Hirogami

Hirogami is a case that seems more interesting to watch than to actually play. The concept is captivating, the transformation mechanic is intriguing, and the exploration moments are at least engaging. Unfortunately, the clunky combat, hindered by the lack of enemy variety, along with environments that are thematically uncreative, undermine how interesting the overall experience is.

This was enjoyable for a time like an origami lesson. But just like the craft this game goes the frustrating ways very quickly and became a shortlived hobby class in the end.

Overall, Hirogami is a visually stunning adventure taking place in a beautifully folded world. There’s a lot to get out of each level with many different challenges to sink your teeth into, but unfortunately, it’s all let down by a lack of polish in gameplay. Platforming feels clunky, and gameplay feels undercooked; it made my time with Hirogami a mixture of being in awe of my surroundings and dismay when I launched myself off the map.

I'm bummed that Hirogami didn't hit for me like I'd expected it to. There are lots of cool ideas and mechanics here that feel fresh and exciting, and different challenges for each level give you lots to strive for. Unfortunately, the platforming eventually starts to feel frustrating due to bad checkpointing, questionable hitboxes, and ultimate lack of variety. Combat is frequent, repetitive, and ended up feeling like a chore. There's heart and charm here, and I think a sequel could eventually turn this into a viable franchise. As it stands, however, Hirogami isn't a must-play.