Flat Kingdom Paper’s Cut Edition is a title that follows in the footsteps of Paper Mario. However, this indie title doesn’t have the same panache as its mainstream rival. Yet, the undeniably cute gameplay and cruel antagonist keep you hooked throughout.
Developed by Games Starter and published by Ratalaika Games, this is a platform title. Moreover, it blends the world of 2D and 3D action as you explore a colourful world. Additionally, you’ll search for coins and improve the protagonist with drip-fed mechanics. Accordingly, this has a gentle learning curve that can be enjoyed casually.
Flat Kingdom tells a familiar tale.
The hero of this familiar tale is Flat. This brave individual has the power to transform their shape to overcome various obstacles. It can transform from a circle to a square, and finally a triangle. Each shape has a specific use, and as your skills are improved, you can explore new locations and overcome greater obstacles.
A wise sorcerer created 6 magical jewels. Each of these precious stones was hidden around the kingdom. They were created to keep the malice and chaos of the third dimension at bay. However, an evil thief has other plans. By stealing the jewels, the malevolent creature has created an unruly mess. As such, Flat is called upon to stop the villain and save the day.
Interesting mechanics.
Flat Kingdom kept me hooked thanks to its rudimentary approach and interesting mechanics. Moreover, the excellent puzzles and boss battles kept the action ticking over. Thankfully, the straightforward gameplay ensures that though there are some tricky moments, it is simple to play and easy to pick up.
Flat’s special powers have multiple uses. Not only are they key to overcoming each puzzle and obstacle, but they are essential when tackling each monster. Accordingly, you must remember which element impacts another. For example; when Flat is square, he can kill a triangular creature. Furthermore, if he is a triangle, he can hurt a circle. Finally, if he is a circle, he can annihilate a square. So far, so good. However, this goes one step further!
You must use this knowledge to solve each problem you face. Additionally, you’ll use the strengths of each shape to traverse each level. As a circle, you can double jump and reach platforms. However, if you are square, you are slow and cumbersome, but you can move heavy objects and knock down walls. The triangle, on the other hand, can pop balloons, wall jump, and cut ropes. Understanding each pro and con is essential if you wish to leap gaps, smash floors, or swim great distances.
Boss battles.
Unlike its peers, Flat Kingdom doesn’t have challenging boss encounters. Instead, once you understand the key elements of each battle, you’ll defeat them in no time at all. Disappointingly, this was frustrating. Unlike the exploration elements, the boss fights were too simple. Consequently, this will annoy hardcore gamers who desire a tough end-game experience.
Luckily, though, the excellent exploration elements mitigate against this shortcoming. I loved how the action expands once new elements were introduced. Furthermore, tracking each coin on every level required no effort. Instead, a basic ghost system was introduced. As such, if you have collected anything on a previous run-through, the item would appear faded and ghostly. Accordingly, you always knew what collectables were outstanding.
Flat Kingdom looks wonderful.
Flat Kingdom perfectly blends a 2D background with 3D platforms. Therefore, it was easy to understand where to go and what to do. However, the level design was fantastic, as the action doesn’t follow a linear approach. Instead, you are free to explore multiple routes that comprise many secrets and plenty of collectables.
On top of the fantastic level design, you’ll enjoy striking character models, vivid colours, and interesting and varied worlds to explore. Each location has an array of different creatures, and there are plenty of traps and obstacles to overcome. This was great, as it kept the action fresh and made you want to keep playing.
The audio was equally impressive. The varied soundtrack enhanced each arena. As such, there were upbeat and aggressive songs for the boss encounters and calmer and serene tunes for the exploration elements. Alongside this, you’ll enjoy some bizarre sound effects.
Clearer controls would have been better.
The developers attempted to keep instructions to a minimum. Consequently, the tutorial is stripped-back and guidance comes in the form of small billboards. Disappointingly, this led to some confusion and understandable frustrations. Moreover, executing each new skill could be problematic. The wall climbing ability is tricky to perform, and this led me to swear more than I’d like. Other than this, the control setup is well-considered and the inputs are responsive.
Replay value and longevity are limited to the coin collection element. As such, once you revisit each stage and find the collectables, there is little else to do. Had the boss battles been tougher, then this issue would have been removed.
Flat Kingdom is an excellent indie title.
Despite my minor issues with the gameplay and controls, I loved Flat Kingdom. Its zany concept and interesting mechanics make it a fun, albeit simple title. Had the developers increased the difficulty while incorporating a Metroidvania-lite approach, then it would have been vastly improved. However, I still enjoyed it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you reclaim the jewels and save the kingdom? Morph into different shapes, overcome obstacles, and kill every boss you encounter.
