Paratopic Switch Review

Paratopic Switch Review – Bizarre game is overly bizarre

Paratopic promised a unique and thought-provoking experience, but unfortunately, it falls short of its ambitions. While it attempts to hook you in with its enigmatic atmosphere and unconventional storytelling, the execution ultimately leaves much to be desired.

Visually, Paratopic embraces a deliberately minimalistic style, opting for grainy graphics that look like something from the 1990’s. The retro-inspired visuals give off a nostalgic charm, reminiscent of PlayStation-era games. The intentional choice to embrace a more simplistic aesthetic adds an extra layer of intrigue and uniqueness to the overall experience.

The audio design, touted as a key component of the game, attempts to enhance the unsettling atmosphere. The ambient soundtrack, reminiscent of eerie and experimental electronic music, initially adds to the game’s overall mood. The atmospheric soundscape sets an ominous tone, promising a haunting experience. However, as the game progresses, the soundtrack becomes repetitive, lacking the necessary depth to truly immerse.

“While the game’s enigmatic nature might appeal to those seeking abstract and experimental narratives, it ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling and coherent story.”

Where Paratopic stumbles the most is in its storytelling. While the game strives to weave together multiple narratives and leave much open to interpretation and isn’t without its moments, the execution falls flat. The fragmented storytelling feels disjointed and confusing, which left me feeling frustrated rather than intrigued. The lack of cohesive narrative threads and clear direction left me feeling detached and unable to invest in the story being presented.

The game’s reliance on ambiguity and lack of hand-holding often borders on pretentiousness. Instead of challenging you to piece together the story, it feels more like a haphazard collection of loosely connected scenes involving three characters. The intentional opacity becomes a hindrance, making it difficult to form any emotional connection or sense of purpose throughout the experience. While the game’s enigmatic nature might appeal to those seeking abstract and experimental narratives, it ultimately falls short in delivering a compelling and coherent story.

Paratopic’s incredibly short completion time of under an hour does mean that it’s over very quickly. The brevity of the game leaves little room for substantial exploration or narrative development, resulting in a limited and unsatisfying experience. Unlike engaging walking simulators that manage to grab me with their rich environments and compelling narratives, Paratopic fell short in delivering a truly immersive and memorable journey during my playthrough. In fact, sometimes I even felt a bit bored.

Paratopic Nintendo Switch Review Summary:

In conclusion, Paratopic fails to deliver on its promises of an engaging and thought-provoking journey. Its disjointed storytelling and questionable execution left me feeling rather unsatisfied. While it may appeal to a niche audience seeking abstract and experimental games, it falls short of leaving a lasting impression. Unfortunately, Paratopic ultimately proves to be an unsettling, yet disappointing adventure.