| Game Reviewed | Untitled Paper Mario Fangame, by lennongrad |
| Review Author | ByeBye |
| Created | Sep 25 2025, 5:58 AM |
| Pros | + Fun combat system true to Paper Mario + Huge badge and stat customization options + Goombario partner with tattle is a nice touch + Great low-poly N64/DS hybrid aesthetic with cool lighting + Pleasant little details (film projector UI, jump pitch, pipe effects) + Enemy variety and flashy attack effects |
| Cons | - Controls feel floaty and awkward at times - Battle timing and overworld jumps are imprecise - Sound design feels empty, with flat battle music - Short demo length, looping after a few stages - A bit rough around the edges, feels a tad unpolished |
Gameplay 7 / 10 |
The battles are the star here! They feel pretty close to the real deal. You've got badges to mess around with, stat choices on level-ups, and even Goombario popping up with his tattle ability. It all fits together nicely and gives you plenty of room to play around with different setups. On the flip side, the controls can be a bit odd feeling. The one-handed scheme takes getting used to, jumps in the overworld feel way too precise at times, and wall jumps don't really click until you figure out their quirks. It's fun and functional, but a little clunky in the moment-to-moment. |
Graphics 9 / 10 |
This game looks pretty great for a fangame. The low-poly, pixelly textures make it feel like a strange mix of N64 and DS styles, which works surprisingly well for the Paper Mario feel. Lighting is especially impressive in places like the underground areas, and the battle backgrounds, health bars, and projector UI are all really slick touches. The small details, like the trippy effect on the double jump in battle, all add heaps of much-needed character. |
Sound 5 / 10 |
The audio is a bit more hit-or-miss. Sound effects usually land well (props for the changing pitch in the jump SFX!), with the pipe animation and general movement noises being spot on, but the music doesn't always match the same energy. Overworld tracks are solid enough, but the battle music feels kind of flat and doesn't really hype you up. On top of that, the soundscape as a whole feels like it's missing a layer of ambience, leaving battles in particular a little too quiet and empty feeling. |
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At the end of the day, this demo is easy-going and fun experiment that brings Paper Mario into a full 3D fangame. It's got its charm, smart systems, and an aesthetic that really works, even if the controls are a tad floaty. It's short sure, but what's here is surprisingly solid and worth checking out. With some polish, this could easily turn into something really special! |
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