Cube Escape: Paradox

Play and watch this game. PC | FREE | BIT.LY/ CUBEPARADOX

It’s only been three years since the first Rusty Lake game, but we’re already on our 13th puzzler set in the macabre world. The latest game, Paradox, belongs to the Cube Escape sub-series, meaning it’s shorter, and free, and tasks you with escaping, yes, a room by pointing and clicking. Where Paradox differs from previous entries is its presentation. It’s a little more polished, and a tiny bit more story-focused.

As part of a murder investigation, your detective has to prod at lamps, open drawers, and use objects in unusual ways – if you’ve played previous entries, there will be little here you haven’t seen before. And if you haven’t had the pleasure, these games are popular for a reason: Each offers an engrossing clockwork world to explore for an hour or two.

Paradox is unusual in that it includes a free short film. It captures the game’s Lynchian atmosphere perfectly. With a set reconstructed in near-perfect detail from that in the game, you can watch the film for a few tips, and to flesh out your understanding of the surreal story. Tom Sykes