Review: Paper Trail (PC)

It’s always refreshing to stumble upon a game that stands out from the rest. We often find ourselves burdened with comparisons, even when a game deserves to shine uniquely on its own. Before we’ve even started playing, we might already have a preconceived notion based on phrases like “It’s a bit like…”. Such assumptions can really do a disservice to a game. So, it’s genuinely delightful when someone asks about a game and you can’t quite box it into a comparison. That’s where Paper Trail enters the conversation—a game that dances to its own rhythm, unlike anything else I can recall. I’m eager to dive into my experience with it.

One of the standout features of Paper Trail is its unique level design. This top-down puzzle adventure invites you to engage with the environment in a novel way—by folding the levels themselves. As you bend and crease the landscape, new paths emerge, platforms appear, and hidden secrets come to light. It’s a style of play that adds an innovative twist to the adventure genre. The visual appeal complements this beautifully; the levels resemble a series of exquisitely illustrated pages, truly making it feel like you’re navigating through a living piece of art.

At its heart, Paper Trail is a charming tale of a young girl setting off from her home, a journey much larger than just escaping from something tangible. Overprotective parents often struggle to let go, and that narrative thread weaves through this story. Without giving too much away, the storytelling is subtly exceptional, paired perfectly with whimsical graphics. Many puzzle games can come up short in the narrative department since they don’t need a strong story, but this game certainly earns a point for its engaging storyline.

One of the things I absolutely love about Paper Trail is its unpredictability. The path forward isn’t always obvious, often requiring intricate folding maneuvers. It’s not just about which parts to fold, but also how far and where your character stands since you can’t fold over yourself. There are collectible secrets concealed on the opposite side of where you’re standing, challenging players to think creatively about their next moves. I can confidently say that collecting all these secrets is no easy task.

Paper Trail is a curious case because there’s not an overwhelming amount of content to dissect. This isn’t due to a lack of quality or depth, but because it rests on a perfect balance between its storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Strip away the folding mechanic, and what remains is a standard top-down adventure. While the story alone is good, it’s the fusion with the folding feature that breaks it out from the mold.

Usually, I’m wary of games that lean heavily on a single mechanic, as it can feel shoehorned and detract from the overall experience. However, in Paper Trail, while the folding is central, it seamlessly integrates with the game’s other aspects, rather than overshadowing them. Achieving this balance is no easy feat, making it worth noting.

In conclusion, Paper Trail is a delightful puzzler, albeit with a challenging mechanic. It’s more complex than it might initially seem and requires trial and error. Yet, the moment you find the solution is genuinely satisfying. Don’t be discouraged by the challenge; every puzzle has a logical answer. Just take a moment, breathe, and try again.

Experiencing Paper Trail was an absolute joy. It’s a creative puzzler likely to captivate puzzle enthusiasts from start to finish. While the trial-and-error aspect might not suit everyone, and the storytelling is always a subjective hit or miss, there’s nothing here that stands as a glaring negative. This is definitely a game for those who enjoy a cerebral challenge.

Overall, Paper Trail scores a commendable 8.5 out of 10. It offers a fresh narrative puzzle experience with striking graphics and inventive gameplay that will keep you engaged throughout. While some may find the trial-and-error approach off-putting, the typical puzzle aficionado will find plenty to appreciate.