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CRITIK

Paper Mario: The Origami King

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Paper Mario: The Origami King
Item: Paper Mario: The Origami King
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2020

GenresAdventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Comedy, RPG, Single Player

AvailableJul 17, 2020

PlatformNintendo Switch

DeveloperIntelligent Systems

Overview

Join Mario and his new companion Olivia on a comedic adventure that will take you to the far corners of a papercraft world in Paper Mario: The Origami King on Nintendo Switch! Face off against the Origami King and his army of paper invaders, team up with some extraordinary companions and master magical powers on your quest to save the world. Unwrap an epic quest! Travel the land, repair the damage done by the Folded Soldiers and rescue Toads trapped in all manner of wacky scrapes! With the help of Olivia’s paper-folding powers, use the far-reaching 1,000 Fold Arms and other paper transformations to save those imprisoned by the Origami King’s henchmen, and help restore peace to the world. Put a stop to King Olly's plans by engaging in battles which will put both your tactical thinking and puzzle solving skills to the test – against his origami army, as well as humongous bosses under his command!

Elsewhere

7.5

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

24%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Paper Mario: The Origami King has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Several reviewers praised the game for its engaging and unique narrative, filled with humor, wit, and charming characters. Critics like Nintendo Enthusiast and Pure Nintendo highlighted the game's high-quality writing, emotional moments, and captivating storyline. The blend of classic Mario elements with origami twists, as mentioned by Digital Trends and IGN Italia, added depth and intrigue to the overall plot. Characters like Olivia were particularly praised for driving the narrative forward, as noted by God is a Geek and Nintendojo. On the other hand, some critics expressed disappointment with certain aspects of the story. My Nintendo News and ZTGD critiqued the game for feeling less engaging and lacking effort in subverting expectations, respectively. New Game Network and Hey Poor Player mentioned that while the story had its moments of humor and solid jokes, the overall structure felt dry, repetitive, and gimmicky, leading to an identity crisis within the series. TheGamer also pointed out that while the game had a compelling premise, the 3D characters lacked emotional depth, impacting the overall storytelling experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Paper Mario: The Origami King is mixed. While some reviewers appreciated the game's whimsical and engaging narrative with its unique take on the Mario universe, others felt that it fell short in terms of depth and emotional resonance. The positive aspects such as the humor, character development, and captivating plot were acknowledged by many critics, while the negatives mainly revolved around the repetitive structure, lack of emotional depth in certain characters, and a sense of thematic dissonance. Despite the varying opinions, it is evident that the game's story managed to entertain and engage players to different degrees, making it a notable addition to the Paper Mario series.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics are divided on Paper Mario: The Origami King's story. Some laud its engaging narrative, humor, and unique characters, while others criticize its lack of depth and emotional resonance. Positive reviews highlight the high-quality writing and blend of classic Mario elements with origami twists, while negative feedback points to a repetitive structure and lack of emotional depth in characters. Overall, the game's story manages to entertain and engage players to varying degrees, making it a notable addition to the Paper Mario series.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

32%

Mixed (50-79)

62%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Paper Mario: The Origami King has received mixed reviews from critics. Some reviewers praised the innovative elements introduced in the game. Critics like Hobby Consolas and Pure Nintendo appreciated the unique combat system that combines puzzles and skill-based mechanics, offering engaging and rewarding gameplay experiences. IGN Spain also highlighted the challenging boss battles and rewarding exploration aspects of the game. The diverse gameplay mechanics, such as mini-games and platforming, were commended for adding variety to the overall experience. On the other hand, several critics expressed concerns and criticisms regarding the gameplay of Paper Mario: The Origami King. Hey Poor Player and New Game Network criticized the lack of depth and innovation in the combat system, particularly the ring-based battle system, which was deemed repetitive and frustrating by multiple reviewers like GamingTrend and Daily Star. The absence of traditional RPG elements, such as character progression and leveling up, was a common point of contention among critics like Nintendojo and Gamer.no. The repetitive nature of regular battles and the lack of evolution in the combat system were also mentioned as drawbacks by reviewers like AusGamers and Game Informer. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a mixed reception of the gameplay in Paper Mario: The Origami King. While some reviewers appreciated the innovative combat system and engaging puzzles, others found the gameplay lacking in depth and failing to evolve over time. The balance between exploration, puzzle-solving, and turn-based combat received both praise and criticism, with some critics enjoying the diverse experiences offered by the game, while others felt that certain elements, such as the ring-based battle system, became tiresome and repetitive. Despite the varied opinions, it is evident that the gameplay of Paper Mario: The Origami King has sparked discussions among critics, with each highlighting different aspects that either enhanced or detracted from their overall enjoyment of the game.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics are divided on the gameplay of Paper Mario: The Origami King. Some praise the innovative combat system and engaging puzzles, while others criticize the lack of depth and repetitive nature of battles. The game offers a mix of experiences, with some enjoying the diversity while others find certain elements tiresome. Overall, opinions vary, sparking discussions among critics about the game's strengths and weaknesses.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

95%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the graphics and visual design of Paper Mario: The Origami King, highlighting its unique and charming paper-crafted world. Critics like BaziCenter and COGconnected commended the game for its visually appealing and vibrant environments, with attention to detail in character designs and world elements. The art style, resembling a pop-up book according to EGM, was particularly lauded for its creativity and meticulous craftsmanship, creating a visually impressive and fun-to-explore diorama world. Critics such as Nintendo Insider and Gamer.no appreciated the stunning visuals, vibrant colors, and impressive attention to detail in the handcrafted environments, which added depth and immersion to the overall experience. On the flip side, a few critics expressed some reservations about the graphics and visual design of Paper Mario: The Origami King. GamingTrend criticized the aesthetic for being bland and lacking creativity, while New Game Network mentioned that the craft-style aesthetic was starting to feel worn out compared to other games. Additionally, New York Daily News pointed out that the 3D characters lacked emotion and felt stoic, which detracted from the overall visual experience. Despite these criticisms, they were in the minority compared to the overwhelming positive feedback from the majority of reviewers. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Paper Mario: The Origami King. The game was praised for its charming paper-themed world, vibrant artistic conception, and improved visuals compared to previous titles in the series, as noted by Universo Nintendo. Critics appreciated the game's attention to detail, unique blend of materials, and creative origami designs, which added depth and personality to the Mushroom Kingdom. The majority of reviewers found the visuals to be stunning, immersive, and visually appealing, with a seamless integration of paper and origami elements that enhanced the overall gameplay experience. In conclusion, Paper Mario: The Origami King's graphics and visual design were widely regarded as a standout feature that contributed significantly to the game's charm and appeal, earning it high praise from the gaming community.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics overwhelmingly praised Paper Mario: The Origami King for its stunning paper-crafted world, vibrant environments, and creative art style resembling a pop-up book. While a few critics had reservations about the graphics feeling bland or lacking emotion, the majority lauded the game's attention to detail and immersive visuals. Overall, the game's graphics were a standout feature, adding charm and appeal to the Mushroom Kingdom adventure, earning high praise from the gaming community.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

89%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Paper Mario: The Origami King received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics, with many highlighting its exceptional quality and contribution to the overall gaming experience. Critics such as COGconnected praised the game for its "luscious soundtrack that complements the gameplay experience," while Easy Allies noted that the music added excitement to battles and was often equally strong as the visuals. Additionally, critics like Pure Nintendo appreciated the top-notch music that stayed true to the Paper Mario series with remixes from old school Mario games, showcasing a blend of nostalgia and innovation. The diverse range of musical styles, from jazz to metal to electronic, as mentioned by The Sydney Morning Herald and Trusted Reviews, added depth and richness to the game's atmosphere. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, a few critics expressed some reservations about the Sound Design and Music of Paper Mario: The Origami King. AusGamers found the soundtrack to be annoying, with music in battles reminiscent of a failed 90s sitcom, which they felt detracted from the overall experience. App Trigger also mentioned that while the music was beautiful, some tracks could be repetitive and boring. These criticisms suggest that while the majority of critics found the sound design and music to be exceptional, there were a few instances where certain tracks or elements fell short of expectations for some reviewers. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Paper Mario: The Origami King are highly impressive and greatly enhance the gameplay experience. The dynamic and varied soundtrack, as highlighted by Hobby Consolas and LevelUp, adapts to different locations and moments in the game, immersing players in the paper world. The use of real instruments, engaging boss battle themes, and catchy melodies, as noted by Malditos Nerds and New Game Network, further elevate the overall joy and charm of the game. With the majority of critics praising the sound design and music as outstanding, memorable, and a significant contributor to the game's success, it is evident that Paper Mario: The Origami King excels in creating a sonic landscape that resonates with players and enhances the whimsical and adventurous tone of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics overwhelmingly praise the sound design and music of Paper Mario: The Origami King, citing its exceptional quality and contribution to the gaming experience. The diverse range of musical styles, from jazz to metal, adds depth and richness to the game's atmosphere. While some critics found certain tracks annoying or repetitive, the majority agree that the soundtrack is dynamic, engaging, and greatly enhances gameplay. Overall, the game's sound design and music are considered outstanding, memorable, and a significant contributor to its success.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

38%

Negative (0-49)

13%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch, the majority of critics had positive feedback. Impulsegamer and Vandal both praised the stable performance of Paper Mario: The Origami King in both handheld and docked modes, providing a smooth and exceptional gaming experience. Meristation also highlighted the game's excellent performance in both handheld and TV modes, with no loss in quality and good battery life. Gamers Heroes noted that there were no frame issues or crashes during their playthrough, indicating a solid performance overall. On the other hand, there were some negative aspects mentioned by a few critics regarding the technical performance on the Nintendo Switch. Digital Trends pointed out a potentially game-ending issue that could force players to restart the game entirely, which is a significant technical flaw. LevelUp mentioned that while the motion controls were responsive, their implementation could be cumbersome in handheld mode, potentially affecting the overall gameplay experience. New Game Network also highlighted reports of a save bug in the back third of the game, which could be a frustrating technical issue for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Paper Mario: The Origami King delivers a mostly positive technical performance on the Nintendo Switch. While there were some minor issues such as the save bug and finicky motion controls mentioned by critics like Digital Trends and LevelUp, the general sentiment is that the game performs well on the platform. The stable performance, smooth gameplay experience, and excellent presentation in both handheld and docked modes, as praised by Impulsegamer and Vandal, contribute to the overall positive reception of the game's technical performance on the Nintendo Switch.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics generally praise Paper Mario: The Origami King for its stable performance on the Nintendo Switch, providing a smooth gaming experience in both handheld and docked modes. However, some critics noted technical issues like potential game-ending glitches, cumbersome motion controls, and a save bug. Overall, the consensus is positive, with the game performing well despite minor flaws.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

19%

Mixed (50-79)

77%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the engaging gameplay, exploration, and hidden collectibles that contribute to the replay value of Paper Mario: The Origami King. Critics like Nintendojo and Pure Nintendo praised the game for its high replay value due to the interactive world, diverse activities, and engaging writing. The game's variety of situations, secrets to discover, and varied locations to explore, as mentioned by GamesRadar++ and Press Start Australia, also add to its replayability. Additionally, the game's collectibles, environmental puzzles, and optional challenges, as noted by NintendoWorldReport and Nintendo Insider, provide players with additional content to explore and enjoy. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain negatives that may impact the replay value of Paper Mario: The Origami King. The repetitive combat system, lack of RPG progression, and monotonous battles were highlighted by critics like DualShockers, GameCrate, and Noisy Pixel as factors that could hinder long-term replayability. The lack of a traditional leveling system, as mentioned by My Nintendo News and Vooks, and the tedious battle system, as noted by The Digital Fix and Stevivor, were also cited as potential drawbacks that may discourage players from replaying the game multiple times. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed regarding the replay value of Paper Mario: The Origami King. While some critics appreciate the game's hidden secrets, completion tracking, and enjoyable over-world encounters, others express concerns about the repetitive combat, lack of RPG progression, and tedious gameplay elements. Despite the varying opinions, it is evident that the game offers a wealth of content, exploration opportunities, and engaging writing that can appeal to players looking for a charming and entertaining experience. Critics like Digital Trends and God is a Geek emphasize the game's surprises, good writing, exploration, and different gameplay mechanics as factors that contribute to its overall replay value, making it worth revisiting for fans of the series.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Paper Mario: The Origami King for its engaging gameplay, exploration, and hidden collectibles that boost replay value. However, some critics point out repetitive combat and lack of RPG progression as potential drawbacks. Overall, opinions on replay value vary, but the game offers diverse content, exploration opportunities, and engaging writing that can appeal to fans of the series.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

64%

Mixed (50-79)

36%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

The critics generally praise Paper Mario: The Origami King for its engaging gameplay, charming world design, and humor in writing. RPG Site highlights the improved gameplay mechanics and humor, while Nintendo Insider commends the game for its return to form and enjoyable experience that builds upon the series' foundation. Vooks appreciates the concentrated happiness, sharp writing, inventive boss battles, and great pacing, while Screen Rant describes it as an endlessly enjoyable game with a charming story and unique combat system. However, several critics point out some drawbacks of the game. GamingTrend criticizes the aesthetic, terrible battle system, and lack of character design variety. XGN mentions the lack of challenge in gameplay and repetitive combat mechanics, while Critical Hit notes that combat becomes monotonous and allies are useless in battle. Stevivor highlights the slow and tedious combat system, which detracts from the overall experience, and GameCrate mentions the lack of RPG elements, unbalanced gameplay mechanics, and absence of a rewarding progression system. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed but leans towards the positive side. While some critics like TheSixthAxis and Comicbook.com feel that the game lacks depth in story and character development, others like Nintendojo and Nintenderos appreciate the engaging elements, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay. The game is praised for its humor, engaging visuals, and charming world design, making it a delightful and inventive addition to the Paper Mario series. Despite some flaws in combat systems and lack of traditional RPG elements, Paper Mario: The Origami King is generally considered a worthwhile experience that offers a memorable and unique adventure for players on the Nintendo Switch.

TL;DR

Critics praise Paper Mario: The Origami King for its engaging gameplay, humor, and charming world design, while noting drawbacks like a lack of challenge and repetitive combat. Overall, the game is seen as a delightful addition to the series with stunning visuals and innovative gameplay, although some criticize its lack of depth in story and character development. Despite flaws, it offers a worthwhile and memorable adventure for Nintendo Switch players.

CRITIK

Reviews

180 reviews found

100

Comicbook.com

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game reimagines the franchise and has charming characters and story. It may disappoint fans hoping for a larger RPG focus, but it is fun and lighthearted. The review gives it a rating of 5 out of 5.

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Universo Nintendo

Nintendo Switch

Dec 16, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

A standout addition to the Nintendo Switch library, recommended for Mario fans, RPG enthusiasts, and those seeking an entertaining adventure

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COGconnected

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a fantastic game that revitalizes the series with its unique gameplay mechanics, engaging story, and charming characters. A must-play for Switch owners and a testament to the franchise's resurgence.

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Vandal

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a must-play title that showcases creativity, innovation, and originality in game design, offering a memorable and unique experience that reinvents traditional gaming rules.

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The Games Machine

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is one of the best Paper Mario games with its mix of familiar and new gameplay mechanics.

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Pure Nintendo

Nintendo Switch

Jul 27, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a wonderful addition to the series with engaging story, fun gameplay, and challenging battles.

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Screen Rant

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is an endlessly enjoyable game with a charming story, unique combat, and a beautiful world design. It is a must-play Nintendo Switch experience.

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Hobby Consolas

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Delivers a delightful and varied gaming experience that is sure to entertain players of all ages, evoking feelings similar to top Pixar or Studio Ghibli films.

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God is a Geek

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is a creative triumph with new ideas throughout the game, standout boss battles, and impressive presentation, despite some shortcomings in general combat.

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Nintendo Insider

Nintendo Switch

Jul 15, 2020

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Paper Mario: The Origami King is praised for its return to form, offering a memorable and enjoyable experience that builds upon the series' foundation. Despite some missed opportunities with under-utilized companions, the game delivers laughter, thrills, and standout moments that make it worth playing.

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