to my eyes.”
- “This game is visual and emotional poetry.”
- “I didn't know this, so I had to restart a chapter and spend 25 minutes walking slowly through the same bland, boring story.”
- “This is the worst boring story and the worst wasted potential for a game in all of 2021.”
grinding
37 mentions
8 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for its slow movement and tedious mechanics, making progression feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Players often describe the gameplay as a slog, with long animations and cumbersome interactions that detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the game's environment and story, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grinding elements render it frustrating and unenjoyable.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The absurd decision to give the player such an incredibly slow pace and tedious drag-and-hold mechanics to interact with objects turns what could be a really good interactive narrative into a monotonous chore.”
- “The main character walks like a snail; it takes forever to get anywhere, so finding documents in rooms is tedious, not exciting.”
- “By the end, the story is somewhat interesting, but I was mostly annoyed with the execution of telling the story and how tedious progressing was.”
replayability
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting that once the story is uncovered, there is little incentive to replay. While some mention the presence of multiple endings, the slow pace and lack of engaging mechanics diminish the desire for repeated playthroughs. A few players suggest that the atmosphere and potential bug fixes could enhance replay value, but the consensus leans towards minimal replayability.
- “3+ hours to complete with four endings and decent replay value.”
- “Once they fix the bugs, I can see a high replay value due to the atmosphere.”
- “While I don't foresee it will have much replay value, I personally felt very engaged during the first playthrough.”
- “And once you have uncovered the story, the game has about zero replay value to offer.”
- “The game offers minimal replayability considering there are 2 endings that are fairly black and white.”
- “Sadly, the game has zero replayability.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and irony, particularly in the contrast between the passive storytelling and the frustratingly incomplete subtitles. Players find amusement in the game's quirks, such as the inability to turn off subtitles while also missing key dialogue, leading to a mix of laughter and exasperation. Overall, the humor emerges from the game's flaws and the players' reactions to them, creating a unique comedic experience.
- “It's funny because the rest of the storytelling in the game is on the exact opposite side of this - for the most part, you're forced to stand in one place and listen to conversations with literally no way to interact with everything.”
- “It's funny because most of it truly unveils in chapter 4, by which point everyone has it figured out.”
- “What's funny, or so idiotic that it makes you go through the 5 stages of grief that give name to the game's chapters, is that sometimes there are Polish words or even phrases and nobody cared to subtitle them!”
character development
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that character development is inconsistent, with some praising the integration of story and character growth, while others criticize the voice acting and overall character development as weak.
- “The voice acting and character development are truly engaging.”
- “The story and character development are well-crafted and immersive.”
- “The voice acting and character development are really weak.”
- “Character development is lacking.”
- “The story and character development feel underdeveloped.”