Paratopic

 Switch
Metascore
tbd

No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Nintendo Life
    Sep 14, 2020
    70
    Paratopic is a fever dream; a near-constantly engaging sequence of strange and at times frightening imagery. It's intriguing stuff, to say the least, but we felt that it rather fizzled out just when our interest in the various eldritch goings-on was piquing. We found that beyond experiencing it all over again there was nothing much in the way of meaningful replay value, but as a once-through bad trip, it'll keep you glued to your Switch from start to annoyingly-abrupt finish.
  2. Vandal
    Sep 13, 2020
    70
    Paratopic is something different, a game with a tiny budget and the sole purpose of challenge your expectations. It’s very weird, but we love having these experiences that help us break our gaming routine.
  3. Cubed3
    Feb 7, 2025
    60
    There are no answers in this short spooky story. None. You might think there are, but there aren't. Paratopic is all atmosphere, and zero plot. Things are happening, but it's hard and maybe even impossible to make sense of it all. The good news is that when the atmosphere isn't just good, but fantastic, and as a result the adventure is very immersive despite its lack of a coherent narrative. A solid recommendation whenever the price is low enough, and in the mood for something enjoyably unsettling and mysterious, yet without much meat on its bones.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 7 out of 18
  1. doomsdaydonut
    Dec 3, 2021
    3
    I've had my eye on Paratopic for about two years since I first saw it on the Steam store. I was immediately drawn to the art style and itsI've had my eye on Paratopic for about two years since I first saw it on the Steam store. I was immediately drawn to the art style and its accompanying promise of a horror/psychological experience. I picked it up on the Switch while it was on sale this week, and finally sat down to play it last night. All I can say is wow. What a disappointment. The game took me about 45 minutes to complete, and about 30-35 minutes of that experience comprised driving a car down a completely empty highway and walking through the woods at a painfully slow pace following a bird. What little story Paratopic tries to convey went completely over my head. I really wanted to enjoy this game, so I felt quite let down by what I was seeing. I found the atmosphere, soundtrack, and bits of conversation quite compelling, but the lack of story and gameplay really brings down the experience. The game literally cuts from scene to scene without weaving in any story to tie it all together. I feel like I paid too much for this game even though I purchased it for over 50% off.… Full Review »
  2. syntaxapproval
    Mar 18, 2021
    9
    Paratopic is a very strange experience. There seems to be a lot of negative reviews based on it's visual style, which I found wonderful andParatopic is a very strange experience. There seems to be a lot of negative reviews based on it's visual style, which I found wonderful and nostalgic, as if playing a lost PS1 game, or an early Half-Life 1 mod. Elements of the engine remind me of other early PC games as well (à la Quake 2). While you may deem this as a walking simulator, the point remains to immerse yourself in a short yet satisfying hallucinatory experience; interacting with a mysterious gas station clerk, photographing birds in a state park, or trying to not fall asleep at the wheel while dialing through your AM/FM radio. Although a short game, there are elements of replay in unlocking all of the "achievements", which in turn make for some interesting observations on second and third replays. Not to mention that the audio and soundtrack are fantastic. For fans of mystery, intrigue and a short captive experience (under an hour), I highly recommend Paratopic. I strongly believe we need more games like this that attempt to break the ever-present mold of cookie cutter games. I'd rather pay less than 5 dollars for something I finished than 50 for something I got bored of.… Full Review »
  3. nusco
    Oct 26, 2020
    6
    Paratopic is a very short hallucination with deliberately primitive 3D graphics. It puts you through a sequence of flash-backs andParatopic is a very short hallucination with deliberately primitive 3D graphics. It puts you through a sequence of flash-backs and flash-forwards, that all together allude to an overarching plot involving VHS tapes smuggling, violent killings, and possibly some kind of alien conspiracy. In other words, not typical gaming material. Paratopic is definitely experimental work, and an explicit homage to the movies of David Lynch–with a generous serving of David Cronenberg to boot.

    Pros:

    - Creates an unsettling, hypnotic sense of dread.
    - Strong, uncompromising artistic vision.
    - Great soundwork.

    Cons:

    - Extremely short–less than an hour, with very limited replayability.
    - Barely interactive and very linear.
    - The early 90s-era polygons are part of the vision, but you might find them intolerable.    … Full Review »
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