Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory

A powerful background and some good ideas are not enough to save Paranoia: Happyness is Mandatory from being a missed opportunity.

Overall, Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory feels like a missed opportunity.

Paranoia - Happiness is Mandatory is not a bad game per se. The dystopic universe derived from the tabletop role-playing game is on the contrary rather attractive, even if we lose the multiplayer dimension. But the cynical humor isn't enough to fill simplistic and repetitive graphics as well as a gameplay lacking in action and essentially revolving around the many lines of dialogue.Paranoia - Happiness is Mandatory is not a bad game per se. The dystopic universe derived from the tabletop role-playing game is on the contrary rather attractive, even if we lose the multiplayer dimension. But the cynical humor isn't enough to fill simplistic and repetitive graphics as well as a gameplay lacking in action and essentially revolving around the many lines of dialogue.

Happiness is mandatory, the Computer is your friend, and this game is mediocre at best.

Paranoia offers a unique premise with a ton of potential and under which many interesting scenarios can unfold. The balance between oppressiveness and humor is executed well, giving a very unique feel to this particular dystopian setting. Unfortunately, the developers are unsuccessful in using these to flesh out the world and narrative or to create characters that feel alive. While there are some cool ideas like termination booths, treason level, and cloning, they are executed a bit too close to the letter of the source material and don’t translate to a fun experience in a CRPG. The game is an interesting experience purely for its world and general atmosphere, but ultimately it fails to come together due to the lack of depth in its mechanics, character development, and world lore.

Quotation forthcoming.

Poor in content, form and substance, Paranoia: Happiness is mandatory involuntarily inscribes itself in the list of games that certainly do not bring the video game closer to the traditional role-playing game, but rather that underline the extreme differences and limits of the medium with respect to the characteristics of the paper versions.

Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory is an isometric RPG set in a dystopian future, but the real dystopia is the game itself.

The only positive thing I can say about this game is that it convinced me to research the source material. The tabletop RPG is infinitely more interesting than this adaptation because it’s designed for human interaction - hence the name “Paranoia”. When the surprises and betrayals are scripted, the core of the game is missing. Happiness may be mandatory but, thankfully, to play this game is optional.

The concept seemed safe enough, but by making the lore so vague, the dialogue and RPG elements so weak, and the combat too clumsy, Paranoia hasn’t lived up to expectations. With a name so blunt you’d be expecting to feel chills, to be looking over your shoulder, to thrive for triumph over an oppressive system that you fundamentally disagree with. Paranoia does none of this, and instead offers up a diluted, animated version of their table-top success. There’s a joke in there somewhere regarding board games/bored games, but so powerful is the ennui I’ll let you figure that one out for yourselves.

Paranoia: Happiness Is Mandatory demands you be happy and obedient, but you're more likely to be bored and upset that you didn't play something else.

All of these issues in design and execution are really a shame, since they mean that Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory is not enjoyable for any amount of time. The dialogue is clever and witty, and I enjoyed seeing Alpha Complex come to life in videogame form, but aesthetics can only carry something so far. While I can’t recommend this iteration. there’s always the pen-and-paper version for those who need a fix.

In contrast to its source material, Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory is a bland RPG that is as slow as it is forgettable.