Platform games have always been a very popular category, with some of the world’s most popular and well-known franchises fitting into the genre. For example, Nintendo’s Mario is said to be the most famous character in video game history. Unfortunately, Nintendo has never brought their major franchise across onto the iPhone, so we’re left looking for alternatives.
Paper Monsters is a new platform game for both the iPad and iPhone, seemingly taking major inspiration from both the Mario franchise and the PlayStation 3-exclusive LittleBigPlanet line of games. Does it hold up to such lofty comparisons on the iPhone? Find out after the jump.
Starting Up
If you’ve ever played LittleBigPlanet 2, the opening cinematic that sets the story will be very familiar. In both games, an invading party must be eliminated with the help of the player. I actively encourage you to watch the opening video of LittleBigPlanet 2 beforehand, just so you can pick up on the similarities between these two games.
A moving platform in one of the earlier levels in Paper Monsters.
The makeshift world is designed with cardboard and buttons, much like the main character whose cardboard-constructed body offers a level of charm similar to Sackboy in the aforementioned popular PS3 game. While you start out with him in a plain brown uncustomised shell, by picking up gold buttons (or buying them as in-app purchases), accessories and quasi-clothing can be added.
When you’re ready to play, you simply need to hit the large start button to launch into the main campaign. While it isn’t arranged on any sort of map, each section of the storyline is separated into it’s own level and further categorised by chapter allowing easy access to a specific part of the game at any time.
Just Like Mario
It’s very easy to draw comparisons between Paper Monsters and Mario, but difficult to put into words the overall vibe to the game that makes it feel like everyone’s favourite platformer. You must navigate the blocky world jumping on enemies in your path (some of which have unique abilities, like causing explosive damage to the nearby area) and collecting power ups that are masked as presents throughout the map. It’s kind of like Mario rebranded, but not in such an obvious way that would have Nintendo lawyering up.
One of the initial chapters in Paper Monsters.
When you start up, you’ll launch into a specific map tied to a location within Paperland. Just like the games i’ve likened it to, Paper Monsters gives each chapter a unique design. The first chapter, Paper Hills, is lush whereas the second, Yibiki Peaks, offers the game’s take on a more wintery setting.
Just like Mario, the aim of the game is to navigate the map while avoiding obstacles and collecting an in-game currency, buttons. Of course, you’re not alone; enemies roam the location in their traditional back-and-forth walk waiting to be squashed by jumping on top. Levels are not confined to a specific altitude, either. By swiping up twice, the player can access additional platforms where more currency and monsters may reside.
Paper Monsters executes it’s controls system quite well. By default, it uses a virtual joystick setup that’s not too frustrating to control. However, I prefer the static classic touchpad option that is easily switched on in the pause menu.
Graphics and Soundtrack
The graphics in Paper Monsters are really impressive, and one of the app’s strongest points. The game looks incredibly crisp and sharp on the iPhone’s retina display, and doesn’t suffer too heavily from jagged-edge syndrome. The whole game is meant to be stylised like it was made out of cardboard and paper, and that effect is produced in a very charming way.
Each chapter of the game is set in a different part of Paperland, from lush climates to the more wintering, snow-filled locations and I do like how the game isn’t restricted to one spot. Various new gameplay elements are introduced as you progress through levels too, including things like moving platforms.
A subterranean scene in Paper Monsters.
The audio is, however, one of the game’s disadvantages — it’s just plain annoying. While, from a technical standpoint, it’s not the worst soundtrack, I just can’t stand listening to the menu theme for more than a few seconds. The sound effects used throughout the game are better, although some (like those that play when your character jumps) get really repetitive.
Final Thoughts
As i’ve already mentioned, Paper Monsters is like a hybrid of LittleBigPlanet and Mario. Paper Monsters shares many gameplay mechanisms with Mario and creates a very familiar, straightforward experience. However, it also shares the charm and style of LittleBigPlanet (and even a large chunk of the storyline too).
The game’s Mario-style gameplay is still fun with an impressive graphical presentation. However, as I mentioned before, the audio gets annoyingly repetitive and i’d recommend putting it on mute.
At $0.99, the universal binary is definitely worth trying out until Nintendo realises it’s a good idea to bring the Mario franchise to iOS.