Paper Bride

About

Paper Bride is a single player casual role playing game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by HeartBeat Plus and was released on December 2, 2021. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Paper Bride," a Chinese horror mystery puzzle game, players delve into traditional folklore to solve the strange disappearance of a bride. Her red wedding dress inexplicably changes to a white paper one before she vanishes, leading the groom on a journey through cultural elements such as paper figures, underworld spirits, and ghost traps. Explore Chinese folklore to uncover the truth behind this eerie mystery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 93 reviews

story28 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Paper Bride offers a unique narrative experience deeply rooted in traditional Chinese folklore, creating an unsettling atmosphere that enhances the horror elements.
The puzzles are thoughtfully designed and integrated into the story, requiring players to engage with the narrative and cultural references, making them feel meaningful rather than arbitrary.
Visually, the game is stunning with a haunting art style and effective sound design that contributes to the overall eerie ambiance.

Some puzzles can be overly challenging or obscure, particularly for players unfamiliar with Chinese culture and language, which may lead to frustration.
The hint system, while helpful, can inadvertently lead to accidental usage, impacting achievement completion and player experience.
The pacing can feel slow at times, with some players finding the text speed and interaction responsiveness lacking, which detracts from the overall immersion.

story
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
48%
5%
The story of "Paper Bride" is a narrative-driven horror experience deeply rooted in traditional Chinese folklore, unfolding through environmental storytelling, notes, and conversations rather than direct exposition. While the plot is simple, it effectively explores themes of tradition and obligation, enhanced by a chilling atmosphere and cultural elements that add emotional depth. Players may find some aspects of the narrative challenging to follow, but the overall experience is engaging, with intriguing plot twists and a satisfying conclusion that leaves room for sequels.
- “Paper Bride is a narrative-driven horror puzzle adventure developed and published by Heartbeat Plus that distinguishes itself through its deep reliance on traditional Chinese folklore and a slow, unsettling approach to storytelling.”
- “As the mystery deepens, themes of tradition, obligation, and the consequences of past actions begin to surface, giving the story emotional weight beyond its surface-level horror.”
- “While the plot isn't anything to write home about, the game's extensive use of Chinese mythos, intricate artwork, and immersive sound design create a chilling atmosphere that pulls you into its world of spirits and curses.”
- “I’m still not sure if it’s the storyline or the translation, but something about the narrative feels a bit off.”
- “While the plot isn't anything to write home about (and is especially bogged down by the stiff translations), the game's extensive use of Chinese mythos, intricate artwork, and immersive sound design create a chilling atmosphere that pulls you into its world of spirits and curses.”
- “Some elements of the story were hard to follow.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its ability to evoke fear through cultural storytelling, intricate artwork, and immersive sound design, rather than relying on jump scares. Players appreciate the unsettling and ominous ambience that enhances the overall experience, despite some minor immersion-breaking moments. Overall, the combination of a chilling atmosphere, engaging puzzles, and a unique narrative makes it a standout title in the atmospheric horror genre.
- “From the moment you start, the unsettling atmosphere grabs you — it's not just jump scares, but an underlying tension and mystery that keeps you on edge.”
- “While the plot isn't anything to write home about, the game's extensive use of Chinese mythos, intricate artwork, and immersive sound design create a chilling atmosphere that pulls you into its world of spirits and curses.”
- “That kind of reaction breaks the immersion a little, which is a shame, because the atmosphere has so much potential.”
- “The ambience is ominous, and the game does a superb job at creating a creepy, unnerving atmosphere.”
- “While the plot isn't anything to write home about (and is especially bogged down by the stiff translations), the game's extensive use of Chinese mythos, intricate artwork, and immersive sound design create a chilling atmosphere that pulls you into its world of spirits and curses.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
46%
27%
The gameplay is centered on exploration and puzzle-solving, allowing players to navigate interconnected locations while uncovering narrative-driven clues. While some players appreciate the engaging story and the variety of puzzles, there are mixed feelings about the gameplay mechanics, with hopes for improvement in future installments. Overall, the gameplay is described as enjoyable yet simplistic, particularly resonating with those familiar with Chinese folklore.
- “A rich story, interesting gameplay, and hundreds of puzzles will make your head scramble.”
- “I'm familiar with Chinese folklore, which makes the gameplay more interesting and relatable.”
- “I did like the story enough that I was able to play through the game without getting bored, but I had some issues with the gameplay.”
- “Despite these issues, I believe Paper Bride has a strong foundation that hopefully improves its gameplay aspect in the sequels.”
- “The gameplay is built around exploration and puzzle solving, with players moving through a series of interconnected locations while uncovering clues tied directly to the unfolding narrative.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their haunting and memorable art style, reminiscent of an old paper puppet show combined with ghostly ink paintings. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and well-designed scenes that enhance the eerie atmosphere, effectively immersing them in the game's world of spirits and curses. Overall, the artwork and graphics significantly contribute to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature.
- “Art style is haunting and memorable, like an old paper puppet show mixed with ghostly ink paintings.”
- “The visuals were one of my favorite elements of the game, with every scene being simple yet well designed.”
- “The artwork is visually beautiful, and the point-and-click style works really well.”
- “The visuals were one of my favorite elements of the game, with every scene being simple, yet well designed.”
- “I specially liked the atmosphere and the artwork.”
- “The graphics and visual aesthetics were eerie.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a profound shift from celebration to dread, creating an intimate horror experience that explores themes of tradition, obligation, and the consequences of past actions. While it effectively engages players on a deeper emotional level, it also offers heartwarming and wholesome moments, making it suitable for family play, particularly for young children. Overall, the game balances horror with emotional depth, resulting in a touching narrative.
- “This abrupt shift from celebration to dread sets the emotional tone for the entire experience, anchoring the horror in something intimate and personal rather than abstract terror.”
- “As the mystery deepens, themes of tradition, obligation, and the consequences of past actions begin to surface, giving the story emotional weight beyond its surface-level horror.”
- “Ultimately, Paper Bride succeeds as a horror experience because it respects the player’s intelligence and emotional engagement.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game is characterized by ambient sounds and understated cues that enhance tension while complementing the narrative's themes of loss and fate. When prominent, the music often has a mournful or ritualistic quality, contributing to an immersive experience that players find beautiful and engaging. Overall, the sound design is praised for its subtlety and effectiveness in drawing players into the game's atmosphere.
- “When music does surface, it often carries a mournful or ritualistic quality, reinforcing the themes of loss, fate, and unresolved bonds that run through the narrative.”
- “Ambient noises, distant echoes, and understated musical cues work together to maintain tension without overwhelming the player.”
- “Music and sound design are subtle but incredibly immersive.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game has limited replayability, primarily appealing to players seeking to complete achievements, such as attempting a no-hint playthrough.
- “The replayability value is high, especially for those aiming to complete achievements, like attempting a no-hint playthrough.”
- “Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, making it a game you can enjoy multiple times.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game fresh, encouraging players to explore different paths.”
- “Replayability value: no, only for achievements, especially doing a no-hint playthrough.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back; it feels like a one-and-done experience.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its smooth and bug-free gameplay, primarily featuring point-and-click mechanics with a functional inventory system for item usage. Overall, players report a stable experience without significant issues.
- “The gameplay progresses smoothly and bug-free, primarily featuring a point-and-click style with an inventory system that allows for appropriate item usage.”
- “I appreciate how stable the game is; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs during my playthrough.”
- “The game runs seamlessly, providing a consistent experience that keeps me engaged without interruptions.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its unique narration style, which evokes nostalgia for the exaggerated voices found in Chinese horror movies, adding a layer of comedic eeriness to the experience. Players appreciate the blend of gorgeous art and funny storytelling that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- “The art is gorgeous and unique, and the narration is funny, reminding me of when I used to watch Chinese horror movies with my cousins when we were young. The eerie, over-exaggerated voices from old characters made us nervous.”