Jul 2023
Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of Lisa: Definitive Edition! If you ever pondered what would happen if Earthbound decided to take a somber trip down the wrong side of town, look no further! In this game, joy is less about care-free feelings and more about eventual disappointment—kind of like life, but with more punching. Strap in, because we're diving into a post-apocalyptic wasteland that might make you question your choices, your sanity, and whether you should be feeding your pets before playing.
The gameplay in Lisa is what I like to call ‘emotional survival.’ You control Brad Armstrong, who sounds like a superhero but is essentially just a balding man with heavy daddy issues. Brad is on a quest—not the kind of quest where you find treasure, but the kind where you search for his adoptive daughter, Buddy, in a world where every decision could lead you to either glory or a deep existential crisis. Along the way, players get to make some serious moral decisions, put together a team of varying ‘not-so-great’ companions, and face battle scenarios that might have you laughing one minute and crying the next (or simultaneously, depending on your sensitivity to cartoonish violence mixed with complex themes). Combat-wise, it features an engaging turn-based RPG style with a twist! Enter the ‘Dial Combo’ system, where you unleash devastating combo attacks. Imagine pressing buttons furiously, and if you're lucky, a fireball will shoot out. The characters can even go through some literally disarming choices (like losing limbs) that affect gameplay—who needs two arms anyway when you can bite your enemies with fervor? But don't worry, there are enough quirky party members (30, to be exact) who make fighting odd creatures feel like an absurd slice of interesting theatre. Just in case you think you're safe, watch out! Characters (the ones that aren't you) can permanently die, which is kind of like a game of Russian Roulette where losing your favorite party member stings a little more than you expected, sort of like your last breakup. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll definitely shout "Why did I save that guy?"
Visually, Lisa: Definitive Edition is a delightful nod to classic 2D RPGs but with a heavy dose of weird. Instead of lavishly rendered animations, you get a style steeped in a unique blend of grotesque and charming characters. Think retro, but nostalgic enough to make you feel like you just smashed your face into a wall. The landscapes of Olathe are bleak, dilapidated, and filled with more bizarre creatures than a family reunion. Don't expect Pixar graphics; instead, feel like you’re journeying through a graphic novel that has been a bit rough around the edges, giving it a gritty, raw aesthetic that resembles a world long forgotten. It's all perfectly accentuated by its atmospheric soundtrack, which ranges from melancholic piano tones to eerily upbeat whims that leave you clutching your controller as if it were a rare gem of sanity in this chaotic mess.
Lisa: Definitive Edition is a captivating experience that dazzles with its humor, depth, and heartbreak. It flips the RPG genre on its head by marrying emotional storytelling with unapologetic savagery. Sure, you might lose some limbs and sanity along the way, but honestly, who hasn't? The game’s humor is dark but brilliantly crafted, ensuring that even in moments of despair, a chuckle is never far behind. If you're looking for a light-hearted romp, you've clicked the wrong link, my friend. Yet if you fancy a game that challenges you mentally, emotionally, and in the most bizarre ways possible, then welcome to the wonderfully warped world of Lisa. Grab your controller and prepare for a journey where every choice counts—even if it means losing a few arms along the way. Consider this your warning: things are about to get weird, and you’re going to love every cringe-worthy moment of it!
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