Sisyphus Paradox
- February 14, 2024
- Unruly Mob
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreIn "Sisyphus Paradox," an ordinary person must fight their way back to Earth after being flung across the galaxy, with the help of a mysterious voice in their head. This side-scrolling shoot 'em up game features procedurally generated star maps, persistent bonuses, and multiple builds to try, with 56 unique items and two playable ships. This DRM-free version offers a challenging and replayable experience.
PC
Windows
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Fast-paced and addictive gameplay with a nostalgic arcade feel, enhanced by RPG elements and a compelling story.
- Unique hand-drawn graphics and an epic soundtrack that grows on you, contributing to an immersive experience.
- Variety in weapons, upgrades, and ship customization allows for diverse gameplay and strategic decision-making.
- The UI/UX design could use improvement, as some elements feel unpolished and the auto-fire feature is cumbersome to manage.
- Visual clarity during combat is an issue, with bullets blending into the background, making it difficult to dodge attacks.
- Limited ship options and minor upgrades can make progression feel less impactful, with some players desiring more noticeable improvements.
- music9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its epic and catchy quality, enhancing the overall experience with a superb synthwave soundtrack that complements the vibrant visuals and fast-paced action. While some users noted that sound effects could be improved, the addictive nature of the music and its old-school arcade feel contribute significantly to the game's appeal. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
“The music is fantastic, the gameplay is smooth and has a unique art style that works very well.”
“I really like the old-school arcade-y feel with rogue-like elements... the music is superb!”
“The music is catchy and the visuals are vibrant with very nice details on the big boss enemy ships.”
“I really love the music even if the sound effects could be improved.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as light yet engaging, with an overarching narrative that connects various elements and quests. Players appreciate the interesting storyline and artwork, although some express a desire for more depth and backtracking options to complete certain quests. Overall, the story enhances the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable and addictive, especially in the context of an indie development.
“I really liked the story and the artwork!”
“The overarching story ties it all together (hoping to see more here!).”
“Fun, addictive, and has an interesting story so far (not yet completed).”
“Compared to most similar games, there’s a light story connecting everything together.”
“Sure, I get the whole 'on the run' trope, but by not allowing backtracking, some quests might not be possible to complete.”
“The overarching story tying it all together is lacking (hoping to see more here!).”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is fast-paced and addictive, with a rewarding loop that improves as players become more familiar with the mechanics. It successfully blends nostalgic shoot 'em up elements with modern roguelike features, offering variety in loot and builds, though players hope for enhancements in procedural map generation and unique encounters. Overall, the smooth gameplay and unique art style contribute to an engaging experience reminiscent of classic arcade shooters.
“Fast-paced and addictive gameplay; the loop gets better the more familiar you become with the game.”
“The gameplay loop can be addictive, and there is enough variety in the loot and builds you can make to keep you entertained.”
“An infectious mix of nostalgic shoot 'em up gameplay and classic graphical style, along with modern elements in procedural map generation, unique encounters that significantly modify your run, and a nuanced, compelling narrative.”
“Gameplay-wise, as the game is in early access, I would like to see two improvements.”
“The core gameplay has that nostalgic feel of some arcade space shooters I played when I was younger.”
“Borrowing mechanics from roguelike games like FTL and Slay the Spire, it offers a modern variation to the classic side scroller/bullet hell recipe.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics are characterized by a unique hand-drawn style that some players find appealing, though opinions vary, with some not being particularly fond of them. While not overly flashy, the visuals are vibrant and detailed, especially in boss designs, and complement the game's nostalgic shoot 'em up gameplay. Overall, the art style effectively enhances the gameplay experience, blending classic and modern elements.
“The music is catchy and the visuals are vibrant with very nice details on the big boss enemy ships.”
“I really liked the story and the artwork!”
“The music is fantastic, the gameplay is smooth and has a unique art style that works very well.”
“Not a huge fan of the graphics, but they are very unique.”
“The music is fantastic, the gameplay is smooth, and has a unique art style that works very well.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability due to its classic roguelite elements, making it an excellent side-scrolling shooter that encourages players to return for multiple playthroughs.
“Excellent side-scrolling shooter with classic roguelite replay value.”
“The game has a decent amount of content, but once you've played through it a couple of times, it feels repetitive and lacks the depth to keep you coming back.”
“While the mechanics are fun, the lack of variety in levels and enemies makes replaying the game feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“After finishing the game, I found little incentive to replay it, as the story and gameplay don't change significantly with each run.”
