Going Platinum: I've Still Not Played Anything Else Quite Like Paradise Killer

Platinum Trophy #36: Paradise Killer

Date Earned: 22nd March 2022

Dopamine Index:

I feel like I use the word "unique" far too much when covering games; the honest truth is many of them simply are not. However, one game that really was unique when it launched, and remains so today, is the brilliant Paradise Killer.

It comes from Kaizen Game Works, a studio that seems to be brimming with creative ideas.

Its debut effort, for example, is a murder mystery adventure in which you play a detective, exiled from Paradise, but brought back to the island to solve a mass killing.

There's a lot more to the story than that, though. The game's setting is a pocket realm inhabited by alien worshipers and demons, and the island is fated to be corrupted and resurrected in pursuit of true Paradise.

I remember the game front-loading a lot of its world building and thinking it was a little too much to take in, but honestly, once you're in the swing of things it all starts to make some sort of sense.

Characters have mad names; you play as Lady Love Dies, and you'll meet friends and foes such as Crimson Acid, Dr. Doom Jazz, One Last Kiss, and The Witness to the End.

It has an unusual art style to match, with great character portraits occupying an open world environment with saturated colours and bizarre architecture.

But I think what makes Paradise Killer a truly singular game is its structure. You're charged with investigating the murder of the Council, and unlike any other game I've played, you can decide when to make your accusations whenever you like.

In fact, there's a Trophy for beating the game in under 10 minutes; you can march straight into the courtroom, point fingers, and trigger the ending.

The thing is, whether you do this or meticulously interview every character and piece together the facts, the game accepts your approach. You're the detective, and what you say goes, rightly or wrongly.

I knew about this gameplay twist going in, and for me, that meant I wanted to do my utmost to solve the case properly.

I marched to and fro on that island, speaking to suspects, pressing others for more information, and slowly unraveling the complex narrative until I was satisfied I had all the answers.

Only when I felt I had exhausted all other possibilities did I trigger the final courtroom scene and present my findings. The fact the game doesn't tell you you're right or wrong is sort of genius because it made me feel like I had to work that extra bit harder to get to the bottom of things.

It's a seriously cool game that's really stuck in my mind. I have a vivid image of the island and its inhabitants, and the superb theme music comes rushing back whenever Paradise Killer enters my head.

I actually think the Trophies are the thing I care least about in this case. I remember getting the platinum involved a lot of backtracking in search of various collectibles — not the end of the world, but the island is surprisingly large and you don't move particularly quickly.

That being said, I am glad I have this one in my collection because I really only have fond memories of this game. It's a wild experience that does a lot to stick with you.

Cheers, Paradise Killer.

Do you have the platinum Trophy for Paradise Killer on PS5? Tell us in the comments section below.