Review and Summary: Cube Escape Paradox
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Cube Escape: Paradox – A Comprehensive Review
It's been an incredible journey, and now we arrive at the latest installment in the series—perhaps Rusty Lake's most ambitious project yet. There are many ways to approach this review, but I’ll be diving into the full experience: the game, the film, the secret endings, and everything in between. Let’s get started.
The Scope of Paradox
Paradox is a culmination of the 12 games before it, bringing together the eerie world of Rusty Lake with a level of polish and depth that sets it apart. From countless references to past games to a short film crafted with immense love and detail, it’s clear how much effort went into this project. That alone makes it a standout entry.
Gameplay and Atmosphere
Both chapters return to the classic cube format but refine it to perfection. Unlike Seasons, where sparse room design allowed for quick exploration, Paradox packs each single-room setting with layers of intricate details. Despite this density, the game maintains a clean aesthetic, balancing complexity with atmosphere—a testament to how far the series has come.
Chapter One begins simply, reminiscent of Seasons, with callbacks like picture fragments hidden in the lights. As the game progresses, we move into the detective era of Case 23, but with a refined, more engaging execution. The typewriter puzzle, which felt a bit awkward in Case 23, is far more satisfying here. Gathering evidence feels like a true investigative process, reinforcing the game’s immersive nature.
The presence of familiar characters, now brought to life in the film segments, adds an intriguing layer to the experience. The in-game TV cleverly connects the two universes, though its presence lacks the raw, unsettling simplicity of Seasons’ TV. Another highlight is the code box, a puzzle that evolves throughout the game and truly captures the spirit of detective work.
That said, Paradox occasionally suffers from pacing issues. Some items are introduced early but only become useful much later, leading to moments of trial and error that can feel tedious. The globe puzzle, for instance, is time-consuming—one small mistake forces you to backtrack extensively. While none of the puzzles are exceptionally difficult, some lean into repetition rather than discovery.
The chapter culminates in a tense but slightly underwhelming forest sequence. While the eerie appearance of the Corrupted Soul is effective, the sequence itself feels too much like Paradise, and failing to react correctly simply resets the scene—a design choice uncommon in Rusty Lake games. The final moments feel incomplete, making it clear that Chapter Two is necessary for resolution.
This is the perfect moment to discuss the Paradox film. Ideally, it should be watched between Chapters One and Two, as it enhances the mystery without spoiling later revelations. Watching it afterward, expecting additional narrative depth, may lead to disappointment.
The film is beautifully made, bringing Dale, Laura, and Mr. Crow into the real world with a stunning level of detail. Mr. Crow’s voice is even more unsettling than in the game. The film wisely streamlines gameplay elements—no prolonged globe puzzles here—and offers a simple yet effective retelling of Paradox’s events.
However, the biggest issue is that the film, while atmospheric and well-crafted, doesn’t integrate as deeply into the game’s narrative as expected. It primarily serves as an alternate retelling rather than an essential piece of the puzzle, which may leave some fans wanting more.
Chapter Two: Raising the Stakes
Chapter Two mirrors the structure of Chapter One but with higher stakes. While no single puzzle is particularly groundbreaking, the interconnectedness of everything makes the experience feel cohesive and satisfying.
The game stumbles with the reintroduction of the globe puzzle and an out-of-place tower defense challenge, which lacks the planning phase typical of the genre. However, things take a dramatic turn with the brain-switching mechanic, which allows players to explore different versions of Dale’s mind.
- The Present Mind: Feels similar to Chapter One but introduces Mr. Crow as a more demanding figure, deviating from his usual enigmatic presence. The coffee puzzle, while straightforward, drags on due to overly specific item placement. On the upside, Dale’s psychoanalysis sequence is fascinating, though some emotional labels feel interchangeable.
- The Past Mind: Revisits Birthday’s aesthetic while introducing fresh elements. The revelation that Mr. Rabbit is David Eilander adds depth to an already eerie character.
- The Future Mind: Starts unassumingly but quickly becomes one of the most intriguing sections. The clock puzzle, while divisive, is cleverly designed. Meeting an elderly Laura raises the emotional stakes, and her pleas for Dale to make the right choice add real weight to the finale.
The final conversation with Mr. Owl—revealing his identity as Jakob Eilander and offering Dale the role of his successor—provides much-needed context for the series’ overarching mystery. However, this leads into another forest sequence, which, while visually compelling, lacks clear directions, making it frustrating to navigate.
Ultimately, Chapter Two is stronger than Chapter One, but the story still feels unfinished until the secret endings are uncovered.
Secret Endings and Final Payoff
The achievement system in Paradox is one of the better ones in the series, though still frustrating. Instead of searching every possible in-game interaction, players must analyze frames from an 18-minute movie—almost requiring external guides. That said, the rewards feel more substantial than in other Rusty Lake games.
- Secret Ending One: Introduces a surreal new setting and ties in a hidden film scene. While the final puzzle is creative, it suffers from occasional glitches and overly precise timing. Still, the narrative payoff is worthwhile.
- Secret Ending Two: Provides the most satisfying resolution, revealing when and where the events are happening while confirming that Dale has, after immense suffering, finally passed the test.
Character Development and Music
One of Paradox’s greatest strengths is its treatment of Dale Vandermeer. Unlike previous games, where character development was primarily implied, here we get a direct exploration of his psyche, struggles, and transformation. The game masterfully presents multiple versions of Dale, culminating in a protagonist who truly evolves over the course of the story.
Additionally, Paradox delivers one of the series’ most memorable theme songs. While it may not reach the atmospheric heights of Seasons or Birthday, it still resonates emotionally and ties together the game’s overarching themes.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Successor to Roots?
Paradox is an ambitious, beautifully crafted game that encapsulates everything Rusty Lake has built over the years. The puzzles are engaging, the story is well-constructed, and the integration of the film is impressive—even if it doesn’t tie in as deeply as advertised.
However, when compared to Roots, Paradox falls just short of being the best Rusty Lake game. The main reason? Roots is a tighter experience, where every scene and puzzle serves a clear narrative purpose. In contrast, Paradox, while an incredible achievement, has moments that feel like filler rather than essential storytelling.
That said, this does not diminish Paradox’s significance. It is a phenomenal game, a tribute to everything that came before it, and a fitting conclusion (for now) to the Rusty Lake saga. A must-play for any fan of the series.