Review: Paper Trail for PC

Sometimes it’s a delight to stumble upon something refreshingly unique in the gaming world. We often find ourselves incessantly comparing new games to familiar titles, which can unfairly downplay the excitement they bring to the table when we don’t consider them on their own terms. How many times have you judged a game because someone said, “It’s kind of like…” and then filled in the blank with an existing title? Preconceived notions settle in before you even press start—that’s hardly fair, right? So, it’s a rare joy when somebody asks, “What’s this game like?” and you find yourself truly stumped for a comparison. That’s exactly what makes jumping into Paper Trail such a thrill. This game doesn’t remind me of any other off the top of my head. That element of surprise already has me eager to share my experience with you.

What really sets Paper Trail apart is its level design. Imagine a top-down puzzle adventure where you fold the landscape to open up new paths, discover hidden platforms, and uncover secrets. Often, you’re left guessing what lies ahead until you perform a bit of in-game origami; then suddenly, everything clicks into place. It’s a genuinely enjoyable gameplay experience. The aesthetic complements this beautifully, too—the levels resemble a collection of intricately drawn pages neatly laid out side by side. It feels like you’re traversing not just a story, but a walking work of art.

Now, let’s touch on the narrative. The story is centered around a young girl running away from her home, which might sound typical at first. But there’s more than meets the eye. She isn’t fleeing something particularly frightful but rather grappling with the overprotection of loving parents who struggle to let go. Since this is a story-driven game, I won’t spoil anything further. However, what I will say is that the writing is truly top-notch, offering a whimsical flair that’s beautifully complemented by the game’s visual style. Most puzzle games don’t prioritize storytelling, often because they don’t need to. Yet, Paper Trail excels in this department, adding an enriched layer to the puzzle genre.

One of my favorite aspects of Paper Trail is how the path forward isn’t always obvious. You often need to fold the level in multiple directions to unveil your path forward, which turns out to be more challenging than it initially seems. It’s not just a matter of knowing which edge to manipulate but deciding the extent to which you fold it—and keeping track of your character’s position. An important rule is you can’t fold over your character, so positioning becomes strategic. Hidden collectibles frequently reside on the reverse side of your current platform, demanding yet more ingenuity to retrieve them. And collecting every one of these trinkets poses quite the challenge, trust me on that.

Interestingly, there’s not an overabundance to discuss with Paper Trail, though not because it lacks substance or is subpar. Rather, it’s the elegant interplay between its narrative and mechanics that defines it. Remove its signature folding technique, and at its core, you’d have a fairly ordinary top-down adventure. While the story holds up, it alone wouldn’t be noteworthy enough to distinguish the game.

Typically, I’m a bit critical of games relying heavily on a single mechanic. When a feature feels forced as if it’s propped up rather than integrated seamlessly, it can detract from the overall experience. However, in Paper Trail, the fold mechanic emerges as the game’s heart, orchestrating all its other components into a cohesive adventure. This elegant synergy is not easy to achieve, and it’s worthy of admiration.

Overall, Paper Trail shines as a wonderfully entertaining puzzler with a mechanic that can sometimes feel delightfully tricky. Not because it’s flawed, but because it deceives you into thinking it’s easier than it is. You might believe a simple folding method will suffice most times, until it does not work. And then, you find yourself trying various permutations for ages. Nothing is so frustrating you’ll want to quit, and yet trial and error might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The elation when solving puzzles is real, and you’ll often find yourself giving an invisible high-five for your clever solutions. My tip? Remember every problem has a logical answer—there’s no abstract puzzle here. Breathe, and give it another go.

I thoroughly enjoyed my journey through Paper Trail. It’s an engaging, innovative little gem that puzzle enthusiasts will likely find delightfully addictive enough to see through to the end. While the trial and error elements might deter some, those with a penchant for cerebral challenges will relish it. All in all, it offers a solid gaming experience, especially for those keen on engaging riddles.

A Near-Perfect Puzzler

Rating: 8.5/10

Folding Fun
Paper Trail impresses with its expertly woven narrative and visually stunning graphics. Its unique gameplay mechanics ensure it’s a game that keeps you coming back for more. Although the trial and error approach may not appeal to every player, most will find plenty to appreciate in this clever little puzzler.