The Search For Paradisus

Sometimes, it appears as if every game is a carbon copy of another. This feeling of "sameyness" is something that some developers consider their ultimate foe, which might explain why we still get titles like The Search for Paradisus. A wildly unique collectathon experience, this is undoubtedly a game that looks like nothing else in the market.

Of course, "unique" doesn't always mean good. In this case, however, the sheer amount of questionable design decisions on display in The Search for Paradisus guarantees that players always find something new to marvel at.

Trapped in Limbo

The game begins with the player trapped in a strange, surreal place known simply as "Purgatorium." Before we begin seeing the similarities between Dante's Inferno, it would be better to see the game as a more streamlined version of The Talos Principle. As such, be prepared for puzzles and other obstacles to appear all over the place.

Jumping and navigating obstacles will be your friends in this strange new world – a place where celestial beings tell you what to do with the help of burning bushes. If all that sounds a bit too esoteric to handle, don't worry: that's just part of The Search for Paradisus' charm.

Simplicity at its Finest

It would be unfair to judge too harshly some aspects of The Search for Paradisus. With its one-man development team, what we got is still plenty impressive, even if it does show some weaknesses from time to time. While the visuals won't be enough to blow people away in 2023, some other areas are still deserving of attention.

The story, for example, is very well written. The mystery behind the Purgatorium and some of the behind-the-scenes characters, like the elusive Mr. Nobody, keep the interest piqued in this bizarre world.

However, there are some pesky bugs and glitches that unfortunately bring down the whole experience a bit. Things like floaty controls and poor performance in some areas are to be expected, but they're disappointing nonetheless.

Constant Evolution

The Search for Paradisus is a labor of love, and it shows. As much as the game is still very much a barebones tech demo, dedicated players aiming for a compelling puzzle game that includes a gripping narrative might find an odd treat here. As much as I'd like to say that the glitches can be ignored, the truth is that the game's still a ways off from being an easy recommendation.

The silver lining here is that the developer seems to be focused on improving the game. The Search for Paradisus has come a long way since it was first added to digital storefronts, and if it keeps up the pace, we might be looking at a rather enjoyable classic in the making.

Pros

• Compelling story
• Fascinating locations and characters

Cons

• Half-baked visuals
• Disappointing animations
• Imprecise controls make puzzle-solving feel like a chore