Paradigm

Release Date: April 5, 2017

Adventure, science fiction, point-and-click, 2D, indie games, singleplayer

8.9

OpenCritic

96%

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A surreal two-dimensional point ‘n’ click science fiction adventure game created by Jacob Janerka, an Australian developer of Polish descent. The story of Paradigm takes us to a near future to a surreal world inspired by Eastern Europe of the 70s and 80s. The protagonist is named Paradigm, he is a mutant and a product of a failed project of DUPA Corporation that deals in breeding ideal children.

Plot
Mechanics
Technical aspects

Paradigm for PC is a classical two-dimensional point ‘n’ click surrealist science fiction adventure game. It was developed by Jacob Janerka, an independent Australian developer. The production was supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Plot

The action takes place in a near future, in 2026, in a slightly surrealist world called Krusz, inspired by the landscapes of Eastern Europe of the 70s and 80s. Paradigm is the name of the protagonist, a mutant and a failed project of DUPA Corporation that deals in breeding ideal children. Treated as a sort of accident at work, he was abandoned by his creators in a deserted, post-Soviet city. There, he unexpectedly finds consolation in music and decides to become the biggest composer of electronic music the world has ever seen. The path to this goal will not be easy, though, and the protagonist will not only have to face his past but also a wide variety of strongly absurd characters.

Mechanics

Mechanics-wise, Paradigm does not deviate from classical adventure games of the turn of the 80s and 90s, drawing inspiration from such titles as Day of the Tentacle and Full Throttle or the Monkey Island and Space Quest series. The title also utilizes a typical point ‘n’ click interface with four basic activities possible to perform, depending on the context. The gameplay boils down to exploration of subsequent locations, gathering items, solving various logic puzzles, and interacting with encountered non-playable characters.

Technical aspects

Paradigm for PC is characterized by colorful two-dimensional graphics with slightly post-apocalyptic style, which the creators describes as a combination of the old Fallout style with modern Pixar cartoons. The game is full of references to the characteristic atmosphere of Eastern Europe of the 70s and 80s. There is also plenty of easter eggs and a large dose of dark humor, meant rather for adult audience. The fun is complemented by a Jonas Kjellberg’s soundtrack in the spirit of the bygone era electronic music and movies such as Blade Runner.

Last updated on August 14, 2016

Videos and Screens

[1:59] Paradigm trailer #1

8.9

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 99% of Critics. There are 7 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Destructoid: 9 / 10 by Dennis Carden

Paradigm succeeds in being a genuinely funny and entertaining point-and-click adventure game. What it may lack in innovation, it more than makes up for with its consistently engaging story, its distinctive and unique world, and its diverse and eclectic cast of characters. Admittedly, its offbeat sense of humour may not be up to everyone's standards, but if you're the type of person who enjoys cynical and referential gags, as well as a heavy dose of Mighty Boosh-esque surrealism, Paradigm is well worth the price of admission.

Full Review

Impulsegamer: 4.6 / 5 by Chris O'Connor

If Roger Wilco and Larry Laffer had a child... via genetic engineering.

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IGN: 8 / 10 by Kosta Andreadis

Funny and fresh from beginning to end, Paradigm is a traditional point-and-click adventure game full of heart and decapitated heads in jars. The Eastern European setting, great voice acting, and confident comedy shine throughout its roughly six hours. Relatively simple puzzles aside, Paradigm offers a fresh and memorable entry in a genre that I'm happy to see alive and well in 2017.

Full Review

96%