More than a few things about Paratopic stand out. I'm always interested in games that deploy jump cuts, and this one matches them with Twin-Peaks-Red-Room style audio, deliciously grimy textures and lighting, and quality sound and music design to good effect. The range of interactivity is also above average for a game of this style and length, with dialogue, driving, a camera, a gun, and VHS tapes all situationally deployed. Some dialogue is hit-and-miss, and some cuts are questionable, but the game largely comes together and builds to a climax at the end. While I think there are hints that the game involves three characters (as described on its itch.io storefront page) with three partial perspectives on its plot and settings, there's room for some deeper characterization. On the one hand, I like how the audio, visuals, and cutting technique conveys a kind of depersonalizing effect. There's not a lot of comprehension or agency available to players or characters. And little slices of characterization are present in dialog options, possible actions, and differences in setting. Even more so than the plot, however, I think I'd point to character as the component where the incompleteness of perspectives masks a little too much. It starts to come off as convenience to the writer/director rather than something necessary for the themes and atmosphere of the game. Altogether, there's plenty here. I'd certainly recommend setting 35-50 mins apart to play through Paratopic - its designers show a thoughtfulness about the medium that's rare, at least as that is expressed by playing the game. It's not to be slept on fans of atmospheric horror.