Free from Epic Games between April 25th and May 2nd 2024, as part of "LISA: The Definitive Edition". Also includes the sequel LISA: The Joyful.
Title: LISA: The Painful - Definitive Edition
Summary: LISA: The Painful - Definitive Edition is the newly updated version of the original quirky side-scrolling RPG, set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Olathe. Beneath the charming and funny exterior is a world full of disgust and moral destruction. Players will learn what kind of person they are by being FORCED to make choices permanently affecting the gameplay. Make sacrifices to keep your party members alive, whether it's taking a beating for them, losing limbs, or some other inhuman torture. In this world, you will learn being selfish and heartless is the only way to survive...
Release Date: December 15, 2014
Rating: Rated M for Mature
Developer: Dingaling
Publisher: Serenity Forge
Platforms: Xbox Series X, Switch, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC
Genres: RPG
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"LISA: The Painful" is a JRPG-style adventure with a deep combat system, and challenging gameplay. However, its quirky appearance hides an unsettling and twisted game filled with difficult choices, that handles sensitive topics in a very heavy handed manner. The game follows a drug addict incapable of processing childhood trauma, as he searches for his adopted daughter in a violent and morally desolate world where all other women have been completely wiped out.
It's a game that enjoys trolling the player and subverting videogame tropes. Choices can have unforeseeable consequences, or you're forced to make difficult unethical choices for small benefit to yourself. Maps are convoluted with areas you can't reach, and sometimes you have to take damage or show extreme patience to progress. Careless movement can have you falling suddenly to your death. Random fights can lead to perma-death for party members. Even resting at a campfire can cause random events that severely hamper you.
Despite all this, there's a very solid game at the core with some good quality of life features, such as save points near campfires, and certain enemies staying dead. Theres a total of 30 recruitable characters who can join your 4-man party, most with significant differences that impact how you approach fights. Theres also hundreds of combat moves and over 40 different status effects. The only real issue with the gameplay mirrors that of many JRPGs; once you've established your best team, battles can become repetitive and tedious, with status effects playing a huge role and many fights taking multiple minutes.
Overall, it doesn't provide a deep commentary, but has lots of novelty and interesting ideas, and can be completed in under 10 hours. If you're OK with the blunt way sensitive topics are dealt with, then its highly recommended, and it will leave a lasting impression on you. Also, for the best experience, try not to use a guide on your first play-through.
28 сен 2024
