PlayStation 4 code provided by the publisher
These days, games are always thriving to deliver the best gameplay, graphics, and story possible to bring players into their world. When I had originally seen A Tale of Paper, it instantly had Little Nightmares vibes but I noticed that it had enough going for it to set itself apart. Having played it, I can definitely say that this is its own game entirely regardless of the similarities you could draw from other titles. It’s short but packs enough gameplay and story into itself without overstaying its welcome. In fact, I’d say that it’s just short enough to keep you hungry for more.
Story
The story surrounding A Tale of Paper is an emotional one that doesn’t come full circle until the credits roll. It actually goes beyond that as you have to collect some hidden collectibles to get the complete story pieced together. I really don’t want to say much about it as anything could spoil it. It isn't drawn out and would resonate with anyone that has a beating heart. While it is a title with zero dialogue, just seeing the plot unfold at the end of my playthrough brought a tear to my eye.
Gameplay
It does a great job of blending its platforming and puzzles together to create an experience that feels really fresh. As this little paper character, you’re able to transform into a bunch of different origami shapes to traverse the world. You can hop around as a frog, turn into a ball and roll down tubes, glide as a paper airplane, and more. At times you’ll have to switch from one to the other in real-time to complete a certain obstacle and it really feels rewarding upon doing so. I can’t remember the last time a game like this had the platforming done in such a unique and creative way
You don’t get every shape from the beginning though and as you progress, the platforming and puzzles get harder and more intricate along the way. You’ll learn each shape by taking pages out of books you find across your journey. Each one comes up at just the right time to shake up the gameplay and offer something new. It’s what helped keep the game entertaining from start to finish for me.
There are also segments where you’ll need to turn levers in the correct order or piece together the right shapes to recreate a certain design, things like that. It’s stuff you’ve seen before but is done in a fun way. Sometimes you’ll have to manage your time by pressing a button in one area that operates something in another, and you have to make your way back to make it through in time. Then, you have to juggle switching between your origami shapes to navigate through the obstacles. It’s really great stuff.
The environments that you’ll traverse in-game are very atmospheric. They have a sort of grimness to them that you’d see in something like James and the Giant Peach. Everything feels lived in and wethering with time. I absolutely love the very last section of the game. I adore it actually. When developers bring new setpieces into games and try something new, it really pays off. Even the opening location of the game is superb. It’s just an old looking apartment but it feels like it’s telling a story without having to throw it in my face.
Lingering in the locales of the game is are hazards that this little paper pal has to look out for. There are vicious robotic Roomba-Esque vacuum cleaners that’ll suck you up around every corner. They can be outsmarted just by jumping on top of them. They’ll be sent into a frenzy and give you time to think of what you’re going to do next. My worst enemy of all by far though was water. Water will as well as the robots, instantly kill you. You’d think it would be easy to maneuver but it isn’t.
There is a sort of “boss” in the game as well. It’s that lovely giant spider you see in a lot of the teasers. Just as you’d expect, it chases you in a sequence akin to those Crash Bandicoot games. It’s pretty fun and it did have quite a bit of difficulty baked into it. The obstacles rarely give you enough time to feel comfortable with where you’re actually going. Don’t even get me started on the lighting in this level, I died so many times because they purposely light the areas very dimly so that it adds another layer to the difficulty altogether.
The thing is, the game is actually pretty difficult but it’s not unfair. The developers at Open House Games purposefully created a game that doesn’t hold your hand and leaves you to your own devices. There are a few levels where if you screw it up, you may have to start from the beginning of the section and it can be nerve-racking. This all comes down to the developers’ understanding of proper use of difficulty and when to let your players think for themselves.
Aside from the main objective of clearing the level, you can collect little origami birds. Each level has one in it and most weren’t too hard to locate. Collecting them helps uncover pieces of the story and I actively looked out for them because they weren’t a pain to look for. Having collectibles impact the player’s way of receiving the full story is a pretty bold move and I think it paid off really well. It’s just another way that shows how the developers respect their game and their players.
Visuals
Because of its grim art-style, A Tale of Paper is right in my wheel-house. I love how it blends the dark background with its love of lighting. All of it feels like a painting come to life. It isn’t always bruting though and does implement some really eye-catching colors that pop against the dotting greys and blacks. There are also flourishes that make the world feel alive. Pieces of origami are placed throughout the world as if every one has taken an interest in the art form. You’ll also find some story clues throughout your playthrough placed in the background.
Audio
On the audio level, everything was great. Sound effects were on par and had an ambient feel to them. Music helped to draw out emotion whether they were going for heart-pumping or somber. It was a great job all around.
Replayability
I’d say that because of its length it certainly has a lot of replay value. The actual gameplay-loop is fantastic from beginning to end and kept me pushing forward at all times. The collectibles needed to fully understand the entire story also create a driving force of replayability that I personally haven’t seen in a game and come as a welcomed surprise. Even the story as a whole, along with the world feels really intriguing to be in and I want to experience it some more.
What It Could Have Done Better
I don’t really have any gripes with the game. While I think the game was short, sweet, and to the point, I would’ve liked to see just a tiny bit more. It’s really just a testament to how much I enjoyed the game though. Besides that, I had a couple of small bugs that I ran into but nothing was game-breaking or horrendous by any sense.
Verdict
A Tale of Paper is a fantastic game that I think would appeal to anyone looking for something new to play for a few hours over the weekend or to unwind with after a long day of work. It offers a lot of intriguing and at times difficult gameplay that gives you a sense of pride as a player when you overcome it. The story while not a big theatrical feat is one of the most emotional stories I’ve seen in recent years. If you’re a fan of puzzle-platforming games, this is a must-play!
