A Tale of Paper
- August 19, 2022
- Open House Games
In "A Tale of Paper," you control Line, a paper hero brought to life by a magical wind. Traverse through crafted levels made to look like origami, solving puzzles and battling bosses. With a focus on clever platforming and paper-based abilities, this game offers a unique and artistic experience.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful artwork, fantastic music, and engaging gameplay that creates a great atmosphere.
- It offers a fun and relaxing puzzle platforming experience, especially for fans of games like Little Nightmares.
- The mechanics of switching between different abilities are varied and enjoyable, adding depth to the gameplay.
- The save system is frustrating, as it does not retain progress effectively, often forcing players to replay sections.
- There are multiple bugs, including broken achievements, which have not been adequately addressed by the developers.
- The game is very short, with some players reporting completion times as low as one to two hours, making it feel less worthwhile at full price.
- graphics18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics and animations are praised for creating a beautiful and atmospheric experience, often with a threatening undertone. While the art style is likened to that of "Little Nightmares," it lacks the same level of distinctiveness, yet still offers nice visuals and a well-thought-out sound design. Overall, the game's graphics contribute positively to its fun gameplay and immersive environment.
“The graphics and animations are very nice and create a great atmosphere, which sometimes even seems threatening.”
“Beautiful atmosphere, good music, and graphic design.”
“Game: very Little Nightmares inspired, artwork is beautiful, sound design has been thought about.”
“The graphics quality and game resolution settings didn't seem to have any notable effect.”
“3D platformer, kind of like Little Nightmares games, but not as defined art style.”
“The graphics quality and game resolution settings didn't seem to have any notable effect.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by varied and engaging mechanics, particularly the unique ability-switching and origami elements, which contribute to a charming atmosphere. While the puzzles are accessible and the overall experience is enjoyable, many players note that the game is quite short, suggesting it may not satisfy those seeking longer playtime. Overall, it is praised for its artistic design and fun mechanics, making it a worthwhile experience despite its brevity.
“Overall, the gameplay was fun and engaging; the puzzles weren't too hard, and the curiosity to keep playing is definitely there.”
“And its gameplay is really unique and interesting too.”
“However, if you are looking for something a bit longer in gameplay, I would pick up the Little Nightmares bundle on Steam as you will have countless hours playing through them!”
“The game mechanics of switching between abilities is varied and fun.”
“However, if you are basing the game off of pure design, artwork, sound, and gameplay, then it is worth the money and also this game was really cute!”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful graphics, engaging music, and immersive design, creating a sense of mystery and occasional tension. Players find the atmosphere enhances the fun gameplay and encourages continued exploration, making it a standout feature of the experience. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The graphics and animations are very nice and create a great atmosphere, which sometimes even seems threatening.”
“It's got the atmosphere going for it, it's got the mystery and engaging kind of storyline going for it.”
“Overall the gameplay was fun and engaging, the puzzles weren't too hard, the curiosity to make you want to keep playing is there, and the atmosphere is definitely there as well.”
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it dull and short, lasting only about an hour. While the narrative is described as cute and atmospheric, many feel that the game is primarily focused on its origami mechanics and art rather than a compelling storyline. Additionally, gameplay frustrations arise when using a keyboard instead of a controller.
“It's got the atmosphere going for it, it's got the mystery and engaging kind of storyline going for it.”
“The story is dull and boring.”
“I was surprised when the main story only took one hour.”
“The story is cute, but really you play a tale of paper for the origami mechanics and the art, both of which are very well done.”
- music10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its quality, contributing to a beautiful atmosphere and enhancing the overall experience. While the developers may have worked with a limited budget, the soundtrack and sound design stand out as fantastic elements that complement the game's visuals and gameplay. Overall, players find the music to be a highlight, making the game enjoyable despite its simplicity.
“The music and sound design are fantastic!”
“Beautiful atmosphere, good music and graphic design.”
“The artwork is beautiful, the soundtrack is nice, and the gameplay is fun.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to be buggy, with several broken achievements that the developers acknowledged and promised to fix since September 2022. Overall, stability remains a significant concern for players.
“The game is buggy and there are broken achievements, which the developers acknowledged on the discussion boards and promised a fix back in September 2022.”
“The game is buggy and there are broken achievements, which the developers acknowledged on the discussion boards and promised a fix back in September 2022.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, particularly due to the need for precise movements on the controller, which can lead to frustration and diminish enjoyment.
“I personally do not enjoy trying to make very precise movements on a gaming controller, so that felt rather tedious to me.”