Reviews

Patrick’s Parabox review for PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch

Platform: PS5
Also on: PC, Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Draknek Limited
Developer: Patrick Traynor
Medium: Digital
Players: 1
Online: No
ESRB: E

The real test of any puzzle game comes not when you’re playing it, but when you’re doing anything other than playing it. Call it the Tetris effect, or the Portal test, or whatever else you want: when a puzzle game seeps into your subconscious mind and you start thinking about solutions even when you’re not playing it, that’s how you know it’s good.

By that standard, Patrick’s Parabox is pretty darn good. It’s built around a basic idea: you move boxes to set points within a larger box, and then you move yourself – also a box – to the last space, and you’re set. The concept is as simple as they come, but the 350+ levels here show that within that idea, there are multitudes of other ideas.

At first it doesn’t seem so difficult or complex – it’s literally just moving boxes in a few directions, and then it’s off to the next level. But, slowly and surely, Patrick’s Parabox introduces new rules that make it get harder and more harder. You have boxes within boxes. Boxes lead into other boxes, which lead back to themselves. You constantly have to think about directions and the space around you, and it’s not long before you find yourself lying awake, consumed by thoughts of boxes inside boxes inside boxes inside boxes inside –

Sorry, I got stuck for a second there. But that’s the kind of game Patrick’s Parabox is: it worms its way into your brain and sticks there, and if you’re a fan of deceptively simple puzzle games, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.

Draknek Limited provided us with a Patrick’s Parabox PS5 code for review purposes.

Grade: A-
Paul Bryant

Staff Writer

Recent Posts

Industria II review for PC

Fun world-building, not-so-fun game.

12 hours ago

PlayStation players get an exclusive Astro Bot outfit in Rayman Legends Retold

PS5 owners can get their hands on another fun, free outfit at launch!

1 day ago

Toy Story: Retro Roundup! review for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X

A nostalgic trip back to early Pixar gaming, though held back slightly by clunky controls…

2 days ago

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion shows off its rogue-like mode ahead of the release of the game’s 2nd DLC pack

Even when he’s trying to be a hero, Dr. Doom is still quite the villain.

2 days ago

The Third Surface Reclamation War comes to the forefront as Goddess of Victory: NIKKE celebrates 4 years of service

Knowing this game and their Anniversaries…We’re in for some heartbreak.

2 days ago

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (Full Game) review for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2

Another example that shows that Infinity Ward still knows how to do it best.

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.