What Kind of Game is LISA: The Painful? A Deep Dive into the Post-Apocalyptic RPG
LISA: The Painful is a 2014 post-apocalyptic role-playing video game (RPG) that blends dark humor, challenging gameplay, and a deeply emotional narrative into a unique and unforgettable experience. Developed by American indie studio Dingaling Productions, it’s more than just a typical RPG. It’s a meticulously crafted journey through a desolate world filled with morally ambiguous characters, difficult choices, and the constant struggle for survival. At its core, LISA: The Painful is a 2D side-scrolling, turn-based RPG that draws heavily from classic titles while forging its own distinctive identity. This blend of genres, coupled with its mature themes, has earned it a cult following among players seeking more than just standard fantasy fare.
Unpacking the Core Gameplay Mechanics
Turn-Based Combat with a Twist
The combat in LISA: The Painful is grounded in traditional turn-based JRPG principles. Players engage enemies in side-scrolling battles, selecting actions from a menu. However, it’s far from a simple matter of attack, defend, and heal. The game introduces a more nuanced system. Character positioning, status effects, and managing party members’ resources are crucial. One unique element is that attacks are often modified by key presses (using WASD) during the attack animation. This adds a layer of skill and responsiveness to the classic formula. Characters each have unique and impactful skills that can be crucial in various combat scenarios. With over 30 characters to recruit, team compositions can lead to vastly different gameplay experiences.
Exploring the Broken World
Outside of combat, players explore a dilapidated world presented in a 2D, side-scrolling perspective. This exploration involves interacting with NPCs, completing quests, scavenging for items, and navigating dangerous environments. The world is far from linear, and its design often encourages players to backtrack and uncover hidden areas. The game emphasizes player agency, with many choices directly affecting the game’s progression and outcome. It’s crucial to carefully manage party resources and health as the post-apocalyptic landscape is dangerous and unforgiving.
A Narrative-Driven Experience
What truly sets LISA: The Painful apart is its narrative. The game’s story is a bleak and often disturbing tale of loss, addiction, and desperation. Players step into the shoes of Brad Armstrong, a middle-aged martial artist who ventures into the ruined world to protect his adopted daughter, Buddy. The narrative tackles heavy themes with unflinching honesty, often leaving the player to confront morally grey situations. Choices have consequences, not only in terms of gameplay but also in how the story unfolds.
A Unique RPG Experience
LISA: The Painful doesn’t shy away from challenging conventional RPG tropes. It’s an experience that blends dark humor with genuine moments of despair, creating a tonal dichotomy that adds to the game’s distinctive identity. It isn’t a power fantasy but rather a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds. The game draws inspiration from series such as Earthbound in its presentation but carves out its own identity with a darker, more mature tone. It is an exploration of the human condition in the face of utter societal collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions About LISA: The Painful
Is LISA: The Painful an RPG Maker Game?
No, LISA: The Painful was not made with RPG Maker. However, the first game in the trilogy, LISA: The First, was created using RPG Maker 2003. Despite the use of the RPG Maker engine in the first game, LISA: The Painful is a more complex and robust game, developed outside of that engine.
What Inspired LISA: The Painful?
LISA: The Painful is heavily inspired by 8-bit era JRPGs, especially the Earthbound series. It incorporates the exploration and combat mechanics common to the genre but adds its own distinct dark and mature spin.
What is Pain Mode in LISA: The Painful?
Pain Mode is an extra difficulty setting designed as the game’s hard mode. It is recommended that players complete the game on Normal Mode first. Pain Mode features more challenging combat, additional content, and increased stakes, presenting a different experience from the base game.
Is LISA: The Painful a JRPG?
While LISA: The Painful draws heavily from classic JRPG mechanics, it’s not a pure example of the genre. Its dark themes, mature storytelling, and westernized style place it somewhere between JRPG and western indie RPG design.
Is Combat in LISA: The Painful Turn-Based?
Yes, combat in LISA: The Painful is turn-based. Players engage enemies in traditional turn-based battles within a 2D side-scrolling environment.
Is LISA: The Painful a Hard Game?
Yes, LISA: The Painful is intentionally designed to be a hard and torturous game. It challenges players with difficult combat, resource management, and heartbreaking choices.
Is LISA: The Painful the First Game in the Series?
No, LISA: The Painful is the second installment in the LISA trilogy. It’s preceded by LISA: The First (2012) and followed by the standalone DLC LISA: The Joyful (2015).
How Long Does It Take to Beat LISA: The Painful?
The main story of LISA: The Painful takes around 11 hours to complete. A 100% completion playthrough can take closer to 25 hours.
Which LISA Game Should I Play First?
The release order is the recommended play order. You should start with LISA: The First, then LISA: The Painful, and finally, LISA: The Joyful. This will provide the most cohesive and understandable experience of the full story.
Will There be a Sequel to LISA: The Painful?
No, LISA: The Definitive Edition includes both LISA: The Painful and LISA: The Joyful. This edition serves as the complete package and conclusion to the LISA story.
How Many Endings Does LISA: The Painful Have?
LISA: The Painful has three main endings: Joyful, Joyless, and Pain Mode. In addition to those endings, there are also three variations based on your choices made with the character Buzzo; Selfish, Sorta Selfish, or Selfless.
Who is the Main Antagonist in the LISA Trilogy?
Marty Armstrong is the overarching antagonist of the LISA trilogy. He plays a key role in LISA: The First, a minor role in LISA: The Painful, and has no presence in LISA: The Joyful.
Who is Rando in LISA?
Rando (real name Dusty Armstrong) is the adopted son of Brad Armstrong.
How Do I Make LISA: The Painful Full Screen?
You can make LISA: The Painful full screen by pressing F5 or Alt+Enter. Additionally, F1 will open an in-game options menu.
How Do I Beat the Hair Enemy in LISA?
The Hair enemy is not immune to fallen, meaning abilities that knock enemies prone will work. Brad’s tackle can stun it, making it vulnerable to other attacks.