REVIEW : Paradise Killer (PC)
Paradise killer is a detective game where the player is free to roam around and conduct various investigation on his terms. This is the one thing that catches most player’s eyes that they are free and can do whatever they want and how they like it. The premise of the game paradise killer is a pretty compelling one and it can keep the players intrigued for a long time. At its core paradise killer is a detective game as ‘Lady love’ player must investigate the murders of upper echelon by exploring a surprisingly vast and fully open island. Players can explore the game, the island, the building, hyper eccentric characters at their own pace based on what evidence they have found without really game pushing them in one constant direction like most games do.
Players are accompanied by their characters trusty laptop Starlight ‘The portable Crime Solving assistant’ neatly files every single piece of evidence found into distinct categories. It also constructs a timeline of events and list outs potential leads which leads into what effectively serves as lovely long to-do list of interesting little tidbits. Its an elegant solution to what could have been an overwhelming endeavour, especially considering the size and scope of the game with numerous lock door, various puzzles for players to solve, starlight is a necessary companion and great addition help players along the way. But despite games unconventional approach to murder mystery storytelling, it’s not its greatest strength nor the thing that will draw players to explore this wonderful game. Paradise killer hosts one of the greatest worlds that a player can come across. The location is so steeped in delicious lore and populated with such perfectly nuanced characters that despite encouraging the players to finish the game it also is intriguing them to uncover everything till there is nothing left. The island is located in pocked of reality governed by a syndicate who are blessed with immortality by a Goat Headed deity aeons ago. In a holy mission to resurrect gods within colossal pyramids, the syndicate created paradise to kidnap ordinary humans and channel their psychic energy to complete their mission.
It’s very well written and careful to never anchor itself traditionally. With every member of syndicate born under the vengeful moon in an impossible structure in an ancient long-gone civilization. As players scratch away the surface of the game they will find millions of questions about Godflesh, vampiric murders, time dilation and many more. It is fiction at its very best twisting reality with such elegance and confidence that it doesn’t feel another thing than amazing. Everything in-game is contextualized if players wish to seek it. An unexpected result of games fiction is how well it lends itself to detective genera. With NO restrictions from real-world Paradise, the killer can provide a free pace, boundaries and solutions that wouldn’t be possible in another setting. The addition of nightmare computers at different locations throughout the island makes a great impact especially the sound effect the computer holds. Paradise killers underlying narrative is reflected in paradise itself. It’s a dense location with different districts dominated by huge structures made out of concrete and marble that tower over the rest of the island. Surrounded by beaches and oceans. Paradise is scattered with statues of gods the syndicate are sworn to resurrect. These statues depict deities such as a skull-headed god, sphinxes and goad headed women. The kidnapped citizens are forced to live in cramped apartments towering over one another and work in underground factories. Much like a syndicate, the darkness in-game is quite obvious for anyone to notice.
Graphically the game resembles that of a PlayStation 2 era. Its blocky chunky looking island with few textures and lot of colours. It’s strikingly beautiful despite its slightly low fi style with iconography inspired by vaporwave moment. It all vibrant blue and purple paired with 90’s structure style. In another game, this would feel cheap and boring but for Paradise, its heavens match. An endeavour to create a visually nostalgic aesthetic was very well achieved and it’s beautiful. Staring at moving sky with northern lights is just perfect.
Moving on to characters by the time we arrive most of the citizens are taken to perfect 25 so this island sits abandon with only a few remaining members of the syndicate who serve as our primary suspects. The characters are beautifully created and are excessive. They are ancient beings it is obvious that paradise killer is in the visual novel territory with the same confidence as it approaches its grand back story. Lady Love Dies is already a part of this world although she was removed for 3 million days she has a relationship with these characters which helps to make the game much more interesting.
Coming on to the audio section it’s just flawless. First, the soundtrack a mix of city pop, jazz fusion and of course vaporwave. It’s just wonderful and fits the game perfectly. A bright and bouncy collection of tracks. The soundtracks are diegetically broadcasted throughout the island via huge speaker meaning that there are few certain locations on the island that are completely silent. A tactic used to put in a great effect.
