Keeps From Falling Too Flat
One genre of games the Wii U eShop is filling up with is platformers, some of which nail the gameplay, and others which fall relatively flat. Mobot Studios decided to throw their hat into the ring with Paper Monsters Recut, an improved port of Paper Monsters for iOS devices, and aims to bring a visually attractive platformer that appeals to both younger and older players.
The most noticeable change from its previous release is the improved high definition graphics, which manage to nicely showcase the game's art style of, well, paper monsters. Every enemy, background and platform has been designed to appear as if it was crafted out of paper into polygonal shapes. The simple yet defined art style helps to demonstrate at a glance that Paper Monsters Recut is intended to be a light and enjoyable game for all ages.
While the game aims to impress everyone, it falls nicely into the category of a family game due to the overall simplicity of the controls and level design. None of the available levels offer a true platforming challenge for an experienced player, but are nonetheless enjoyable, and we feel that this game can be enjoyed by anyone, but specifically by kids.
Each of the many worlds on hand, from snowy winter landscapes to a dusty wild west themed universe, offers a collection of half a dozen or so levels topped off by a boss battle. While these battles try to be creative, they ultimately come across as too easy to beat and become more of a wasted opportunity than a fun conclusion to a world. Thankfully the rest of the levels, including the hidden bonus ones, offer a fun experience.
Once you beat Paper Monsters Recut you can go back in order to find and beat all of the hidden levels, collect hidden Gold Buttons and Paperclips in each level, or simply enjoy yourself in the extra minigame distractions available.
While Paper Monsters looks nice and plays well, we need to mention that there have been a few hiccups players have experienced, from the occasional simply harmless graphical glitch which pokes your head through a pipe, to completely falling off of the overworld map into a wide green emptiness. While by no means game breaking, or even really noticeable to most, the glitches are there to be found, but don't manage to take away from the overall enjoyment of the game very much.
If Mobot Studios' first release on the Wii U eShop is any indication of their skill, we believe they can manage to create some truly great games. While Paper Monsters Recut has all the right intentions, it has a few tears and rips which prevent the release from reaching its full potential. If you are looking for an upbeat, positive and simple platformer, Paper Monsters Recut is worth consideration.
7.5/10
Review copy provided by Mobot Studios
Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:59 pm by Knuckles