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LISA: The Painful

Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), Linux • 2014

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Quick resume

The miserable journey of a broken man...

Global score

95/100

Genres

Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Turn-based strategy (TBS)

Pros

  • Deep and impactful story
  • Unique dark humor
  • Challenging tactical combat
  • Large cast of memorable characters
  • Immersive post-apocalyptic atmosphere

Cons

  • Punishing difficulty and permadeath
  • Some players may find themes too dark or disturbing
  • Lack of map or guidance can cause confusion
  • Slow pacing early in the game
  • Some visual and technical glitches

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players make tough decisions with lasting consequences and can choose party members and paths, reflecting high personal control and freedom."

  • Competence
    3

    "Combat is challenging and tactical with unique party members and skills, requiring skill and strategic thinking."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is on personal story and survival rather than competing against others; no multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation
    4

    "Highly engaging story and gameplay encourage long play sessions and replayability to explore different choices and endings."

  • Cooperation
    1

    "Players manage a party of characters cooperating in combat, but gameplay is single-player and party members are AI-controlled."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players recruit and customize party composition and experiment with different combat strategies and character skills."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared struggle and mutual respect rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Dark, immersive narrative and atmosphere provide a strong escape from real life through emotional engagement."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest in the story and gameplay, not out of obligation or pressure."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players explore multiple paths, recruit different characters, and try various combat tactics and choices."

  • Exploration
    3

    "Game features semi-open segmented world with hidden areas, secrets, and non-linear exploration."

  • Expression
    2

    "Character customization is limited to party composition and equipment; no avatar personalization or cosmetic mods."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Set in a surreal post-apocalyptic world with bizarre characters and events, blending dark fiction and absurdity."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Single-player experience focused on individual journey with limited social interaction or community involvement."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop skills, level up characters, and learn strategies to overcome difficult challenges."

  • Health
    -4

    "Sedentary gameplay with themes of drug addiction and emotional trauma; no physical activity involved."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires sustained attention and focus due to challenging combat and story-driven gameplay."

  • Intimacy
    -3

    "Emotional connections are formed with characters but limited to narrative; no close social or romantic interactions."

  • Leadership
    3

    "Player leads a party of up to four characters, making strategic decisions and managing team composition."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players accumulate items, upgrades, and recruit characters to strengthen their party and advance the story."

  • Relaxation
    -3

    "Game maintains tension and emotional strain with difficult choices and dark themes; not relaxing."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Unique pixel art, disturbing imagery, and an experimental soundtrack provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status
    -4

    "Focus is on personal narrative and survival rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story
    5

    "Deep narrative immersion with complex characters, moral dilemmas, and impactful story arcs."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Combat and party management require tactical thinking, planning, and adaptation to challenging encounters."

  • Thrill
    4

    "High stakes decisions, permadeath mechanics, and unpredictable outcomes create suspense and tension."

  • Value
    4

    "Offers a rich, memorable experience with many hours of gameplay and replay value for a modest price."

  • Violence
    4

    "Game features brutal combat, permanent character deaths, and graphic depictions of violence and gore."

  • Survival
    4

    "Players must manage resources, avoid threats, and make difficult choices to keep party members alive."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026