Paper Trail Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: Paper Trail is a top-down puzzle adventure about leaving home, set in a foldable, paper world.
    You play as Paige, a budding academic, leaving home for the first time to pursue her studies. On the journey, you learn to fold the world, merging two sides to solve puzzles, explore new areas
    Paper Trail is a top-down puzzle adventure about leaving home, set in a foldable, paper world.
    You play as Paige, a budding academic, leaving home for the first time to pursue her studies. On the journey, you learn to fold the world, merging two sides to solve puzzles, explore new areas and uncover long-lost secrets.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 95
    For what Paper Trail sets out to do - it does so with a clear passion and mastery of craft that is rarely seen in the industry today. While not everyone might resonate with the story in the same way that I have, those who do will feel every fold and every step of Paige's journey through a whimsical and wonderfully designed world that manages to mix an inventive new twist on top-down puzzling with a heartening premise that will sit with me for a long time.
  2. May 20, 2024
    90
    I find myself totally blown away by what Paper Trail offers. It’s a simple story told via, what appears on the surface to be, a rather simple gameplay mechanic and yet Paper Trail is anything but simple. From relief to joy, this is a game that elicits so many complex human emotions all via the simple art of virtual origami. It’s a charming game that I hope to see on many year-end lists and easily my favourite indie of the year so far.
  3. Aug 5, 2024
    80
    Paper Trail is a beautiful indie puzzle game with unique mechanics that isn’t afraid to present its players with a challenge. Its strong color schemes and charming characters will make this a great addition to your cozy games collection, especially if you’re looking for something to put your brain to work. However, finicky controls on console creates some very minor hindrances which, if you’re already feeling a bit stumped on some puzzles, can lead you to stepping away for a short spell.
  4. May 20, 2024
    75
    Paper Trail is an indie game with plenty of soul that mixes successfully the narrative and gameplay parts into an immersive experience. While the story is interesting enough, what will keep you most invested in the game is figuring out how to fold and slide in order to solve the puzzles. There are some aspects that could use fixing like the repeating soundtrack and maybe a more precise hint system, overall, Paper Trails is a fascinating journey in a modern fairy tale, worthy of the attention of puzzle fans.
  5. Jun 17, 2024
    75
    All in all, Paper Trail is a beautiful, thoughtful experience. This interesting approach to puzzle construction sets it apart from other sin the genre, and its audio-visual landscape only adds to its charm. While completing some of the levels was a struggle and having so many mechanics at once was difficult at times, Paper Trail remains a pleasure to venture through and solve.
  6. Edge Magazine
    Jun 13, 2024
    70
    Balancing discipline and freedom, and showcasing creativity within constraints, it demonstrates that you can shape your own path through life, while suggesting ways you might build upon everything you learn along the way. [Issue#399, p.118]
  7. Jun 11, 2024
    60
    I had a solid time with Paper Trail but it definitely becomes tedious once you realise that its core gameplay is actually rather simplistic.

See all 12 Critic Reviews