- Publisher: HypeTrain Digital
- Release Date: Jan 23, 2026
- Also On: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Summary:
- Developer: HypeTrain Digital, Sleepy Castle Studio
- Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing, General
- # of players: No Online Multiplayer
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 12 out of 13
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Mixed: 1 out of 13
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Negative: 0 out of 13
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Mar 6, 2026Escape from Ever After is a great game, and considering how people took to last year’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, part of me wonders if this Paper Mario-inspired game will have the same effect. It’s really wonderful to see a two-person team like this fund a successful Kickstarter, who probably played games like Paper Mario when they were younger to understand how to deliver such a strong, reminiscent game, and I look forward to what Sleepy Castle Studio has planned next.
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Jan 21, 2026Since the release of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door in 2004, developers worldwide - including Nintendo - have been searching for the next big hit, and Sleepy Castle Studio may have found gold with Escape from Ever After. Not only is it a remarkably faithful homage to the Paper Mario games, it is also an RPG that truly delivers, boasting immense charm, a fantastic soundtrack, and vibrant worlds that hide surprisingly deep gameplay systems and strong writing beneath their cute exterior. While management notes a few minor issues such as an inconsistent parry window and somewhat repetitive gameplay, Escape from Ever After undoubtedly earns the title of employee of the month—and perhaps even of the year.
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Mar 6, 2026Escape From Ever After is a brisk, 16-hour Paper Mario–style RPG that the reviewer feels surpasses its inspiration through sharp, genuinely funny writing and excellent balance between combat, puzzles, and platforming. Despite a few rough edges in timing-based inputs and platforming precision, its fast pacing, forgiving difficulty, and energetic, saxophone-driven soundtrack make it a standout, must-play entry in the genre.
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Jan 28, 2026While there are many layers here – it’s a Paper Mario homage, it’s an original fantasy adventure and it adapts beloved IP – each idea is given time to evolve. There’s a delicate balance required, and developers Sleepy Castle Studio and Wing-It! Creative have managed it very well indeed.
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Feb 9, 2026Escape from Ever After discusses the harm that capitalism can have on whimsical, creative, wholesome ideas, such as fairy tales. It features a cast of adorable characters that need to work together to try to save a world that is slowly losing its magic. The combat may have been an issue, but the rest of this party RPG was super charming and exciting to explore. For those who love Paper Mario or cute RPGs, Escape from Ever After may just be your next favourite adventure.
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Feb 8, 2026Appearances aside, Escape from Ever After isn't just a Paper Mario knock-off, but a wholly enjoyable roleplaying game in its own right. If Flynt had a red cap and an airy moustache, you might've convinced me that Nintendo had made this.
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Mar 23, 2026My stance on Escape from Ever After is clear. The characters, music, and writing are tons of fun and exude plenty of charm. Unfortunately, the gameplay, especially the mushy controls, sharp difficulty spikes, and maddening puzzles, left me feeling cold. So, despite its potential, Escape from Ever After was a middle-of-the-road Paper Mario-style experience for me.