Paradigm is a graphic adventure video game developed by Jacob Janerka.[2][3] The game has an Eastern European 1970s and 1980s post-apocalyptic look.[4]
| Paradigm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Designer(s) | Jacob Janerka |
| Composer(s) | Jonas Kjellberg |
| Platform(s) | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Release | April 5, 2017[1] |
| Genre(s) | Graphic adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Plot
The game follows Paradigm, a genetically grown person that was horribly mutated in the process, who was dumped in a post-Soviet town to grow up on his own. Paradigm then adventures through his past of DUPA Genetics only to find out he is a mutated prodigy child and that he must defeat Olof, a talking sloth who is the head of DUPA Genetics.[3]
Development
The game was crowdfunded through Kickstarter which ended on October 7, 2014, having raised $36,557 AUD by 1,387 backers, 250% over its initial funding goal[5] of $14,000 AUD.[6] To help crowd-fund the project, the game's designer Jacob Janerka quit his job.[7]
Release
Together with the Kickstarter, an alpha demo of the game was available to download and play. The game was originally slated for release in mid-2015.[8]
On August 4, 2016, the game was chosen as one of six winners to be showcased at the PAX Aus Indie Showcase 2016.[9][10] In March, 2017, a trailer was released on the developer's YouTube channel with a release date reveal of April, 5th, 2017 for Steam and Humble Bundle.[1]
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 85/100[11] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Adventure Gamers | 5/5[12] |
| Destructoid | 9/10[13] |
| IGN | 8.0/10[14] |
Reviews for the game were generally positive, with the game currently holding an average score of 85 on Metacritic.[11] Destructoid gave the game a 9 out of 10, praising its offbeat sense of humour, engaging story, distinctive world and diverse characters.[13] IGN gave the game an 8.0 out of 10, praising its voice acting and comedy and saying that it "offers a fresh and memorable entry" for the genre.[14] Press Start gave the game a 9 out of 10, praising its humor, well thought out puzzles, the game's world and for avoiding the tropes of the genre.[15]
Paradigm was one of the winners of the "Australian Game of The Year" award at the 2017 Melbourne International Games Week.[16]
