LISA: The Painful

This game is weird... It's like the developer wants to tell a story while making the game annoying. There's not much strategy or ways to progress other than hope random crap doesn't kill you. Just weird...

Good storytelling but the gameplay is atrociously slow and boring. Fun factor just not there. Watched a video on YouTube to see what happens in the story. Holy crap it's wild to see such a positive rating for the game.

You can never be with your future BFF Terry Hintz if you do not play this game.

all things considered I would reccommend this game to people who enjoy these earthbound type RPG-s or want a 10-12h story that is very funny, decently well written (by video game standards anyway) and cleverly integrated with gameplay.

Do not go pain mode for your first playthrough. It's designed around the player knowing where most save points are. this can ruin some major story moments when you accidentally drive off a cliff without being able to save and are forced to go through the entire sequence again, but this time the emotional tension being replaced by boredom and annoyance.

It also makes combat more difficult, but not that much. There are only a couple of fights that I can think of that are substancially more difficult or close to unfair.

SPOILERS BELOW

It's painful allright.

Painful emotionally but also painfully flawed. Interestingly I think the flaws work in the games favor in a way. Maybe I wouldn't have been so obsessed with this game if it were more refined and had a "satisfying" ending.

This game is full of "tough choices". These choices have fairly major consequences in terms of gameplay but minimal in terms of story. Brad is not "you", he is a mostly fixed character that you are in control of and you cannot change his actions or his ultimate fate in any meaningful way.

All you get is some extra encounters, lore and dialogue. This game does not have multiple endings, it has one ending with minor variations.

I find this immensely frustrating but must admit that this is a creative choice that the author is "allowed" to make. Both in terms of story and keeping the games scope under control. Brad is kind of not the main character. It's supposed to be all about Buddy.

I haven't played the DLC yet but I understand that you play as buddy and it is less than half the length of "the painful"

I don't see how gimping your main characters choices in the main game in order to make your DLC epilogue thing make sense is a good decision.

It is also a totally immersion breaking coincidence ex machina that Marty lives on Rando island and is taking care of Buddy there. Really this is just stupid.

being held by Terry, beating manifestation of Marty, going joyless and sacrificing both your limbs, ALL of it is meaningless when it comes to the ending and at that point why even put these extra things in the game if they are in conflict with the canon storyline? It feels like a different entity takes control of your character in the last 30minutes of the game. The cutscene after Brad's nightmare offers a MUCH more satisfying ending to the game, but the game keeps going after that... you still have to go to the island and "become a monster" even if it is in conflict with every choice you've made as a player.

So if you want a good ending beat manifestation of Marty and stop playing after that.

Still this game is an impressive achievement from a solo developer. I wish I could buy the joy mask beanie but it doesn't seem to be available anywhere.

this is the second most tragic thing to happen in my life

There are many indie RPG Maker cult classics that have rightfully earned their place as timeless favorites in this space. However, if you appreciate atmosphere, thought-provoking stories, and dark humor in those games, this one is among the best, if not *the* best, among them.

if it wasn't plot relevant I'd be so pissed at how fucking difficult this game is (especially at the end). I guess I'm never seeing those end credits

The Story gut punched me....

Never played much turned based RPGs. This is peak. No anime, pixel art is easy on the eyes, great story, so much side content but not enough to get lost. Other games in the same genre lean too heavily into the abstract or are way too cookie cutter.

This game was literally painful. I thought it would be an interesting story, but I found it was a game I needed to rely on a guide in order to prevent my party from randomly losing a guy or 3. Saving is unforgiving. If you die it's painful to get back to the same point. I've yet to play a good RPG Maker game. Might have needed to play LISA: THE PAINFUL in order to understand the story more. Would have been much happier watching a video summarizing this game. Waste of my time and effort.

This is one of those games where your first run is difficult, confusing, and outright uncomfortable. However, I really recommend a second, third, and maybe even a fourth play through of the game to experience everything it has to offer. From start to end, you follow Brad Armstrong, a middle-aged Karate black-belt, in his journey to save his daughter Buddy from the depraved and barbaric outside world. Along the way, you'll have to fight through waves of men and inconceivable monstrosities while dealing with the sorrows of loss and the agonies of regret. For every time you feel as though your journey is on the up, you'll experience twice the number of downs. By no means will it be easy, but you'll learn to persevere and survive in this harsh reality. Whether or not Brad is a monster, becomes a monster, or remains a monster is up to you.

Simply put, the game is magnificent.

This is honestly one of the best games I've ever played.

This game wears a disguise of comedy. Beneath the mask are layers upon layers of intrigue, psychological trauma, and very dark, very mature themes. It's very easy to be disarmed by a dude riding a deer saying "Howdy, motherfucker." and then the imagery you will have to confront later on through the game's story can shake you.

It has elements of Mother/Earthbound, sure. Very crazy, embellished elements and characters that can- with much chagrine- only be described as "wacky" (ye Old Gods and Goddesses I hate that word), but behind that lies a wild ride of a story that by the end WILL hit you with an Emotional Crit.

This game is top 10 of all time, the soundtrack, the story, everything,

Not much needs to be said, just had to type something so I could recommend it.

i hate this game. would recommend

Best game that I would not recommend to my friends.

It got me feeling a way that no game has ever made me felt before. Great (but depressing) story, great music, quirky characters with a lot of depth.

LISA: The Painful – A Game That Stays With You
This game had a much deeper impact on me than I expected. It’s brutal, raw, and unflinching in how it forces you into impossible decisions in a world that’s completely fallen apart. It’s not just about survival—it’s about the emotional toll that survival takes.

You play as Brad, a man navigating a post-apocalyptic wasteland where all women have seemingly vanished. The story dives deep into his personal struggle with addiction, grief, and trauma. What really stood out to me was how thoughtfully the game portrayed addiction—not as a one-note flaw or a villainous trait, but as something born from pain, shaped by mental illness and a dark past. Brad is messy, broken, and fully human. The writing gives him complexity and depth that made me feel for him even when I didn’t agree with his choices.

Gameplay-wise, it’s a side-scrolling RPG with turn-based combat, but what elevates it are the characters you meet and recruit. Every companion feels unique, both in personality and in the skills they bring to the table. There’s a lot of dark humor too, which somehow makes the tragedy hit even harder when it lands. The game constantly forces you to make choices with real, painful consequences—and it doesn’t hold your hand while you do it.

I’ll admit, it took me a couple of tries at the beginning to really get into the rhythm and understand what was going on. But once it clicked, I couldn’t stop. The world encourages exploration, and even when I hated a choice I made, I appreciated that the game didn’t let me take it back. That permanence made everything feel heavier, more real.

Brad’s journey to find his missing adopted daughter is heartbreaking, disturbing, and unforgettable. But fair warning—this game deals with heavy themes: abuse, addiction, and sexual violence. If you’re going through a tough time, this might be one to come back to later. It doesn’t pull punches, and it doesn’t try to comfort you—but that’s what makes it so powerful.

This game made me fart

I played this game and it made me at least 15% sadder for the rest of my life I'd give two thumbs up if I still had the rest of my arms

I am anything but joyful

Please god I love it so much

Very good, Sadly cannot have sex with the party members. :(

epic story

I stared blankly at the ceiling for at least an hour after finishing this game

life as a bald man sure is freakin tough right lois? neheheheheh

dr yado highkey a baddie ngl

Lisa: The Painful is one of those games that hits you like a punch to the face – but in a good way. I’m not the type to get emotional over games; usually, I’m just in it for the challenge or the gameplay. But this one was different. It pulled me in like nothing else and made me genuinely care about the characters. It’s weird to say that about a game that’s basically a spiral of sadness and pain, but it somehow manages to throw in some absurdly funny moments that catch you off guard.

The story is pure genius, honestly. It never feels like a burden or a chore to get through. I was hooked the whole way, just wanting to know what was going to happen next. It’s rare to find a story that pushes you to keep playing just because you’re genuinely invested in how it all unfolds. Following Brad’s downward spiral was like watching a train wreck in slow motion – brutal but impossible to look away from.

Gameplay-wise, it’s pretty standard for an RPG – nothing groundbreaking. But it works. The real challenge is putting together the right team, and once you nail that, the game just flows. It’s one of those challenges that makes you want to get better without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

The atmosphere is spot-on, too. Each area has its own vibe, and it’s like Brad’s twisted mind seeps into the environment. Some places feel like a nightmare come to life, while others are just bizarrely surreal. And the soundtrack? Absolute gold. The “Gym Guy” track in particular is just perfect – pure audio bliss.

Now, about the themes – it doesn’t hold back. It deals with heavy stuff like addiction, sacrifice, and a whole lot of inner turmoil. The game doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and it really makes you think about the choices you make and their brutal consequences.

The graphics are super minimalist, but weirdly enough, it just works. Characters and environments are clearly distinct, despite the simple pixel art. My favorite character has to be Brad, obviously, but Harvey Alibastor? Come on, he’s a fish with a hat – that’s motivation enough for me.

Honestly, I can’t point out any serious flaws. Everything feels just right, and if you’re up for a dark, intense journey, you won’t be disappointed.

In short, Lisa: The Painful is one of those games that sticks with you. It surprised me, moved me, and even made me laugh. It’s an experience I’d recommend to anyone looking for something unique, deep, and unforgettable.

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
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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.