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The Samaritan Paradox, a hand-drawn indie point-and-click in the best tradition of adventure gaming classics, is available 20% off on GOG.com. That's only $7.99 for the first week!

A famous writer has died. His daughter seeks the help of you, Ord Salomon, to find his secret last novel. During the search, questions will emerge. Did her father really kill himself? What is the secret novel all about? What is going on at the island of Fardo? Crack codes, decipher secrets & find a lost fortune in this exciting detective adventure, with retro style hand-drawn art, 2000+ voice lines, 60+ rooms to explore, 20+ characters to talk to, 1 lost fortune to find!

The Samaritan Paradox is set in Sweden in the 80's. Ord Salomon has agreed to help Sara Bergwall find the book her father, Jonatan Bergwall, wrote before he died. During the course of this treasure hunt, he learns that Jonatan was investigating the weapons industry, and more specifically some covert affairs with foreign dictatorships. But more questions arise. What is the book about, and why does Sara want Ord to find it for her? Did her Alzheimer's-stricken mother know the secret before she grew too demented to share it? And how did Jonatan actually die?

If you're in the mood for some classic point-and-click adventuring and you value traditional approach to that genre, you can't go wrong with The Samaritan Paradox, for only $7.99 on GOG.com. The 25% off launch promo offer lasts until Friday, April 25, at 9:59AM GMT.
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zavlin:
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awalterj:
Going on my wishlist! Thanks for the excellent review, awalterj ;-D
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Momo1991: Going on my wishlist! Thanks for the excellent review, awalterj ;-D
You're most welcome, I'm happy to hear from anyone who wants to give this game a chance, I can guarantee it won't be a let-down.
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awalterj:
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Momo1991: Going on my wishlist! Thanks for the excellent review, awalterj ;-D
*nods in agreement*
Nice release. Definitely looks like the old Indiana Jones. Just wishlisted because I should only buy it when I also get the time to play it.
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awalterj: You're most welcome, I'm happy to hear from anyone who wants to give this game a chance, I can guarantee it won't be a let-down.
Yeah, thank you for your review, I know that feeling when you really like a game but most people either doesn't know it and/or is skeptical about it. As a point'n'click fan it seems that I really have to play it and will buy it once I end playing the inner world and book of unwritten tales
Post edited April 23, 2014 by TNGpt
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TNGpt: As a point'n'click fan it seems that I really have to play it and will buy it once I end playing the inner world and book of unwritten tales
both excellent games!! Three good games in a row :)
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TNGpt: Yeah, thank you for your review, I know that feeling when you really like a game but most people either doesn't know it and/or is skeptical about it. As a point'n'click fan it seems that I really have to play it and will buy it once I end playing the inner world and book of unwritten tales
You're welcome!
I'm curious to learn what other people think about The Samaritan Paradox, it may take a while for this game to get the attention (and sales) it deserves. Ultimately, everyone's tastes and priorities are different but in my opinion this is a must-have for any fan of the traditional adventure game format. I'm super happy that I didn't skip this one.
Post edited April 24, 2014 by awalterj
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awalterj: I'm super happy that I didn't skip this one.
So am I, awaiterj. I'm not all that far along, Day 2 or maybe 3, but this game has worked my little grey cells harder than any game has in years and I'm really enjoying it.
Downloading now.
Wasn't sure but sampling the soundtrack convinced me. ;-)
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awalterj: I'm super happy that I didn't skip this one.
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irondog: So am I, awaiterj. I'm not all that far along, Day 2 or maybe 3, but this game has worked my little grey cells harder than any game has in years and I'm really enjoying it.
Glad to hear you're liking the game so far. For anyone on these boards wondering about how the puzzles are in this game, it's particularly noteworthy that all the puzzles are logical and properly clued, no 'moon logic' nonsense or puzzles requiring meta knowledge. Never felt the game was unfairly hard on me. There was only one instance where I felt a little lost due to not recognizing what an icon was supposed to represent in one of the later puzzles. It was all completely logical, I just couldn't see what it was supposed to depict at first (more of a visual communication problem).
As for the couple timed puzzles, they are pretty straightforward and shouldn't be holding up anyone for long so no hassle there, either.

To those who haven't bought the game yet, hopefully it is reassuring to you that a few of us have already finished the game so if worst comes to worst and someone gets stuck, we can help. If anyone is stuck by any chance, feel free to message me for hints (via PM so nothing gets spoilered).
Bought it and playing it, overall I am not very impressed. Certainly does not even close to Blackwell or Primordia I have been playing recently. The beginning is "fast forward to a house of puzzles". The story and dialogues seem forced and pushed forward. A daughter of a deceased wealthy man mandates an unknown self-proclaimed "cryptologist" to search family estate and on top of all tells everyone he is her boyfriend? I don't think so.
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Kamamura: Bought it and playing it, overall I am not very impressed. Certainly does not even close to Blackwell or Primordia I have been playing recently. The beginning is "fast forward to a house of puzzles". The story and dialogues seem forced and pushed forward. A daughter of a deceased wealthy man mandates an unknown self-proclaimed "cryptologist" to search family estate and on top of all tells everyone he is her boyfriend? I don't think so.
if youre having believability issues with that, youre sure to be appalled by the end ;)
No i thought the premise was ok.. hes not just self-proclaimed, hes writing a thesis. Amd he points somthing out to her that is not an easy find. its reasonable she might have him investigate. And its also very understable she wouldn't want to alert the rest of the family she has an investigator looking for this inheritance.
Post edited April 27, 2014 by zavlin
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Kamamura: Bought it and playing it, overall I am not very impressed. Certainly does not even close to Blackwell or Primordia I have been playing recently. The beginning is "fast forward to a house of puzzles". The story and dialogues seem forced and pushed forward. A daughter of a deceased wealthy man mandates an unknown self-proclaimed "cryptologist" to search family estate and on top of all tells everyone he is her boyfriend? I don't think so.
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zavlin: if youre having believability issues with that, youre sure to be appalled by the end ;)
Well, it's been a long time since I played the first Blackwell game - back when it was free, I think - but how anyone could have issues with the believability of Paradox after accepting a protagonist who talks to ghosts is beyond me.

The ending of Paradox was...different. It took a very abrupt turn into a serious subject that probably makes most of us cringe and I certainly didn't see it coming. All in all, it was a good game and I'm not sorry I bought it.
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irondog: The ending of Paradox was...different. It took a very abrupt turn into a serious subject that probably makes most of us cringe and I certainly didn't see it coming. All in all, it was a good game and I'm not sorry I bought it.
Yeah thats pretty much how i feel. The end just puts a very weird twist on everything, and im pretty sure i wouldv preferred a different end. But nevertheless its a pretty solid game.. and at least the ending feels more complete than many games... its certainly not a cliffhanger.
Post edited April 28, 2014 by zavlin
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zavlin: Yeah thats pretty much how i feel. The end just puts a very weird twist on everything, and im pretty sure i wouldv preferred a different end. But nevertheless its a pretty solid game.
I agree. The game's creator touched on a number of subjects stemming, let's say, from 'man's inhumanity to man', but the one that dominated the ending left me feeling very uncomfortable, perhaps because it's so...I dunno, personal, the sort of thing that doesn't affect nations but just a few of us (I hope) and given our druthers, most of us would probably prefer not to think about it. To use the vernacular, the game's creator had his balls to go this route.

It was a good game that had me and a few others on another forum having a great time trying to figure out some of the harder puzzles. Old school, you bet. Welcome back to the world of pixel hunting and having to think! <g> There were a few timed puzzles but they were mild enough even for the reflexes-deficient like me to handle and in my opinion, the voice work was rather good. As you said, a solid game. I look forward to another one from Petter Ljundqvist.