Paper Mario: The Origami King Reviews
Simply put, Paper Mario: The Origami King ended up being one of this year’s biggest sleeper hits for me. It could sure do with more dynamic play-to-play gameplay when it comes to that pre-combat mechanic during normal play, and the combat itself which only really gets good during the few boss fights that there are in the game, which ironically enough are when the puzzle/fight combo really comes alive.
Some reviews I have seen state that the formula of Paper Mario is getting a little old, but as a lapsed Mario fan (Odyssey was the first Mario game I saw through to the end since Sunshine) I really enjoyed it. I had never seen this side of the wee red plumber before and so it was not only fresh but beautifully designed, really funny and with that signature Nintendo polish. I highly recommend checking the Origami King out.
If you were disappointed by Sticker Star and Color Splash, give this new entry a go as it is definitely more enjoyable, but keep in mind the series is clearly heading into a new direction.
Paper Mario: The Origami King delivers a charming adventure in Nintendo Switch, even if the combat doesn't excel and sometimes gets in the way of the fun.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A highly innovative, amazingly well-written, perfectly scored game with engaging characters, fun areas, and a very satisfying battle system.
Paper Mario: The Origami King is an adventure that will make you fall in love with every piece of cellulose, and will leave you doubled over with laughter
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Endearing visuals and storytelling can't rescue Paper Mario: The Origami King from a tedious combat system that slows the action to a crawl.
Paper Mario: The Origami King might not be the RPG that I was hoping for, but the new systems and clever features made me forget all about that. The attention to developing a compelling plot within this fantasy world makes it a must-play experience for all Mario fans. Battles do inevitably become redundant, but that doesn’t overshadow this beautiful origami world begging to be explored.
As opposed to the cynical anti-player nonsense smothering the last two games, there’s a real heart beating in this installment that I can’t ignore: I adore this cast, I like exploring this world, and I enjoy the tale they left behind. But my contempt lies more within my response to 2007’s Super Paper Mario: wherein a genuinely well-meaning iteration is, once again, suffocated by a gameplay system that does it no favors.
With "Paper Mario: The Origami King" Nintendo delivers an entertaining platformer that takes up the concept of its predecessor and enriches it with fresh ideas. It's really fun to search for hidden treasures in the folded paper world and complete the lovingly integrated mini-games. Unfortunately, the combat system in particular lacks the necessary standard, so even beginners can easily send the enemy hordes into the afterlife. Here, Nintendo should undoubtedly have tightened the level of difficulty a little more, in order to offer pros the right challenge as well. Also the puzzle inserts are sometimes provided with too many aids, so that the puzzle games lose the actual trick. From a technical point of view we can't complain about "Paper Mario: The Origami King", because the game is brimming with creative ideas. All in all, "Paper Mario: The Origami King" does not set new standards in the universe of Mario titles - but players can look forward to a colorful and shallow 2D adventure in the usual plumbing style.
Review in German | Read full review
Can a game show significant improvement over its predecessors while further entrenching itself along the wrong path? Origami King certainly tries, making a game that’s a blast to read and gorgeous in screenshots but just not that fun to play.
Paper Mario: The Origami King does not reinvent anything, relies on proven elements, as one can only wish for in some Nintendo series. The game is entertaining, joyful and a welcome change in a drought year that can't exactly boast numerous releases.
Review in German | Read full review
Humor was only one component that made past Paper Mario games so well-loved; The Oragami King eschews all the other important ingredients.
When the confetti’s done flying it might not stand with the must-haves of the Switch’s library, but Paper Mario: The Origami King is a satisfying and entertaining bibliofold of a game.
Origami King is a wonderful, light-hearted adventure - bound by chains preventing it from unfolding its true potential and creativity.
Review in German | Read full review
Paper Mario: The Origami King is the perfect example of how paper heroes can dominate in a 3D world.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Even though it distances itself from its roots, The Origami Kings manages to be a fun and compelling adventure, with hilarious moments and amazing characters, even if the combat misses the mark.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Paper Mario: The Origami King is a fun-filled adventure that manages to keep things fresh, however, the puzzle-based battles tend to feel repetitive. Despite the repetitive combat, the boss battles are easily some of the best seen in the series.
"A great adventure is unfolding..."
Review in Finnish | Read full review