Guardian of Paradise

RPG / JRPG

Guardian of Paradise is a charming action-adventure game with a distinctly old-school Japanese feel. Developed by Buster, it combines exploration, combat, puzzles and a colorful fantasy world, giving the player plenty of reasons to wander off the obvious path. The game's compact scale does not prevent it from offering a surprisingly substantial adventure, with different areas, enemies and abilities encouraging exploration and experimentation. Its presentation has a nostalgic simplicity that works particularly well with the fantasy setting, making the world feel like something discovered in an old collection of freeware games rather than a modern production designed by a committee. If you enjoy classic action adventures with exploration and secrets, Guardian of Paradise is a lovely obscure gem that deserves more attention.

“Guardian of Paradise is a fun little Zelda-ish game by Buster, who you may know as having created Akuji the Demon. GoP casts you as Tela, a boy whose sister has fallen ill. Nobody knows what´s wrong with her, so there seems to be no cure, but legends tell of healing waters in Paradise, so Tela sets out to find the fabled land and save his sister. He encounters elemental spirits along the way, which provide magic, and the basis for the game´s puzzle system.” - Buster