14 DAY TRIAL // Revealed more than a year ago, the digital adaptation of Paranoia, a critically-acclaimed the pen and paper game, has just received a release date. Developed by Black Shamrock, Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory launches October 3 but only for PC, so console players will have to wait a while longer.
Paranoia is set in Alpha Complex, the last remaining human city, which is run by Friend Computer. You'll control a team of four so-called “troubleshooters” who must obey orders from Friend Computer, a paranoid and irrational artificial intelligence.
Despite its name, questioning or challenging The Computer is likely to result in termination, or in best-case scenarios long-term commitment to a Re-Education Gulag and Spa. The game plays like a cRPG, so there will a lot of choices and tactical real-time (with pause) combat. In Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory, lies, double-cross and backstabbing are your best allies for survival, as betrayal is a constant threat.
You have to be careful about who you lie and backstab since The Computer is watching your actions, judging your, and rewarding you fairly or not. The good news is if you fail and one of your characters is incinerated, you have five replacement clones in reserve that will allow you to try again. However, they will not have the same stats as the previous ones, but that makes it more fun.
"Questioning the benevolence of Friend Computer is an act of treason. Having access to information beyond your security clearance is an act of treason. Refusing to drink your daily dose of Bouncy Bubble Beverage is an act of treason. Treason is punishable by summary execution."
The launch date was revealed in a developer diary released earlier this week, which also shows a bit of gameplay. We're not sure how faithful Paranoia: Happiness is Mandatory is to the tabletop game, but if you're into classic RPGs, you might want to keep an eye out on this one.
