Review: Paper Trail for PC

Finding something truly distinct is always a breath of fresh air in the gaming world. We often get caught up in drawing parallels between games, and this sometimes dims the excitement of a new title. We form opinions on games, sometimes even before hitting the start button, based solely on hearsay comparisons. This approach, while common, shadows the unique identity a game can offer. That’s why it’s quite thrilling when someone asks about a new game and you’re left without a comparison. This is precisely the case with Paper Trail—a game that stands on its own, without a direct counterpart that pops to mind. It’s this uniqueness that fuels my eagerness to share my thoughts with you.

The standout feature of Paper Trail lies in its level design. Imagine a top-down puzzle adventure where the world folds beneath your fingertips. You’ll literally fold the very levels you explore to craft new paths, reveal hidden platforms, and unearth secrets. At times, the road ahead remains unclear until you perform a little origami, and suddenly, it all falls into place. This approach to gameplay is incredibly fun. The artistic design perfectly complements this concept too. The levels resemble an array of beautifully illustrated pages laid side by side, making you feel as though you’re playing through a work of art, not just a story.

The narrative is equally captivating: it follows a young girl venturing away from home. Her journey is complex, rooted in themes like parental protectiveness and self-discovery. That’s all I’ll mention about the story, as it’s a tale best experienced firsthand. What I will say is that the writing is top-notch, and this whimsical adventure pairs beautifully with its visual style. While many puzzle games tend to skimp on narrative, Paper Trail’s story is a delightful surprise, adding real depth to the experience.

One aspect I particularly appreciated is how Paper Trail keeps you guessing. You won’t always know how to proceed, as the path requires careful level-folding. Achieving this often means folding the environment in multiple ways simultaneously—a task trickier than it seems. The challenge is not only about identifying which edge to fold but also in figuring out how much to fold. Positioning your character correctly is crucial since you can’t fold over your own avatar. Discovering collectable secrets tucked away on the reverse side of a fold adds another layer of difficulty and satisfaction. Trust me, gathering them all is no small task.

Interestingly, talking about Paper Trail isn’t simple—it’s not due to a lack of quality or depth, but rather because its brilliance lies in its harmony of story and mechanics. If you were to strip away its unique folding gameplay, you’d be left with a standard adventure. The narrative is engaging, but the folding mechanic is what transforms this game into something special.

I’m often skeptical of games that hinge on a single gameplay feature to succeed. It can feel contrived when that mechanic overshadows all else. In Paper Trail, however, everything revolves around its folding mechanic, yet every game element works cohesively. This balance is surprisingly hard to pull off and truly noteworthy.

Overall, Paper Trail presents itself as a stellar puzzle experience, albeit one with a mechanic that can be deceptively simple. You might think you’ve cracked a puzzle only to spend another half hour testing different folds. There’s an element of trial and error that might not cater to everyone, but solving these challenges is deeply satisfying. Bear in mind, there’s always a logical solution here—no bizarre leaps in logic required.

Summing up my experience, Paper Trail is an inventive and entertaining puzzle game that fans of the genre will likely find irresistible. The story carries a subjective charm, and while the trial-and-error gameplay may not appeal to all, there’s no glaring downside. If you enjoy a good mental challenge, this game is worth exploring.

In conclusion, Paper Trail is an almost-perfect puzzler, delivering a beautifully crafted narrative and captivating gameplay. With stunning graphics and a unique play style, it keeps you returning for more until the very end. Although its approach may not please everyone, puzzle enthusiasts will find much to admire in its thoughtful design. With a score of 8.5/10, it’s a delightful journey worth embarking on.