Patrick’s Parabox, review of the brightest puzzle game of the moment

Creating a puzzle game is not easy. It’s important not only to have a good starting idea, but also to be able to repeat that idea over and over again, change it, and find a new direction. We also need to make sure that the difficulty is correct, at a pace that is satisfactory for the players, but at the same time not creating sudden difficulty increases. Patrick’s Parabox manages to do all this.

here is ours Patrick’s Parabox reviewA puzzle game based on boxes that fit inside other boxes.

Boxes and paradoxes

starting idea very simple. We are a box with eyes and can move in four basic directions. Our goal is to move a colored box in a specific area and then place ourselves at the destination. To be generous, we can say that Patrick’s Parabox is just that and nothing more.

That wouldn’t be a false statement, but it clearly wouldn’t do justice. genius Patrick Traynor’s game. Very clearly the game is divided into a number of areas, each of which offers new ideas that allow you to move the boxes in a different way.

For example, we start with boxes, which themselves have a space to move into and move into. Before long we find ourselves moving from one box to another, realizing that we need to find the right spot to block it so it doesn’t move. The spaces then start to be inside other spaces so that an exit becomes an entry and vice versa. We know it makes no sense in words, but that’s the genius of Patrick’s Parabox: even though it’s constant. physical and logical paradoxit works flawlessly and the solution is always understandable.

As mentioned at the beginning, one of Patrick’s Parabox’s strengths is that, despite being one of the most impregnating puzzle games we’ve played in a long time, never unfair or vague. Each new area simply introduces new mechanics and proposes very simple initial puzzles so you can immediately practice with the idea just suggested, whether it’s a box that clones other boxes or a box that repeats every action but is in a mirrored version. The first levels, as a rule, are completed in a few seconds, and only in the later levels do you really have to think about how to find the solution.

there are also many optional levels seriously on higher difficulty. The latter is the real highlight of Patrick’s Parabox, as they offer the best ideas. In various areas, the number of optional levels is equal if not more than the number of mandatory levels for advancement. So while it’s true that even the less experienced can make it to the end of the game, players who want to be tested will have the most fun. Longevity can also easily be doubled if you want to complete all the puzzles. There are also some extras of a completely different style (you will learn), to these are also added some special objectives that seek to create paradoxes in the paradox (like pulling out a box from oneself and reaching the end of the universe … we are not kidding).

Graphics, sound and style

Is everything perfect then? Adhere to. If you’re just looking for a bare and raw game from a puzzle game, Patrick’s Paradox won’t let you down for a second. On the other hand, if you’re looking for more, you have to deal with it. independent nature.

Patrick’s Parabox, sorry to repeat it, is a game about a colored box that moves a colored box inside a colored box. There aren’t many ways to shuffle the cards on the table, and the gameplay is exactly the same, with some chromatic variations. visual and stylistic terms. There is not much to satisfy the eye and after a while some fatigue can be felt.

Speech looks like music: first of all it’s nice, because it’s never boring, but in this case too there’s no room for suggesting interesting sound effects or music. There is also no plot or some kind of context that could create intrigue. We’re not dealing with a project like The Witness, for example, but we’re not dealing with a simpler yet refined Braid either.

Patrick’s Parabox he just wants us to play, one after the other, without a second pause and thus without interruption. For some it will be a strength, for others it can be a flaw. If in doubt, know that a demo is also available: you will probably fall in love with it right away.