Sisyphus Paradox

About

Sisyphus Paradox is a single player shooter game. It was developed by Unruly Mob and was released on February 14, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In "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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews

music6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a nostalgic and addictive gameplay loop, reminiscent of classic side-scrolling shooters, with a variety of weapons and upgrades that enhance replayability.
The artwork and music are highly praised, contributing to an engaging atmosphere that keeps players entertained.
There is a compelling narrative and unique procedural elements that add depth to the gameplay, making each run feel fresh and exciting.

The lack of backtracking can hinder quest completion, as players are unable to revisit previous routes once chosen.
Some players find it difficult to identify when their ship has been hit, which can detract from the overall experience during intense gameplay.
The graphics, while unique, may not appeal to everyone, leading to mixed feelings about the visual presentation of the game.

music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and addictive synthwave soundtrack, which complements the fast-paced action and vibrant visuals. While some users noted that the sound effects could use improvement, the overall musical experience enhances the gameplay and adds to its addictive nature.
- “It is a bit challenging to begin with, but also very addictive with equally addictive music!”
- “It has fast-paced action, upgrades for spaceships and weapons, achievements, and a cool soundtrack!”
- “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.”
- “Synthwave is my go-to background relax music.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The story is generally well-received, featuring an engaging overarching narrative that ties together various gameplay elements, including a variety of enemies and bosses. However, some players express frustration with the lack of backtracking, which can hinder quest completion. Overall, the combination of a compelling storyline and appealing artwork contributes to a positive gaming experience.
- “I really liked the story and the artwork!”
- “Very enjoyable space shooter with a variety of enemies, bosses, equippable items, random encounters, and an interesting storyline.”
- “Overarching story tying it all together (hoping to see more here!)”
- “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 is tying it all together, but I'm hoping to see more here.”
- “While the game has a snazzy storyline, it feels incomplete and lacks depth.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The gameplay is described as addictive, featuring a blend of nostalgic shoot 'em up mechanics and modern roguelike elements, which keeps players engaged through varied loot and build options. However, as the game is still in early access, players are hoping for improvements in procedural map generation, unique encounters, and a more compelling narrative to enhance the overall experience.
- “The gameplay loop can be addictive, and there is enough variety in the loot and builds you can make to keep you entertained.”
- “Borrowing mechanics from roguelike games like FTL and Slay the Spire, it offers a modern variation to the classic side-scroller/bullet hell recipe.”
- “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.”
- “An infectious mix of nostalgic shoot 'em up gameplay and classic graphical style, as well as more modern, updated elements in procedural map generation, unique encounters that modify your run in significant ways, and nuanced, compelling narrative.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
The graphics are described as unique and vibrant, with detailed visuals, particularly on boss enemy ships. While some players appreciate the nostalgic and classic graphical style, others express a lack of enthusiasm for the overall graphics. The combination of traditional and modern elements contributes to a visually engaging experience.
- “The music is catchy and the visuals are vibrant with very nice details on the big boss enemy ships.”
- “An infectious mix of nostalgic shoot 'em up gameplay and classic graphical style, as well as more modern, updated elements in procedural map generation, unique encounters that modify your run in significant ways, and nuanced, compelling narrative.”
- “Not a huge fan of the graphics, but they are very unique.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers strong replayability, characterized by its classic roguelite elements, making it an engaging side-scrolling shooter that encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “Excellent side-scrolling shooter with classic roguelite replay value.”