May 24th 2024.
Let's talk about Paper Trail, the new video game that is all about folding paper. It's the second game this week with a paper-folding theme, and it's definitely catching people's attention. This charming indie puzzler has a unique take on the concept of manipulating virtual paper.
The inspiration for this game comes from the famous Dutch printmaker M. C. Escher, who showed the world just how fun it can be to play with perspective. Since then, many game designers have followed in his footsteps and incorporated this concept into their games. And why not? With the interactive nature of video games, it's a perfect fit, especially for puzzle games. We've seen this idea used in games like Echochrome, Monument Valley, Viewfinder, and Fez, and now Paper Trail is joining the list.
The twist in Paper Trail is that you're exploring a world that is drawn on paper. But don't let the name fool you, it has nothing to do with Paper Mario. Instead, you play as Paige, a pun-loving protagonist, who navigates through the levels by folding parts of the paper. This creates new paths, removes obstacles, and allows you to access previously unreachable areas. While the game is best played on a touchscreen, it's still easy to get the hang of with a controller.
To fold the paper, you use the shoulder button to grab a corner or edge, and then use the right analogue stick to bend it. At first, the pages are simple squares or rectangles with only six corners and edges to work with. But as you progress, you'll face more complex challenges that require multiple folds in a specific order. You'll also encounter boulders, stone statues, and floor switches that need to be activated using your folding skills.
As you move through the game, you'll come across rotating and sliding blocks, some of which can be ridden on by Paige. There are also dice-shaped squares that require you to match them with their identical counterparts when folding the paper. It may sound like a lot to keep track of, but the game does a great job of introducing new mechanics gradually. And the charming art style, which looks like an animated Slavic folk painting, only adds to the overall cozy and cute atmosphere.
One aspect of the game that may be slightly annoying is the conversations. While Paige's diary entries are fully voiced, other dialogues are only shown as text accompanied by speech-like noises. It's a small detail, but it can be a bit distracting. However, it's not enough to ruin the overall mood of the game.
Each level also has a hidden origami animal on the back of the paper, adding an extra challenge for those who want to collect them all. And if you do get stuck on a puzzle, there's a built-in hint system that will guide you without giving away the whole solution. You'll still need to figure out where to place Paige and when to move objects, but it's enough to keep you from getting frustrated.
The difficulty of the game isn't a steady progression, with some levels being more challenging than others. This helps keep the game from feeling too taxing and gives players a chance to relax and interact with the quirky villagers and other inhabitants of the paper world. It's not a long game, and can easily be completed in a few casual afternoons. But any longer, and the core concept may have started to feel repetitive.
Overall, Paper Trail is a pleasant and light-hearted game that strikes the right balance between simplicity and complexity. As long as you don't go in expecting a mind-bending experience like The Witness or The Talos Principle, you'll enjoy the few hours you spend playing this game.
Let's sum it up with a quick review. Paper Trail is a charmingly illustrated puzzle game that will keep you entertained with its unique perspective-shifting mechanic. The controls are simple, and the game offers a lot of variety. The art style is unusual and adds to the overall atmosphere, and the hint system is well-designed. However, the game may not be challenging enough for some players and is on the shorter side. Also, the speech-like noises used for conversations may be mildly irritating. But overall, it's a solid 7 out of 10.
Paper Trail is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PC, iOS, and Android for £15.49. It's developed and published by Newfangled Games and was released on May 21st, 2024. The game is suitable for players ages 3 and up.
In conclusion, Paper Trail is a real page-turner of a game that offers a unique and enjoyable experience. If you're interested, you can email us, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign up for our newsletter. We also have a Submit Stuff page for easier submissions of letters and reader's features.
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