Paper Mario: The Origami King

 Switch
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1769 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,103 out of 1769
  2. Mixed: 269 out of 1769
  3. Negative: 397 out of 1769
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  1. Valleyofquacks
    Jul 18, 2020
    2
    No badges, no exp, no unique characters or playable sidekicks, lame "puzzle" battles. +1 point for beautiful artwork and +1 for a beautiful soundtrack. Please let someone else design the battle system and quests. Perhaps team up with square enix again?
  2. ByzantineCondui
    Aug 6, 2020
    0
    Horribly paced, boring combat, and super generic lifeless NPCs and world. Sure, the papercraft aesthetic is well done and the world is visually beautiful, but the locations and world just lack any depth. There was a certain magic to the older Paper Mario games - TTYD is tied for my favorite game of all time. Sure, it had issues, but the formula was just so magical (imagine if they couldHorribly paced, boring combat, and super generic lifeless NPCs and world. Sure, the papercraft aesthetic is well done and the world is visually beautiful, but the locations and world just lack any depth. There was a certain magic to the older Paper Mario games - TTYD is tied for my favorite game of all time. Sure, it had issues, but the formula was just so magical (imagine if they could apply the modern day advances in game design and graphics to that style of formula). Battles are repetitive, the whole thing is just a giant collect-a-thon and the only way I can describe it is: “incredibly shallow”. It dumbs down everything great about the series and I’m really just deeply saddened by the cheapening of one of my favorite works of art ever made.… Expand
  3. Marble_Garden
    Aug 18, 2020
    4
    "It's a tone-deaf, group-think, husk of its former self"

    Bland. Superficial. Clueless. I Will NOT be fooled again. -Shallow undifferentiated characters -Decent music, but nothing memorable -Stationary Bosses (like tape, and pencils, seriously) -Stupidly easy puzzles. Locked door? Walk to corner, pick of key, open door. Done. -Boring pointless battles that nearly ruin the game,    "It's a tone-deaf, group-think, husk of its former self"

    Bland. Superficial. Clueless. I Will NOT be fooled again.

    -Shallow undifferentiated characters
    -Decent music, but nothing memorable
    -Stationary Bosses (like tape, and pencils, seriously)
    -Stupidly easy puzzles. Locked door? Walk to corner, pick of key, open door. Done.
    -Boring pointless battles that nearly ruin the game, you will avoid them.
    -Hidden items are always useless trophies (who cares?).
    -Same old paper gimmick no one asked for again.
    -Confetti gimmick is pointless, adds nothing.
    -Story was OK, but not enough to make up for all the other issues.

    Conclusion, this is a game for the 5-10 y/o crowd. It's a tone-deaf group-think husk of its former self, and Nintendo doesn't care what you think. My expectations are not unrealistic, I know Nintendo can do better, they simply refuse to listen. Perhaps if we all shout "DOOPLISS" loud enough the authentic Paper Mario be revealed.    … Expand
  4. Crimson9
    Dec 25, 2022
    3
    Nintendo's quality continues to decline. Contrasting this game with a thousand year door really shows that. This game was mind numbingly boring, nonsensical and easy.
  5. mkl006
    Jul 21, 2020
    0
    I can deal with the removed RPG elements and maybe even some repetitive combat. Unfortunately, not only are combat and puzzle-solving exceedingly easy and boring, they are also disproportionately time-consuming and unrewarding.

    Sadly, this is a game best reserved for little children and their appreciation for the pretty colors.
  6. OliRock92
    Jan 2, 2021
    4
    That's it. Half of the Paper Mario series is made of gems. The other is what I like to call the Sticker Star trilogy. Every game since Sticker Star has been gimicky and stripped of every RPG element except for turn-based combat. I give it 1 point for it's beautiful graphics, another for it's decent soundtrack and 2 more for it's writing. This game, if nothing else, is absolutely hilarious.That's it. Half of the Paper Mario series is made of gems. The other is what I like to call the Sticker Star trilogy. Every game since Sticker Star has been gimicky and stripped of every RPG element except for turn-based combat. I give it 1 point for it's beautiful graphics, another for it's decent soundtrack and 2 more for it's writing. This game, if nothing else, is absolutely hilarious. They kKIMD OF brougjt back partners but they only follow you for a limited time and have generic names such as Bob-Omb (RIP Bombette and Admiral Bobbery). You cannot control tjem in battle either. They attack but often fail without any player input. Ok so the writing's good but what about the gameplau? Battles are unnecessary. They are gimicky beyond belief. You have to line up enemies in a row before attacking. It goes front brain damaged stupid easy to nearly impossoble to figure out on a timer before you know it. Most people I know, myself included, just skip as many of them as possible. You don't get any EXP from defeating enemies so there's really no point to bother. Like you partners, every NPC is generic. Most of them are Toads and Shy Guys with some other of Bowser's minions thrown into the mix. There is absolutely no originality whatsoever like Paper Mario, The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario had in their character design. The only original characters are Olly (the main villain, at least it's not Bowser this time) and his sister and Mario's partner, Olivia. Olivia is by far the best part of the game. She herself has more charm than the rest of the "Sticker Star" trilogy combined. All in all, the game is a treat for the eyes and a good read (yeah, no voice acting, like we're still in 1999) but certainly not a fun game to play. I highly recommend wathing a let's play on YouTube rather than playing it. Unlike the 1st 3 games in the series, nothing compels me to try to complete the game as much as possible or even replay it.… Expand
  7. GILBAR
    Oct 10, 2020
    3
    Disappointingggggg.
    Literally no challenge at all, as the game gives you the exact amount of moves in order to win without taking one hit. One can finish the game without getting hit once.
    The combination and the order of enemies in the arena almost always the same, "put the enemies in line" Overall, besides the great graphics and soundtrack, the game feels like they did not put much    Disappointingggggg.
    Literally no challenge at all, as the game gives you the exact amount of moves in order to win without taking one hit. One can finish the game without getting hit once.
    The combination and the order of enemies in the arena almost always the same, "put the enemies in line"

    Overall, besides the great graphics and soundtrack, the game feels like they did not put much effort in it, boring and empty.    … Expand
  8. HazeTheHawk13
    Jul 23, 2020
    2
    he Label this as a Action Adventure Game yet still try to put a RPG type battle System that is horrible and gimmick filled compared to the perfect Battle System of the first two Paper Mario titles. Even worse though is that you get nothing from battles, no exp, no leveling up, you don't need to battle for coins or confetti because it's overabundanced in the Overworld. They Scrappedhe Label this as a Action Adventure Game yet still try to put a RPG type battle System that is horrible and gimmick filled compared to the perfect Battle System of the first two Paper Mario titles. Even worse though is that you get nothing from battles, no exp, no leveling up, you don't need to battle for coins or confetti because it's overabundanced in the Overworld. They Scrapped everything that made the originals great. The Characters lack Originality and all look the same when in the originals all the characters even the same species had different outfits and names, now it's all just plain toads and Mario enemies that you can't tell apart from each other. And I'm sick of Nintendo forcing bad gimmick into their games. They made real world house hold appliances bosses in this game. How creative. Not. Where's the creativity at?. Over all I spent the entire game avoiding enemies Wich really sucks because I don't want to avoid battles bit you literally get nothing from them. They would have been better off letting you jump and hammer enemies in real time. I want the Original Paper Mario back. I want Miyamoto to stop forcing the development team t
    o limit their creativity. I want a true sequel to the 1st two Paper Mario Games. This game feels like a uncreative way for Nintendo to play things safe and to make Money. I remember When Nintendo used to put heart into their games. Now it's all Gimicks over passion. We Want Paper Mario to go back to how it Originally was. Nintendo sadly ignores it's Fanbase.    … Expand
  9. Hennrio
    Jul 26, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Still no reason for combat no sense of progression/xp no replay value
    Partners are back but you cant control them
    Where is my godamn value a waste of money for a mediocre at best game    … Expand
  10. Darkqwerty
    Jul 23, 2020
    2
    combat terrible spend more time lining up enemies then fighting them rarely even get attacked if you line them up correctly and get correctly timed presses you never get hit ive only got up to first red ribbon and iam struggling to keep playing not keeping me interested the slightest
  11. Game-Hogger
    Jan 30, 2021
    0
    As much as I tried to be open to the heavy changes within this game, I just couldn't click with this it. The combat is so boring, repetitive and unrewarding to the point you'll actively avoid "encounters" if you want to call them that, the boss battles are unnecessarily complex and make a stupid battle system even more dreadful than its random "encounters". Although I could eventuallyAs much as I tried to be open to the heavy changes within this game, I just couldn't click with this it. The combat is so boring, repetitive and unrewarding to the point you'll actively avoid "encounters" if you want to call them that, the boss battles are unnecessarily complex and make a stupid battle system even more dreadful than its random "encounters". Although I could eventually solve them myself, I had to help numerous people in my household who couldn't despite the game being aimed at said kids and it only shows Nintendo's core audience can't even solve them. The stories for the recent entries come across as being basic since Miyamoto's stance that the Paper Mario franchise doesn't need a story and is nothing more than a forgetful adventure fueled with jokes you're not going to remember. You're progressing through an empty world for literally no reason and they're only adding a story wherever it's necessary, though a lack of one actively leaves you not only wanting more - but feeling a desire to replay older Paper Mario titles if you've had the joy of doing so.

    I also dislike the characters, especially Olivia who is annoying, comes off as empty headed and unfunny to the point where you just want her to shut up and quit pointing out the obvious, which you can tell is to give Nintendo's child audience a sense of direction since this games so bad at explaining how to get from point A to B. For an origami character, she's rather flat when it comes to writing. None of the other characters stand out to me either, they're as bland as their designs. The only good thing about this is the music and the stage design (albeit each world being small and lacking exploration), however that's not enough to keep me going through a mundane game

    This only made me appreciate Super Paper Mario's combat and I had issues with that. I really dislike this game and the recent direction of Paper Mario. Mario & Luigi shouldn't have died for this    … Expand
  12. OmegaNine
    Jul 22, 2020
    2
    This is probably the worst Mario game in the series. The combat is a slide puzzle, the bosses are a slide puzzle that you have to get get in game hints just to figure out and the ice boss is a memory game. The combat is so bad it brings down the rest of the game. Everything else in this game is amazing. The exploration and story are great. But the game revolves around the worst combatThis is probably the worst Mario game in the series. The combat is a slide puzzle, the bosses are a slide puzzle that you have to get get in game hints just to figure out and the ice boss is a memory game. The combat is so bad it brings down the rest of the game. Everything else in this game is amazing. The exploration and story are great. But the game revolves around the worst combat since trading card games. That would have been better. This is the last Mario game I buy day one.… Expand
  13. ListlessSin
    Jul 25, 2020
    1
    The colors were vibrant but that was about it. If you are looking for an old style paper mario you are out of luck. The combat was very repetitive and had no effect on anything else. You had a couple of partners but they didnt help in any way. Definitely not like in paper mario 64. I finished the game and will never play it again. Unlike the true paper maios like 64 which i have played 6The colors were vibrant but that was about it. If you are looking for an old style paper mario you are out of luck. The combat was very repetitive and had no effect on anything else. You had a couple of partners but they didnt help in any way. Definitely not like in paper mario 64. I finished the game and will never play it again. Unlike the true paper maios like 64 which i have played 6 times through. Its truly sad that nintendo cant seem to get this right and bring back the old style.… Expand
  14. Classico
    Jul 23, 2020
    1
    Another hollow shell of a paper Mario game. Combat is terrible and ultimately pointless, so bad you try to avoid it. Sad to see how far this series has fallen from it's real rpg roots. Nintendo just doesn't get it, don't waste your money.
  15. LeoWarranty
    Jul 23, 2020
    4
    got the game a few days early so i was able to beat it a day before it came out

    so i just finished PAPER MARIO: THE ORIGAMI KING. the review. non spoiler review, not paid to review, all my own personal opinions. first the good -graphics are always great -gameplay feels smooth -lots of new characters and story to indulge yourself into until the next big nintendo game releases -new    got the game a few days early so i was able to beat it a day before it came out

    so i just finished PAPER MARIO: THE ORIGAMI KING. the review. non spoiler review, not paid to review, all my own personal opinions.

    first the good
    -graphics are always great
    -gameplay feels smooth
    -lots of new characters and story to indulge yourself into until the next big nintendo game releases
    -new mechanics that bring a fresh style into the new series especially compared to sticker+color

    now the bad...which is a lot
    -confetti is just as bad as paint. please stop doing this
    -story is very lackluster and doesnt pull you in like past games do.
    -you dont remember the characters. for majority of the game since i barely heard olivias name i thought her name was candice

    -the new fighting system still sucks and i hate it with a passion. after you get used to it you still learn to hate it with new stuff they bring in mid/end way into the game
    -theirs no replayability. this is a game you'll play once and probably never want to touch again

    -literally you cant replay it. you'll find out why when you get it lol.
    -no actual rpg elements here with no xp so you dont have an incentive to actually fight. i was going out of my way to dodge every single little fight i could.
    -bosses are horrible and so are mini bosses

    OVERALL
    personal score 4/10 i put it in the same category with sticker and color. this is nothing of a throwback to the good old games.

    score i would give people: 5/10 if you are bored and want to try paper mario then give it a shoot. if youve played past games not worth money.    … Expand
  16. DazeX1
    Jul 23, 2020
    0
    The Paper Mario series as a whole feels like it is developed by people who either do not understand or care about fan feedback. No, I’m not one of those people who want it to be like the original “Mario Story” games. It is okay to deviate and attempt to innovate from what you did before.

    That being said, it feels like each new game in the series is the same bland, generic, linear game    The Paper Mario series as a whole feels like it is developed by people who either do not understand or care about fan feedback. No, I’m not one of those people who want it to be like the original “Mario Story” games. It is okay to deviate and attempt to innovate from what you did before.

    That being said, it feels like each new game in the series is the same bland, generic, linear game we’ve seems since Sticker Star. There’s no heart or “Mario” vibe given, it could just as easily be a generic puzzle game with a Mario skin plastered on it. Characters aren’t unique, and there was not one character or even that was memorable.

    I hope Nintendo can finally attempt to do something acceptable in the next release, and why they can’t just do what worked before. Strange how they release nearly identical 2D “New” Mario games yet the Paper Mario Series always attempts something new that falls on its face every time.    … Expand
  17. leongn
    Jul 20, 2020
    0
    A terrible travesty ashaming its glory roots. This game is both a **** and not an rpg. Nintendo, stop make the great franchises of the past guinea pigs for stupidity. If your kid programmers want to fool around autistically with whatever stupidity want to try, make it on new IPs, not disgrace the legendary ones.
  18. Shushy013
    Jul 21, 2020
    0
    Muy decepcionado, ya no tiene ese estilo como el primer paper Mario si tanto nintendo es una marca innovadora entonces empiezen a hacer juegos que no sean de la saga Mario o zelda
  19. Clumsy303
    Jul 23, 2020
    0
    Don't buy this game. Play bug fables. They clearly don't listen to the fans and only care about casuals.
  20. JonTRL
    Jul 24, 2020
    0
    Giving this game a 0 not because is bad but because is not a Paper mario game
    They arecfocusing too much on the Paper gimmick Sticker, Coloring ,Origami, when the first games where all about the Story,Partners and Rpg elements and the paper being only about the style just like wind waker,
    If you like the game good for you,i dont and i want the old RPG paper mario back Just look at Doom    Giving this game a 0 not because is bad but because is not a Paper mario game
    They arecfocusing too much on the Paper gimmick Sticker, Coloring ,Origami, when the first games where all about the Story,Partners and Rpg elements and the paper being only about the style just like wind waker,
    If you like the game good for you,i dont and i want the old RPG paper mario back
    Just look at Doom Mario Odyssey Breath of the wild, you can do something new and still go back to the roots of the first games if you do that you get a massive successful game that appeal to both old and new fans    … Expand
  21. xenilla
    Aug 10, 2020
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm having a lot of trouble reviewing this game. I feel there are external and internal circumstances that seriously hinder my thoughts here.

    On one hand, yes, I do desperately want a game similar to Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. I say this even though my most favourite Paper Mario game was Super Paper Mario; I just know a game like that can't really do so great anymore. Super Paper Mario was a daring risk that went right, but it shouldn't be risked again, unless you REALLY want to be bold, and maybe a bit stupid.

    On the other hand, I've heard the interviews, I've seen the dialogue, and honestly, given the hindsight, I can't help but feel like there are some genuine cries for help throughout this game. The Bob-omb, "Bobby" as Olivia calls him, is an example. Olivia keeps trying to name him, but he adamantly refuses to be named; this, as well as a nod to Admiral Bobbery, among other references to their own past, tells me they really do want to make uniquely designed enemies/allies, but something's stopping them.

    That being said, it's also very blatantly clear that this game could've been infinitely better. Take a look at Super Paper Mario. Everything in that game is unique, yet follows Nintendo's restrictions. There's scarcely a redesigned Koopa, Goomba, or Shy Guy in there, if at all. It's all unique characters/enemies that fall directly into the line of what's allowed still.

    My thoughts on this game are that, with a bit of thinking outside of the box, it could've been infinitely more. Olivia and Olly's characters could've been deep. Olly's entire motive for genocide is as stupid as "My creator scribbled on me! For this, I must K I L L" and it turns out what he WROTE, not scribbled, was a heartfelt message. This could've been much more, and just felt incredibly lazy. Characters like Khap'taan Teeowed/Captain T. Ode, who felt super unique, were dumbed down so severely that you end up feeling averse to them by the end.

    Everything in this game is a big "What could've been". That being said, it nailed lots of things on the head. The music and sound design is amazing. The level design is pretty great. The art style is superb, and visually, this game is a wonder; but none of these things feel so great because of how dull this game is. The soundtrack of this game is a soundtrack you'd find yourself humming, but thanks to how little of an impact the game actually left, the soundtrack, too, suffers. The visual design would've made unique characters so much more memorable, yet all I can remember is Olivia, Olly, and Captain T. Ode's fancy clothes, and that only a little; really, all I can remember is that it was black and red... I think.

    The combat is an atrocity. If I were given the opportunity to lick wet paint for a "Skip Battle" button, I would do it in a heartbeat. It's fun for the first chapter AT MOST. Boss battles are also somewhat interesting, yet they, too, stop being that way after the second one.

    I really hate that I spent 100$ for this game. If I knew this is what I would get, I wouldn't have bought it at all.

    Why I'm so torn is because it's so clear it could've been better. From character motives, to combat systems, to, well, characters in general; they're all so visibly lacklustre, yet so clearly oozing with room for improvement, that it hurt to play the game. I played it and I saw what could've been, and I can't help but feel like there's just a reason behind it. Given the studio's complaints regarding the fact that they're not able to really be as creative as they wish, I can somewhat understand, but as I mentioned before, even with the restrictions on creativity that they're effected with, a game like Super Paper Mario could exist if made now. There's just not enough of an excuse, especially when The Origami King itself is full of potential for interesting characters, and, hell, even has characters like Olivia and Olly, which fall outside of this rule.

    If the last two games weren't as bad as they were, I'd probably be much more lenient on the rating for this game, as I'd be thinking it's a one-off mistake in game creation. Would it be a big mistake? Yes, sure, but let's not stress over hypotheticals. The issue here is that there's not much good faith, so I find it hard to believe that the characters, or at the very least, the story, couldn't have been more interesting.

    I mean... really? "He scribbled all over me, so I must commit genocide, without even thinking for a split second that, maybe, just maybe, the person who brought me to life didn't do so with bad intentions". That's the plot. What's the lesson here? Think first, act later? Mario games don't all have to be as mindless as "Your princess is in another castle". This is on that calibre, and I don't understand why. Not to say those games are bad, but it's more that they shouldn't even be compared. Making a story game story-less is like making a Mario game without jumping.

    My rating of 4 is genuine.    … Expand
  22. PepperU
    Aug 4, 2020
    0
    I've never felt so cheated out of 60 bucks. The combat is absolutely pathetic and there is zero incentive to complete it. If there was XP or a chance to gain items that would be one thing. But instead you spin a stupid circle around every single time, solving the same boring puzzle over and over again just to receive coins. I hate this game.
  23. Scorpion20294
    Aug 11, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Battles are pointless don't need to battle to get coins and confeti just explore the world get thousands of coins just from exploring the world hitting trees get loads of confetti just by hitting a bunch of trees and fill in the holes and get lots of coins and bosses looks extremely dumb they all look like a 5 or 6 year old made em this game barley has any creativity and this game is super easy not worth your money… Expand
  24. Garett_R
    Feb 15, 2021
    2
    Unbearably boring, I couldn't take it any more. If the game didn't have any combat, it might be playable.
  25. okna
    Aug 2, 2020
    0
    Poor controls and battle system like it's sending you to take remedial tests every time you get into an encounter. Why couldn't you just give us the option of skipping this. It literally ruins the entire fluidity and experience of the game.
  26. MatchSmatch
    Aug 5, 2020
    3
    Very boring game. It has been stated that this should be viewed as an adventure game, but the levels are empty, the story is dull and spent most of time wishing I was in the next area already. There no story just events and some minor character interaction. Some of the puzzles are ok and the music is good. The combat is terrible, you spend all time actively avoiding combat, there is noVery boring game. It has been stated that this should be viewed as an adventure game, but the levels are empty, the story is dull and spent most of time wishing I was in the next area already. There no story just events and some minor character interaction. Some of the puzzles are ok and the music is good. The combat is terrible, you spend all time actively avoiding combat, there is no point to engage as there is no benefit to fighting at all. The boss fights are uninspired and also easy. Right at the end, the Origami King Olly starts criticizing the game, 'once you have seen one toad you have seen them all'. The grip that Nintendo have put over Intelligent System has stifled their creativity and does it really show with another failed paper Mario. I regret buying this game.… Expand
  27. misazx
    Feb 25, 2021
    0
    the plot sucks, characters sucks and battle sucks.
    The game is too long because mario walks too slow and chatacters keep telling you things like "Oh, Mario, did you see that?" when you OBVIOUSLY saw it.
  28. BuckWild
    May 14, 2022
    3
    Charmig graphics and fairly fun story but the overall experience is greatly bogged down by an incredibly boring and tedious battle system that frankly is one of the worst I've ever seen.
  29. Fuccc
    Aug 31, 2021
    0
    Awful combat, it's so annoying. Every time I get into a battle, I just quit. The upgrades don't really help, because it's still too hard to avoid battles.
  30. Ishrod24
    Apr 18, 2021
    3
    Awesome art style but how can you mess up the gameplay? Keep it the same as Mario and Luigi titles. Why change the formula. How does Nintendo keep messing things up?
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Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Switch Game of 2020
2
#2 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 116 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 116
  3. Negative: 0 out of 116
  1. Ninty Fresh Magazine
    Dec 21, 2020
    70
    The Origami King is a game greater than the sum of its parts. It reaffirms Nintendo’s status as king of innovation, even if the folds don’t quite align. [Issue #2, p.66]
  2. Universo Nintendo
    Dec 16, 2020
    95
    Paper Mario: The Origami King arrives on Nintendo Switch with very high quality graphics, a pleasant soundtrack and a plot full of very good humor, typical of the Paper Mario series. Among countless places to visit, bosses to win, and puzzles to solve, the game can be considered one of the best in the franchise.
    Read full review
  3. Hey Poor Player
    Oct 29, 2020
    70
    Paper Mario deserves better. The prestige of a Final Fantasy veteran appropriating his magic onto a handicraft world deserves better. The unforgettable wit and lovable cast expanding Mario lore deserves better. And we know that Intelligent Systems can do better than committing themselves to a misguided identity crisis.
    Read full review
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