Skip to main content

Paradise Marsh

A bug-catching game with a stylish design and incredible vibes.
Paradise Marsh Game Cover
83%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
96% User Score Based on 455 reviews
Critic Score 57%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxXbox Series X|SPCMac OSXbox OneXboxWindows
Buy Nowfrom $0.71
Buy NowGet on Steam $14.99Buy NowGet on itch.io Store $9.99Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
Paradise Marsh Game Cover

About

Paradise Marsh is a single player casual simulation game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Lazy Eti and was released on October 13, 2022. It received neutral reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Paradise Marsh" is a serene, narrative-driven game where you explore a procedurally generated wetland to solve the mystery of the fallen stars. Catch various critters, meet celestial characters, and discover hidden messages. With its calming atmosphere and no time limits, it encourages players to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
Paradise Marsh screenshot
+4
Skip User Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 455 reviews
story25 positive mentions
grinding7 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautifully crafted atmosphere with charming visuals and a soothing soundtrack, creating a relaxing experience.
  • Each critter has a unique personality, and the writing is witty and engaging, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • The game encourages exploration and reflection, with hidden messages and philosophical themes that resonate with players.
  • The game is quite short, often completed in just a few hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • The lack of a map or clear navigation can lead to confusion and frustration when trying to find specific critters or areas.
  • Some players may find the gameplay repetitive, especially when trying to catch the last few critters needed for completion.
  • story
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is often described as unexpectedly profound and somber, weaving themes of exploration, curiosity, and personal reflection into a charming and visually appealing experience. Players appreciate the subtle storytelling delivered through environmental cues, messages in bottles, and interactions with quirky characters, which create a meditative atmosphere despite the game's lighthearted appearance. While some find the narrative engaging and emotionally resonant, others feel it can be overshadowed by gameplay mechanics or lack clarity, leading to mixed opinions on its overall impact.

    • “As you continue restoring the stars, the environment grows quieter, as though your actions are gently closing a story that never needed words to begin with.”
    • “The story has such beautiful messages behind it, which pairs very well with the pretty graphics.”
    • “Paradise Marsh has to be one of the most beautiful games you could play, from graphics to audio to gameplay to storyline - it brings a deep feeling of sonder to the player, and you feel nothing but blissful calm while playing - except for the range of emotions the storyline makes you feel.”
    • “The game looks like a cozy bug collecting game but has an overarching story that I didn't see coming and that didn't really fit the rest of the game.”
    • “While I do recommend this game, I will say that you should go into it wanting a game focused on vibes, visuals, and a vague story rather than gameplay.”
    • “It's sort of a walking simulator, but it's more than just that - exploring the wild trying to catch the stuff while learning a little more about what the game is, although I can't lie, I kind of ignored the story and just had a blast exploring the wild, trying to do optional achievements and interacting with all of the things in the game.”
  • gameplay
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Paradise Marsh" is characterized by its simple mechanics focused on catching bugs and exploring a beautifully designed world, reminiscent of games like "A Short Hike." While the controls are smooth and the atmosphere is delightful, some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in challenge, particularly as the game progresses. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience with charming interactions and a light narrative, appealing to those who appreciate exploration and aesthetics over mechanical depth.

    • “The controls are smooth, the catching mechanics intuitive, and the world reactive enough to feel alive without overwhelming you with complexity.”
    • “Its mechanics revolve around catching creatures and returning them to the sky, but the joy lies not in the act itself, rather in the patient rhythm of exploration.”
    • “Paradise Marsh is one of those games that immediately plucks at my heartstrings with its absolutely cute mechanics and mesmerizing environments.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, Paradise Marsh is intentionally sparse.”
    • “The slower movement and minimal mechanics can make it feel repetitive after extended play, and the absence of challenge might not appeal to those craving mechanical depth.”
    • “The gameplay itself is a bit boring after a while, and it took me a lot longer than I thought it would to get the motivation to keep playing.”
  • graphics
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their charming and cute art style, often described as pixelated and reminiscent of beloved titles like Animal Crossing and A Short Hike. Players appreciate the stunning visuals and calming atmosphere, which enhance the overall experience, although some noted minor issues with frame rates and color transitions. Overall, the game's aesthetic, combined with its sound design, creates a relaxing and immersive environment that resonates with many players.

    • “Relaxing and meditative, with a truly one of a kind atmosphere and graphical style, and on top of that a masterclass in sound design.”
    • “Beautiful aesthetics!”
    • “The game oozes with poetry and philosophy, heavy themes hidden with light graphics and a quirky premise.”
    • “Gameplay consists of hopping around and collecting bugs, bottles, a couple of minigames, and that's about it really, so it's a shallow collector/adventure game with bad graphics and worse subtext.”
    • “Whilst I really liked the art style (cute and quite minimalist, in a way), seeing the sunrise in a couple of areas was a bit of an eyesore; transitions from a pleasant nighttime color palette to a sudden bright orange.”
    • “The game-play functions quite simply in a positive, clean way; however, I would have really appreciated the frame-rate in-game to go higher than 40fps. This could potentially be an artistic choice, but the menus feel so smooth with the art style and then in-game can feel a little jagged.”
  • music
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game, composed by disasterpeace, is widely praised for its atmospheric and ambient qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a soothing and immersive soundtrack. Reviewers highlight its ability to complement the game's visuals and themes, creating a charming and cozy vibe that encourages exploration. The soundtrack is described as both beautiful and adaptive, seamlessly integrating with the game's environment while maintaining a relaxing background presence.

    • “The sound design completes this atmosphere with a delicate, ambient soundtrack by Disasterpeace, known for his evocative musical minimalism.”
    • “The atmosphere built is beautiful; Disasterpeace's immersive and soothing music meshed so well with the simple but engaging exploration of the marshlands in all their stunning colors.”
    • “With its gorgeous pastel color palette and soothing synth soundtrack (by Disasterpeace of 'Fez' and 'Hyper Light Drifter' fame), Paradise Marsh transports you to a much calmer headspace.”
    • “A lot of the times I don't really notice the music even though it's there.”
    • “It feels more like the dev wanting their poetry and deep thoughts heard and weren't sure how to accomplish that without a game behind it, kind of like how ConcernedApe talks about his music in Stardew.”
    • “And that's just the music!”
  • emotional
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke deep feelings, ranging from nostalgia and peace to profound sadness, particularly through its touching narrative and heartfelt dialogue. Players appreciate the game's gentle handling of themes like life, self-acceptance, and grief, often leading to personal reflections and emotional responses, including tears. The combination of soothing sound design, charming visuals, and meaningful writing creates a cozy and introspective experience that resonates with many, making it a memorable emotional journey.

    • “The emotional tone of the game is both wistful and hopeful.”
    • “This narrative minimalism, paired with a strong emotional undercurrent, allows each player to interpret their own meaning from the journey, making the experience deeply personal.”
    • “I'm scared of [spoiler]death and grief[/spoiler], hence why I cried, but the game handles it in a gentle way and shows you different ways that people think about it, prompting you to create the best perspective and life for yourself.”
  • atmosphere
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique charm, combining beautiful visuals, a calming and melodic soundtrack by Disasterpeace, and engaging sound design that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the introspective and serene nature of the game, which encourages reflection and exploration in its diverse biomes. The cozy, relaxing vibe, reminiscent of titles like Animal Crossing, creates a captivating environment that invites players to immerse themselves fully.

    • “The atmosphere built is beautiful; Disasterpeace's immersive and soothing music meshed so well with the simple but engaging exploration of the marshlands in all their stunning colors.”
    • “Paradise Marsh is an introspective, atmospheric adventure that trades intensity and action for serenity and reflection.”
    • “Relaxing and meditative, with a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere and graphical style, and on top of that, a masterclass in sound design.”
    • “The sound design completes this atmosphere with a delicate, ambient soundtrack by Disasterpeace, known for his evocative musical minimalism.”
    • “Relaxing, with a mysterious atmosphere.”
    • “You can tell the developer poured their heart and soul into the game, especially the atmosphere and bittersweet narrative (yes, there's a narrative - I also thought this was just a funny bug-catching game at first!).”
  • humor
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and witty writing, particularly through the unique dialogue of the insects, which adds a delightful layer to the relaxing gameplay. Players find the interactions with the environment and the charming bug characters to be both funny and relatable, contributing to an overall enjoyable and uplifting experience. The blend of humor with a bittersweet narrative enhances the game's emotional depth while maintaining a lighthearted atmosphere.

    • “Every insect has its way of speaking and it's so funny; finding them all to see how they would talk was really exciting.”
    • “If you are looking for a relaxing adventure at your own pace, with funny dialogue by the bugs, and stunning visuals and sound design, this is for you.”
    • “The writing is funny and witty, and manages to ask compelling questions about where you are and the net you were given.”
  • grinding
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the mechanics that require them to constantly search for new groups of tadpoles after each successful catch. This leads to a repetitive experience, especially towards the end, as players feel compelled to catch multiple creatures for completion. While some appreciate the game's charm, the grind can detract from overall enjoyment.

    • “They swim in groups, and successful catches cause all other tadpoles to be alerted, meaning that you have to find a whole new group of tadpoles with every successful catch, making it unnecessarily tedious.”
    • “I had caught everything, done all the NPCs, and was now just running around for over an hour looking for one creature to stock up on (because you have to catch them multiple times to complete the constellation, but once you catch one from a group, the whole group goes away, so it can become very tedious).”
    • “Later game feels insanely grindy.”
  • replayability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate its casual nature and atmospheric enjoyment, others find its short length limits the incentive to replay. A few users note that despite its brevity, there is potential for replay value in exploring the environment, though others feel it lacks significant replayability features. Overall, it offers a modest level of replayability primarily for those who enjoy immersing themselves in its world.

    • “It's a short narrative, but because of its casual nature, it has a lot of replayability.”
    • “This game is pretty short to beat, but I can see a lot of replay value for just getting lost in the game and enjoying the atmosphere.”
    • “I beat this game in one sitting, and likely will play it far more in the future, just for zen replay value.”
    • “For me, that's a little much considering it's a short game and I'm unlikely to come back to it in the future, as it doesn't have a lot of replay value.”
    • “I guess as there's no replayability as such, a handcrafted map would have been better with more unique landmarks.”
    • “Re-playable to some extent in that way.”
  • stability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is marked by minor technical issues, including sound repetition and environmental glitches, which can disrupt immersion. While players have encountered bugs, such as getting stuck or unresponsive controls, most issues can be resolved by restarting the game. Overall, despite these quirks, the experience remains enjoyable.

    • “Technical quirks, such as occasional sound repetition or environmental glitches, may momentarily distract from the immersion.”
    • “It's a little buggy; I got stuck with two fish on my hook and couldn't drop an item because my notebook kept opening instead. However, any issues were easily fixed by just exiting the game and continuing from the menu.”
    • “The game was cute but was very buggy and felt like I was walking around in circles doing the same things over and over.”
Skip Critic Reviews

57%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Paradise Marsh

4h Median play time
4h Average play time
2-5h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Paradise Marsh

Games Like Paradise Marsh

A Short Hike Image
92%20kreviews

A Short Hike

2019Open World Platformer
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 4Xbox Cloud Gaming+10
The Last Campfire Image
93%5.6kreviews

The Last Campfire

2020Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchEpic GamesPlaystation 5+13
Toem Image
96%3.7kreviews

Toem

2021Casual Puzzle
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5+17
Haven Park Image
94%646reviews

Haven Park

2021Open World Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+3
Caravan SandWitch Image
78%1.5kreviews

Caravan SandWitch

2024Casual Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchPCPlaystation 5+3
More games like Paradise Marsh
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Paradise Marsh is a casual simulation game with mystery theme.

Paradise Marsh is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Paradise Marsh.

Paradise Marsh was released on October 13, 2022.

Paradise Marsh was developed by Lazy Eti.

Paradise Marsh has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Paradise Marsh is a single player game.

Similar games include A Short Hike, The Last Campfire, Toem, Haven Park, Caravan SandWitch and others.