LISA: The Painful

Dingaling Productions · Serenity Forge

Released: Dec 15, 2014
Platforms: WindowsmacOSLinux
Last updated: 04 Sep 2026, 19:25 GMT

Updates & announcements

20 posts

25 Jun 2026Developer post
LISA: The Painful + OFF Bundle Now Available!
Venture through the brutal wastelands of LISA: The Painful and the uncanny world of OFF. This bundle brings together two cult-classic RPGs where strange beings and cryptic truths await. Save up to 41% off today: View game page
28 May 2025Developer post
LISA + To the Moon Bundle Now Available!
LISA is now bundled with To the Moon in a narrative focused bundle! Save up to 43% OFF while both titles are on sale today:
14 May 2025Developer post
Brad Armstrong Plush Available for Pre-Order!
Brad Armstrong has joined your party! 🧸❤️‍🩹 From the wastelands of Olathe to the comfort of your shelf - it’s soft, customizable, and sure to bring some serious joy into your world 🔵 The campaign is now live on Makeship, pre-order yours today!👇
24 Apr 2025Developer post
LISA: The Painful & LISA: The Joyful are both available NOW on mobile!
You can now experience both of these heart-wrenching RPGs on the go, including all of the additional content and languages from our Definitive Edition ❤️ Google Play - Painful: Google Play - Joyful:
16 Dec 2024Developer post
Here’s a first peek at our physical release for LISA: Definitive Edition
Here’s a first peek at our physical release for LISA: Definitive Edition ❤️‍🩹 These Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 physical editions both come bundled with quirky goodies. Join us for a closer look! The LISA: Decade of Joy Edition comes packed with premium collectibles for ha
25 Oct 2024Developer post
LISA Merchandise Available on the Serenity Forge Store!
We have some exciting merch for those who wander the desolate landscape of Olathe. LISA: PAIN & JOY - 2xLP Vinyl Soundtrack The haunting tunes that echo through your journey can now be yours on vinyl. Immerse yourself in the melodies that capture the despair and beauty of LIS
21 Nov 2023Developer post
Nominate Us!
Nominate us for the Labor of Love Category!
29 Aug 2023Developer post
Major patch: localization, UI updates, and more!
Hey everyone, today we’ve released a new patch for LISA: Definitive Edition. The update is out today on Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, with PlayStation coming soon. This update includes localization support, overhauled battles, and new fixes/features driven by community feedba
Hey everyone, today we’ve released a new patch for LISA: Definitive Edition. The update is out today on Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, with PlayStation coming soon. This update includes localization support, overhauled battles, and new fixes/features driven by community feedback. Thank you for all the input you’ve given us since launch, and thank you especially for your patience!
As always, if you spot any issues, please share them with us via our official bug report form: https://airtable.com/shrzWMdBD7QWWt2fg.
Here’s a full list of changes:
Localization

Added support for Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
General QoL and Bugfixes

The ‘X’ key can now be used to show the pause menu.
The ‘Q’ and ‘E’ keys can now be used to toggle between actors for the Skills, Equipment, and Status submenus.
Added a screen “Stretch” mode to the Options Menu in addition to int scaling off/on modes.
Added a "Controls Icons" option to the Options Menu for changing how control icons are displayed to match specific input types.
Fixed a frame stutter when passing in front of certain events.
Shortened the file path for Unity-generated Addressables data. This might fix issues for some users if their game data path was exceeding the Windows path limit of 260 characters.
(Painful) Fixed a music issue when skipping the scrolling credits.
(Joyful) Fixed bugged movement speed if the player unequips Buddy’s mask while riding on Rando's shoulders.
(Joyful): Fixed some minor graphical issues with the final Brad sequence
Some typo fixes.
Updated some credits names.
A few other minor fixes.
Battle QoL and Bugfixes

Battle text and state popups have been redesigned to have better positioning, timing, text sizing, and fading.
Battle info popups in the upper left have been overhauled with improved message timing and stacking. Info text size can also be adjusted with the “Dialogue Size” option in the Options menu.
Timing for the display of skills during battles has been improved.
Enemies now play an additional flash when taking damage.
Enemy motion actions (sprite movements) during battles have been expanded and improved.
HP/SP/TP generation popups now occur at the end of each turn. Ex: taking damage from the Bleed state.
Fixed an issue with TP generation.
Added additional DualShock 4 / DualSense lightbar effects during battles, such as a flash when taking damage, inflicting damage, healing, and more.
Improved battle results screen, including transition effects.
Disabled the battle results screen during certain instances, such as the final boss encounters.
Fixed actor KO’d sound not playing.
Fixed some targeting issues when performing combo inputs.
Fixed an issue with showing the wrong skill icon when the actor is unable to perform an action for the current turn.
A few other minor fixes.
Original post
28 Jul 2023Developer post
7-28-23 Patch Notes
Hello everyone. We've released a new Steam update with a few additional bug fixes across the game. Details below: - Fixed a bug where status effect expiration messages could sometimes conflict with other events and break the game - Fixed an issue with the Marty/Buddy fight when d
21 Jul 2023Developer post
LISA 7.21 Update
Hi all, Today we're pushing out a major update for LISA to Steam. This update fixes a lot of graphical glitches reported by the community, rebalances combat, and addresses one of our most egregious sins. First off, a lot of folks were disappointed by missing graphics, including t
Hi all,
Today we're pushing out a major update for LISA to Steam. This update fixes a lot of graphical glitches reported by the community, rebalances combat, and addresses one of our most egregious sins.
First off, a lot of folks were disappointed by missing graphics, including the Aurora town degenerate who claps when you fall on his friend. We’ve fixed a large number of those that have been reported, and are still working on a few more known instances.
Speaking of visuals, we have a number of UI/UX fixes cooking, but these need a bit more time to get just right, so please stay tuned.
Additionally, based on your feedback, we've re-balanced mechanics involving gaining TP in both games. Essentially, we've decided to restore TP gain from damage-taken, but with some tweaks to the original design that we feel dials in the challenge properly– especially for Joyful. Please let us know how it feels. Your feedback is very valuable as we continue to address combat balance and difficulty.
Finally, in more somber news, we want to extend our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by the changes to “Work Harder.” Please take a look at our official public apology video (link below).
https://twitter.com/DingalingGames/status/1682533490011828225
Thank you for holding us accountable. We value your continued support as we strive to do better and uphold the standards you rightfully expect from us. Thank you.
Full update notes:

Re-balanced mechanics involving gaining TP from damage.TP-based characters will now receive half TP from damage dealt. On Painless Mode in both games, characters receive full TP from damage dealt (as in the original games).
Fixed a potential cause of softlocks at campfires.
Fixed getting an instant Game Over upon entering a fight if party members are forcibly removed from your party and all remaining members are KO'd.
Fixed dismounting the bicycle incorrectly setting Brad's face graphic to no arms.
Fixed progress getting reset for the secret Painful boss and the boss restarting if you walk all the way to the left upon returning to the boss lair map after ending cutscenes.
Fixed down input being locked after completing the secret Painful boss (quitting and reloading a save should also fix this).
Fixed clapping animation not playing the first time in Aurora Town when Brad falls on a dude.
Fixed Brad's bat swing animation not being visible during Rick's Cleansing.
Fixed an issue with Buzzo's walk animations at the end of the joy force-feeding cutscene.
Fixed an issue with Buffalo's animations in the cutscene after winning his fight.
(Joyful): Fixed a tile passability bug inside secret content.
Added "Work Hardly Working" and “Work Smartly Working” to the Music Player in Painful. Please see Dingaling's Official Public Apology (above).
Original post
18 Jul 2023Developer post
LISA: Definitive Edition is available NOW!
LISA is back, and the wait is finally over! We're overJOYed to announce that LISA: Definitive Edition is out now. The update is entirely free for owners of the original games! Embed trailer - Embark on a miserable journey through the morally-barren wasteland of Olathe, where choi
14 Jun 2023GamingOnLinux
LISA: The Painful is getting a Definitive Edition in July
One of the most well-reviewed games on Steam from an indie developer and quite a tragic game, it's getting a Definitive Edition on July 18th. Read the full article here:
06 Jun 2023Developer post
LISA: Definitive Edition coming to PC and consoles July 18th!
Hey everyone, we’re overJOYed to announce... ✨ LISA: Definitive Edition ✨ If you’ve been looking to replay LISA, or introduce the game to your friends, the Definitive Edition is the best way to enjoy LISA in its entirety from The Painful to The Joyful, with remastered HD graphics
25 Jan 2018Rock, Paper, Shotgun
Sokpop Collective are popping out a new game every 2 weeks
‘Suspicious Developments’ remains my favourite name for a games studio*, but ‘Sokpop’ might be my favourite name for a video games collective. That’s because a) it captures some of the playfulness that they bring to their work, and b) it’s fun to say. Sokpop! I can look forward t
28 Apr 2017Announcement
Daily Deal - LISA, 50% Off
Today's Deal: Save 50% on LISA !* Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are! *Offer ends Sunday at 10AM Pacific Time
11 Sep 2015Developer post
"Easy Mode" plus new content!
By popular demand LISA the Joyful now has an "Easy Mode"... Have fun. <3 Bou'll have to find it first you jackasses! HAHAHA! Also Buddy now has more attacks and abilities. Also you can find new equipment to strengthen yourself. <3, DL
11 Sep 2015Developer post
"Easy Mode" plus new content!
By popular demand LISA the Joyful now has an "Easy Mode"... Have fun. <3 Bou'll have to find it first you jackasses! HAHAHA! Also Buddy now has more attacks and abilities. Also you can find new equipment to strengthen yourself. <3, DL
09 Sep 2015Developer post
LISA the Complete Collection OUT NOW!
Get both the Painful and Joyful for a discounted price. This also includes both games soundtracks and artwork of the LISA universe.
09 Sep 2015Developer post
LISA the Complete Collection OUT NOW!
Get both the Painful and Joyful for a discounted price. This also includes both games soundtracks and artwork of the LISA universe.
25 Aug 2015Developer post
LISA the JOYFUL is out now!
This is the sequel to LISA the PAINFUL, it features the soundtrack for free!