Paper Trail

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 209 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Paper Trail Game Cover
Paper Trail is a neat bit of puzzling whimsy with a unique folding mechanic and thoughtful design that hides just the right amount of difficulty beneath its beautiful exterior.
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"Paper Trail" is a top-down puzzle adventure game where you play as Paige, a student exploring a foldable, paper world. By folding and manipulating the environment, you'll solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and meet unique characters. The handcrafted, beautiful environments and engaging puzzles make for a captivating journey.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 209 reviews
story53 positive mentions
replayability2 negative mentions
  • Unique and innovative paper-folding mechanic that adds depth to puzzle-solving.
  • Beautiful art style and soothing soundtrack create an immersive and relaxing experience.
  • Challenging yet rewarding puzzles that gradually introduce new mechanics, keeping gameplay fresh.
  • The story feels underdeveloped and lacks emotional depth, leaving some plot points unresolved.
  • Some puzzles can feel tedious or overly simplistic, leading to moments of frustration.
  • Limited character development and interactions make it hard to connect with the protagonist and supporting cast.
  • story129 mentions

    The story of "Paper Trail" centers around Paige, a girl yearning to leave home for university, but many reviews note that while the narrative is heartfelt and visually appealing, it often feels underdeveloped and meandering. Players appreciate the unique integration of gameplay mechanics with storytelling, but many express disappointment over vague plot points and flat character development. Overall, the game is praised for its artistic presentation and emotional themes, though it may not satisfy those seeking a deeply crafted narrative.

    • “The story is beautiful, the art is stunning; if you like puzzle games, give this one a go.”
    • “Clever puzzles in a beautiful world with a heartfelt story.”
    • “The themes of family and a coming-of-age story act as a beautiful backdrop and, in tandem with stunning art design, help keep the player motivated and driven to discover what lies in the next chapter.”
    • “Everything surrounding Paige and the story felt like they were created after the core gameplay was settled on as a foundation for development.”
    • “Unfortunately, the story just continues to meander around, with the characters of each area being introduced without any real thought.”
    • “If I had to give one criticism, it would be that the mysteries in the game's plot seem to be left purposefully vague, perhaps to tease the possibility of a sequel, yet nevertheless leaving the narrative feeling more confused and disappointing at the end.”
  • gameplay124 mentions

    The gameplay in "Paper Trail" is centered around a unique paper-folding mechanic that offers a refreshing and engaging puzzle experience, with new mechanics introduced in each world to keep the gameplay dynamic. While the core mechanics are praised for their originality and clever design, some players feel that the narrative and puzzle complexity could be improved. Overall, the game is recognized for its charming art style, soothing soundtrack, and the satisfying challenge it presents to players.

    • “The game’s innovative mechanic of folding the environment to solve puzzles is both refreshing and challenging.”
    • “Each chapter you go through poses a new challenge with fresh puzzle mechanics so it never feels like you're doing the same thing over and over as you progress.”
    • “The folding mechanic feels fresh and exciting, and the challenge in each stage constantly pushes you to learn and adapt.”
    • “Unfortunately for me, the core puzzle mechanic really felt limited; the puzzle/gameplay possibility space of a two-dimensional sheet that can't fold more than once got old fairly quickly, especially when combined with not being able to see the puzzle pieces you were working with clearly.”
    • “While the folding mechanics and art themselves are occasionally wondrous, the narrative and puzzles that weave it all together border on boredom.”
    • “The gameplay isn't bad, but the story is boring, and the new mechanics don't bring enough to the table to keep things interesting.”
  • music82 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, enhancing the overall experience with serene soundtracks that complement the gameplay and art style. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a significant aspect, describing it as soothing and immersive, which adds to the game's cozy atmosphere. Overall, the combination of enchanting music and stunning visuals creates a delightful and engaging environment for players.

    • “The music is very serene and relaxing in effect.”
    • “The soundtrack is very beautiful and engaging, suitable and evocative; it reflects well and highlights the feelings of the protagonist.”
    • “The music is perfect for this game and it will never distract you or bore you; on the contrary, it will help you feel closer to it, as if you are indeed a part of its vast atmospheric world.”
    • “Your 'reward' for most puzzles is another puzzle, with no indication of progress, and your only accompaniment being the 'atmospheric' music.”
    • “My one complaint is the music.”
    • “And while there is some ambience and sound effects, the player is going to be listening to the music the whole time while solving complex problems.”
  • graphics68 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and charming art style, often described as soothing and reminiscent of hand-drawn illustrations. The visuals, complemented by a captivating soundtrack, enhance the overall immersive experience and contribute significantly to the game's cozy atmosphere. Players appreciate the unique aesthetic, which aligns well with the puzzle mechanics, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable to play.

    • “The graphics are just soothing to look at and the art style is on point - unique puzzle game highly recommended.”
    • “The game’s artistic style is a standout, with its watercolor-like visuals creating a serene atmosphere.”
    • “Everything about this game is magical from the hand-drawn artwork to the music; you can see how much love and devotion has been poured into it.”
    • “The graphics are just soothing to look at and the art style is on point.”
    • “The art style is unbelievable and so visually inviting.”
    • “The art style is so charming and tactile; the feeling of moving the paper between the visual and sound effects is so satisfying.”
  • emotional20 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a heartfelt and touching narrative, particularly centered around the character Paige, which resonates with players on a personal level. While some reviewers felt the emotional core fell flat, many praised the story's warmth and the game's overall wholesome vibe, complemented by beautiful artwork and clever puzzles that enhance the experience. Overall, the game successfully combines a charming story with engaging gameplay, leaving players with a sense of fulfillment and emotional connection.

    • “Clever puzzles in a beautiful world with a heartfelt story.”
    • “The story is touching and the credits are well worth playing this incredible game.”
    • “The narrative, which follows Paige on her journey, is enough to resonate emotionally with players.”
  • atmosphere7 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful watercolor visuals and serene ambiance, complemented by an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While the storytelling may be lacking, the relaxing and colorful environment, along with the immersive music, creates a captivating space for exploration and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the endearing atmosphere, which makes the challenges feel more approachable and enjoyable.

    • “If you enjoy relaxing (mostly...) puzzle games with beautiful art and atmosphere, and incredible music, and don't mind a game that is weaker on the storytelling side of things, this game is a great pick.”
    • “The game’s artistic style is a standout, with its watercolor-like visuals creating a serene atmosphere.”
    • “The music is perfect for this game and it will never distract you or bore you; on the contrary, it will help you feel closer to it, as if you are indeed a part of its vast atmospheric world.”
    • “But the endearing atmosphere makes it oh-so easy to underestimate the puzzles ahead.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by original and bizarre dialogue that enhances the overall experience, complemented by hilariously adorable voice acting. Players find the combination of cute art style and silly, cozy conversations to be a delightful aspect, making the game engaging and memorable.

    • “The dialogues that we can understand by reading them are original; the characters use a bizarre and funny language and way of speaking that livens up the game.”
    • “Additionally, the humor in the dialogue adds a delightful touch.”
    • “The voice acting is also hilariously adorable at times.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, particularly due to the puzzles, which can be approached in different ways despite players having a sense of previous solutions. Additionally, the inclusion of collectible items, like origami, adds further incentive for replaying the game. Overall, users feel confident that returning to the game will offer a fresh experience.

    • “Lastly, I like that there is replayability including finding all the origami.”
    • “Yet, I imagine the replayability in terms of the puzzles is actually on the higher side of things because you'll likely have a sense for how you previously solved a puzzle, but you probably haven't memorized the solution (the game doesn't really lend itself to that).”
    • “And don’t worry, it’ll be replayable when you come back to it.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players appreciate the concept of grinding in the game but find its execution to be overly tedious, leading to a lack of motivation to pursue achievements related to grinding.

    • “I really love the idea, but the execution was too tedious, to be honest.”
    • “Grinding achievements: no.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, players report a high level of stability, with no significant bugs, glitches, or errors encountered during gameplay, contributing to a smooth experience throughout their sessions.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Paper Trail

Play time

7hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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