Summary
Art styles make or break games. Art draws in potential players. Realism adds to gritty, grim stories by making them feel all the more real. Pixel art appeals to nostalgia. Cute characters usually mean a game is cozy. What do papery-looking games imply?
One of the key factors of paper-like games seems to be that paper elements are heavily incorporated into the gameplay. From folding around environments to diving into bookish worlds to characters changing forms, origami-style, there’s a lot that can be done. These games also lend themselves to puzzle masters. If that sounds good to you, then fold like a frog and hop right in.
Paper Mario is back at it once again. This game (and remake) is probably one of the most iconic paper games on the market. Mario receives a treasure map in the mail from Princess Peach and wastes no time in setting out on this quest, all while picking up quite a few helpful friends along the way. you’re able to even play as Princess Peach and Bowser in their own plotlines.
Paper Mario really embraces its paper elements. He can fit in tight spaces, fold up into a paper plane, and crumple into a ball to move through levels. This gameisn’t perfect, but it is a lot of fun to have Paper Mario back.
2022
Platform(s)
PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S
Developer(s)
Open House Games, Open House Studio
Play as Line, a magical origami shapeshifter, in this emotional puzzle platformer. This textless narrative is truly something beautiful and very intense. Being a creature made of paper is rough. There are dangers around every corner, from spiders to vacuum cleaners; it seems the little guy never gets a break.
Now, this entire world isn’t paper-like. Line is an outlier, but this really adds to the story. There is no one else like them, and having this little guy move through this real-world setting is very endearing. It also makes the dangers all the more real.
2025-05-23
Fishing Cactus
If you love books, then this may just be the one for you. There’s combat, magic, puzzles, and mysteries in this adventure typing game. You play as a young girl and her fox companion as you travel through an origami world on your quest for inspiration.
Now, this game is difficult, and the mechanics aren’t the smoothest. There are problems with this game. What makes it great is the charming story. If you have a little patience and a desire to dive intobookish worlds, then this is the perfect game for you.
2025-07-01
Mi’pu’mi Games GmbH
A howling plague is ravaging the land, and it is up to you to find a cure. Why you? This heroine is deaf and, therefore, immune. There’s no wolfing out when you hear the howl, but others aren’t so lucky. They won’t hesitate to attack. Well, kind of.
This is a turn-based adventure, so they will wait for you. Just never let your guard down. This dark folklore-inspired world is breathtaking to look at as the ink drawings spring to life as you walk across the page. It may not be super paper-focused, but there is no doubt that the art invokes those paper-like vibes.
2025-07-11
PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Wishes Unlimited
Chicory has gone missing, color is leaving the world, and you’ve taken the responsibility of picking up the brush. This coloring book game is a simple, sweet tale that brings art to a whole new light. There are puzzles, paintings, and cute animal characters.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an amazing artist to play the game. No matter what you do, your friends will tell you it looks great. If you do have some artistic talents (or don’t like being told what to do), you’re able to also pick your colors while you bring color back to the world.
2025-06-01
Petums, Petums Tomasz Ostafin
Now, this game is truly a paper game. This short and sweet puzzle adventure features a world that is entirely paper. The story is one without words. There’s no text or worded speech, having the story rely entirely on visuals and other noises, but it works. you may see the friendship between Pape and Tura and help them save their world.
Paper really makes the game what it is. The characters were originally paper models that were then put into a digital world. It even seemed they wanted to keep the effect. The way the world looks and characters move remains reminiscent of stop motion.
2025-07-23
PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Newfangled Games
Fold your way through this origami-inspired puzzle world, literally. To travel through this world, you’ll have to fold it on itself to reveal the paths. This mechanic is quite clever and really utilizes negative space on the screen to achieve your goals; but what are these goals?
You play as Paige in this coming-of-age story. She wants to pursue higher education, but her parents don’t want her to go. She decides to leave anyway, but leaving is always more difficult than people want it to be. The puzzles are difficult, but theatmospheremakes you want to stay.
2025-07-21
Worldwalker Games
This character-driven RPG is really one for the books. Wildermyth feels like a choose-your-own-adventure book come to life. You get to choose what characters go, do, and say, but be careful, your choices have effects and consequences.
The story itself spans a hero’s life, making this story unique. The aesthetic is also beautiful. Many other paper-like games like to lean into cutesy characters and origami mechanics, but Wildermyth has no qualms with being different. The colors are dark, monsters are gruesome, and there is so much detail packed into every frame. The possibilities are endless in this one.
2025-07-30
Happy Broccoli Games
You’re getting divorced, lost your money, and ready to throw yourself into your work in true detective noir fashion. You’re also a duck; this is just as important. Play as Eugene McQuacklin, who is really one of the silliest video game characters ever made, and he desperately needs some help so he can pay his rent. This is a casual short game with a fill-in-the-blank stylemystery. You find words around as clues and attempt to fit them in the right order.
This isn’t the only papery element. The way the characters look and move is reminiscent of paper dolls. This makes the game all the more charming. This 2D game is colored simply, which really lends itself to the style.
