Magic Between The Lines
Developed and published under the Open House Games and Studio banner, A Tale of Paper: Refolded is a puzzle platformer with a unique approach. Playing as Line, you are a magical piece of paper which can transform into different shapes through the art of origami. Line’s goal is simple: to fulfil the dream of its creator. The game is told through visual storytelling as there is no dialogue and it relies entirely on visual and audio presentation. It’s an endearing story and one I feel should be experienced as I did, with as little prior knowledge as possible. This helped to create a real sense of mystery for me and I was engrossed and absorbed as to where Line’s journey would take them next. The game succeeds wonderfully with its deliberate style of storytelling and reminds me of a personal favourite of mine from years back which is the wonderful Virginia. Often games like this can be left by the wayside due to being known as an ‘Arsty’ title but I think A Tale of Paper: Refolded really succeeds in what it sets out to do, and when playing the game I can definitely feel the developers’ love and care poured into every nook and cranny.
Whilst the story is endearing and absorbing, its short length hinders its capability to tell a complete tale. Having completed the game in around three hours, I feel as though more could have been added enhance the emotion involved in Line’s journey. In indie games like this, it’s the game’s replay ability that can keep players returning, but with this game there is not much meat to the bones and that severely affects it. Packaged in with this new version are additional levels that occur after the credits have rolled but these feel tacked on and don’t do the main story justice. Perhaps the developers knew the gameplay limitations would not allow a longer story to be told.
Hop, Skip and A Jump
A game like this relies on its story to keep the player’s interest and its gameplay helps the story to progress. A Tale of Paper: Refolded has a mixed bag of results when it comes to this aspect. The game has some really unique and wonderful ideas for gameplay but it also has irritating and baffling choices to boot. In terms of the standard gameplay loop, it’s what you would expect from a platformer: run, jump and traverse your way across a varied range of environments, such as the sewers or an abandoned factory. These mechanics are serviceable and help keep the story flowing but it’s the addition of Line’s abilities that really help make this game different. Throughout the game, Line can gain abilities that they can use in the form of different origami designs. For example, a frog ability helps you hop and jump your way to different platforms and structures. A ball ability allows you to traverse pipes and slides to help you to your destination. I absolutely love the additions of these abilities as they make platforming feel different, and thought-provoking due to their varied nature. Some abilities, like the frog ability, only allow you to jump instead of move or the ball can only move when on a slope or slide. These additions really help to create a varied approach to platforming. But it’s not without its flaws.
As with many games in this genre, at times this game can be infuriating. You can be killed accidentally by stepping literally inches off the platform you are standing on. This made me constantly weary of everything I jumped, hopped or flew to within the game. During the game’s eight levels, I experienced bizarre difficulty spikes due to this. Whilst the gameplay has its unique aspects, it also comes with the bad platforming tropes. During large portions of the adventure, I felt as though my mission was simply: enter room, find key then leave room and repeat. There are some different puzzles the further you progress into the game but it sometimes felt formulaic and generic. But overall, the gameplay does a serviceable job in helping complement the wonderful story found within the game. And with an interactive narrative adventure hoping to use visual storytelling so much as this one, it’s important that this aspect holds up strong. And boy it does!
A Candle In The Wind
Simply put, I love the art style and visual presentation in this game. Environments look beautiful and help create mystery for the player as you enter each new area. Water flows beautifully in the sewers with its rusty, murky tone and train tracks glisten with the slimy spiderwebs. But what struck me the most is the lighting in the game. It is some of the best uses of lighting I have seen for a long time. I adored going to each and every candle lighting up the way and showing off new parts of the environment I hadn’t seen before. I really felt as though every time I discovered a candle or light I expected to discover more within the game. It’s a real feat of visual storytelling and one that absolutely should be used more. The character models within the game also look exceptional and the animation design used for when Line changes its form is wonderfully animated. Enemies in the game look fantastic and stand out from one another, making each encounter feel different. Spiders are a particular highlight due to Line’s height; they tower over you making them seem genuinely scary at times and add a creepy and tense atmosphere. The only thing I feel as though the game could benefit from is a wider range of colours to make it feel more vibrant, but presentation wise this game is top notch.
Along with visual presentation, sound design and score are other real high points for the game. The soundtrack oozes mystery and suspense as you traverse your way through levels. It’s quiet and brooding at times as Line discovers new areas and then roars triumphantly during the real cinematic high points. The soundtrack really accentuates the emotional moments and made me feel fully engrossed in Line’s journey. Similarly, sound design is great, changing abilities never sounded so good! Simple tasks like opening air vents and grates or turning on switches sound so crisp and clear. A truly great effort by the developers to use sound as a tool for storytelling.
Verdict
I truly think A Tale of Paper: Refolded is worth checking out on its presentation alone. The game oozes style, mystery and emotion through its beautiful visuals and enthralling sound design and score. The story itself tells a tale of purpose and determination and Line is an appealing character. It’s just a shame at times the gameplay can be frustrating and platforming can be tedious and generic. This edition doesn’t many more additions for previous owners of the game, bar a few tacked on extra levels. However, for newcomers, this game is certainly worth grabbing. A great example of creating an engaging and emotional story through high quality presentation. One word just keeps coming back to me for this game and that is simply- endearing.
