Media Review

Paradise Killer

I finished this game somewhat recently. First of all, what drew me to play the game initially was the name and character designs. I don't typically go for games like this, but it was just so intriguing I had to give it a try.

The game opens to an interesting setup that gives kind of gives distopian 90s internet vibes. Your character is the exiled investigator Lady Love Dies, which admittedly is a kinda cringe name. While she has the most cringe name out of all of the cast, the rest also have zany names. She had been banished as punishment for being manipulated by a god, but is now being brought back to investigate the murder of the council.

The world feels a little empty, because there are really no people filling up the majority of the world. However, there are plot reasons for this. The characters that are there are paper flat in a 3d world, whichs is an odd choice. I think what causes the game to be an actually enjoyable play is the investigation aspect. You go around discovering things, talking to suspects to piece together information, and unlock new areas to explore. The story's twists are genuinely unexpected and it makes piecing together the truth all the more enjoyable. A choice I thought was a little strange was the fast travel feature. You use the in-game currency to unlock each fast-travel point and use it. The in-game currency can be gathered by playing, but there is a very limited amount of it. It makes the fast-travel seem discouraged, which may honestly be the point. It did however get tedious walking back and forth on the large map, especially towards the end.

Now for my ratings! I would probably give the story a 8/10. The way everything was revealed and how you could really 'build your own truth' as the game might say was very enjoyable. I do think there could have been a better ending. There are also some things I would like to be more elaborated on. The design is also going to be an 8/10. The characters were great looking, and the 90's motifs and music were great, but I think the world design can fall flat very easily. I would rate the gameplay a 5/10. While it was enjoyable for the most part, it was nothing spectacular and even got a little tedious towards the end. Overall, I would give the game a 6/10.

This game is a lovely quick play, with really only 10 hours of gameplay needed to full complete the game. If you enjoy games that are largely text-based with no technical skill needed, you will probably enjoy this game. It is available for free on the PS game catalogue, which is how I played it. If you can get free or cheap access to the game, I would recommend playing it.