An Honest Look at Paper Mario: The Origami King

There are many unique and different things in Paper Mario: The Origami King when compared to other games. For instance, you get to fish in this game. Gamers get to see a happy Mario wait near the edge of a rock, and cast a line into the waves, hoping something bites. There is something quite satisfying and relaxing about this scene. After spending decades fighting bad guys, trying to save the Princess and squishing toads, Mario gets some time to unwind. Gamers can use their Switch to flick the pole back and forth, and even reel in the fish. However, when the fish does in fact bite, Mario reels it in, for a battle to begin! Once again, gamers get to battle it out, like they always have in Mario games. Goodbye, relaxation!

Differences Aside

There is something inherently different about fishing in Origami King, and Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While in Horizons, it is calming, relaxing and with nothing in mind, Mario takes it a step further. In Horizons, you can fish in VR while listening to a new album, or watching your favorite TV series. However, in the Origami King, fishing is a means to an end. You don’t get to multi-task while you fish. Instead, you need to focus on the game to ensure that you don’t end up dead. It isn’t a side-mission to gather new recipes or improve your ranking. In Origami King, fishing is a part of the main gameplay, a part of his quest to save the world, and Princess Peach. Though it is calming in a way, it also gives you a sudden jolt of adrenaline and rush that the story contains. You get to pay full attention to the game, and never feel bored in any way.

Gameplay and Impact

The Origami King brings together enough cuteness, risk, strategy, and excitement to keep things fresh and interesting. Players are left intrigued, and there is seldom time for distractions of any kind. Also, there is a definite structure to the game, as it is progressive, bringing together several creative mechanics and dynamics. The fight scenes are well-choreographed, tricky, and truly sweet. In conclusion, if you enjoyed playing New Horizons, it is a guarantee that Origami King will prove to be a great adventure for you.

Plot and Storyline

The Origami King feels in many ways like it is a part of the Doctor Who universe. The game starts with Mario and his buddies arriving at the castle of his beloved- Princess Peach. However, much to their dismay, they find it devoid of any life. Sadly, Princess Peach has turned into an origami shell, and her soul is nowhere to be seen. We get to know that King Olly has transformed her into one of his Folded Soldiers. The dictator wants complete control and will go to any lengths to achieve his goals. The end-game is that he will turn every inhabitant of the kingdom into a faithful Folded Soldier. To keep Mario at bay, he has covered the castle in streamers of various colors. Hence, to face off against King Olly, and save everyone he loves, Mario has to travel to all the different streamer-worlds and unravel them.

Nature and World-Building

While the plot seems quite sinister and dire, the cartoonish animation helps in creating a light and lively atmosphere. However, there is still a lot of heroism in the Paper Mario series. Mario wanders from one land to another, avoiding getting squashed, gaining extraordinary powers, and saving the world. The game effortlessly mixes 3D animation with 2D visuals, creating a realistic and textured world. There are several large and special maps that gamers can explore after unlocking. These worlds are all unique and contain their fair share of secrets, confetti, and great puzzles. Confetti is a primary mechanic that Mario obtains by hitting flowers, tree trunks, and bushes. Mario later uses this confetti to fill gaps and cover holes in the game matrix. While there are save cubes throughout the maps, they have a lot of riddles and enemies in front of them. Since on death, Mario respawns from the nearest save point, getting to them is crucial. As these save cubes could be worlds away, the act of dying is torturous, making the stakes quite high.

Battle Arena

One of the biggest threats to Mario in this game is via the ring-based battle arena. In this area, Mario encounters several villains like Goomba, Spiny, and Shy Guy. The battlefield has four rings, and enemies occupy each vacant spot, with Mario at the center. Since there is a timer here, and also a maximum limit on ring rotation, the game requires quite a bit of thought. This adds an extra layer of tension, making the game all the more exciting, and victory even sweeter.

Though New Horizons defined 2020, and if players want higher stakes and more exciting gameplay, then The Origami King should be their go-to choice. Also, remember to take your time, and explore the Mario world while you are at it. In fact, make sure you fish and enjoy the calm while it lasts. The moment the fish rises out of the water, it is time to roll up your sleeves and start smashing again!