LISA: The Painful

The game effectively starts with a 10 minute cutscene with no actual gameplay or narrative choices, then proceeds into the first fight where I immediately lost because I refused to beat an innocent dog to death.

Not a great start for this one. Maybe it gets better, but my first taste doesn't leave me wanting more.

An all time classic for me; Proof that RPGMaker is as good of a tool as anything else. Brutal, disgusting, traumatic, funny. Genuinely one of the best RPGs ever, unique and earnest in a way few can claim.

You just have to be able to handle some really gnarly themes. Abuse, violence, threats of rape. It does not hold back. But it's not crass, either, or especially thoughtless about it. There is something important here. It means something.

Definitely left its mark on me. It might leave its mark on you too.



Lisa Lisa Lisa Lisa Lisa Lisa
I̷̬͈̿t̴̟͆̕ ̶̗͉͋Ḩ̸̨̈͊u̴̗̬̍̓r̵̛̰t̸̹͋s̷̺̺͝

Mierda

Brad

no game has ever made me come close to vomiting pls play blind

Instant classic, I still occasionally come back to this game nearly a decade after release

Great game so far. Love the unique combat system and choices.

interesting game with a dark tone. it likes to subvert your expectations and fuck you over. probably won't finish it but it does a lot of cool things

story interesting as hell, gameplay fun as hell.

Glad I finally got to experience this game, took me 8 years after buying it to finally finish it. It's seriously such an uncomfortable experience. So many disturbing moments you have to endure both when exploring and when experiencing the story, but also has so many hilarious moments. The gameplay is also so unforgiving and will beat you down to a pulp in combat, choices, and just traversing the world.

An absolutely awful experience. I definitely recommend it... Though you need to know what your getting into before buying.

my name is yado, i made the joy.
it was difficult, to control the mutants together.

8/10

holy shit

I killed my friend so I can keep my arm

Addiction Is a powerful thing

hell yeah

This video game is something else, I had never before played a game this before, and when I first played it, it put me in a depressive state. LISA is a very difficult turn based RPG game, and it has one of the best and also most depressing and upsetting stories I have ever seen. The game has a fair bit of comedy, but it is counterbalanced by moments that are just heart-wrenching, and a completely bizarre soundtrack that captures the essence of the game.
I personally recommend playing the original mkxp version over the definitive edition, for one's initial playthrough, because no one in any way should (have the option to) play the game in an easy mode, it defeats one of the core aspects of LISA.
This is an absolutely phenomenal video game that deserves more recognition, but be warned, it is a very heavy video game.

Words cannot describe how much I love this game. I am not an emotional person, but this game hit me harder than Grave of the Fireflies. This game is something you have to experience firsthand to understand what I'm saying. This game makes Undertale look like Desert Bus. I love this game so much that I bought it three times. First on Steam, and then when definitive edition came out I got it on Switch. Then finally the Lisa Bundle of Joy when it was only available in Japan. Now should you do this? Yes. Buy it now.

really makes you think

Easily the greatest RPG Maker game of all time. Very unique gameplay, art style, and story that you can always come back to and keep finding things you missed. 10/10

Hilarious and funny, yet sometimes very deep. Also very hard combats!

He dropped her, she dropped him.

A curse upon a world filled with pain and despair itself. Hope never existed to begin with, leaving only cruel choices and bitter regrets behind. The world is absurd and corrupted, mercilessly mocking one's true powerlessness within it. This journey, stained with sacrifice and suffering, leaves indelible scars on the soul, with nothing but emptiness waiting at its end. To the question of how horrific the cost of survival can be, LISA provides a hauntingly clear answer.


세상은 불편함과 불쾌함으로 가득 차 있다.

An amazingly soul crushing adventure
Only play if you have an extremely thick skin when it comes to unrelenting misery in games.
Thanks to this very game, it created an entire sub genre of music replicating stuff you'd hear in this and it's DLC sequel. Love it.

I've gotta be honest - I think this is boring and slow and awkward and not fun to play.

I was gonna open it up and play just now and in my head I was like pfff... like I was about to do work. As soon as a game does that to me, it's out.

Maybe it gets better later (I don't know) but even if that is the case I hate games that make a point of being boring at the beginning. If you've got something to show me then get on with it.

its makes me big sad

I hope you have your tissues ready for this one...

You play this sad bloke named Brad Armstrong who was once a martial artist and fell victim to an drug referred to as Joy. I don't need to tell you that it was a way to cope with unresolved trauma, right? Sweet! As someone who doesn't care about spoilers, this is one case where I genuinely recommend you go in blind your first play-through, so I'll try to avoid them with this review!

In this Dystopian world, women have essentially gone extinct. Not a surprising twist here buuut Brad happens upon a baby girl one day and views it as an opportunity to redeem himself for the past by raising and protecting her as his own. (I will forewarn everyone now: this game doesn't shy away from alluding to potentially triggering stuff. It's never explicitly stated, though the implications are quite clear. Which is what you'd expect in a realistic post-apocalyptic setting: moral desolation.)

Of course, after a few years, she runs away for reasons I won't disclose here. Suffice to say the poor lass doesn't understand just how dangerous and nefarious depraved men can really be.

Brad quickly makes it his one goal in life to find her.

And in this journey, you'll see glimpses into his past while simultaneously making choices now that may negatively impact him - or those around him.

Let me exaggerate this before we go any further: every single decision you make matters. Some have more noticeable consequences than others. The ones that have the largest impact? You will have no doubt on whether it's important, so enjoy yourself and play at your leisure!

Like many others have stated, I can wholeheartedly agree that LISA has the humor of BoJack Horseman and the gameplay mechanics of Earthbound. That alone was enough to sell me on this masterpiece. Should that not be enough motivation by itself for you, I can confidently say this is absolutely one of the best games I've ever played out of the hundreds of thousands I've perused.

9.5/10

Haven't played Joyful nor First yet, but oh Lord this game.
Yes the rpg system isn't great, and it isn't a great challenge (I played in Pain mode), it's easy to break the resources system with Nern, but honestly, who cares? It was funny changing my playstyle depending on my companions and limbs. But gameplay isn't what Lisa focuses on, the story and the character are the thing that get you.
!SPOILER ALLERT!




When I had to choose to kill my allies (I WILL NEVER LET NERN DIE) or cut one of Buddy's nipple only to be FORCED TO KILL THEM WITH MY HANDS IN THE ENDING destroyed me, the hatred i fekt for Brad in the last bits of the story was a first for me, and no I DIDN'T HUG HIM IN THE END.
So yes one hell of an experience, can't wait to see more of Buddy and I hope Buzzo in Joyful.

Good but weird

Despite the creativity put into this game's worldbuilding its mechanics are boring and annoying, which made me stop playing it.

A Painfully joyful Journey into suffering

This review will focus on Lisa the Painful but also the Lisa trilogy a whole.

Interdiction

I’ve loved this game for almost 10 years. it’s my second favorite game of all time. Incredible gameplay, amazing Soundtrack, distinctive art style, and one of the best stories ever told all come together to create an atmosphere that carries you from the very first moment to the closing of the credits. If you haven’t played it yet, start with Lisa: The First where it all began.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2743030/LISA_The_First/

Chapter 1: Lisa: The First

Lisa: The First is the origin of the trilogy. Though brief, this mini entry sets the tone with its raw, uncompromising grim and hopeless mood. It’s the essential primer. A quick taste of the darkness that defines the series and you Should Play it before playing the Painful or the Joyful.

Chapter 2: Lisa: The Painful

Part 1: The Painful

The Story:
The early hours are intentionally slow, almost as if the game is testing your patience by holding back its full impact; I think that is a brilliant way to throw off those who are expecting something else from the game. The deliberate pace gradually unfolds a richly layered world that truly comes to life after the first hour or so. The narrative unfolds with a distinctive dark humor, a biting, almost surreal tone that only deepens the effect of every painful moment. The 2D design is truly distinctive. Every area is carefully crafted, creating a purposeful and immersive landscape that guides you naturally through the game while telling the story of an area without saying a word. It makes you wonder if there are more areas you can explore or secrets you haven’t discovered yet. This thoughtful design makes exploration feel exciting, ensuring that every step you take adds to the overall atmosphere regardless to where you are in the map.

The Gameplay:
The combat in Lisa: The Painful is meticulously polished, with turn based mechanics that reward strategic planning and precise execution. There are virtually no random encounters, only two designated spots where you must actively search for fights. Each encounter is unique, with every enemy boasting its own distinct visual flair and character. The boss fights are especially a highlight; they’re fantastic in both design and challenge. The secret boss in the Definitive Edition, with its raw emotional impact stands out as one of the most memorable and unique boss encounters I've ever experienced.

The Art:
The music and art style are central to what makes Lisa so special. The soundtrack remains with you long after you stop playing, and the visuals are uniquely unsettling. The abstract art supports the narrative perfectly, building an atmosphere that is both grim and, at moments, strangely beautiful.

Part 2: The Definitive Edition

The Definitive Edition refines many rough edges of the original. Key differences include tightened narrative elements, refined mechanics, and a secret boss fight that offers a fresh challenge. While the core experience remains faithful to the OG, these tweaks make the game a bit smoother and more satisfying overall. I recommend playing the Definitive Edition over the OG. It’s a superior way to experience this painful journey.

Chapter 3: Lisa: The Joyful

The Joyful stands as a game in its own right. It carries the dark DNA of the series while easing into a slightly lighter tone. In my experience, it doesn't deliver the same emotional weight as Lisa: The First or Lisa: The Painful. Its boss fights, however, are the best in the series, injecting a refreshing burst of excitement into the experience. While the overall offering feels more limited and falls short compared to the earlier entries, it provides a conclusion to the main story.

Chapter 4: Fan Games

The community around Lisa is incredible. Over the years, fan games have carried the torch with remarkable creativity. Standouts include:
Lisa: The Hopeful A Complete game.
Lisa: The Pointless Still in development.
Lisa: The Fool An upcoming game.
All of Which are free.

Conclusion

From the humble, haunting beginnings of Lisa: The First, trials of Lisa: The Painful to the challenges of Lisa: The joyful, every chapter tells part of a story that I can’t fully do justice in words. I’ve loved every minute of it, and I know you’ll find something unforgettable in its pain and, surprisingly, in its hope.

This game will mentally scar you your whole life, and afterwards you'll be left wanting more

very sad very cool very epic idk brad is a really full character and i love him

Creative and soulful. Enjoy!

Funniest and most depressing game ever made

banger
from the music
to the writing
to the story
to the gameplay
truly a 10/10
tho i have only 3 hours so this aint real fact

This is the worst game I have ever played.

Epic

It's like the best game ever made. Probably.

VERY GOOD GAME I TELL EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS GAME PLEASE PLAY THIS GAME YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I'm beyond speechless, what a heartbreaking, depressing, sorrowful journey, yet at the same time, a self aware comedic one at times.

I hate you and I love you Mr. Jorgensen.

What an amazing game.

Notsocasualbrowser Plays LISA: The Painful
Notsocasualbrowser Has finished LISA: The Painful
Notsocasualbrowser has depression
Notsocasualbrowser takes Joy
Notsocasualbrowser is overjoyed

9/10
Would fall off a bike off a cliff again

Haven't played the definitive edition yet, but this game walks the line perfectly between Earthbound and Pathologic of being both a funny, enjoyable, quirky RPG and a miserable world and experience.

its lisaing time

Been playing on Pain Mode.
Went an hour without saving.
Nern talks my fucking ear off and Brad isn't rested.
Got gangbanged by the fucking snakes 5 TIMES IN A ROW.
Died.
10/10 Nern has better dialogue than most games I've played/watched since 2020.
BRAD DID NOTHING WRONG

This is the darkest game ever made. I loved it

from start to finish, the combat and the OST, this game is a timeless masterpiece.

I cannot fully explain how it does it, but this game is so devastating and hilarious at the same time. Absolutely masterful

A very solid game. I would even go as far as saying Lisa the Painful is fantastic. However.... Lisa the Joyful leaves a lot to be desired. Worth picking up either way!

unintentional feminist masterpiece.

What an unforgettable experience.