PARANOID Online Game - Play the Text Mystery

The Story

PARANOID game cover: Michael standing before a suburban house at dusk

Five years after a horrible accident, our hero Michael is still struggling with his past mistake. Sure, he has a new lovely girlfriend, the extended family that comes with it - and he's ready to leave the dark behind and move on.

But as a new dawn arises, he gets the feeling that the house he wakes up in holds its own sinister secrets.

PARANOID is a dark suburban mystery text based game and interactive fiction experience, starring Michael - your friendly neighborhood jockey, and Anna, the girl of his dreams.

Looking for a dark, adult Choose Your Own Adventure experience? PARANOID combines branching mystery storytelling with parser-style exploration - and it is written entirely in English, playable worldwide.

Play the First Room - Free

This is the real opening of PARANOID. Type what Michael should do - or tap a suggestion. Find a way out of the bedroom.

PARANOID - a bedroom

Early morning... It's still dark outside. As you abruptly wake up, with horrific nightmares still echoing in your head, you let out a scream of horror and disbelief...

The window to the west is slightly open, giving the cold wind a reason to chill the room.

Where are you? How did you get here? Who are y... Wait!

Ah, yes, yes - now you remember. You are Michael. The 80's friendly jockey, 30 years old, still clinging on to the past of sorrows and bloody mistakes...

But then again, you can't seem to get rid of the uneasy feeling... And you're naked! Got to find some clothes...

You can see a curtain, a dresser, a mirror and the bedroom door. Exit: east. Type HELP for commands.

Reviews & Conversations

Independent coverage of PARANOID.

The YouTube review is hidden until optional cookies are accepted.

YOUTUBE.COM · VIDEO REVIEW

Watch the PARANOID review - BY FOR THE LOVE OF RETRO

"It won't disappoint the player."

Loading.se · Written review

READ Paranoid review - by Alexander Rehnman ↗

"There IS a place for text adventures in 2026."

Read Loading's full review of PARANOID.

SPOTIFY.COM · PODCAST INTERVIEW

Listen to an interview with the creator ↗

"It's a hard game."

A conversation with Spelpodden about the history and making of PARANOID.

What Players Are Saying

"PARANOID hooked me from the first paragraph. The atmosphere is thick, the mystery keeps tightening, and Michael feels like someone you actually root for."
— Indie Game Reviewer

"Perfect for a dark evening. No downloads, no fuss - just a haunting story that stays with you after you close the tab."
— Daniel Brooks

"A sharp suburban nightmare. I played it over two evenings and immediately wanted to talk about the ending with someone."
— Text Adventure Fan

"The writing is confident and creepy. Every choice felt like it mattered, and the house itself becomes a character."
— Sarah Whitmore

Visual Concept: The House

A morning. A silence. A reveal.

The Kitchen Clock
The fridge hums. The clock knows.

A way out?
But someone's waiting - and not alone.

About the Creator

Patrik Airosto-Gelin

Writer, producer and creator of PARANOID. What began as a film-script idea in 2013 became a radio drama, then a browser mystery. Patrik wrote, built and tested the game himself in the Quest engine — a story about guilt, memory and what we leave behind.

Read how PARANOID came to life →

FAQ - Before You Enter

What is a text-based adventure game?

A game made of prose instead of graphics. It describes where you are, you type what you want to do — ‘look at curtain’ or ‘open door’ — and the story answers with more text. PARANOID is a modern version of that: a dark mystery you play by reading, exploring and deciding.

How do I play a text adventure game?

Read the description of the room, then type a short command saying what you want to do. A handful of verbs cover almost everything — LOOK, EXAMINE, TAKE, OPEN, USE — plus a direction. PARANOID forgives clumsy typing, and the free first room on this page teaches you the ropes in a couple of minutes.

What kind of game is PARANOID?

A dark, adult mystery you play by reading, exploring and typing commands such as ‘look at curtain’ or ‘open door’. Your choices shape what Michael discovers. The story and commands are entirely in English; there is no sound or voice acting.

How long will I spend in the house?

Average playtime is about 120 minutes. Take your time examining rooms, following clues and deciding who to trust.

What do I get with my purchase?

The complete game for one payment, with no subscription or account required. After Stripe confirms payment, the game opens in your browser. Play on Mac, PC, phone or tablet — nothing to download.

Can I return to the game later?

Yes. Save your progress in the game and return using the same browser and device. Keep your browser’s saved data to preserve your saves. If you lose access, restore your purchase using your email in the purchase section below.

Can I try it before buying, and are there refunds?

Yes — the first room is playable free on this page, right in your browser with no download or account. You play it rather than read about it, and it stops the moment Michael opens the bedroom door. Because the full game is delivered instantly, all sales are final; for technical or payment problems, contact hej@tikkala.se.

Limited-time priceOnly $4.79 USD total - through October 31.

Unlock the mystery for 20% less this HalloweenSave automatically in your checkout currency until October 31 at 23:59 Stockholm time.

"THE DOOR IS LOCKED"

DO YOU DARE TO enter the house?

For one payment of less than a coffee - and the full mystery opens in this browser tab, right now. No download, no account, no waiting for an email. The entire game is written in English.

YOU’RE ABOUT TO UNLOCK... FOR $4.79 USD

✓The complete story - every room, clue and secret
✓Two different endings, decided by your choices
✓Average playtime: 120 minutes of slow-burning suspense
✓Instant browser access - nothing to install
✓Written entirely in English by the author
✓Lifetime access, one-time payment, no subscription
✓Come back ANY TIME and restore your purchase by email

~~$5.99~~$4.79

Secure Stripe checkout

Instant access after payment

Play in any modern browser

Takes about 30 seconds. You are playing immediately after payment.

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VISAMASTERCARDAMEXAPPLE PAYKLARNAAMAZON PAY

European buyers pay in their local currency (SEK/EUR) with Klarna available.

One-time payment. No subscription. Because the game unlocks instantly, all sales are final - so read the free opening above first if you are unsure. Problems getting in? Mail hej@tikkala.se and you will be let into the house.

The Door Opens in Seconds

After your payment goes through, you can play Paranoid online straight from your browser on Mac, PC, phone, or tablet - no downloads, no waiting. The full game is written entirely in English and runs entirely online, so you can play this text adventure from anywhere in the world. Stripe sends your order confirmation to your inbox.

Bookmark the game page so you can return any time. If anything goes wrong, contact us at hej@tikkala.se with your Stripe receipt and we will get you in.

PARANOID - A Mystery Text Adventure Game